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Wilson High International School, Chandigarh

"Yaar I can't bear this boredom anymore, Chal na (c'mon) let's bunk the class!!" Shanaya bumped on her shoulder and whispered to Nia who was sleeping in between the lecture covering her face with her book.

"What's wrong with you!!" Nia shouted without hesitating herself to open her eyes.
Meanwhile the whole class gazing at them when teacher's authoritative voice reached their ears. Nia realised what she just did.

"Nia were you just sleeping since the starting!?" Mr.Vivek (Hindi teacher) exclaimed .

"N...no sir I heard the whole chapter" Nia stammered and replied in confidence.

"But I didn't taught any chapter today!?" He said while starring at her in questioning tone. Nia froze on her place.

"It was awareness lecture on corruption idiot!!!!" Shanaya pinched her hand as managed to whisper.

"Oh sorry sir my bad , I know you were teaching us about eruption...I..I mean co...corruption." Nia replied in one go.

"Shut upp!! And get out of the class!" He yelled at Nia and Shanaya gave her side to go but just then they heard another voice.

"Miss. Shanaya Sharma you as well" Mr.Vivek ordered.

"But sir I" before Shanaya could complete her sentence he interrupted.

"Leave I said!" Nia chuckled earning a death glare from Shanaya and they both went outside.

"Finally out of this shit now!"Nia sighed .

"But what to do now!? What if someone caught us outside the class. How embarrassing!" Shanaya asked and looked upto Nia With a frustrating face.

"Ohhhhh!! Miss.Nia Singh has sent outside the class with her her so called bestie! How sweet!!" Shivam teased them while coming out from his class.

Nia passed him death look but Shivam found her damn cute.

"Shivam just don't test my patience! Leave! And don't you dare to tell this to anybody" Nia warned him.

"Haan toh ghoor kyun Rahi hai, Jaa Raha hun" Shivam managed to control his laugh.
(Okay..then why are you staring at me like this? I'm leaving")

"Meri Marzi main jaise bhi dekhun" Nia replied to shook her head.
("It's upto me, who are you to tell me?")

"Aise na mujhe tum dekho seene se laga lunga... ,Dil mein chhupa lunga tumko" Shivam hummed a Hindi song while looking at Nia but Shanaya interrupted her in between.

"Kyun dimaag ki dahi kar Raha hai ,is se pehle ki Nia kicks you out, nikal yahan se" Shanaya passed him warned look.

("Why are you messing up with our minds! Just get out of here, before Nia kicks you out..")

Meanwhile Nia clenched her jaw discovery out the meaning of his song and fisted her hands.
Shivam noticed Nia starring at him as he left from there like a bullet train.

Just then a boy came and informed them about the coach's instructions for them. Their looks exchanged with each other in excitement, as they went to the ground.

When they were coming towards the area, they saw huge number of boys were present busy doing their own activities. Nia felt bit unfamiliar to the place as she don't like to be in crowded place being not very fond of bodies around.
Meanwhile Shanaya looked very thrilled who was holding Nia's hand almost dragging her to the ground. Nia couldn't match her steps and jerked away her hand.

"Yaar kya kar rahi! Konsa tumhare phere chhoot jayenge agar dheere chal legi toh" Nia yelled at her out of irritation. Shanaya Stopped there meanwhile Nia didn't think of waiting for her.
(Dude what's this! You are not going to miss your train.")

"Then move fast na, otherwise coach won't leave us, we are already late!" Shanaya replied with sense of resentment.

Nia turned around, but this time she walked backwards, wearing a charming smile as she said,
"So why are you standing there? Come on!"

Just then, her back collided with someone, and everything unfolded so suddenly that no one could make sense of it. She let out a scream, teetering on the brink of falling when a strong hand caught her waist. She squinted her eyes, preoccupied with thoughts of falling, not realizing that her hands were clutching the collar of the person who had saved her.

