I'm Arjun, a 17-year-old high school student. What I'm about to say might sound weird, but... I'm married. It was more like an arrangement, but I won't deny it. I'm not sure if it's considered child marriage, given that I'm 17 and my wife is 16. Maybe it's more like a teenage marriage. cut the crap, Let's focus on the important stuff, though.

Aditi,my wife. We've known each other since childhood. Every summer, I'd visit my dad's village in bihar. I was just a kid back then. We'd play "ghar-ghar" together, and I'd never let any other boy marry Aditi in the game. I was very possessive about her. My dad would joke that when I grew up, he'd marry me to Aditi. I'd dance happily at the thought.

As we grew older, things became awkward between us. We stopped playing "ghar-ghar," and it was embarrassing to even think about it. I struggled to talk to her properly, and we drifted apart. We made new friends and went our separate ways.

My last visit to the village during New Year's vacations was chaotic. Mahesh Uncle was in a terrible accident, and his chances of survival were slim. My dad was devastated, watching his best friend slip away. Aditi, who had already lost her mother at a young age, was about to lose her only support - her father.

Mahesh Uncle had one final wish before passing away: he wanted to see Aditi married. He knew she was too young, but he was desperate. My dad and Mahesh Uncle had made a promise to each other years ago - when Aditi and I grew up, they would arrange our marriage. However, with Mahesh Uncle's life slipping away, he begged my dad to marry me to Aditi .

My dad was helpless; he couldn't deny his best friend's dying wish. That's how I ended up marrying Aditi in a secret, unofficial ceremony. It was illegal, and only the villagers and my family know about it.

My mom and grandma were furious with my dad and stopped talking to him. I don't hate my father, but I'll never forgive him for this. Aditi now lives with me, attending the same school, and only my family knows that she's my wife.

My life had become a never-ending drama, like the TV serial "Balika Vadhu" that I used to watch as a kid.

My mom and grandma didn't take kindly to Aditi, but my dad was willing to go to great lengths to protect her. I wished he showed the same dedication to his own children.

You know what is the most annoying part?

I'm living under the same roof as her, and we attend the same school. She's my junior, and I've been telling everyone she's our neighbor's daughter.

I'm forced to share my belongings with her, help her with her studies, and even chauffeur her around. My dad sometimes gives her my pocket money because he thinks I'm irresponsible with my finances.

She has taken four of my T-shirts without returning them, eats my parathas, and even steals my chocolates. She uses my PS5, which is really frustrating.. like reallyyyyyyyyy frustrating.

The situation is even more bizarre because my grandma treats her like she's my wife. Initially, I was relieved when she was sick, but now that she's recovered, she has started doing weird rituals with Aditi. which really irritates me.

My dad constantly praises her and favors her over me. She has also managed to win over my sister, and I'm worried she'll manipulate my mom and grandma next. It's like she has taken over my life.

Sometimes she acts like she's my wife, which is really creepy. Last night, we were getting ready for a party, and I had planned to wear a blue shirt, but she insisted I wear black.

And, believe it or not, I ended up wearing a black T-shirt.

I even blushed.... ( cut this part)

which is totally out of character for me. I've never let anyone dictate what I wear.

Okay, I'll admit it....she's pretty, and I don't dislike her. But thinking about her and imagining us together gives me mixed feelings. I also can't imagine her with someone else, which confuses me. A Part of me really likes her, while another part just don't....

I don't know what is happening to me.

✿✿✿

• This story doesn't contain any explicit, smut, 18 + scenes. ( yes it does have lots of romantic moments , but in a subtle way)

• " ★ " Star represents a scene change .

• " ..... " = character is talking, thinking.

• before passing a judgement , read atleast 10 chapters.

• if this book earns a good number of readers in the future , I'll provide English translation for the hindi lines.

• Lots of characters are inspired by movies and shows. If you find a similar character in another book, it doesn't necessarily mean I'm copying someone. Some concepts are common. I know you're a fan, but please be respectful and think before you speak.

• i welcome constructive criticism.

• this isn't really an old - school romance book.

• you can always give me suggestions.

• language :- hindi + english

Thank you 🎀
With luv ♡

✿✿✿

TROPES

• SUNSHINE X MIDNIGHT RAIN

• INTROVERT FEMALE LEAD X EXTROVERT MALE LEAD

• TEEN MARRIAGE

• SLOW BURN ROMANCE

✿✿✿

Started :- 11 may
1k :- 21st june
2k :- 5 july
3k :- 23 july
5k :- 28 August
6k :- 31 August
7k :- 3 September
#1 :- teenagers ( 7 sept )
8k :- 7 September
9k :- 11 September
10k  :- 15 September
#5 :- lovers ( 15 sept )
26k :- 13 dec

Arjun bajpai / 12th grader / born in bihar, raised in Mumbai.

{ Arjun comes from an upper-middle-class family and is one of the top students in his class. However, he's far from being a nerd. With his outgoing personality and exceptional communication skills, Arjun is a natural people person.

