"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 38

Kabir's Perspective

After our brief conversation, Aditi and I rejoined the crowd in the hall. The farewell was in full swing now. Groups of classmates were scattered all around, catching up, laughing, and taking pictures. The sunlight that streamed through the high windows bathed the room in a soft, warm glow. It was a perfect day to say goodbye to the years we had spent together.

Aditi walked beside me, still glowing from the compliment I had given her earlier. The white saree she wore seemed to make her look even more ethereal under the bright noon light. I couldn't stop glancing at her—she had an effortless beauty that seemed to pull everyone's attention, including mine.

"You alright?" Aditi asked, noticing how quiet I'd gotten.

"Yeah, just thinking," I replied, trying to sound casual even though my mind was still buzzing with how stunning she looked. But before I could say anything more, Raghav came over, smirking like he always did when he sensed I was off my game.

"I see the lovebirds are back," he teased, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "Did you two have your little moment? I'm telling you, bro, you look like you're about to faint every time you're near her."

"Shut up, Raghav," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "We were just talking."

"Right," he drawled, clearly not buying it. "Well, you better buckle up, because you're not the only one who's noticed how amazing Aditi looks today."

I frowned, not fully understanding what he meant until I saw Samar walking over toward us with a confident swagger in his step. I knew that look—it was the same one he used when he wanted to impress someone.

"Here we go," Raghav whispered under his breath, stifling a laugh. I had a sinking feeling that this was only the beginning.

Samar reached us in no time, his eyes already on Aditi. "Aditi, yaar, I can't believe this is the same topper we've seen all these years!" he exclaimed, his voice loud enough to draw a few more heads our way. "You've completely transformed today. I mean, where's the studious girl who never used to look up from her books? Look at you!"

Aditi smiled, a little taken aback by the directness of the compliment. "Thanks, Samar," she replied politely, though she seemed a bit embarrassed by the attention.

"I'm serious," Samar continued, shaking her hand warmly and then, to my annoyance, pulling her in for a quick side hug. "You look like you walked straight out of a Bollywood movie today. Topper ho toh ho, but you definitely don't look like one now!"

My jaw tightened slightly as I watched the exchange. It wasn't the compliment itself that bothered me, but the way he threw in that hug like it was no big deal.

Aditi, ever gracious, just laughed it off. "Come on, Samar, I'm still the same. Just in a saree today."

As Samar walked off, clearly satisfied with his attempt to charm her, I shot a glance at Raghav, who had been watching the whole thing with a gleeful expression on his face.

"Yikes," he said, clapping me on the back. "That was just round one. Let's see how you handle the next one."

Before I could respond, another boy—Vikram—was already making his way toward Aditi. He was a bit more reserved than Samar but no less enthusiastic about complimenting her.

"Aditi, wow," Vikram said, looking slightly nervous as he approached her. "You're... uh, looking amazing today. I didn't expect this. No offense, but I always thought you were just, you know... all about studies."

Aditi laughed softly, shaking his hand. "None taken, Vikram. I guess I can do both."

"No kidding," Vikram said, looking a little awestruck. "Honestly, if you came to school like this every day, none of us would be able to focus in class."