6

. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐

After returning home-

Mahika didn't stop.

Didn't greet anyone.

Didn't even look around.

She walked straight to her room.

Like she always did.

Like she belonged nowhere else.

Malini Ji, understanding her quiet nature, had her lunch sent upstairs. Mahika ate in silence, without distraction, without pause.

Once done-

She opened her laptop.

And began typing.

Her fingers moved rapidly-

Sharp.

Accurate.

Focused.

Like she wasn't just working-

But controlling something far bigger.

Downstairs-

Life continued.

Kalyani Ji and Malini Ji sat together in the living room, while Aarti sat across from them, quietly cutting vegetables.

Kalyani Ji made a displeased expression and spoke,

"Arey Malini..."
(Hey Malini...)

Malini looked at her gently,

"Haan maa, boliye..."
(Yes mom, tell me...)

Kalyani Ji sighed,

"Mujhe na woh ladki kuch theek nahi lagti..."
(I don't feel right about that girl...)

Malini frowned,

"Kaunsi ladki maa?"
(Which girl, mom?)

Kalyani Ji replied,

"Arey wahi... jo kal hi aayi hai... Tahiri beta ki dost..."
(The one who came yesterday... Tahiri's friend...)

Malini nodded softly,

"Maa... uska naam Mahika hai..."
(Mom... her name is Mahika...)

Kalyani Ji shook her head,

"Haan haan... jo bhi ho... mujhe bilkul bhi achhi nahi lagi..."
(Yes yes... whatever... I didn't like her at all...)

"Kal dekha nahi kaise behave kar rahi thi... bilkul tameez nahi hai..."
(Didn't you see how she behaved yesterday... no manners at all...)

"Yeh nahi ki bade baithe hain toh pair chhoo le ya namaste kar le..."
(She didn't even greet elders properly...)

"Aur aaj... neeche bhi nahi aayi... lunch par bhi nahi..."
(And today... she didn't even come downstairs... not even for lunch...)

Malini spoke calmly,

"Kya maa... aap bhi... woh achhi hai..."
(Oh mom... she is a good girl...)

"Tahiri ne bataya na... woh bachpan se akeli rahi hai..."
(Tahiri told us... she has been alone since childhood...)

"Kisi se zyada baat nahi karti..."
(She doesn't talk much with anyone...)

"Mujhe toh bilkul Ayaan ki tarah lagti hai..."
(She reminds me exactly of Ayaan...)

"Aur maa... abhi usse aaye hue kitne din hue hain..."
(And mom... she just arrived...)

"Abhi woh humse ghuli-mili bhi nahi hai..."
(She hasn't even opened up to us yet...)

"Itni jaldi koi apne baare mein nahi batata..."
(No one shares everything so quickly...)

"Agar hum use apno ki tarah rakhenge..."
(If we treat her like family...)

"Toh woh bhi waise hi rahegi..."
(Then she will also become like one...)

Then she added softly,

"Aur agar woh achhi nahi hoti..."
(And if she wasn't good...)

"Toh kya apni jaan daav par laga ke Sanju ko bachati?"
(Would she risk her life to save Sanju?)

Kalyani Ji still insisted,

"Phir bhi... mujhe usmein kuch gadbad lagti hai..."
(Still... something feels wrong about her...)

"Tahiri bhi toh rehti hai yahan... usne kabhi aisa behave nahi kiya..."
(Tahiri also lives here... she never behaved like this...)

Malini gently held her hand,

"Maa... sabka nature alag hota hai..."
(Mom... everyone is different...)

"Aap zyada mat sochiye..."
(Don't think too much...)

Kalyani Ji said nothing.

And quietly walked away.

Upstairs-

Mahika stood near the railing.

Silent.

Unnoticed.

She had come down for water-

But stopped.

Because she heard everything.

Every word.

Every doubt.

Every judgment.

She didn't react.

Didn't interrupt.

Just listened.

