~Chapter 16~

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~exams~

Isha's POV

Time, like a greased cheetah, bolted past in a blur. Here I was, crammed in the hall with my friends, our collective heads buried deep in physics textbooks. Exams loomed a mere two weeks away, a fact that gnawed at my nerves. I was busy chewing on the end of my pen, a nervous habit, when Viraj dealt a playful whack to my head.

"Oi! adhi plastic." he boomed . "ayina adhi thinna physics nee mind lo ki ekkadhu! thingari fellow. practise cheyu."  ( translation : oyee that's plastic, how much ever you bite, physics won't enter your mind. crazy fellow. do practise )

I pouted playfully, shoving his hand away and diving back into the problem at hand. With a triumphant flourish, I finished the equation and secured my hair into a messy bun with the very same pen that had been tormenting my lips moments ago.

Just as I was about to delve into memorizing a crucial definition, I felt a tug at my head. Rishi, with his usual brand of flirtatious charm, whipped out the pen, leaving my hair cascading down my shoulders.

"Wow," he grinned, his eyes twinkling. "You look much prettier like this."

I swatted him playfully, a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Idiot! It's scorching hot, and you had to mess up my bun?"

He chuckled, leaning in a bit closer. "But not hotter than you," he murmured, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

"Oh please, Rishi, don't start this again," I sighed, playfully rolling my eyes. I pushed him away gently and dove back into the abyss of physics formulas.

Daksh, our resident prankster, couldn't contain a snicker. "kalipey ra kalipey baga pulihora kalipey" he drawled.

Maitri chimed in, "aakariki isha ni kuda Vadalalēdu maa pulihora raja."

Laughter filled the air as we put the finishing touches on our physics studies. With a heavy sigh of relief, I switched gears, tackling history next. The day stretched on in a blur of textbooks, flashcards, and endless cups of chai. As dusk settled, casting long shadows across the hall, my friends began to pack up and head home. One by one, goodbyes were exchanged, leaving me with the daunting task of conquering history alone. but I was determined to conquer the night. 

time skip to the last exam

A wide smile stretched across my face as I walked onto the school grounds. Today was March 20th, the day that finally put an end to my Hindi struggles (thank goodness!), but more importantly, it marked the bittersweet closure of a 13-year-long chapter. This journey had been a tapestry woven with threads of laughter, tears, friendship, and pure, unadulterated madness.

Gazing at the familiar building, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Just then, Daksh came bounding towards me, our entire gang trailing behind him like a rowdy comet. Each one clutched a memento – a testament to the memories we'd shared. Daksh, ever the organizer, held aloft a box, his eyes sparkling with mischief. A time capsule, it turned out!

Relief washed over me as they revealed they'd gotten permission from Mr Desai. We spent the next hour crafting a beautiful time capsule, carefully choosing items that encapsulated the essence of our friendship. Laughter filled the air as we debated what trinkets best represented our inside jokes and shared dreams. Finally, with a collective grunt of effort, we buried the capsule beneath a sprawling banyan tree – a secret promise to our future selves.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, we settled down on the cool grass. A peaceful silence descended upon us, a comfortable quiet that spoke volumes about the bond we shared. We snapped a few selfies, the camera capturing the bittersweet mix of emotions on our faces.

Finally, it was time to go. Walking down the familiar corridors, a lump formed in my throat. "I'm gonna miss this," I whispered, the words catching my breath.

Trisha, sensing my emotions, squeezed my hand. "Me too," she replied simply, her voice thick with unspoken feelings.

With heavy hearts, we said our goodbyes, each parting a silent vow to keep the flame of our friendship burning bright. Though our school days were over, the memories we'd made – the laughter, the tears, the triumphs, and the heartbreaks – would forever be etched in our hearts. And somewhere, beneath the shade of the banyan tree, a time capsule awaited, a reminder of the beautiful, irreplaceable journey we had shared.

Coming home with Rishi, I couldn't help but smile. His parents had texted him to stay over at my place, and judging by the excited sounds coming from behind my door, a surprise awaited. Sure enough, as I flung open the door, a chorus of cheers and the pop of party poppers greeted me.

Mom, Dad, Gautam Uncle, and Anandi Aunty were beaming, their arms outstretched for hugs. "Congratulations on finishing your exams!" they chorused. We all piled onto the sofa, the air thick with excitement. Gautam Uncle, ever the inquisitive one, broke the ice.

"So, how'd the exams go?" he asked, his gaze flitting between Rishi and me.

"Pretty tough, actually," I admitted, a slight grimace on my face. "Especially Hindi. Ugh, don't even get me started."

Rishi, ever the charmer, couldn't resist a playful jab. "Easy as pie, Isha! What are you talking about?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I saw you practically ripping your hair out in the exam hall."

"Don't even pretend, Rishi!" I countered, swatting him playfully. "I saw you chewing your pen like a nervous rabbit!"

He scoffed, turning to our parents with mock indignation. "Don't believe a word she says!" 

I retorted back "hey, I should be the one to say that!"

The adults chuckled, the tension dissolving. "Well, how about we celebrate the end of exams with a victory dinner?" Gautam Uncle boomed, his voice filled with warmth. "We're all going to our favourite restaurant. Get yourselves freshened up, you two!"

After our parents and aunt and uncle left, a comfortable silence fell between Rishi and me. We reached for the plate of kaju katli. As I popped a piece into my mouth, Rishi mumbled, just barely audible, "So, you were looking at me instead of focusing on the exam?"

My heart skipped a beat. "What?" I feigned innocence, although a blush crept up my cheeks.

He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Come on, Isha. In an exam hall filled with people, you decided to stare at the 'most handsome guy' there? Obviously, Hindi questions couldn't compete with that view."

Despite myself, a giggle escaped my lips. This boy, with his teasing charm, could always fluster me. The night stretched before us, filled with laughter, good food, and perhaps, a secret glance or two exchanged across the dinner table.

isha's OOTD (only for the part before the time skip . and for the rest of the part you can imagine her in her school uniform )

 and for the rest of the part you can imagine her in her school uniform )

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rishi's OOTD (only for the part before the time skip . and for the rest of the part you can imagine him in his school uniform )

 and for the rest of the part you can imagine him in his school uniform )

Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.

Author's Note :

hey guys! I could not update in the past 4 days because of some personal problems. but anyway here I am with a new chapter. also, I am requesting you to not be a silent reader. you know I am waiting every day for your comments but I rarely get one . so I really want your views on it.  

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