He's an imperfect guy who makes mistakes and often regrets them later. His slightly delusional nature frequently lands him in trouble. Despite his carefree and funky exterior, Arjun has a heart of gold and is incredibly kind-hearted. He's also deeply sensitive, which makes him all the more endearing.}

Looks like a cinnamon roll... Is a candy bar.
_____________________________

Ekant deshmukh / 12th grader / mumbaikar

{ Ekant is the son of Pune's renowned businessman and politician. Despite his privileged upbringing, Ekant is intelligent, articulate, and surprisingly down-to-earth at times.

However, his reserved nature often leads people to misjudge him as rude and arrogant. But once you get to know him, you'll discover that he's actually a kind and decent person.

He isn't one to easily form friendships or connections with others. He prefers to keep to himself, rarely sharing his feelings or emotions with those around him. His reserved personality can make him seem aloof, but beneath the surface, he's a complex and multifaceted individual.}

Looks like a cinnamon roll, is a cinnamon roll with a twist flavor.
_____________________________

Janvi bajpai / 12th grader / born in bihar, raised in Mumbai.

{ Janvi, Arjun's twin sister, shares his vibrant personality, but with a tougher edge. She's more responsible and sensible than her brother, often balancing out his impulsiveness.

She is warm and friendly to those who treat her kindly, but don't let her tough exterior fool you - she's one of the softest and most compassionate girls you'll ever meet. However, she values her self-respect and refuses to compromise her standards to please others.}

Looks like a cinnamon roll... Can traumatize you for life.
_____________________________

Aditi shukla / 11th grader / bihari.

{ Aditi is a vibrant and lively girl, but her upbringing in an environment lacking parental love has left its mark. She often struggles with insecurity, fearing loss and replacement. Her limited communication skills make it difficult for her to adjust to new surroundings, and she needs time to adapt to changes.

She is a naive but smart girl who knows right from wrong. She wears her heart on her sleeve, easily forming attachments and trusting others. While this innocence can be endearing, it also sometimes leads her into trouble.}

Looks like a cinnamon roll...sweet enough to steal your heart
_____________________________

SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
• ADWISH
• ROHIT
• JOYA
• VANI
• MANISH & GAYATRI ( ARJUN'S PARENTS )
• JAYA ( ARJUN'S GRANNY )
ETC.
_____________________________

⚠️ Note :- This book is completely written by me ( entire storyline, character description , dialogues , scenes and everything else ) but I've used few Ai websits to fix grammatical errors, because i do a lot of mistakes which can irritate readers . ( only and only for grammar portion nothing else...) . If you are okay with it, then...aa jaooooooo .

Thank you.

THE BEGINNING :-
{ slow burn romance }

🦋🦋🦋

"Aditi kaha hai? " Manish asked, settling in at the breakfast table.
( where's Aditi?)

"tee aaghol ghet aahe " Janvi's voice muffled by the sandwich she was eating.
( she's taking a bath )

"And why is Mr. Arjun sulking?" Manish playfully teased his son , who was engrossed in his phone.

"Ask your dearest daughter-in-law," He replied, his focus still on the cell phone.

Manish turned to janvi and asked in a calm tone, "Janvi, what has Aditi done to him?"

"Nothing, baba. She accidentally broke his toy robot."

"That was not just an ordinary toy robot...it was my 6th birthday gift from my best-"
Arjun spoke in rage, but suddenly became quiet, realizing what he was about to say.
"Never mind " he continued, his voice laced with sadness. "Some things are meant to be broken one day "

Janvi quickly noticed the sadness in his voice, but kept silent.

"Baba, pass me the tea "

Manish passed the kettle, but Gayatri interrupted, grabbing the tea kettle from him.

"How many times have I told you not to drink tea or coffee?" she asked, pouring the tea into a cup. " Ek toh waise bhi din b din kali hoti ja rhi hai "
(you are getting darker day by day)

"Same old, same old..." Janvi rolled her eyes, mumbling to herself. These comments had become a normal part of her life, and she had grown so accustomed to them that they no longer bothered her.

"Have some milk" Gayatri said, passing the glass to Janvi, who took it immediately, clearly not intending to argue with her mother.

"Maa, by that logic, she shouldn't drink milk either, because buffaloes are also black. What if-" Arjun started, struggling to contain his giggles.

"Don't talk nonsense..Janvi, drink it. It's cow's milk, anyway," Gayatri added.

Janvi and Manish exchanged a knowing glance and rolled their eyes, but no one said anything. They knew it was pointless arguing with Gayatri.

"Classes start from tomorrow, no more holidays , also take care of Aditi at school " Manish said, sipping his tea.

"My kids aren't her bodyguards" Gayatri replied irritably.

Manish defended, "She's new here, don't say things like that"

Arjun, still glued to his phone, chimed in, "Janvi will take care of her. I don't have time at all."

"Why me? I have dance classes to attend. I'm out." Janvi immediately backed off.

Manish was about to respond but stayed quiet when he felt someone’s presence. 