After they left-

She walked downstairs.

Aarti saw her,

"Kuch chahiye tumhe?"
(Do you need something?)

Mahika replied coldly,

"Paani."
(Water.)

Aarti handed her a jug.

Mahika took it-

And went back to her room.

Inside-

She paused.

Just for a moment.

Kalyani Ji's words echoed.

Her fingers stopped moving.

Her mind-

Didn't.

She whispered to herself,

"Mujhe in logon ke liye khud ko change karna hoga..."
(I might have to change myself for them...)

Then immediately-

Her expression hardened.

"Impossible."

And just like that-

She returned to work.

As if nothing mattered.

By night-

The house had settled.

Everyone was home.

Except Ayaan.

Mahika had dinner in her room.

Worked again.

Hours passed.

It was 11 PM.

The silence deepened.

Then-

A sound.

A jeep stopping.

She paused.

Closed her laptop.

Walked to the window.

Looked down-

And froze.

Ayaan.

Standing near the jeep.

In uniform.

Talking on the phone.

Under the full moon.

The moonlight fell across his face-

Highlighting every sharp feature.

His posture-

Firm.

Commanding.

His voice-

Low.

Serious.

He looked... powerful.

And undeniably attractive.

Mahika couldn't look away.

Her eyes stayed fixed on him.

Her heartbeat-

Raced.

Faster than ever.

For the first time-

Something felt out of control.

But Ayaan-

Was unaware.

Completely.

He walked inside-

Still on call.

And disappeared.

Yet Mahika-

Stayed there.

Lost.

Only after a while-

She realized he was gone.

She exhaled slowly.

Looked at the moon.

And thought-

"Uske chehre ke saamne sab saada laga...
Aasmaan pe chaand poora tha... par phir bhi aadha laga..."

(In front of his face, everything felt plain...
The moon was full... yet it felt incomplete...)

She lay down.

But sleep-

Came late.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

4:30 AM

Tahiri was sleeping deeply-

Peacefully.

Like nothing could wake her.

Suddenly-

Gunshots echoed.

Loud.

Sharp.

Terrifying.

She jumped up instantly,

"Attack! Attack ho gaya!"
(Attack! We're under attack!)

"Koi bachao!"
(Someone help!)

She stood in a fighting stance-

Ready.

Alert.

Then paused.

Looked around.

Nothing.

Silence.

Her eyes fell on her phone.

Now silent.

She frowned,

"Ye maine set kab kiya...?"
(When did I set this...?)

Then realization hit.

"Yeh Mahi bhi na..."
(This Mahi... honestly...)

"Koi kisi ko aise uthata hai kya?"
(Who wakes someone like this?)

After getting ready-

She rushed to Sanju's room.

Knocked loudly.

Sanju opened the door half asleep,

"Dii... aap?"
(Di... you?)

Tahiri grabbed her,

"Uth jao! Tumhe fight seekhni thi na!"
(Wake up! You wanted to learn fighting!)

Sanju yawned,

"Dii... itni subah...?"
(Di... so early...?)

Tahiri crossed her arms,

"Kal bada josh tha na..."
(Yesterday you were so excited...)

Sanju mumbled,

"Kal se karenge..."
(We'll start tomorrow...)

She turned-

But Tahiri pushed her,

"Abhi chalo!"
(Go now!)

"Warna woh Hitler mujhe nahi chhodegi!" (Otherwise that Hitler won't spare me!)

Soon-

They were in the garden.

Running.

Fast.

Sanju, panting, asked,

"Dii mujhe fight seekhni thi... aap mujhe bhaga kyun rahi ho?"
(Di I wanted to learn fighting... why are you making me run?)

Tahiri replied,

"Chup chaap bhaago..."
(Just run...)

"Yeh bhi fight ka part hai..."
(This is also part of fighting...)

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

Mahika had woken up at exactly 4:00 AM, as if her body followed a strict internal clock. Without making any noise, she stepped out of her room and quietly made her way to the rooftop.

