ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀʟʟᴡᴀʏꜱ

.A Surprise༊˚

AUTHOR'S POV :

Avni texted Ishan, "Thank you (x3). One for congratulating me earlier, one for helping me complain to the teacher, and one for the notes."

Ishan, who was waiting for her message, quickly saw it. He chuckled as he caressed his cat. Then he replied with a "👍🏻".

Avni received the notification while listening to music and thought, "Still angry? He didn't even text anything? Just an emoji?" She left it on seen.

When Avni reached home, the rooms were all dark. She switched on all the lights. Her parents were at work and wouldn't be back until around 8 or 9 PM. She wanted to talk to them, to share everything that happened today, but she knew they were busy with their own work. She changed into comfortable clothes and made herself some coffee. Then, she sat down to read and memorize the notes Ishan had given her.

As Avni flipped through the notes, she couldn't help but think about Ishan.
"Why he is so difficult to understand?" she wondered.

She studied for around 1-2 hours and then was about to take a break, her phone buzzed.

It was a message from Nidhi, "Are you studying? Need any help?"

Avni smiled and replied, "Yes, I am studying rn. I will ask if I need help. What about you?"

Nidhi replied, "I am also studying. Just took a break."

Avni replied, "Same."

She then went to the kitchen to refill her coffee. As she sipped it, she thought how nice it was have friends like Nidhi and Aaron, and even Ishan. Maybe it was not that hard to make friends.

After finishing her coffee, she returned to her study desk. She studied until her parents came back, then had dinner and went to sleep afterwards.

🌻

The next day, Avni woke up early and got ready for school. She double-checked her bag before heading out to ensure she had Ishan's notes and everything else she needed.

When she arrived at school, she found Nidhi and Aaron waiting for her at the gate.

Nidhi greeted her with a big smile, "Good morning!"

Avni replied, "Good morning. Let's head to class."

They made their way to the classroom and took their seats. Avni noticed Ishan already sitting at his desk, engaged in his phone. She sat down next to him.

She placed his notes on the desk and said, "Thanks again for these. They were really helpful."

Ishan looked up and gave her a small nod, "No problem."

"Also, I'm-" Avni started to speak.

Ishan interrupted her and said, "I'm sorry for acting strange. I just lost my mind yesterday."

Avni spoke, "It's alright. I am also sorry for putting you in trouble."

The teacher(Mr.Gupta) entered the room and said, "Good morning students. I have both good and bad news for you all."

The class murmured in eagerness as Mr.Gupta looked around the room, pausing for dramatic effect.

"The good news is that if this class scores the highest among all the sections, I will give you all a very big surprise," the teacher announced.

A wave of curiosity swept through the students. "What's the surprise?" they asked in unison.

"It's a secret for now, but it will not disappoint you", the teacher replied with a smile.

Nidhi, concerned, asked, "And what's the bad news?"

Mr.Gupta's expression turned serious. "The bad news is that if this class doesn't perform well, I'll cut down all the free periods, like games, art, dance, and music."

All the students looked disappointed and disheartened and said, "What? No free periods?"

The teacher silenced them and said, "So you all better perform well in the exam; it's the day after tomorrow. It's sunday tomorrow, so make sure to utilize the holiday to study.

The class continued for one hour.

It was the second period, and the teacher hadn't arrived yet.

Nidhi asked, "What could the surprise be?"

Avni replied, "Who knows? We need to study hard and score well to find out."

Nidhi said, "You're right... Wait, why don't we study together in the library after school today as well?"

Aaron added, "I'm in."

Ishan agreed, "Me too."

Avni responded, "Okay."

As the school day progressed, it was finally break time. The students went to the canteen to have their lunch.

Avni and Nidhi were talking and walking towards the canteen. They got their meals and found a seat.

Avni asked, "Where are those two?"

Nidhi replied, "You mean Aaron and Ishan? They both have gone for their practice maybe, the match is right after our exams."

Avni asked, "I wonder, how they manage studies and sports"

Nidhi replied, "It's all about balance. One is their hobby and the other is their responsibility. Of course, they can't excel at both all the time, but they try their best. Ishan, though, is an exception. He is best at everything he does, like a superhuman."

As they chatted, Neha approached their table with a tray of food and took a seat without asking. Avni and Nidhi exchanged glances.

Neha said, "Hey, mind if I join?"

Nidhi, irritated, replied, "Well you're already seated. What do you want now? Ishan isn't here."

Avni placed her hand on Nidhi's to stop her and said, "No, we don't mind."

Nidhi stood up and left, taking her tray of food towards the playground.

Avni said, "I'll go and talk to her. Bye, Neha."

She then went to Nidhi.

"Nidhi, listen", Avni said, finding Nidhi sitting on a bench in the playground, eating her food.

"I know you don't like her, I don't either, but it's rude to ignore her completely", Avni explained.

Nidhi looked at Avni and said, "I know you're right, but it's hard to just forget what she did."

Avni sat down next to Nidhi and said, "I get it but we are in the same class, we have to face her."

Nidhi sighed and said, "Yeah."
And added, "Forget her, let's focus on eating."

🐰🍃🎧