Chapter 12

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The bond strengthens

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The day began with its usual buzz in the corridors, but the air carried an unusual tension. The aftereffects of the camp, Priyanka’s antics, and Aarav and Meera’s undeniable chemistry had created a brewing storm in the school.

Aarav was on the field early that morning, leading his team through rigorous drills. As the team captain, he took his responsibilities seriously, ensuring every player was focused and in sync.

“Rahul, positioning pe dhyan do! Ball ko pass karne mein time mat lo,” Aarav shouted, his voice authoritative.

Kabir jogged up to him, panting. “Captain, tumhara energy level match karna impossible hai!”

Aarav smirked, tossing the ball to him. “Kabir, practice se hi team jeetegi. Relax karne ka waqt match ke baad hai.”

The team laughed, but their respect for Aarav was evident. He wasn’t just their captain; he was their motivator.

Unbeknownst to Aarav, Meera had arrived early and was sitting on the bleachers, watching the practice session. She admired his determination and the way he led his team.

“No doubt, ye state level football champion kyu hai,” Meera muttered to herself, a small smile playing on her lips.

Riya joined her shortly, holding two cups of coffee. “Tumhe pata hai na, yeh tumhare Captain tumhare aur football ke liye hi itne inspire lagte hain.”

“Shut up, Riya,” Meera said, playfully hitting her friend.

Just then, Aarav noticed them. His eyes briefly met Meera’s, and he gave a barely noticeable nod before returning to the game.

“Waah, kya connection hai!” Riya teased.

“Riya, chup raho!” Meera hissed, her cheeks turning pink.

The school day had barely begun when Priyanka decided to stir up trouble again. During their shared free period, she casually leaned against her desk, her voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Ajkal 12th class kuch zyada hi meharbaan ho gayi hai 11th class par,” Priyanka remarked, her eyes darting toward Aarav. “Lagta hai hamare topper Captain aur uski ‘special friend’ ke beech kuch interesting chal raha hai.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Aarav, who had been quietly reading, looked up, his expression calm but cold.

Kabir was the first to react. “Priyanka, tumhari problem kya hai? Agar 12th aur 11th ke students ke beech dosti hai, toh tumhe jalan kyun ho rahi hai?”

Priyanka smirked. “Dosti? Kabir, tum toh mazaak kar rahe ho. Hum sabko pata hai ki yahaan aur bhi kuch chal raha hai.”

Aarav finally spoke, his voice steady but firm. “Priyanka, agar tumhare paas time hai, toh apni studies pe focus karo. Dusron ke personal life pe nahi.”

The class erupted in murmurs, with Aarav’s classmates glaring at Priyanka.

“Priyanka, tumhe kya milta hai har baar Meera ko target karke?” one of the girls said angrily.

“Meera ne tumhara kya bigada hai?” another classmate added.

Priyanka’s smug expression faltered as the backlash grew. Aarav stood up, his presence commanding attention.

“Bas,” he said, silencing the room. “Mujhe aur Meera ko target karke tum kuch nahi achieve karogi. To apna kaam karo, Priyanka.”

In the 11th-grade classroom, Meera had no idea about the drama unfolding upstairs. She was busy with her assignments when Riya rushed in, out of breath.

“Meera! Captain Kapoor ne Priyanka ki bolti band kar di,” Riya exclaimed.

“Kya? Kya hua?” Meera asked, alarmed.

Riya quickly narrated the incident, leaving Meera stunned.

“Captain Kapoor ne... meri taraf se kuch kaha?” Meera asked hesitantly.

“Pura class tumhare support mein tha, Meera. Priyanka ki toh band baj gayi!” Riya said, laughing.

Meera felt a strange mix of embarrassment and gratitude. Aarav’s quiet support meant more to her than she cared to admit.

As the day ended, Aarav and Kabir met Meera and Riya near the school gate.

“Sharma ji, tumhare liye Priyanka ka ek aur drama handle karna pada,” Kabir said casually.

Meera looked at him, unsure of what to say. “Mujhe pata hi nahi tha...”

“Koi baat nahi. Priyanka ko samajhna mushkil hai, par usse ignore karna asaan hai,” Aarav said with a serious face.

Kabir chimed in, “Meera, Captain ke andar ek hero chhupa hua hai. Tumne pehle dekha nahi kya?”

Everyone laughed, and Meera shook her head, smiling despite herself.

Later that evening, Aarav texted Meera.

Aarav: Tum thik ho? Aaj jo Priyanka ne kaha... ignore kar dena.

Meera: Haan, thik hoon. apne jo kaha, uske liye thank you.

Aarav: Tumhare liye kuch bhi, Sharma.

Meera stared at the message, her heart skipping a beat. Aarav’s words were simple, but they carried a weight that made her feel protected.

The same night at around 8 o'clock the bell of Meera's house rang. Meera’s home buzzed with excitement as her mama’s daughters, Nitya and Diya, arrived for a visit. Nitya, the elder of the two, was a lively, spirited girl with a knack for mischief, while Diya, though quieter, had a sharp wit that complemented her sister’s antics.