The cool morning breeze brushed against her face as strands of her hair swayed gently. Her sharp silver eyes scanned the surroundings... and then settled on the garden below.

From the rooftop railing, she could clearly see Tahiri and Sanju.

Tahiri had finally stopped running, placing her hands on her waist while catching her breath. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but her energy was still intact.

Sanju, however, was in terrible condition. After just a few rounds, she collapsed onto the grass, completely exhausted, breathing heavily.

She gasped, trying to speak between breaths-

"Bas di... ab nahi... ab mujhse nahi hoga..."
("Enough, di... I can't anymore... I really can't...")

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she lay there, defeated.

Tahiri rolled her eyes, slightly annoyed but still firm-

"Aise kaise? Chalo khadi ho... abhi tumhe kuch moves karne hain."
("What do you mean you can't? Get up... you still have moves to learn.")

Just then, a deep voice cut through the calm morning air-

"Yahan kya ho raha hai subah ke 6 baje?"
("What's going on here at 6 in the morning?")

Both Tahiri and Sanju turned their heads while still lying on the grass... and froze.

Standing there was Ayaan.

He held a water bottle in one hand. His t-shirt was soaked in sweat, clinging perfectly to his body, outlining his well-built physique. His slightly messy hair and the soft golden rays of the rising sun falling on his face made him look unreal.

For a moment... everything paused.

Tahiri's mouth literally fell open. She just stared at him, completely lost.

Before she could even gather herself, another voice came-

"Arey aap kahan kho gayi?"
("Where did you get lost?")

Tahiri blinked and looked down-
Rohan was lying beside Sanju, panting, staring straight at her with a teasing grin.

Embarrassed, Tahiri quickly stood up, stammering as Ayaan's intense gaze remained fixed on her-

"Wo... wo main... yahan..."
("I... I was just... here...")

Then pointing at Sanju-

"Isko bhaga rahi thi..."
("I was making her run...")

But Ayaan was still staring.

She panicked and immediately corrected herself-

"Arey nahi... main isko chalna sikha rahi thi..."
("No, no... I was teaching her how to walk...")

Then hitting her own forehead-

"Arey ye main kya bol rahi hoon..."
("What am I even saying...")

Ayaan simply ignored her and walked toward Sanju.

Sanju quickly sat up as he approached-

"Arey bhaiya... Tahiri di mujhe fight sikh rahi thi taaki main khud ko protect kar sakun aur mujhe kisi ki zarurat na pade!"
("Bhaiya... Tahiri di was teaching me how to fight so I can protect myself and not depend on anyone!")

Ayaan gently placed his hand on her head, his expression softening-

"Mujhe nahi pata tha meri gudiya badi ho gayi... agar kabhi meri zarurat ho toh bata dena, theek hai?"
("I didn't realize my little doll has grown up... if you ever need me, just tell me, okay?")

Sanju smiled brightly-

"Haan bhaiya... waise Tahiri di hai na... aur agar wo nahi hui toh Mahika di toh hai hi... aapko pata hai wo na bahut strong hai!"
("Yes bhaiya... Tahiri di is there... and if not her, then Mahika di... you know she's very strong!")

The moment Ayaan heard Mahika's name, her mysterious eyes flashed in his mind again.

For a brief second... he was lost.

Then he shook his head slightly, brushing off the thought, and quietly walked away.

Rohan smirked and teased-

"Arey aap khamkha itni mehnat kar rahi hain... ise sikhate sikhate kahin aap khud na bhool jaaye!"
("You're working so hard... you might forget everything yourself while teaching her!")

He pulled Sanju's braid and ran inside laughing.

"Ruko tum!"
("You just wait!")

Sanju chased after him-

"Di baaki kal karenge... aaj ke liye itna bahut hai!"
("Di, we'll do the rest tomorrow... this is enough for today!")

