Rimma Malhotra's voice rang through the house, calling out to her son in urgency, "Shub, come down quickly." With a swift response, Shubman descended the stairs, his attire a blend of casual charm: a crisp white shirt paired with rugged, torn jeans, his bag slung over his shoulder.

As he reached the dining table, Rimma gestured towards the food laid out, her tone gentle yet firm, "Yelo khao." Seated, Shubman began to eat, the clatter of cutlery mingling with his query, "Ma, bhai aur bhabhi aaj araha hai na?" Rimma's nod affirmed his question, prompting him to finish his meal swiftly. With practiced efficiency, he cleaned up, then grasped his car keys, ready to embark on the day's journey.

Navigating the bustling streets, Shubman steered towards his college, parking his vehicle with precision. With his bag slung over his shoulder, he strode towards his circle of friends, known as "Fusion Five."

Amidst greetings and embraces, Abhishek and Kamlesh welcomed him warmly. Ashnoor inquired about their pending homework, to which Shubman admitted his oversight, "Nahin, tumhare paas ek aur copy hai kya?" Tunisha, always prepared, offered a spare, teasingly remarking, "Mujhe pata tha ki tum nahi karoge toh isiliye likhliya." Grateful, Shubman embraced her, expressing his gratitude, "You are the best Nish."

The classroom buzzed with activity as the professor introduced a new student, Sara Shroff. With a smile, Sara made her way to her seat, aligning herself with the rival group, the Five Dynamics. Smirks exchanged between the factions hinted at the rivalry simmering beneath the surface.

Engrossed in the lecture, Fusion Five absorbed the professor's words diligently. However, the tranquility shattered during the break when Shubman found his homework defaced with ink, courtesy of Kartikey. Outrage flared within him as he confronted the perpetrator, "Pagal hai kya? Mere poora raat ki mehnat barbad kardiya." Kartikey's smirk only fueled his fury before he sauntered away, leaving Shubman seething.

With the resumption of class, Shubman faced the consequences of his incomplete assignment, enduring a stern reprimand from the professor. His gaze lingered on the Five Dynamics, resentment simmering beneath the surface as he grudgingly apologized, "Sorry professor."

The lunch hour passed in a haze of frustration, Shubman's mood soured by the morning's events, his demeanor reflecting his inner turmoil.

"Tunisha said, 'Come on, cheer up, Shub,'" her voice laced with empathy as she tried to uplift Shubman's spirits amidst the gloom. With a heavy sigh, Shubman responded, "Kaise? Woh Malviya ne mere saara mehnat barbad kardiya."

Ashnoor chimed in, her tone gentle yet firm, "Isiliye tum gusse par hi rahoge kya? Aaj Sid bhai aur Kiara bhabhi aara hai haina?" Shubman's nod conveyed his acknowledgment, but his heart remained heavy. "Arre chhod na," he muttered dismissively, unwilling to entertain the thought of happiness in the face of his frustration.

Shivaay's booming voice interrupted the melancholy atmosphere, "Arre, aaj Malhotra toh khamosh hai. Kya hua saab? Professor se daat kaliya." Shubman's jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin as he retorted, "Dekho Nigam, yaha se jao. Tum tere nayi dost ki saat lunch khao par mera dhimaak mat khao."

Undeterred, Shivaay persisted, his jovial demeanor masking his mischief, "Nayi dost se yaad aayi. Tum usse mila hi nahi. Ruko main milwati hoon." With an air of theatricality, he beckoned Sara forward, introducing her with dramatic flair, "Sara, mere dushman se milo, Shubman Malhotra."

Shubman's indifference shattered as Sara's remark pierced through his defenses, her words igniting a spark of defiance within him. "Dekho, tum yaha nayi hai. Tum chup chap yaha se jao," he demanded, his tone commanding yet tinged with irritation.

Sara, however, refused to back down, her confidence unwavering in the face of Shubman's hostility. "Nahin jaaongi, kya karoge tum? Apni bhai ke paas bhagta hai kya?" Shubman's smirk revealed his amusement at her audacity, "Nahin, agar main kuch kiye tum tere bhai ke paas bhaagoongi."

Tunisha's intervention sought to diffuse the escalating tension, her words aimed at both parties, "Kya hua? Mere best friend ka chehra dekh kar khaamosh hogayi kya?" Sara's glare bore into Tunisha, but Siddharth's warning was clear, "Dekh Sharma, tum iss baat par nahin hai, toh mat aana."

Standing steadfast beside Shubman, Tunisha issued a final ultimatum to Shivaay, her voice carrying a hint of warning, "Nigam, yaha se jao. Warna theek nahi hoga." Avneet's arrival offered a brief respite, her invitation to Shivaay and Sara a temporary distraction from the brewing conflict.