Meera was thrilled to see them, hugging them tightly the moment they walked in. “Finally! Tum logon ko yahaan aate hue puri ek saal lag gaya,” Meera said, pretending to pout.

“Aur tumne bulaya kab tha, Meri jaan?” Nitya shot back with a teasing grin.

The three girls quickly fell into their usual rhythm of chatter, laughter, and playful banter. Later that afternoon, as they lounged in Meera’s room, Nitya grabbed Meera’s phone, scrolling aimlessly through Instagram.

“Aye, Meera! Yeh kya hai? Tumhare phone mein ye kisi Aarav Kapoor ki profile open hai?” Nitya’s eyes sparkled mischievously.

Meera snatched her phone back, her cheeks turning crimson. “ Vo....Kuch nahi, bas aise hi… main dekh rahi thi.”

Nitya wasn’t convinced. “Aise hi? Really? Batao, Meera Sharma, kya chal raha hai?”

“Nothing, Nitya!” Meera protested, but under Nitya’s relentless questioning, she eventually narrated the incidents with Priyanka, Aarav’s defense, and his text.

Nitya was in splits by the end of it. “Aur tum keh rahi ho ki woh bas ek senior hai? Meera, tumhari eyes to kuch aur hi keh rahi hain.”

Diya chimed in with a sly smile, “Exactly. Yeh bas senior wali baat toh nahi lagti.”

“Tum dono mujhe irritate kar rahe ho!” Meera said, throwing a pillow at them.

“Okay, fine,” Nitya said dramatically, raising her hands in surrender. “Par main note kar rahi hoon, Meera Sharma. Aarav Kapoor ka chapter toh kuch jada hi interesting lag rha hai.”

While having fun like this, all three of them did not realize when it was 11 o'clock at night. After having dinner, all three of them slept in Meera's room.

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Sunday dawned with the aroma of freshly brewed tea and incense wafting through the Sharma household. It was a family tradition to visit the Mahadev Temple on the first Sunday of every month. Meera dressed in a simple yet elegant maroon churidar suit, her dupatta embroidered with golden patterns. Her mother adjusted her jasmine-adorned braid, smiling proudly.

The temple was nestled amidst lush green hills, its intricate carvings and towering spires a testament to ancient craftsmanship. The air was filled with the rhythmic chants of “Om Namah Shivaya,” mingling with the melodious sound of temple bells. The scent of sandalwood and marigold flowers heightened the spiritual ambiance.

As the Sharmas reached the temple courtyard, Meera’s eyes widened in surprise. Standing near the entrance were none other than the Kapoors. Aarav, dressed in a crisp white kurta and jeans, stood with his parents, his demeanor calm yet commanding.

“Kapoor family yahaan? Yeh toh unexpected hai,” Meera muttered to Nitya.

“Interesting,” Nitya whispered back, her mischief-filled eyes darting between Meera and Aarav.

Both families exchanged polite greetings. Aarav’s mother, a graceful woman in her late forties, complimented Meera’s traditional attire, making her blush. Aarav, meanwhile, gave a small nod to Meera, his expression unreadable yet warm.

After the Pooja, everyone began the parikrama around the temple. The atmosphere was serene, with devotees murmuring prayers as they circled the sacred sanctum. Nitya seized the opportunity to walk beside Meera and Aarav.

“Meera, yeh aapke special senior hain, na?” she said casually, loud enough for Aarav to hear.

“Nitya!” Meera hissed, glaring at her cousin.

But Nitya wasn’t done. “Waise, jiju kaafi impressive lag rahe hain.”

The word “jiju” slipped out before Nitya could stop herself. She immediately clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide with horror.

Aarav stopped in his tracks, raising an eyebrow. “Jiju?” he repeated, his tone laced with curiosity.

Meera froze, her face turning scarlet. “Woh… woh bas mazaak kar rahi thi,” she stammered.

Nitya quickly jumped in. “Haan, haan, mazaak tha. Meera toh bas itni acchi dost hai sabki.”

Aarav didn’t press further, but the ghost of a smirk played on his lips as he continued the parikrama.

Meera shot daggers at Nitya, who whispered, “Sorry, par kya karu? Tum dono itne cute lagte ho!”

After the temple visit, the Sharmas returned home, only for Nitya’s mischief to continue. As her mother prepared to leave with her daughters, Nitya pulled Meera aside.

“Meera, mazaak ek taraf, but seriously. Aarav Kapoor mein kuch baat hai,” she said, her tone unusually sincere.

“Nitya, kuch nahi hai. Tum zyada soch rahi ho,” Meera replied, flustered.

Nitya grinned. “Accha, dekhte hain. Main jaa rahi hoon, par tum mujhe update deti rehna. Jo bhi ho raha hai, mujhe sab kuch btana okay.”

Meera rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. “Tum impossible ho.”

As Nitya and her family drove away, Meera found herself replaying the day’s events. Aarav’s silent support, his calm demeanor, and that lingering smirk when Nitya called him “jiju”—it all left a strange warmth in her heart.

Little did she know, Aarav was thinking about the same word, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he stared out of his window

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