Tahiri sighed and followed them inside.

Up on the rooftop...

Mahika had seen everything.

From the moment Ayaan entered... she hadn't blinked even once.

Her heartbeat had unknowingly synced with his presence.

But then...
She saw Tahiri staring at Ayaan.

And something inside her snapped.

Her silver eyes slowly began turning red.
Her grip on the railing tightened so hard that her knuckles turned red.

A dangerous thought crossed her mind-

She wanted to shoot Tahiri.

Every bullet.
Straight into her eyes.

She froze at her own thoughts.

"Ye mujhe kya ho raha hai...?"
("What is happening to me...?")

Her breathing became uneven.

"Ayaan ko dekhte hi mera dil itni tezi se kyun dhadakta hai...?"
("Why does my heart race like this whenever I see Ayaan...?")

Then her expression hardened-

"Chahe kuch bhi ho... Tahiri... tumhe iski saza milegi."
("No matter what... Tahiri... you will pay for this.")

She turned and looked at the rising sun...
Then silently walked back to her room.

Later that morning...

Everyone sat at the dining table-except Mahika.

Malini was about to take breakfast upstairs when she saw Mahika walking toward the main gate.

She called out-

"Arey Mahi beta, subah subah kahan ja rahi ho?"
("Mahi dear, where are you going so early?")

Mahika stopped... and slowly turned.

Her gaze locked onto Malini.

Malini hesitated, then softly said-

"Kya hua beta? Tumhe mera 'Mahi' kehna pasand nahi aaya?"
("What happened dear? Did you not like me calling you 'Mahi'?")

Mahika replied calmly-

"Nahi aunty, mujhe bura nahi laga... aap mujhe jo chahe bula sakti hain."
("No aunty, I didn't mind... you can call me whatever you like.")

Malini smiled warmly and cupped her face-

"Tum sach mein bahut pyaari ho... bas ek smile ki kami hai."
("You're really very sweet... just missing a smile.")

Mahika just stared at her... silently.

Malini insisted-

"Pehle nashta kar lo, phir jaana."
("Have breakfast first, then go.")

Mahika refused-

"Nahi, mujhe jaldi hai. Main bahar kha loongi."
("No, I'm in a hurry. I'll eat outside.")

Malini didn't give up. She went inside and brought a tiffin.

"Lo, isse rakh lo... jab waqt mile kha lena."
("Take this... eat when you get time.")

Mahika again refused-

"Aunty, zarurat nahi hai."
("Aunty, there's no need.")

Before Malini could speak-

Kalyani taunted sharply-

"Rehne de Malini... jab kisi ko khana hi nahi toh tu kyun tension le rahi hai?"
("Leave it Malini... if she doesn't want to eat, why are you bothering?")

Mahika remained unaffected.

But Tahiri clenched her fists.

Malini firmly placed the tiffin in Mahika's hands.

Mahika took it silently... then walked a few steps...

Stopped.

Turned back.

Looked straight at Kalyani.

And said coldly-

"Free mein nahi reh rahi... paise diye hain."
("I'm not staying here for free... I've paid for it.")

Then she turned... and walked out.

As soon as Mahika walked out...

Kalyani Ji's face twisted in annoyance. Her lips tightened, and she turned sharply toward Yash Ji, clearly offended.

"Dekha tune? Kaise mujhe ulta bolkar gayi!"
("Did you see that? How she talked back to me!")

She continued, her tone rising-

"Arey woh hoti kaun hai mere hi ghar mein mujhse aise baat karne wali?"
("Who does she think she is, talking to me like that in my own house?")

Her frustration spilled out completely-

"Paise diye hain toh kya ehsaan kiya hai usne? Ek toh humne uski madad ki, aur upar se hume hi attitude dikha rahi hai!"
("So what if she paid? Did she do us a favor? We helped her, and she's the one showing attitude!")

