I apologize first coz when I wrote this I had a big crush on shivin narang and I was shipping him with Teja (I still do that lol)

Chapter 6

It was about 8.00pm when Ragini returned at home. Sharmishta, Shekhar and Swara were already having dinner.

Swara noticed Ragini coming inside and went to her: "Finally you are here Ragini! Come, have dinner!"

Ragini smiled back: it was a little quick smile. Ragini was worried about what her parents were going to say about her punishment.

She slowly went towards the dining table. Sharmishta and Shekhar ignored her. Ragini sat near Swara and Sharmishta served food without saying a word and without looking at her.

Ragini: "Maa..." - Sharmishta ignored her – "Maa... are you upset with your Ragini?"

Sharmishta couldn't stay quiet anymore: "Ragini we are not upset. We are just disappointed. We didn't expect this from you..."

Ragini looked down thinking that Swara told them about what happened in the party.

Shekhar: "We were proud of you. We never got any complain for you and today... you couldn't do a simple homework?! The teacher did good giving you punishment."

Ragini looked at Swara who smiled. She hadn't told anything to their parents. Ragini sighed.

Sharmishta and Shekhar's lecture continued for some minutes but ended when Ragini held her ears and made a cute innocent face. Her parents couldn't resist at it so forgave her.

ON THE OTHER HAND

Sanskar and Laksh were in their flat. They were sitting on the dining table and both were just moving the tablespoon in the plate looking on lost in their own world both with a hand on their cheeks.

Laksh recalled staring at Ragini while she was tying her dupatta around her waist and gather her hair in a bun before starting to clean the academy.

"Haule haule se hawa lagti hai..."
("Slowly slowly like a breeze drifts...")

He recalled the moments they had while cleaning the academy.

"Haule haule se dawa lagti hai.."
("Slowly slowly jlike medicines work...")

Laksh recalled Ragini falling in his arms after she slipped while trying to open the window.

"Haule haule se duaa lagti hai haan!"
("Slowly slowly like prayers are answered!")

Also Sanskar was thinking at his moments with Ragini.

"Haule haule se chanda badhta hai..."
("Slowly slowly like the moon rises...")

He recalled the moment Ragini hugged him as she got scared by the sudden darkness in the academy.

"Haule haule ghoonghat uthata hai..."
("Slowly slowly like a veil lifts...")
"Haule haule se nasha chadhta hai haan!"
("Slowly slowly like intoxication hits you!")

Laksh grabbed the glass and just when he was thinking that he was drinking waiter, he realized the glass was empty. He placed a hand on his forehead.

"Tu sabar to kar mere yaar,
Zara saans to le dildaar..."
("Have a little patience dear,
Take a deep breath...")

Sanskar grabbed the jug with water but instead of filling his glass, he filled his plate with the water and it's just then that he came out of his thoughts. He looked at the mess in his plate and then at Laksh who was looking at him. They burst out laughing.

"Chal fikar nu goli maar,
Yaar hai din jindri de chaar!"
("Go shoot all fears away.
Life is too short for that!")

Laksh stood up: "I am not feeling much hungry... actually I am, but I want something else... like ice cream?"

Sanskar: "Me too... It must be there in our fridge... I'll bring..." – And with that he went away.

Laksh sighed passed both his hands from his forehead to his nape resting his back to the chair and looking up with the hands under his nape. A big smile appeared on his face as he recalled Ragini again. She wasn't leaving his thoughts but it wasn't irritating him, instead he was feeling happy. Those moments spent with her that day were just happy memories and were giving him nothing else than contentment.

"Haule haule ho jayega pyaar chaliya,
Haule haule ho jayega pyaar!"
("Love will slowly happen, my dear
Love will slowly happnen!")

Sanskar opened the fridge to get the ice cream but his mind was just somewhere else. He stood for a while in front of the fridge thinking about what to get like he had forgotten what he is doing there. But his thoughts were just filled with Ragini so only after a minute he realized he had to get ice cream from fridge. He slapped his head. He didn't need to remember he wanted ice cream since he hadn't forgotten that but it was just that right then his mind wasn't working.

"Haule haule ho jayega pyaar chaliya,
Haule haule ho jayega pyaar!"
("Love will slowly happen, my dear
Love will slowly happnen!")

LATER IN SWARAGINI'S ROOM:

Ragini was sitting on the bed with a book in her lap and a pen between teeth. She wasn't looking at the book but was just busy in her thoughts recalling what happened at the Academy.

Suddenly Swara came near her and shouted: "Buu!" – She scared Ragini who winced.

Ragini came out of her thoughts and looked at Swara who was laughing loudly.

Ragini: "Swaraaa!"

Swara sat near her chuckling.

Swara: "Sorry sorry! I couldn't stop myself seeing you sitting like somebody hypnotized you! What were you thinking about? Or I must say..." – She hit Ragini's shoulder with hers and with a naughty smile asked – "Who?"

Ragini: "Swara! It's nothing like that!"

Swara: "Ok, I will believe you! So tell me... how was your punishment? I was getting bored at home without you!"

Ragini thought: "Shall I tell her about the robber... she will start questioning me and worrying for nothing... it's better if I tell her tomorrow!"

So she said: "Swara... I was on punishment not in a trip! I am feeling really tired... Will tell you everything tomorrow! Now I need some rest!"

Swara: "I understand... uff... I was in mood to chat with you!"

Ragini giggled and then covered herself with the blanket saying: "Good night!"

