Happy Reading
The hallway buzzed with chatter as students gathered near their lockers. The moment Angad stepped in, a small cheer erupted.
> Caroline (first to spot him): “Birthday boy in the building!”
> Stefan (grinning): “Brace yourself, Mehra. You’re going to get tackled with birthday hugs.”
> Abeer (joining in, nudging him): “Try not to blush today, bro.”
> Dharshi: “Happy Birthday, Angad!” (handing him a tiny cupcake with a single candle)
Angad smiled, clearly loving the attention but trying to play it cool.
> Angad: “Thanks, thanks… finally legal to drop out and become Something "
Everyone laughed.
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Keerthi spotted Angad down the hall and waited until the crowd thinned. Then she casually walked over, hands behind her back.
> Keerthi (smirking): “So… birthday boy, huh?”
> Angad (acting smug): “That’s me. You forgot my gift?”
> Keerthi (leaning in, whispering): “You’ll get it later. Alone.”
Angad blinked—caught off guard and flustered. Keerthi just winked and walked off, her ponytail swaying.
> Maeve (watching nearby, fake smile): “You two are awfully close lately…”
> Angad (shrugging, avoiding eye contact): “We’re just friends. Chill.”
But as Keerthi walked away, she turned back once, just for a second—and caught Angad looking.
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The teacher walked in late, arms full of papers.
> Teacher: “Before we begin, a little birdie told me someone here is celebrating a birthday…”
The whole class pointed at Angad.
> Class (in unison): “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!”
Angad buried his face in his arms as the teacher made him stand and the class clapped loudly.
Keerthi mouthed silently: You love it.
He did.
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AT LUNCH BREAK
Angad climbed the stairs to the rooftop, as instructed by the mysterious note slipped into his notebook earlier.
> "Meet me upstairs. Your real gift’s waiting." – K
He pushed the door open. The rooftop was empty except for Keerthi, sitting cross-legged with a small, wrapped box and two cold coffees.
> Angad (grinning): “A secret rooftop date? I could get used to this.”
> Keerthi (teasing): “It’s not a date. It’s a strictly friendship-celebration-situation.”
She handed him the box. He tore it open to find a handmade bracelet—black leather with a tiny silver charm engraved with “A+K”, hidden subtly on the inside.
> Angad (softly): “You made this?”
> Keerthi: “Yeah. So even when we’re pretending to not know each other in public… you still wear me.”
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INSEPARABLE HEARTS 2
SpiritualLove and Hate Friends and Enemies Cousins and Rivals Drama , Lies and Tears Cheer to The Teenage Years ????????