Meanwhile, he found himself unexpectedly captivated by her face, his eyes roaming over her features. Her frightened expression sparked a deep sense of contentment within his frantic heartbeat. He felt a flutter in his heart as their faces drew close enough that he could no longer contain his emotions; it was the first time he had experienced such intimacy with a girl, and it overwhelmed him.

As she sensed someone's warm breath against her face in the chill of the air, she suddenly opened her eyes and met his gaze. Struck by the unfamiliarity of him, she felt awkward as soon as she broke eye contact. Veeransh gently released her from his grip and quickly withdrew his hand from her slender waist.

When they both realised laughing faces starring at them. Anyhow Veer managed to ask "A..are you okay?"

"Hmmm..." Nia said trying not to look at him.

"Jonny m..mera matlab Ronny I think someone is calling me" Veeransh fumbled and headed towards the Coach almost running.

Shanaya and Nia made their way to the coach as Veeransh sensed someone's eyes on him. When he looked around, he found that Shanaya was staring at him without realizing it.

A smirk appeared on Veeransh's lips as he teasingly winked at her. Her jaw dropped at his playful gesture. He noticed her cheeks turning crimson the moment she cast her gaze down, and a smile spread across his face as he nodded his head.

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"Shanaya Nia fill up this form" Coach passed one of the form to Nia and called out Shanaya helding another form in his hand. When She didn't respond, Nia took over the form from coach's hand and landed a slap on her head.

"Whattt..the..ffff.." Earning a sharp look from coach and Nia, she realised her mistake giving them a sheepish smile.

"Veeransh!" Coach called out his name who was busy doing pushups challenging Surya to match his record. The time he heard coach's voice he ran to him.

"Ji Sir" Veeransh replied.

"From today you and Surya will be training Nia and Shanaya for the upcoming finals" Just when Coach completed saying so,

Veeransh asked "But sir when will I get the time to practice then?"

"I know you will manage and I trust both of you ,just teach them the basic attacking skills only, rest I will manage" Coach replied with a Sigh "And I will also got to know ki tum dono kitne paani mein ho" he smiled and left the place.

"Let's go, I will teach you today!" Surya told Nia with a gentle smile. They stepped on the big soft mattress placed at the one side of the ground.
Veeransh passed him a Sharp look and went towards Shanaya.

"There..." He gestured towards a corner of the ground and began his practice on a different mat positioned next to where Nia and Surya were practicing.

Veeransh advised Shanaya to begin with warm-up exercises, and they both started jumping and stretching. As Shanaya performed standing crunches, she discreetly glanced at him.

When Veeransh caught her looking, he felt a rush of shyness. To break the growing awkwardness, he slipped on a kick pad, handed Shanaya a pair of gloves, and gave her some instructions.

"You have to punch this pad in my hand and I will count along, and when I end up say six we will take break then again start over ! Okay??" Veeransh explained and insured with his no expression face.

"Yes I got it!" She answered with a wide smile.

Veeransh looked at her face which seemed to be very enthusiastic and curious, he couldn't help but smiled.

"I know you have tried different punches before but just for a reminder ,first know how to exactly make a straight punch!"
Veeransh instructed her, beginning to teach her the technique.

As she stumbled, he paused, gently guiding her arm from behind and showing her how to properly deliver the punch, all while remaining oblivious to the small distance between their bodies, which was so minimal that even air seemed to struggle to pass through. Shanaya's eyes widened as she took in his face so close to hers, her heart racing wildly.

Realizing the closeness, Veeransh quickly averted his gaze, only to catch sight of Nia practicing a roundhouse kick with Surya.

She was demonstrating impressive attacking skills and had a remarkable ability to learn quickly. In his mind, Veeransh praised her swift reflexes, but when she glanced in his direction, he instinctively looked away, feeling a wave of helplessness wash over him.

After the practice he stepped towards Surya and said "kaafi hai yaar Aaj ke liye. Let's go! Sir ko bol denge that they needs to build up their stamina."