"Good morning, uncle "

She stood beside him, biting her lip nervously.

"Why are you standing? Sit down," Manish pulled out the chair between him and Arjun.

Aditi flashed a pleasant smile before settling into the chair, catching Gayatri's eye, who simply rolled her eyes in response.

As Aditi sat beside Arjun, his gaze drifted away from his phone. He adjusted his position, straightening his posture. His cheeks flushed a light pink as he snuck sideways glances at her.
She kept her hands clasped in her lap, feeling strange and awkward sitting with them.

Manish noticed her behavior and served sandwiches on her plate. "Have one... it's got a lot of cheese. You like it, right?" He flashed a warm smile at her. Aditi nodded, smiling back.

"Why aren't you eating anything, Arjun?" Gayatri asked her son, who was pretending to use his phone.

"I'm not hungry, Mom" he replied, trying to sound deeper.

Gayatri shot back, "Haan jab yahi sandwich padosi de jata hai toh tu plate bhi chaba leta hai, apne ghar mein bana hai toh bhookh nhi hai sahab ko." She slid the plate in front of him "Kha chup chap"
( yes! When the neighbor gives you the same sandwich , you even lick the plate clean but when it's made in your own home , suddenly you are not hungry)

Arjun covered his face with his hands, embarrassed, and glanced around the house before catching Aditi's eye. When he was sure she wasn't laughing, he began taking small bites, not wanting to embarrass himself further.

"Why are you eating like this? We need to go for grocery shopping, hurry up, muh khol ke kha" Janvi said, her voice laced with annoyance.
( eat with your mouth open)

Arjun defended, rolling his eyes at his sister. "This is how I eat, okay?"

Janvi let out a sigh of disbelief. "2 roti ek sath khane wala insaan, apni biradari bhool gya hai mummy dekho toh..."
( a person who eats two rotis together has forgotten his community, look mother)

Arjun's face grew even redder with embarrassment. He glanced at Aditi again, she was already looking at him. He quickly averted his gaze, gulping hard.

"Jaldi finish kar, mein wait nhi karungi " Janvi said, getting up from her seat .
( finish quickly, I won't wait.)

Arjun took a big bite, stuffing two sandwiches into his mouth. "Is this fine?" he asked, his voice muffled.

He got up from his chair, following his sister. " Paise toh lete jao , humesha jaldi mein rehte hai dono ," Gayatri stated .
( at least take the money )

Both Janvi and Arjun returned back, standing in front of their father.
Manish grabbed his wallet and handed money to Janvi. "I've given you 1,000 rupees extra for snacks. Take Aditi with you both"

Gayatri flashed an annoyed look. "Why does she need to go with them?" she asked.

"Let her see the markets...she's going to stay here anyway. She'll feel better" Manish said.

"My friends will be there too. What am I supposed to tell them? Who is she?" Arjun asked, crossing his hands over his chest , giving his dad an angry look.

"Tell them... she's your wife " Janvi exclaimed, controlling her laughter.

Aditi lowered her head. It wasn't like she wanted to go with them, but she didn't even have the audacity to speak up for herself . She was still trying to adjust to the new environment and people.

"Stop with your lame jokes, Janvi. On a serious note, what should I tell them if someone asks who she is?" Arjun questioned again.

Manish took a pause before speaking up. "Tell them she's my friend's daughter..she's going to live with us, so get used to seeing her with you both."

Arjun rolled his eyes but didn't argue. "Fine..." he mumbled and went outside.

"Aditi beta, come on... go. Don't worry, you'll have fun " Manish gently caressed her hair.
Aditi nodded slightly and walked behind Arjun and Janvi.

As they stepped out, Aditi had trouble keeping up with Arjun and Janvi, who were walking fast. She had to jog a little to match their pace. The siblings were busy talking and didn't pay much attention to her, making her feel left behind.

She looked around at the lively city. The streets were busy with people rushing to work. She was amazed by the tall buildings, the noise, and the birds flying around. Her hair blew gently in the wind as she walked. Wearing a bright yellow and white dress, she looked fresh and innocent.

She had only seen Mumbai in books and movies before. Now, being there in person, she felt excited to be in a city where people came to make their dreams come true. The city's energy was exciting, and she couldn't wait to explore.

As they reached the supermarket, Aditi lagged behind. Arjun turned back to find her, still taking slow steps as she admired the city. She didn't even notice Arjun standing in front of her. He stood there, waiting to be noticed by her so he could avoid making any conversation.

But Aditi continued to look around, completely engrossed in the city's beauty. She kept walking and accidentally bumped into Arjun. He didn't flinch, as he had anticipated the collision. Aditi's forehead collided with his chest, and she immediately backed off. Her eyes darted everywhere but at him, her face flushed with embarrassment.

"Let's go inside. ...why are we standing here like fools?" Janvi said, rushing into the supermarket.