Yash Ji sighed softly, trying to ease the situation-

"Arey maa, itni badi bhi baat nahi hai... aap khaam-kha baat ko bada rahi hain."
("Mom, it's not that big of a deal... you're unnecessarily making it bigger.")

Tahiri, who had been silent until now, looked at Kalyani Ji with respect but determination.

Her voice was calm... but her words carried weight.

"Sorry dadi... aap uski baat ka bura mat maaniyega."
("Sorry dadi... please don't feel bad about what she said.")

She continued, explaining gently-

"Maine aapko bataya na... woh bachpan se akeli rahi hai."
("I told you... she has been alone since childhood.")

"Kabhi kisi family ke saath nahi rahi... isliye use kisi par jaldi trust nahi hota."
("She's never lived with a family... that's why she doesn't trust people easily.")

Then she turned toward Yash Ji and Malini Ji-

"Uski taraf se main maafi maangti hoon... please aap usse galat mat samajhiye."
("I apologize on her behalf... please don't misunderstand her.")

Yash Ji smiled softly and placed his hand on Tahiri's head.

"Arey beta, tum kyun maafi maang rahi ho?"
("Why are you apologizing, dear?")

"Na hum tumse naraz hain, na hi Mahika beta se."
("We're not upset with you, nor with Mahika.")

He chuckled lightly-

"Apna Ayaan bhi toh bilkul Mahika jaisa hi hai... har kisi se aise hi baat karta hai."
("Even our Ayaan is just like her... he talks the same way to everyone.")

Then his tone became slightly serious as he looked at Kalyani Ji-

"Maafi toh hume maangni chahiye... maa ne use aise bol diya."
("We should be the ones apologizing... mom spoke to her harshly.")

"Aur maa... aap use kuch nahi kahengi. Jaise aap Tahiri ke saath rehti hain, waise hi Mahika ke saath bhi rahiye."
("And mom... you won't say anything to her. Treat her the same way you treat Tahiri.")

Kalyani Ji didn't respond.

She simply sat there... lips pressed together, clearly unhappy-but silent.

Tahiri, though outwardly calm, was burning inside.

Her jaw tightened slightly.

Her eyes lowered... hiding the storm within.

She couldn't tolerate anyone speaking to her boss like that.
No matter who it was.

Under the table...
Her grip on the spoon tightened-

Crack.

The metal spoon snapped in her hand.

No one noticed.

If it had been anyone else instead of Kalyani Ji...
She wouldn't have spared them.

Without saying another word, Tahiri quietly stood up and walked away.

Sanju noticed immediately-

"Arey, inhe kya ho gaya? Yeh bina nashta kiye kyun chali gayi?"
("What happened to her? Why did she leave without eating?")

Rohan leaned back casually and replied-

"Agar koi tumhe kuch bole... aur tum usse kuch keh bhi na pao... toh kaisa lagega?"
("If someone says something to you... and you can't even respond... how would you feel?")

Sanju frowned-

"Exactly... bahut bura lagega."
("Exactly... it would feel really bad.")

Rohan nodded-

"Toh bas... Mahika ji Tahiri ji ke liye behen jaisi hain... toh obviously unhe bura laga."
("That's it... Mahika is like a sister to Tahiri... so of course she felt bad.")

Sanju silently nodded.

Rohan lightly tapped her head-

"Chal jaldi kar... main ja raha hoon. Tujhe bhi college chhod deta hoon."
("Hurry up... I'm leaving. I'll drop you at college.")

Sanju quickly finished her breakfast and left with him.

After they left, Yash Ji turned to Kalyani Ji again, his voice calm but firm.

"Maa... aapko Mahika beta se aise baat nahi karni chahiye thi."
("Mom... you shouldn't have spoken to Mahika like that.")

"Woh abhi bachchi hai... lekin aap toh badi hain."
("She's still young... but you're the elder.")

