As Manav and Aarohi dive into their cultural project together, their connection grows-and so does the attention of their classmates. Manav's playful friend Ishaan and Aarohi's supportive friend Sonia join the mix, each bringing new energy to the gro...
Manav and Aarohi's cultural project has turned into an unexpected bond, with Manav fascinated by Aarohi's hidden Russian side. But their newly formed alliance doesn't go unnoticed, especially by their classmates.
Enter Ishaan Kapoor, Manav's childhood friend and a lively, outgoing student. Ishaan's carefree attitude is a stark contrast to Aarohi's reserved nature, and he's never been one to shy away from teasing Manav about anything and everything. When Ishaan notices Manav and Aarohi spending time together in the library, he's both amused and curious.
"Bro," Ishaan says, draping an arm over Manav's shoulder one afternoon, "since when did you start hanging out with the Ice Queen?"
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Manav rolls his eyes, nudging Ishaan's arm away. "We're just project partners, Ishaan. Nothing serious."
But Ishaan isn't convinced, and his laughter only grows louder. "Right, and I'm the Prime Minister. Face it, man—everyone's noticing." He winks before leaning in, adding, "Even she's noticing." He gestures toward Meera Joshi, a fellow classmate known for her confidence and interest in Manav.
Meanwhile, in her circle, Aarohi's quiet personality is questioned by her closest friend, Sonia Raghav, a bubbly and supportive girl. Sonia is one of the few people who knows Aarohi's half-Russian background, and she admires Aarohi for her dedication. When she hears about Aarohi's new project partner, she's both surprised and curious.
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"Manav Sharma?" Sonia asks, raising an eyebrow. "I didn't think you'd work with someone like him." She's genuinely intrigued, as Aarohi's usual interactions are limited to academically focused conversations. "Is he as lazy as people say?"
Aarohi sighs, still wary of Manav's unpredictable attitude. "He's... different from what I expected," she admits cautiously. Despite her initial misgivings, she's started to see Manav as more than just an average student. She quickly dismisses the thought, reminding herself that this is purely for a project.
The First Project Meeting: Sparks and Surprises
Manav, Aarohi, Ishaan, and Sonia all meet in the library to work on the project. Ishaan has decided to tag along to "help," though Manav suspects he's more interested in teasing than actually contributing.
"Culture and identity, huh?" Ishaan says, scanning their notes. "So, Aarohi, you're half-Russian. That's pretty cool."
Aarohi nods but keeps her responses brief, wary of Ishaan's playful demeanor. Sonia jumps in, eager to balance the atmosphere. "And Manav, you've got an Indian background, but you're surprisingly good with languages. Didn't know you were this serious about school!" she teases.
Manav chuckles, trying to keep the attention off himself. "Well, maybe you'll see my serious side—if you're lucky." He says this with a smirk, but he can feel Aarohi's eyes on him, and he wonders if she's as amused as he is.
As the session goes on, the group dives deeper into their research. Aarohi shares a few cultural stories from her Russian side, which Ishaan listens to with genuine interest. "Wow, so you really speak Russian fluently?" he asks, impressed.
Aarohi nods, explaining a bit more than she usually would. "My mother's Russian, so I grew up learning both languages. It's just a part of who I am." Her tone softens as she talks about her background, surprising Manav, who's rarely heard her speak so openly.
Manav glances at her, catching a glimpse of a side she rarely shows. He realizes she's much more comfortable when she talks about her heritage, and he can't help but admire her pride.
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A Friendly Rivalry Sparks
As the meeting progresses, Manav and Aarohi find themselves on opposing sides of an argument about traditional versus modern values in India. Their debate grows more intense, with Manav defending a modern, fluid approach and Aarohi firmly standing by the importance of tradition.
Sonia and Ishaan watch, amused by the dynamic. Ishaan leans over to Sonia and whispers, "If these two aren't rivals, I don't know who is."
The friendly banter escalates until Aarohi unknowingly mutters something in Russian, "Он действительно упрямый." He's really stubborn. Manav smirks, understanding her words perfectly but staying quiet. Ishaan notices his smile and raises an eyebrow, nudging him. "What's that smirk for, huh?"
Manav laughs it off, not ready to reveal his secret. But he senses that Aarohi, with her disciplined mindset, is both his opposite and, strangely, his equal.
When the group finally wraps up for the evening, they've made progress, but new tension lingers in the air. Manav realizes that his feelings are growing, and Ishaan picks up on it, ribbing him as they walk out of the library. "Manav, you've got it bad," he teases. "First, you're actually studying, and now you're falling for Miss Mysterious?"
Manav just shakes his head, keeping his thoughts to himself. But he knows Ishaan's words might not be that far from the truth.