Arjun glanced at Aditi, whose gaze was fixed on the floor. "Chalo" he mumbled  and stepped inside. Aditi followed him, like a lost puppy, her face still tinged with embarrassment.
( let's go )

As she stepped into the supermarket, her eyes sparkled with delight  . The flashing lights and colorful shops took her breath away. A bright smile spread across her face, and she couldn't help but gaze around in wonder.

The supermarket was bustling with people, making it hard for Aditi to take it all in while keeping up with Arjun. She lagged behind, and Arjun grew frustrated but Instead of scolding her, he gently took hold of her sleeve and guided her through the crowd.

Aditi didn't even notice, her eyes fixed on the vibrant shops and stalls. Arjun chuckled to himself, amused by her wide-eyed excitement. "Looks like she has never been to a supermarket before" he thought, a hint of a smile on his face.

His cheeks flushed slightly, but he quickly looked away, shaking off the feeling. They finally reached the grocery section. Arjun let go of her clothe without her even noticing and stood inches away, meanwhile Janvi was already busy picking out items.

Janvi handed Arjun the shopping list. "I've got this. You go check out the new snacks. I'm tired of the same old things "

Arjun nodded , "Take Aditi with you. And don't even think about taking her money!" She warned.

Arjun playfully rolled his eyes and pulled out two 500-rupee notes from his wallet. "Here, I'm giving it to her right in front of you. Happy now?" he said with a grin, handing the money to Aditi.

Janvi turned to Aditi and smiled. "That's your money, Aditi. Don't share it with him. I know he'll try to take it from you. Go buy whatever you want "

Aditi looked at Janvi, then at the money, and finally at Arjun, as if seeking reassurance. Arjun tilted his head and gently shook his hands, encouraging her to take the money. Finally  Aditi accepted it with a hesitant look.

As Janvi focused on grocery shopping, Arjun headed to the snack section, with Aditi following closely behind.

"you can buy anything you like , don't get chips, we already have plenty at home" He pointed out and then began to explore the rows upon rows of snacks.

Aditi found it all quite amusing. She had been to malls before, but none as massive as this one. The sheer number of options overwhelmed her.

As she wandered, her eyes landed on a familiar treat. "Kinder Joy!" A smile spread across her face.
Since childhood, Aditi had always been fascinated by Kinder Joy, but it was a luxury she couldn't afford. When she finally had the means to buy one, circumstances never allowed her to indulge again. seeing the colorful packets today rekindled a long-forgotten desire within her. The nostalgia was too strong to resist.

She glanced around, then picked up a packet to check the price. "Fifty rupees each " she murmured to herself and quickly did the math, calculating how many Kinder Joys she could buy with her 1000 rupees.

After a few seconds of mental math, Aditi grabbed 20 packets of Kinder Joys. She struggled to hold them all, even with both hands, so she wrapped her arms around them to keep them from falling.

Her eyes quickly scanned the store, searching for Arjun. She spotted him in seconds, standing at the cash counter. With her precious Kinder Joy packets clutched tightly in her arms, she hurried towards him, taking careful steps to avoid dropping any of her treasured treats.

Fortunately, there was no line at the counter,  Aditi quickly placed her Kinder Joy packets on the counter.

Arjun turned to her with a surprised expression. "You spent 1000 rupees on all these?" he asked, amusement dancing in his voice.

Aditi smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit self-conscious. The receptionist, too, looked amused, but he kindly smiled at her. "Is she your sister? She's really cute" he said, making both Aditi and Arjun look at each other.

Arjun quickly replied, "No, she's my dad's friend's daughter."

The receptionist chuckled at Arjun's swift response.

"Are you seriously buying all of these?" He asked , raising an eyebrow at her . she nodded silently , avoiding eye contact.

Arjun sighed, looking unconvinced. "Choti bacchi ho kya ?"
( are you a kid or something ? )

He stared at her for a moment, but when she didn't meet his gaze, he looked away. "Add these to the bill" Arjun instructed the receptionist, who nodded and handed him the total.

"give me the money " Arjun  asked. Aditi quickly handed it over, and he paid the bill. As he received the bag, he turned to her, "Here's your treasure "

Aditi eagerly took the bag and peeked inside, ensuring all her Kinder Joy packets were safely tucked away. A look of pure satisfaction washed over her face, as if she had just achieved the greatest accomplishment of her life.

Arjun couldn't help but chuckle to himself at her adorable behavior. "How can someone be this happy just buying Kinder Joy?" he thought, shaking his head in amusement. "It's not even that great "

When he looked at Aditi's radiant smile, he found himself smiling too.

★

" Kaju bech rahe hai ya sona? Itna mehnga? " Janvi placed the packet in her cart and continued scanning the shelves for another item.
(are they selling cashew or gold? This is so expensive.)

"Oh, only one left " she whispered to herself , reaching for the last Maggie packet. But before she could grab it, someone else snatched it away.

"Hey, I got it fir-" Her words trailed off as her eyes met the person's gaze. "You...!" she exclaimed, her expression shifting from amusement to annoyance.