He continued, his tone softening-

"Humne use rehne ki jagah di... lekin usne bhi toh hamari madad ki."
("We gave her a place to stay... but she helped us too.")

"Usne bina kisi swarth ke Sanju ki jaan bachayi."
("She saved Sanju without any selfish motive.")

"Agar us din woh nahi hoti... toh pata nahi kya ho jata."
("If she wasn't there that day... who knows what could've happened.")

He looked directly at her-

"Aap pehle aisi nahi thi... madad karne ke baad ehsaan nahi jatati thi."
("You weren't like this before... you never counted favors after helping someone.")

Kalyani Ji's expression slowly softened.

Guilt crept into her eyes.

"Mujhe pata hai Yash... maine galat bola."
("I know, Yash... I was wrong.")

She sighed-

"Pata nahi mujhe kya ho jata hai... main usse chidh si jaati hoon."
("I don't know what happens to me... I get irritated by her.")

Then she admitted honestly-

"Shayad isliye... kyunki usne mujhe kabhi importance hi nahi di."
("Maybe because... she never gave me importance.")

"Pehli baar kisi ne mujhe ignore kiya hai."
("It's the first time someone has ignored me.")

Malini gently held her hand-

"Koi baat nahi maa... ab aap zyada mat sochiye."
("It's okay, mom... don't overthink it.")

"Chaliye, aap rest kijiye."
("Come, you should rest now.")

She slowly guided her to the room.

Kalyani Ji walked away with Malini.

Yash Ji stood there for a moment... lost in thought.

Then quietly turned... and headed toward his office.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

Mahika had already reached M.G. College.

The campus buzzed with life-students chatting, laughing, walking in groups-but the moment she stepped inside the classroom, an unexplainable silence followed her presence.

For her first lecture, the Principal personally accompanied her to the class for introduction.

As she entered, all eyes turned toward her.

Her all-black outfit, her calm yet dangerous aura, and those cold, unreadable eyes...

For a moment, the entire class assumed-

She must be a new student.

Whispers spread across the room.

But then...

The Principal cleared his throat and spoke-

"Students, yeh hain Miss Mahika... aaj se yeh aapko History padhayengi."
("Students, this is Miss Mahika... from today, she will be teaching you History.")

And just like that-

Silence. Shock. Disbelief.

Students stared at her, stunned.

At such a young age... a professor?

Before anyone could react further, the Principal left.

Without wasting a single second...

Mahika turned toward the board, picked up a marker, and began teaching.

No introduction.
No small talk.
Straight to the subject.

Her voice was calm... but sharp.

Her teaching style-clear, precise, and powerful.

Students who usually lost interest in history... found themselves unknowingly focused.

Just then-

From the last bench, a boy lazily spoke-

"Ma'am, kyun na padhane se pehle thodi jaan pehchaan badha lein?"
("Ma'am, why don't we get to know each other before studying?")

Mahika stopped.

Mid-sentence.

Slowly turned.

Her eyes locked onto him.

The temperature of the room dropped.

She spoke-cold, sharp, and intimidating-

"Yeh classroom hai... na ki tumhara ghar."
("This is a classroom... not your house.")

"Agar itna hi shauk hai jaan pehchaan badhane ka... toh college aana chhod do."
("If you're so interested in socializing... then stop coming to college.")

Then she looked at the entire class-

Her voice now louder, firmer-

"Agar aaj ke baad kisi ne meri baat kaatne ki himmat ki..."
("If anyone dares to interrupt me again...")

"Toh woh teen mahine class mein rehkar bhi absent maana jayega."
("They will be marked absent for three months-even if they attend.")

"Study se related doubt... agle din ke liye save karna."
("Any study-related doubts... save them for the next day.")

"Roz 20 minute sirf doubts clear kiye jayenge."
("Every day, 20 minutes will be dedicated to clearing doubts.")

Then she slammed her hand lightly on the table-

"All understood?"

The class instantly straightened.

"Yes ma'am!"

