ʜᴇᴀʀᴛʙᴇᴀᴛꜱ ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴀʟʟᴡᴀʏꜱ

.Surprise revealed༊˚

AUTHOR'S POV:

Mr. Gupta entered the classroom, and greeted everyone with a warm, "Good morning, class."

As the students settled down, he continued, "I hope you're all ready, because the results are out."

The room buzzed with anticipation as everyone straightened up in their seats, eager to hear their scores. Mr. Gupta's eyes scanned the room, pausing briefly on Avni and Ishan, before he started calling out the names and marks one by one.

Mr. Gupta began announcing the results, starting with the lowest scores and gradually working his way up. Each name brought a mix of sighs, cheers, and murmurs of surprise.

Mr. Gupta continued with the announcements, reaching the top scores.

"Ishan Malhotra – 100%", he declared.

The classroom erupted into cheers and clapping. Ishan stood up, a modest smile on his face, as his classmates congratulated him. He walked to the front to collect his answer sheet. The teacher congratulated him, and Ishan thanked him in return.

Then Mr. Gupta said, "And finally, Avni Agarwal – 100%."

The room again filled with applause and cheers. Avni felt a rush of happiness and relief, her hard work recognized. She looked over at Ishan, who had helped her study for this test. He gave her an encouraging smile and a thumbs-up. She then went to the front to collect her answer sheet, thanked the teacher, who congratulated her, and returned to her seat.

Mr. Gupta said, "This year our class has scored the highest. Congrats once again."

A student eagerly asked, "Now tell us, what's the surprise?"

Mr. Gupta smiled and said, "Oh right. The surprise..."

He paused dramatically, building up the anticipation in the room.

Mr. Gupta let the suspense linger for a moment before finally revealing, "The surprise is that the school has organized a trip for our class!"

The students erupted into cheers, excitement buzzing through the room.

Mr. Gupta continued, "We'll be going on a two-day camping trip to a nearby hill station next weekend. It's a reward for all your hard work and excellent performance."

The classroom filled with chatter as everyone started discussing the trip, making plans, and imagining the fun they were going to have. Everyone looked happier than ever; however, Avni wasn't feeling the same. She tried to put on a smile but failed.

The teacher continued, "I know everyone will go, but still, submit your names to me by tomorrow. We'll be going on the weekend, Saturday and Sunday."

The students started buzzing with excitement once more.

The teacher silenced them and said, "But for now, let's continue our chapter."

The class went on for an hour. After the teacher left, Nidhi turned around and said, "It's going to be so much fun, right?"

Avni was reading her textbook and nodded absentmindedly.

Ishan snatched the book from her and closed it. "Nidhi is talking to you," he said.

Avni took it back, opened it again, and said, "Yes, I know. I heard her." Then she resumed reading.

Realizing her mistake, Avni quickly apologized, "Sorry, I didn't pay attention. Can you repeat?"

Nidhi smiled, "It's alright. It wasn't that important."

The next two classes passed quickly, and soon the break arrived. Avni still seemed a bit down. After everyone finished their lunch, she got up and went back to the classroom. Ishan followed her.

Avni sat with her head down, earphones on. Ishan came and stood in front of her. When she didn't notice him, he gently lifted her chin so she would look at him. Her eyes met his as the music played through her earphones.

Ishan removed them and asked, "What's wrong?"

Avni replied, "Nothing," and was about to put the earphones back in.

Ishan took them from her and asked again, "Tell me."

Avni sighed and said, "I... I don't think I can go."

Ishan asked, "Do you not want to?"

Avni shook her head and said, "No, I mean I want to go, but I doubt if I can. My parents..."

Ishan offered, "Do you want me to talk to them?"

Avni quickly said, "What? No. They won't agree."

Ishan asked, "So this is why you were sad?"

Avni nodded.

Ishan grinned and said, "I have a solution."

Avni asked, "Really? What's that?"

Ishan replied, "It's a secret. Just wait until tomorrow and let the magic happen."

Avni looked puzzled, "Huh?"

Ishan reassured her, "Trust me," and then left the room.

Soon, all the students returned to the classroom as the break ended. Ishan wasn't back yet, but he arrived just before the English teacher came in. The class went on for an hour, and then it was time for the library period. Everyone went to the library and chose a book to read.

This time, Avni picked up a non-academic book and was absorbed in it. Nidhi and Aaron were flipping through magazines, while Ishan was holding a rhymes book upside down, his eyes fixed on Avni, lost in thought.

When Avni noticed, she said, "You're holding the book wrong."

Ishan snapped out of his thoughts and quickly fixed it.

Avni teased, "Didn't know you were interested in children's rhymes books."

Nidhi and Aaron burst out laughing while Ishan struggled to find a response.

He finally said, "Oh, I must have grabbed this by mistake. It's not bad either."

Avni smiled and replied, "Good for you," before getting back to her book.

The period soon ended, and everyone returned to their classroom to grab their backpacks before heading home. Nidhi and Aaron said their goodbyes and left for home. Avni also made her way to the bus stop, with Ishan following her on his bike. He stopped next to her at the bus stop.

Ishan asked, "Need a lift?"

Avni replied, "I can take the bus."

Before Ishan could say anything, the bus arrived, and Avni quickly got on. She found a seat by the window and saw Ishan still standing there with his bike as the bus pulled away. She noticed that he began following the bus on his bike, but she ignored him and put on her earphones.