CHAPTER 6 – STRANGELY CONCERNED FOR HER
Time seemed to accelerate as the NDA entrance exam loomed closer. Rishabh, along with Rehaan, Vikram, and Kabir, immersed themselves in intense study sessions, focusing on their group studies and discussing important pointers. The pressure was mounting not just for NDA but also for their upcoming board exams, just a month away. The days were passing quickly, bringing the inevitable challenge closer.
Two days later, Rishabh arrived at school, his eyes searching for Avani. Unable to find her in her classroom, he grew increasingly concerned.
‘Is she okay?’ The thought unsettled him. He finally decided to call Siya, his cousin's sister, who was close to him and his sister.
"Hello! Hey, Rishi, what's up?" Siya greeted him.
"Hi, Siya, how are you?" Rishabh inquired before finally asking, "How is Avani? Is she okay? Is she badly hurt? I can't see her in school today." The concern in his voice was palpable. This girl was somehow managing to get under his skin.
"Hold on, Tiger! She is okay. The doctor has advised her to take rest for some days and avoid playing and any stress on her ankle," Siya reassured him.
“Oh okay! Bye then...Got to go...” Rishabh said to deliberately avoid, Siya’s series of question which was shot at him like bullets.
“Not so easily Bro, what is in your mind. You never looked at girls. What is going on? Why did you come running to help her that day? Do you know her? It confused me a bit. Please tell me whatever I am thinking is not right. If it’s true then God helps you. Her brother will kill you with his bare hands.” Siya warned him.
“Nothing like you thinking, Siya. It’s just I was asking out of concern, she is my junior and Helps Kriti a lot on the court, so I was really asking normally. Okay, catch you later!” Rishabh hurriedly disconnected the call before Siya could ask any more probing questions. He had managed
to avoid her curiosity for now, but deep inside, he knew he couldn't escape his own feelings. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion, uncertainty, and a burgeoning infatuation for Avani. As he tossed his phone aside, he resolved to confront these emotions, no matter how complicated they seemed. He would gather the courage to talk to Avani, to unravel the mystery of his own heart.
Two weeks flew by, and the day of the NDA entrance exam had arrived. Rishabh, along with his friends Rehaan, Vikram, and Kabir, reached the exam center at 8 o'clock in the morning. They all displayed their IDs, feeling well-prepared and confident about the upcoming written examination. The questions were largely as they had expected, and they were optimistic about their performance. The only thing left to do was to wait for the results, which would be announced in 20 days. After the rigorous exam, the group decided to have lunch at a nearby restaurant. They hopped on their bikes and revved the engines. While they were known as brilliant students, they also had a reputation for being the bad boys of their school. Riding their bikes at high speeds and
performing stunts during their free time was their way of letting loose.
As they parked their bikes and ordered lunch, Vikram moved his chair closer to Rishabh's. Rishabh was engrossed in his phone, scrolling through messages, when Vikram couldn't resist asking, "Rishi, have you been to the court in the past few days?"
Rishabh, puzzled by the question, responded, "Which court?"
Vikram, wearing a mischievous smirk, explained, "The SKS (Saraswathi Kanya Sangh) court, where you often pick up or drop Kriti." Confusion crossed Rishabh's face, and he replied, "No, I haven't.
Why do you ask?"
Vikram continued with a knowing grin, "Oh, I thought you might have gone there to pick up Kriti and happened to see Avani and Smriti." As Vikram and Kabir tried to suppress their laughter, Rishabh shot
Vikram a stern look and then returned his focus to his phone.
Vikram couldn't resist teasing Rishabh since he had discovered Rishabh's interest in Avani. He slyly mentioned, "I heard the 10th standard girls are volunteering for this year's farewell party."
Though Rishabh's ears perked up, he pretended not to be interested and continued scrolling through his phone. However, his mind was
preoccupied with thoughts of the upcoming farewell party and the hope that Avani would attend.
Ten days passed in anticipation and excitement. The day of the farewell finally arrived, and Rishabh began preparing himself. Dressed in a black tuxedo.
“Oh, My My! Look at my son, looking so handsome and charming!!” Rishabh’s Mom complimented him and looked at him with proud and kissed his forehead lovingly.
"Brother, you look incredibly handsome tonight. I bet all the girls are going to have a heart attack just looking at you," Kriti teased, her eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Mom, this girl has become quite the talker lately," I replied, shooting a playful glance at my younger sister.
"Bro, I’m just stating the truth! I've seen how girls drool over you, even when you're just walking down the corridor in your school uniform. But fine, enough talk. Let me capture this moment," Kriti insisted, grabbing her phone.
Just as she was about to take the pictures, Rehaan, Vikram, and Kabir, my loyal trio of friends, gathered around us, playfully ruffling Kriti's hair in camaraderie.
"Hey, Kriti! Don't forget us. Click our pictures too! Aren't we looking as handsome as your brother?" Vikram chimed in, earning an eye roll from Kriti, who was used to their antics.
She showed the pictures to the group, who then requested more shots, pretending to be unsatisfied with the previous ones. Kriti was growing increasingly annoyed by their antics.
"Bhai, don’t you have better friends than these three … they keep annoying me all the time ...” Kriti said and threw a pillow towards them.
Amidst their laughter, Kriti dutifully captured the moments, snapping several pictures of them dressed in their finest. However, Vikram, Rehaan, and Kabir, always the mischievous trio, couldn't resist teasing her further. They asked her multiple times to take more pictures, each time pointing out supposed flaws in her clicks, which only served to annoy Kriti even more.
Finally, it was time for the farewell party. The school lawn was beautifully decorated for the event. As they entered, Rishabh couldn't help but notice the wide-eyed gazes of girls in the room. His eyes, however, were focused on Avani who was standing afar at one of the counters.
Avani appeared in a stunning navy-blue Georgette saree with a black sleeveless blouse, revealing her beautiful dusky skin. Her hair cascaded down her back, completing her breathtaking look. Rishabh was utterly captivated, unable to move from his spot. It was Kabir who playfully bumped his shoulder, snapping him out of his trance.
Kabir leaned in and whispered, "Stop staring at her like that."
Rishabh, breathless, stammered, "She looks beautiful today," before realizing what he'd confessed in front of his friends.
Vikram, Kabir, and Rehaan stood before him, smirking and teasing him relentlessly. He tried to avoid their prying gazes by walking away and taking a seat.
As Vikram commented, "Dude, have you already fallen for her?"
Rishabh finally admitted to his friends, "I have. Tonight, I'm going to tell her, how I feel. I can't keep myself sane until I confess my feelings."
Vikram's concern was apparent as he asked, "But are you sure?"
Rishabh replied resolutely, "I am sure." With a determined look, he rose from his chair, ready to face the most crucial moment of the evening...
His confession to Avani!