Even those who weren't taking her seriously before... were now visibly shaken.

The boy who spoke earlier?

He had literally bent down, hiding behind his desk.

Mahika took a deep breath... and resumed teaching.

Her explanation was so clear, so structured... that even complex topics felt simple.

Time flew.

Before anyone realized-

The lecture ended.

She closed her notes and walked out of the class without another word.

The moment she stepped out-

The entire class exhaled together.

It felt like everyone had been holding their breath the whole time.

Groups immediately formed.

Whispers turned into loud discussions.

One boy said-

"Yaar kya teacher hai... baap re! Itna serious hoke kaun padhata hai?"
("Man, what a teacher... seriously! Who teaches with such intensity?")

A girl sitting ahead turned back-

"Arey Sachin... yeh wahi hai jiske baare mein kal baat ho rahi thi!"
("Sachin... she's the same girl I told you about yesterday!")

Another girl asked-

"Soni, tune toh kaha tha koi new student hai?"
("Soni, you said she was a new student?")

Soni adjusted her glasses, embarrassed-

"Arey yaar mujhe kya pata tha... jo main student samajh rahi thi woh professor niklegi!"
("How was I supposed to know... the one I thought was a student turned out to be a professor!")

She groaned-

"Maine toh bhagwan se pray kiya tha ki yeh meri class mein na ho... aur dekho!"
("I even prayed she wouldn't be in my class... and look!")

Rupali laughed-

"Jo bhi ho... kitni khoobsurat hai yaar!"
("Whatever it is... she's so beautiful!")

"Aur padhati bhi kitna achha hai!"
("And she teaches so well!")

"Pehle wale professor ka toh kuch samajh hi nahi aata tha!"
("We couldn't understand anything from the previous professor!")

Everyone nodded in agreement.

That day...

The entire college had just three topics-

Her beauty

Her teaching style

Her dangerous personality

Mahika was walking across the ground...

When suddenly-

A loud voice echoed-

"Diiii!!!"

Mahika stopped instantly.

Turned back.

And saw-

Sanju running toward her.

For a moment, Mahika frowned slightly-

Yeh yahan kya kar rahi hai?
(What is she doing here?)

Then it clicked-

She studies here.

Sanju reached her, completely out of breath.

She had run all the way from the first floor.

Mahika, noticing her condition, gently placed her hand on her back and said-

"Aaram se... pehle saans lo."
("Relax... breathe first.")

Sanju nodded, took out her water bottle, drank quickly... then looked at her excitedly-

"Aap yahan, di?"
("You're here, di?")

Mahika replied calmly-

"Main ab yahan padhane wali hoon."
("I'll be teaching here now.")

Sanju's eyes widened-

"Ohhh! Toh aap hi ho jo aaj college ki hot topic ho!"
("Ohhh! So you're the hot topic of the college today!")

Then she bit her tongue-

"Sorry... ma'am!"

Mahika shook her head slightly-

"Koi baat nahi... tum mujhe akela mein di hi bula sakti ho."
("It's okay... you can call me 'di' when we're alone.")

Sanju's face lit up-

"Sach mein di?!"
("Really, di?!")

Mahika nodded.

Sanju instantly grabbed her hand-

"Chalo na di, canteen chalte hain!"
("Come on di, let's go to the canteen!")

"Mujhe bahut bhook lagi hai... aaj aap mere saath hi kha lo."
("I'm really hungry... eat with me today.")

"Waise bhi aap kisi ko jaanti bhi nahi hongi yahan!"
("Anyway, you don't know anyone here yet!")

Mahika looked at her for a moment...

Then simply said-

"Tum jao... main apna bag leke aati hoon."
("You go... I'll bring my bag.")

Sanju practically jumped in excitement.

"Yayyy!"

She ran toward the canteen and quickly grabbed a table-

As if claiming victory.

🎶__________________________________________________________
🦋🎶

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🪽་༘࿐