Krithika's POV

Today is our first day at this prestigious institution. Mannu and I took public transport, and now we stand before the massive, iron-wrought school gates. As I gently pushed them open, I was struck by how vastly different this world felt. The air itself seemed to carry the scent of a posh society; the class difference was staggering. I know it's not right to feel insecure-God created everyone differently-but deep down, the sting of reality remained.

For some, everything is served on a silver platter. For us, "Choti choti cheezon ke liye bhi hume struggle karna padta hai." (We have to struggle even for the smallest of things.) But I took a deep breath, steeling my resolve. I will work tirelessly and rewrite my own destiny. I am 100% sure of it.

While I was lost in these heavy thoughts, Mannu suddenly dropped a bombshell. "Kittu, mujhe job karni hai. Matlab poori job nahi, bas college ke baad part-time job karungi." (Kittu, I want to work. Not a full-time job, just a part-time one after school.)

I stared at her, horrified. "Bilkul nahi, Mannu! Mamma ghar ke kaam tak humein karne nahi deti because she thinks our studies will suffer, aur tum seedha part-time karne ki soch rahi ho? Mumma and Papa will never agree. Give up this stubbornness."

"Oho Kittu, tum samajh nahi rahi ho!" she countered. "I only got a 50% scholarship. If I support Mumma and Papa financially, it will reduce their stress. Besides, I usually just chill after school anyway. Instead of passing time, I'll work and become financially independent." She gave me a cheeky grin. "Waise bhi main teri tarah topper toh hoon nahi... so after getting decent marks, I can do other things, like... part... time..."

"Do whatever you want," I replied, turning away, "but don't involve me. You convince them yourself."

Mannu immediately launched into her signature drama. "Hey Bhagwan! Ab mera kya hoga? Meri sagi behen ne mera saath chhod diya! Kya meri phool-si behen ke dil mein mere liye koi jagah nahi hai? Kya koi mujhe support nahi karega?" (Oh God! What will happen to me now? My own sister has abandoned me! Is there no place for me in my flower-like sister's heart? Will no one support me?)

Knowing her nautanki (drama) would only end once I surrendered, I sighed and assured her I would try to talk to our parents. Mannu gave me a crushing jappi (hug) and bolted toward the cafeteria. I tried to stop her, but she vanished with a bang, shouting that she'd be in class in five minutes.

Manvi's POV

I sprinted toward the cafeteria to scout for job openings. If I could find something on campus, I'd save a lot on travel time. I asked the cafe owner if he needed help, but he shook his head. Just as I was about to leave in disappointment, he stopped me.

"We don't have anything here in the cafe, but I also own the gym nearby. We have an opening there if you're interested."

My eyes lit up. I told him I could work two hours before and after school. He agreed, noting that those were the peak hours when the gym was most crowded. My job was straightforward: prepare protein shakes and manage the supplements for the members.

Realizing I was already five minutes late for my first class, I sprinted across the hallway. I arrived at the door, gasping for air, my heart racing from the chase. "May I come in, Sir?"

the professor looked up, his expression stern. "You are five minutes late. Do you not know the class timings?"

"I'm so sorry, Sir," I replied, trying to look as innocent as possible. "I'm new to the school and had difficulty locating the classroom. It won't happen again."

He gave a curt nod and allowed me in. I scurried over to the bench next to Kittu and sat down. She was intensely focused on the lecture, and despite my repeated attempts to catch her eye, she ignored me. I leaned in, desperate to flex my big achievement.

"Kittu," I whispered, "Bas ek baar blackboard se focus hatao... sirf do minute ke liye. Mujhe tumsein kuch kehna hai." (Kittu, just shift your focus from the blackboard for two minutes. I need to tell you something.)

Dhruv's POV

I was trying to focus on the lecture, but the girl who had just hurried into the room made it nearly impossible. She was a whirlwind of chaos, dressed in a vibrant, full-length skirt and a matching top, adorned with "funky" silver jewelry that chimed softly every time she moved. She looked like a splash of color in this otherwise sterile, serious classroom.

She was currently leaning toward her friend, her lips moving in a non-stop, whispered bak-bak (chatter). I found myself watching her-the way her eyes sparkled with mischief and how her hands moved animatedly as she tried to get her friend's attention. There was something strangely captivating about her energy, a raw liveliness that I hadn't encountered in these polished halls before.

Suddenly, the Professor's voice cut through the room like a whip. "Miss! Since you find your conversation more interesting than my lecture, perhaps you should continue it outside. Get out!"

She froze, looking like a deer in headlights, before slowly gathering her things. As she walked past my desk to the door, a faint, sweet scent trailed after her. She didn't look defeated; she looked like she was already planning her next adventure. For a moment, our eyes met, and my heart did a strange, unexpected somersault. The "peace" of my morning had been thoroughly disrupted by this "storm," and surprisingly, I didn't mind it at all. Coming to my senses, I looked away, and she went outside the class.

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