"Are you stalking me?" she asked, her voice firm. The guy chuckled and held up the Maggie packet. "Why would I stalk you? I just wanted this."

Janvi raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you do your own grocery shopping?"

The guy hesitated before responding "Just started today."

Janvi's expression turned stern. "Listen, Ekant... Stay away from me and my brother " With that, she turned and left, leaving Ekant looking bewildered.

"But I really was here for the Maggie!" he shouted, shaking the packet to gain her attention but Janvi didn't look back.

Ekant placed the Maggie packet back on the shelf. "bechari....maggie bhi nhi le gyi " his eyes fixed on Janvi's disappearing figure, hoping she would glance back but when she didn't, he gave up and walked away.
( poor girl, couldn't even get her maggie)

🦋🦋🦋

To be continue ~

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Words count :- 2400+

»»---->🦋<----««

ARJUN

I was mentally paused, staring at Aditi, who was sitting besides me . Her eyes were fixed on the plate of noodles in front of her, but she hadn't taken a single bite. As far as I knew, she loved noodles, so I couldn't help but wonder why she wasn't eating.

I took a quick glance at my sister, who was stuffing her mouth with noodles without a care in the world.

Should I ask her what was wrong? I thought to myself. After gathering a little courage, I finally managed to ask her.

"You don't like it?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

As soon as she heard my voice, she immediately turned towards me, as if she had been waiting for me to ask. Her eyes locked onto mine, and I could see a hint of sadness in them.

"What's wrong?" I asked again, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Aditi bit her lip nervously and slid her chopsticks towards me. "I cannot eat with this," she mumbled slowly, but loud enough for me to hear.

"I'll get the fork," I said, getting up from my seat without thinking twice. As I walked to the counter, I couldn't help but feel a strange sensation inside my chest . It happened every time she looked at me.

As I returned to my seat, I placed the fork on her plate and sat down. "Is this okay?" I asked.

Aditi just nodded without looking at me.

She looked so beautiful and cute, I found myself liking her more and more.

I wondered if it was just my hormones acting up or something else ? I am still going through puberty...

focus Arjun.

A/N POV

Our friends ditched us again, but I'm glad they didn't come. Now I don't have to explain anything to anyone - at least for today." Arjun took a breathe of relief.

" You can't escape the truth, one day they're going to know you r..." Janvi stopped mid-sentence, feeling Arjun's piercing gaze. "I'll pay the bill " she added, and walked towards the counter, leaving Arjun and Aditi alone.

Aditi was having a hard time eating in front of Arjun, although he wasn't directly looking at her, but he couldn't stop glancing at her from time to time.

Arjun was about to say something but got interrupted by someone's loud voice.

"ARJUNNNNN...... "

He turned around and saw his friend Rohit coming towards him.

Aditi kept chewing on her noodles while Arjun was mentally preparing himself for an explanation.

"Sorry, my friend, but no one came " Rohit said, settling into the chair beside Arjun.

"It's okay... We're going back anyway " Arjun replied, trying his best to sound casual.

"Who's she?" Rohit asked curiously, looking at Aditi, who was staring at Arjun, probably waiting for him to give an explanation.

"She's... umm... She's my dad's friend's daughter....we're neighbors, so I took her with us " Arjun said with hesitation in his voice.

"Oh... I see. Anyway, schools are starting from tomorrow, and we'll receive our test marks. I'm scared as hell " Rohit made a helpless face, making Arjun chuckle.

"Haan bhai, tu toh hasega hi... tu toh top he karta hai " Rohit said mockingly.

Both were having a regular conversation soon Janvi joined them.

Aditi sat there quietly. She was feeling left out but wasn't courageous enough to start any conversation with them.

TIME SKIPS

Aditi, can you please get me the charger from Arjun's room?" Janvi requested.

Aditi simply nodded and walked towards Arjun's room.

Janvi shares her room with Aditi. Arjun has his own separate room, which is just beside theirs.

Aditi stood in front of the door, she knocked, but the door was already open, so without wasting more time she stepped into the room.

She took a quick look around his room and started searching for the phone charger. After searching for a while, she found that the charger was lying under his bed.

Aditi bent down but couldn't reach it, trying to stretch her arms to grab it.

Suddenly, a sweet melody was heard from the bathroom, and the door opened. Aditi paused in her place. She could only see his legs because of the bed. she quickly grabbed the charger and crawled back.

Aditi was still unnoticed by Arjun, who was engrossed in his singing .

He was standing a few feet away from her, with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Aditi covered her eyes with her hands and tried to slide away without him noticing her. She was almost there, but her head bumped into the door.

"Aww..."

A painful moan escaped her lips . She quickly rubbed the spot, the charger fell from her hand, creating a loud sound.

"You-"

Arjun turned towards her and was about to say something, but he stopped mid-sentence when he realized his towel had slipped from his waist.

Before he could react further, Aditi screamed and ran away, slamming the door behind her. Arjun stood there for a few seconds, processing everything that had just happened.

He looked down and saw the towel on the ground.

"Aaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

A loud scream left his mouth. he immediately wrapped the towel around his waist and rushed into the washroom.

_____________________________

What happened? Why are you so red?" Janvi asked.

"Nothing " Aditi replied, catching her breath.

Janvi found it strange but didn't inquire further.

Meanwhile, Aditi's face was flushed with embarrassment. To divert attention, she grabbed a handbook and started reading out loud.

BIOLOGY IS THE SCIENCE OF LIFE FORMS AND LIVING PROCESS.....

OTHER SIDE

Arjun clung to the bathroom door, refusing to come out.

"What if she's still there? No, no, I saw her running away... She ran away, which means she saw everything... Oh no... Did she... Did she see my...."

Arjun kept talking to himself, his eyes slowly dropped, but he quickly looked up, straightening his posture.

"Arjun, Arjun, Arjun... Relax... this is biology... nothing serious, but no one has ever seen me like that before..Oh no... Arghhh"

He slammed his head against the wall and faked a cry, he was trying to convince himself nothing happened but failing miserably at same time.

" I should have worn pants" Darn!

★

" Niche nhi jaunga, wo bhi waha hogi " Arjun mumbled to himself, he was chewing on his nails out of nervousness.

"Arjun... " Another call from his mother made him jump a little.

" Areee yaarrr kya karu.. ? "

Arjun paused for a second, took a deep breath, and peeked through the door.

He took baby steps until he reached the hall. ...everyone was sitting there and eating peacefully. He stood there for a while, but no one noticed him, so he coughed a little to gain everyone's attention.

" Udhar kya khada hai.. aake khana kha" Jaya called him.

Aditi kept her head low, she gulped hard when she felt Arjun's presence beside her.

Arjun covered his face from the side and started to eat, neither he nor Aditi looked at each other.

" Tere daant mein dard hai beta? " Jaya asked in concern.

" N-nhi dadi... " He bit his lips in anticipation.

" Fir gaal se hath hata, aise nhi baithte " Jaya added.

Arjun slowly removed his hands and looked at Aditi from the corner of his eyes, she was already looking at him.

He immediately moved his gaze and grabbed a glass of water. He was drinking hastily, which made him choke, water spilled all over the dining table.

" Ye kya kiya tumne? " Manish shouted. Everyone looked at him in disbelief.

" Sorry sorry.. mujhe bhookh nhi hai.. " Arjun hurriedly got up from his seat, making the chair fall, and rushed into his room, slamming the door behind him.

" Isko kya hua.. "? Janvi questioned.

Everyone was looking in the direction Arjun ran to, except Aditi... She was sitting there, lowering her head, and her eyes were getting teary.

She wiped her tears before someone could notice . she was nervous and embarrassed. She felt like she had committed a sin or something, and she had no idea whom to share with. There were so many people around her, yet she was feeling lonely and unnoticed.

" Kal isko dentist ke paas le jaata hoon " Manish said. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Aditi brushed aside her thoughts and went inside her room. Tomorrow was the first day of school, she was scared, nervous, but somewhere excited.

_____________________________

Arjun wasn't able to sleep, he was frustrated.

"Apne hi ghar mein bahar nikalne mein awkwardness ho rahi hai mujhe.. Jab se woh aayi hai, meri life barbaad ho rakhi hai " he mumbled to himself nd threw the cricket ball in rage, it hit the window, and the glass shattered into pieces, creating a loud sound.

"Tu toh gaya.. Arjun.. 4 din pehle he naya glass laga tha " He faked a cry.

"Kya tuta..." Jaya called out.

Arjun gulped in fear. he immediately turned off the light and hid inside the blanket.

"Sab uski wajah se ho raha hai.. manhoos kahi ki," Arjun mumbled before drifting off to sleep.

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" aree ruk toh Aditi ki bacchi , itni jaldi kaha ja rhi hai "

Jaya stopped Aditi just as she was about to step out of the house. Three of the children stopped in their tracks and turned around to face their grandmother.

" ab kya hua dadi? hum already late ho chuke hai " Arjun's face showed annoyance.

" shadi bhale he naam ki hui ho, lekin hui toh vidhi vidhan se thi, kal toh maine kuchh nhi kaha par, aise nhi chalega.. na sindoor na mangalsutra " jaya taunted.

Aditi lowered her head, feeling uneasy. Her grip on the bag's strap tightened, and her body language clearly showed she was uncomfortable.

" dadi aap ek kaam karo isko shadi ka joda aur mehndi bhi laga ke ghar mein bitha do.. mein ja raha" Arjun exclaimed in annoyance and walked away.

" Par dadi wo sindoor aur mangalsutra laga ke school kaise jayegi? " janvi asked.

After janvi spoke, Aditi felt a little relief , grateful that someone showed concern.

Jaya rolled her eyes and spoke harshly, "toh na jaye, waise bhi iska sara kharcha hum utha rahe hain, ab itne mehnge school mein iski padhai ka bhi kharcha uthayenge."