("Enough for today. Let's go! We will excuse sir that they need to build up their stamina first")

"Bas yaar chalte Hain woh Nia High kick mein bhut mess create kar rahi hai, ek baar uski practice ho jaaye" Surya replied.

("Yea dude, just leaving! Actually Nia is messing up with High kick, once let her be done with it

"Bro!! Nandini Mam is calling you" A boy shouted from a distance and informed Surya.

"Shit! I'm into quite a lot demand these days...Veer you please teach her till then? I know She will cop up easily!"

He spoke to them, but Nia didn't hear him. Before Veeransh could respond further, Surya left, creating an awkward silence in the air.

Nia poured the entire contents of her water bottle onto her face, feeling uncomfortably hot despite it being December. The fabric of her white shirt clung to her neck, objectifying her attractive collarbone.

When Veeransh glanced her way, his gaze was once again fixated on her. His throat dried up, and upon realizing his behavior, he cursed himself for acting this way and pushed his thoughts aside.

"A..I can teach you High kick you ,if you don't mind" Veeransh managed to say .

"Ye...sur...I mean okay" Nia stammered and looked at him thinking about since how long he was standing there.

As she got to her feet, Veeransh commanded her to kick the pad he was holding on his count. He began by adjusting the height to a medium level, allowing her to kick comfortably, and then gradually raised it. He was already impressed by her determination when he set the height to a challenging level. As Nia swung her leg to kick the pad, she lost her balance and fell hard to the ground. She grimaced as she felt a twinge of pain in her back. After a few moments, she opened her eyes to see a hand extended toward her. He raised his eyebrows and gestured towards his hand. Understanding what he meant, she placed her warm, soft hand into his cold one, and he gently yet firmly helped her up.

"Thank you.." Nia smiled in little pain.

"I think it's enough for today ,you should take care now" Veeransh's dominating voice didn't give any chance to Nia to leave any comment.

"Hmmm" She managed to say.

"I'm leaving, take care!" And he left from their.

Nia kept looking at him until his Shadow disguised away. Shanaya came and patted on her shoulder as Nia regained consciousness .

"He is a nice guy! Isn't he?" Shanaya said while thinking of Veeransh.

"Aye haaye..!Dil vil toh nahin aagya na tera uspe, dekha tha maine kaise ghoor Rahi thi use practice karte hue" Nia mocked her.
("Oh wow...! You didn't actually fall for him, did you? I noticed how intensely you were looking at him during the practice!")

"Oh nothing like that!! you are thinking too much! Veseeeee..... iska matlab Tera dhyaan bhi udhar hi tha hainaaaa...ab bta kiska kis par dil aaya hai?!" Shanaya dumped her shoulder with hers and teased her back.

("By the way.....that means your whole attention was there only, right.....Now tell me who has fallen for whom?!")

"Oh pleaseeee Meee? Neverr! NIA SINGH doesn't want to be known for someone's property!!" Nia answered in a authoritative tone.

"Are o Mata isme zameen zaydaad Kahan se aa gayi..! Kisi ko pyaar karna doesn't mean kisi ki property ban jana" Shanaya claimed, looked at her with a confusing gesture.

"To love someone you need to submit your whole to him, which means you are totally a property of him now and he has got all rights over you" Nia answered and shrugged.

"You and your mysterious talks! Huh" And they both went to their classroom.

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Another day.....

There was no practice scheduled. After recess, Veeransh made his way to the terrace (yes, he skipped his last class) and stood with his eyes closed.

Moments later, he envisioned Shanaya's timid face before him, and the events from the previous day replayed in his mind, prompting a smile to break across his lips.

He couldn't quite understand why he felt this way, and then, in an instant, Nia's frightened expression flashed in his thoughts. That smile faded, replaced by an unwelcome sensation, and his normally composed demeanor suddenly turned flush! His heart raced as if it might leap out of his chest.