Tunisha said, 'Usse kuch seekho,'" her words a subtle reminder of the lessons to be learned in unity. Shubman's smirk spoke volumes, a silent challenge to his adversaries, while Siddharth and Sara's glares mirrored their defiance. With tensions momentarily diffused, Shubman settled down to lunch before heading to the classroom for the last lecture, the lingering echoes of confrontation fading into the background.

After enduring the lingering annoyance from his day at college, Shubman retreated to the solace of his home, his footsteps heavy with the weight of frustration. Upon entering, he was greeted by the comforting sight of his brother Sidharth Malhotra and his beloved sister-in-law, Kiara, standing in the warm glow of the kitchen.

Rushing forward, Shubman enveloped Kiara in a tight embrace from behind, his voice soft with affection, "Bhabhi, I missed you a lot." Kiara turned, her smile radiant as she echoed his sentiment, "I missed you too, Devarji." Sidharth, ever the jovial presence, joined in the embrace, teasingly asking, "Didn't you miss me, lil bro?"

Shubman chuckled, returning the hug with warmth, "Of course, I missed you bhai." Settling onto the couch, he directed his query to his mother, "Ma, papa kidhar hai?"

Rimma's reply carried a hint of urgency, "He went to meet the Shroffs. Even we need to go." Shubman rose to his feet, curiosity piqued, "Shroffs?"

Sidharth's curiosity matched Shubman's, "Why what happened?" Shubman waved off their concerns with a grin, "Nothing. I will change and come."

Ascending the stairs, Shubman transformed his attire, opting for a light beige bomber jacket adorned with a distinctive patch, exuding an air of effortless cool. Beneath, a black V-neck T-shirt added a touch of timeless style, while black jeans completed the ensemble with understated sophistication. Adorning his wrist was a sleek silver watch, a subtle accent to the ensemble.

Returning downstairs, Shubman found Sidharth sporting a light blue denim jacket, left unbuttoned to reveal the layer beneath. A white t-shirt underneath, which featured some text, adding a personal touch to the casual look. For the lower half, gray pants that offered a neutral base for the outfit. The ensemble was completed with white sneakers, a classic choice that matched well with the light tones of the jacket.

Kiara was wearing a pink jumpsuit, which featured a sleeveless top with a deep V-neckline, adding an elegant touch. The material appeared to have a ribbed texture, providing a subtle detail to the design. A cinched waist that highlighted the silhouette gracefully. Wide-leg pants that flowed down to the floor, giving the jumpsuit a sophisticated flair and partially concealing the footwear.

As they embarked on their journey, Shubman engaged with his Fusion Five comrades through a flurry of messages, momentarily distracting him from the brewing tension with Sara.

As Shubman stepped out of the car, his phone nestled snugly in his pocket, he trailed behind Sidharth, anticipation tingling through him as Jackie Shroff graciously swung the door open. A warm smile tugged at Shubman's lips as he crossed the threshold, exchanging pleasantries with Ayesha before settling into a seat beside her, fingers dancing across the screen of his phone in idle distraction.

The air hummed with familiarity and camaraderie as Sidharth enveloped Shraddha in a tight embrace, reminiscing about their collaboration in "Ek Villain". Kiara, catching the infectious spirit, joined in the hug, while Tiger beckoned Sara to join the group. Shubman's gaze locked with Sara's, a silent exchange of tension crackling between them as they both found solace in the glow of their screens.

Restlessness gnawed at Shubman's core, prompting him to rise from his seat, his voice carrying a hint of urgency as he addressed his parents, "Ma, Papa, I have an assignment due tomorrow. Should I head home?"

Sara, ever mischievous, seized the opportunity to needle him, "But, there's no assignment due tomorrow." Rimma's disapproving glare bore down on Shubman, who turned to face Sara, his tone tinged with exasperation, "True, but thanks to your friend's mishap with the ink, I must redo it."

With a resigned sigh, Sunil handed him the keys, silently acknowledging Shubman's need to retreat. The engine hummed to life as Shubman navigated the familiar route home, his mind already racing with thoughts of impending deadlines.

Upon reaching his sanctuary, Shubman delved into his assignment, the soft glow of his laptop casting an ethereal light in the dimly lit room. Hunger gnawed at him, prompting a brief respite to indulge in a hastily ordered dinner, accompanied by the familiar banter of "The Big Bang Theory" streaming on Netflix.

As the clock ticked towards the late hours, Shubman finally peeled himself away from the screen, shedding the day's weariness along with his clothes. With a sense of accomplishment, he set his alarm, slipping into the embrace of sleep, his mind briefly drifting into the realm of dreams before succumbing to the blissful oblivion of slumber.