Janvi took a deep breath and whispered something into Aditi's ear making her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Kya baatein ho rahi hain dono ki?" Jaya asked suspiciously.

"Aapke ghutno mein dard hai, aap humare peeche bhaag nahi paogi dadi " Janvi said with an innocent smile.

Jaya looked at them confused, before she could process anything , Janvi grabbed Aditi's hands, and both started running away.

Jaya kept shouting from behind, but they didn't stop until they reached the auto stand.

Today, you learned how to escape from Dadi," Janvi said, trying to catch her breath. "Sometimes, we can only run away from problems....there's no point in fighting " she added.

Aditi nodded silently , her lips curling into a thin smile.

Arjun, who had been watching them from afar, walked up to them and spoke sarcastically, "So she finally came. I was expecting her to wear a red saree, sindoor, and a mangalsutra - suhag ki nishani I suppose.
well, do I also have to wear any suhag ki nishani? I mean I'm married too? He added .

" Chup bas murkh" Janvi said, "and your jokes aren't funny , you'd better stay quite " Her words were laced with annoyance.

"You are no fun " Said Arjun.

My classroom building is way too far from hers, so you'd better take care of her in school," Janvi said, looking at Arjun .

What? Why? You know how busy I am," Arjun spoke "Besides, she's my junior. There's no way I'm going to babysit her . She's not a newborn, she can manage herself"

Aditi, who had been quiet for a long time, finally spoke up. "Haan , I can manage," she was trying to sound confident but her voice filled with uncertainty.

"See" Arjun flashed a smile and walked away.
"Are you sure you can ?" Janvi questioned , at which Aditi nodded in response.

Upon reaching the school, the three of them parted ways. Arjun went inside without a backward glance, and Janvi headed to her classroom in a different building.

As Aditi walked toward her classroom, her heart beat rapidly. Everything was new to her .....the sea of students stretching as far as she could see, some playing, others chatting, and most holding books. This school was a completely different from her previous one.

Though she'd said she could manage, Aditi felt nervous. She was alone, surrounded by unfamiliar faces. she recalled Arjun's father's words: "Suru suru mein sab ajeeb lagta hai"

Taking a deep breath, Aditi closed her eyes for a moment before stepping into her classroom.

ADITI

The lunch bell rings, and some students head outside while others remain seated in class. I've been stuck in the same position for so long because my desk mate keeps telling me to move aside. No one talks to me, and the teachers here are nothing like the ones in my previous school.

Pushing all these thoughts aside, I decide to explore the school since I have nothing else to do. I'm feeling hungry, but I'm too shy to take out my lunch box and head to the canteen. As I stand up, a sudden ache hits my stomach, and my thighs stick together. It takes me just a second to realize I've gotten my period.

"isko bhi abhi he aana tha " I said to myself. What if my skirt gets stained? What should I do now? I'm not carrying any pads with me. Should I check the school's washroom? That's the only option left.

I slowly get up from my seat and take small steps toward the door. There are only a few students in the class, busy with themselves, thankfully no one pays attention to me.

I somehow manage to find the washroom..it's downstairs. The thought of my skirt being stained won't leave my mind, and I keep adjusting it. I don't want to embarrass myself on my first day of school. As I step onto the stairs, I see a group of boys sitting there, oblivious to my presence. There's no way I'm going past them.

"ab kya karu ?" I try to think of an alternative when I notice a drop of blood on my socks. My heart starts racing. Without thinking further, I rush toward the stairs leading to the rooftop. I don't know what I'm doing, but right now, I can't think of anything else

★

" Can you give this to Ekant?" Arjun placed a small tiffin box on Rohit's desk.

Rohit looked at him with annoyance and said, "You don't talk to him, but you never forget to bring halwa for him. What kind of love-hate story is going on between you two?"

Arjun huffed before speaking, "My mom sent this for him. I don't even know what's inside." His voice laced with uncertainty.

Rohit chuckled and said, "You're making me play third wheel between you two, and it's exhausting as hell . Anyway, just leave it here ; I'll give it to him."

Upon hearing Rohit, Arjun simply put the tiffin box in his bag and walked away

EKANT

My peaceful nap was interrupted by the sound of sobbing. I forced myself to get up and move toward the railing. There, I saw a girl sitting in the corner, her body trembling with each sob.

"Hey" I called out. She wiped her tears before looking at me, her face red and puffy. She avoided my gaze, her eyes darting everywhere else as she continuously adjusted her skirt.

Her behavior reminded me of a famous line "Character aisa rakho jis se ladki tumhe dekh ke apne baal fix kare, na ki kapde." I'm not a creepy guy, okay? I can guarantee she's safe with me, but who's going to tell her that? Maybe she has other issues. I paused my thoughts and sat down on the floor a few inches away from her, hoping I wasn't scaring her further.

" Why are you crying? Did your crush reject you?"

I asked as softly as possible. I'm not great at comforting people, but I'm trying.

She shook her head, denying the reason.

" Your dog ate your homework "?