He recalled her radiant face, illuminated by the soft December sunlight that caressed her skin as she splashed water on her face. Her white shirt clung to her neck, highlighting her alluring collarbone. Abruptly, he opened his eyes, realizing the gravity of his feelings.

"What's is this mahadev!! What's going on with mee?!"
He whispered up in the sky and placed his right hand on his racing heart.

"W..wait! Am I attracted to her! No wayyy!!
How can I..but wait! Then why do I always smile when I look at Shanaya!!!"
What's going on....It's not me I'm..I can't be attracted to two girls at a same time! Ohh god save me!" Veeransh making and cracking up his own thoughts.

"Ho Gaya hai tujhko toh pyaar sajjna..laakh karle tu inkaar sajna..hai yeh pyaar sajjna..!!" Ronny and Viaan started singing a hindi song from coming behind to tease Veeransh who has now settled his gaze at the corridor from the Terrace.

Shanaya was playing and running after some kids with pondering with the enormous amount of jubilance on her face.

While Nia was sitting on the grass ground with a cute little boy sitting on her lap, he was pulling her cheeks with hysterical laughter on his face as she also couldn't control her laugh and gave him a peck on his cheeks.
Veer Shove aside his eyes and realised what his friends just meant.

"Shut the fuck up man!! I can't fall for such silly things!!" Veeransh replied with exasperated gaze.

"Yeah but you can... help the ones who fall for you" Ronny mocked in a tantalizing tone with a smirk on his face.

Veeransh realised he was talking about Nia whom he saved from falling down Yesterday.
"Then what you all supposed me to do? To leave her falling? Veeransh exclaimed in perplexed way.

"Don't be oversmart I'm talking about when she fell while doing practice" Ronny asked in probing tone.

"Toh??" Veeransh shrugged.
("So??")

"Toh ke bache!!! kaise ghoor Raha tha tu use Maine sab dekha tha" Ronny looked at him as if he has found his biggest secret.
("So? We saw how you were gaping at her")

"Matlab Kuch bhiii!!... Aisa kuch nahi hai!! Apne baare mein toh main surely bol sakta hun, uska I don't know!" Veeransh replied while looking at Shanaya.

("Like seriously!!! It's Nothing like that. I am pretty sure about my feelings, their's I don't know")

"O..one minute! What do u mean! Godddd... I felt that he is attracted to her not Niaaa!" Surya came and shouted in shock" Isiliye toh Maine Jaan bujh kar ise uske saath bheja tha!" Surya said in one go.

"What??" Ronny, Viaan and Veeransh shouted at a time.

"With whom?" Ronny interrupted and passed a questioning look to Surya.

"Shanaya!!" Surya shrugged and Veeransh was looking at him jaw dropped.

Viaan stroked his temple and said "Oh listen! you are misunderstanding...he likes Nia!!" Ronny agreed.

"No he don't!! I saw him winking at her!!" Surya claimed and looked at Veeransh as he wanted his avowal .

"What the heckkk! are you guys talking about!!! Just shut up for God's sake....I don't like any of them!!" He gave them warning look pointing out a finger at them.

As they were just about to say something Veeransh walked out from the place and departure bell rang.

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CITY HOSPITAL MANALI

"Cracked!"

Without warning, a loud cracking noise erupted, causing the person to snap his eyes open and rise abruptly in a surge of panic. He turned his gaze to the girl lying unconscious in the hospital bed, and a wave of relief washed over him as he sighed deeply, reassured that she was safe. As he surveyed the room, he noticed that the window's glass had shattered into pieces, and on the floor lay a large stone wrapped in crumpled paper. Gripping it in his hand, he wasted no time unfolding the paper, which bore the following message:

"Your life's countdown begins from now!

Tick! Tick!tick!"

He who was none other than Mr. Veeransh Raghuvanshi.He fisted his hands and crushed the paper within.

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TO BE CONTINUED....