" Your favorite ipl team lost the match"?

Say something!!

"Ah, wait, I think I'm close. You've got a woman's problem, right? Come on, this is the last reason I can think of - say something.

I looked at her, hoping for any response . she finally looked at me , her eyes welling up with tears again.

"Oh, fish , I cracked the nut" I thought. "It wasn't that difficult..." No? scratch that..." it was." Anyway, let's see if I can do anything for her.

I walked away, leaving her there. Obviously, I was looking for someone to help her.

You guys better not judge me.

ADITI

Who was he? Had he just left? Would he come back to help me? I doubted a guy could be of much help. I needed to do something myself, sitting here crying wouldn't solve anything. I struggled to my feet using the wall for support. Despite a heavy stomach ache, I managed to stand up.

The rooftop was deserted, and I made my way to the stairs. As I walked, I realized my skirt was stained. I had no idea what to do. Just as I was lost in thought, someone called out to me.

"You're a new student, right?" A girl wearing same uniform as mine stood a few inches away, looking at me with concern. I stared blankly, taking a moment to regain my composure.

"Yes" I replied.

"Need help? Come with me," she said, turning to leave, but I stopped her, out of curiosity .

"How did you know I needed help?" I asked. She looked back and smiled .

"Ekant bhaiya said you might need my help. I know you've got your period,..it's okay, don't worry. I'll help you "

She walked ahead, and I followed quietly.

She helped me get a new skirt and even provided extra pads.

I had a physics lecture after the lunch break. Although I couldn't understand a thing, but at least I made a friend.

Thank you, kanha.

★

AFTER SCHOOL

" kal assembly se pehle aa jana, sath mein ekant bhaiya ko thanks bolenge " Joya said, waving at Aditi.

"Aditi waved back, She waited for a few minutes, but when neither Janvi nor Arjun appeared, she left the school compound and waited for them in front of the bus stand as instructed.

She stood there for half an hour, but wasn't upset at all. Her mind was celebrating the success of making her first friend at school .

Joya, the girl who had helped her. For an introvert like her, this was a significant achievement.

Arjun spotted her from a distance and rushed towards her. " You're here already? I was waiting for you outside school" he said, stuffing his mouth with paratha.

" tum ne bola tha, yahi wait karna " Aditi replied as she walked beside him.

" me"? Arjun paused for a second " Aree haan.. Maine he bola tha, my bad sorry, bhool gaya " He added.

" Janvi nhi aayi? " Aditi questioned. "Aa jayegi," Arjun answered quickly.

"Tiffin abhi kyu kha rahe?" Aditi spoke , struggling to match his pace , she had to quicken her steps.

"Khana bhool gaya," Arjun said, stuffing another piece of paratha into his mouth.

"Janvi akele aa jayegi?" she asked another question . Arjun was getting annoyed by her continuous questioning but decided to divert her attention instead of scolding her.

"Ice cream khaogi?" he  stopped , pointing at the ice cream stall.

Aditi didn't say anything , just nodded in response.

" tumhi mala 2 icecream dya, ek orange flavour ani ek chocolate" Arjun order.

( Give me two ice creams, one orange and one chocolate)

He turned to Aditi and said, 'Chalo paise do ' Aditi looked stunned. " Paise ?'

'Haan paise - jiss pe bapu ki photo lagi rehti hai, jiske liye mein 12 - 12 ghante padhta hu wahi paise, chalo nikalo ' Arjun said, extending his hand.

" mere pass nhi hai " she mumbled softly but loud enough for him to hear.

" Chal jhoothi ,maine dekha subah mein papa ne tumko diya tha 200 ka note, hoshiyaari nhi " Arjun smirked.

Aditi gave up and pulled out a 200-rupee note from her pocket. Arjun paid the vendor and handed her an ice cream. As they walked away, Arjun smiled mischievously, triumphant.

" Baki ke paise?" Aditi asked, making him chuckle.

" maine order diya, isliye wo mere huye," he answered with a smirk. Aditi stared at him blankly.
" Par wo mere the..." she mumbled in a saddened voice , lowering her head.

" Mein pati hoon tumhara, jo tumhara wo mera" he said, trying his best not to laugh , looking at her face.
" Chalo kha lo, warna melt ho jayegi" he added.

Aditi accepted her fate...there was no second choice, she couldn't start an argument with him, knowing she's never going to win.

"Waise ek baat puchu?" Arjun asked, looking at her.

" Kya? " She mumbled.

" kal tumne kuch dekha toh nahi tha na?" A sweat formed on his forehead while asking this question.

Aditi gulped hard "Haan, shayad..." She then shut her eyes tightly and ran away.

They were almost at their apartment...Arjun stood there, frozen.

" atleast formality ke liye na bol deti 'rani harishchandra khud ki izzat luta di maine" he muttered under his breath nd stepped inside.

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SPOILER ( chapter 4 )

" Papa, par.." Before Arjun could finish his sentence, a hard slap landed on his cheek, and he almost lost his balance.....

To be continue ~

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