Swara felt something fishy and thought: "Is she hiding something?..." – But then shook her head and lied down turning off the lights.

NEXT MORNING

Ragini and Swara were coming out from the building when they saw Sanskar and Laksh entering in their car.

Sanskar saw them: "Heey!! Good morning!! Do you want to come with us? After all we are going to the same place..."

Laksh rolled his eyes and sat in the car without saying a word.

Swara: "Yes we..."

Ragini held her hand and shook her hand. Swara looked at her.

Ragini looked at Sanskar: "Good morning Sanskar! It's ok, don't worry... we will go..."

Swara: "But Ragini what's wrong in it? They are going where we are going after all..."

Ragini: "Swara... it doesn't look nice to keep asking someone to drop us... the academy is not so far..." – She slowly said but Sanskar heard her.

Sanskar: "I thought we were friends... but I got to know today that I'm just someone..."

Ragini: "No Sanskar... nothing like that... just that..."

Sanskar: "I will not hear anything... especially not a no! Come on!"

Ragini looked at Swara who was begging her to say yes with eyes.

Ragini: "Ok..."

Swara and Sanskar smiled. Sanskar sat on driver seat and Laksh was sitting next to him while Swara and Ragini sat behind.

Sanskar wasn't able to take his eyes off from Ragini. He was continuously looking at her through the mirror.

Ragini looked at Laksh who was sitting next to Sanskar listening to music in his headphones with closed eyes.

Ragini thought: "Usually he would start arguing. How is it possible that he didn't say anything today?"

They reached the Academy. Karishma and Omi were looking for Laksh and got surprised to see Swara and Ragini coming out from SanLak's car.

Karishma went towards Laksh: "What is this Laksh?"

Laksh: "Don't look at me like this! It's all Sanskar's deed!"

Karishma: "What?"

Laksh ignored her and went inside the Academy.. Karishma glared at Ragini angrily and followed Laksh.

Sanskar, Swara and Ragini were about to go inside too when Ragini's phone rang.

Ragini looked at it: "Papa is calling... guys you go, I'll come!"

Swara and Sanskar nodded and left from there.

Ragini was talking to Shekhar when a puppy came near her and started barking. Ragini got scared and screamed. Her phone fell from her hand as she winced a bit.

Ragini ran away but the dog kept following her. She was running when suddenly she bumped into someone and was about to fall but the someone held her by her waist. Ragini looked at the deep brown eyes staring at her. It was a handsome guy (played by Shivin Narang). Ragini was holding her shoulders and looking at him when she heard the dog barking. She immediately ran behind the guy's shoulder and hided herself behind him.

Ragini: "Please help! This dog is following me and it keeps barking!"

The guy started to laugh.

Ragini looked at him confused: "Why are you laughing."

The guy kept smiling and went towards the dog while Ragini looked at him confused. Her eyes widened when the guy picked up the dog and came towards her.

Ragini backed off: "What are you doing?! Stay away please..."

Guy: "Don't be scared... this is only a puppy! Se, it's not doing anything to me!"

Saying this he caressed the doggy.

Ragini looked at it. First she hesitated but then she slowly went towards the guy and slowly caressed the little puppy in his arms. She smiled seeing that it was doing nothing to her.

The guy smiled: "See! Dogs are the cutest pets! They don't harm anyone except if someone tries to harm them! Maybe something that you were doing scared him..."

Ragini: "But I was only attending a.... oh my God!!"- She realized that she had left the phone on the road.

Guy: "What happened?"

Ragini didn't reply and rushed to the place where the phone was fallen while the guy placed the puppy down and followed her confused.

Ragini breathed a sigh of relief seeing her phone there, thought the battery was out. She picked it up and put the battery inside but when she tried to turn it on, it didn't.

Seeing this, the guy went to her: "May I?"

Ragini looked at him for some seconds and then decided to give him the phone.

The guy opened the phone again and removed the battery.

He chuckled: "You had put the battery upside-down!"

Ragini hit her forehead with a hand: "You know you must be thinking that I'm really stupid and actually I am... It's just that this technology and all is not my cup of tea!"

The guy put the battery in the right way and then turned on Ragini's phone and gave it back to her.

Ragini smiled: "Thank you so much! You helped me twice without even knowing me! Thanks a lot!"

Guy: "That's not a problem! I'm Veer..." – He forwarded a hand towards her – "Veer Singhania."

Ragini looked at Veer's hand and then at him. He seemed a nice guy.

She smiled and shook his hand: "I'm Ragini Gadodia."

The two smiled looking at each-other shaking their hands.

Ragini: "I'm getting late! I must leave now!"

Veer nodded and Ragini went towards the gate of the Academy. She stopped before going inside and turned around to look once at Veer who was staring at her. They smiled at each other and then Ragini went in the Academy.

Veer kept looking at her from behind recalling some memories:

"I can't understand how can you find doggies cute Veer! They are so scary! They keep barking whole the time!" – A female voice echoed in Veer's mind.

"Uff... why are these mobiles so complicated! I hate technology!" – Veer recalled the same female voice.

LATER

IN THE CLASSROOM

Ragini reached there and sat next to Sanskar who was in between Ragini and Swara. As usual Laksh was sitting exactly behind Ragini with Karishma and Omi on his sides.

The teacher came inside and everybody stopped talking taking out their books.

Teacher: "Good morning everyone! So today, first of all we have to welcome your new classmate!"

Everybody looked at the door. Ragini was looking towards it too when her pencil fell down. As soon as she bowed down to pick it up, the new classmate came in the classroom and it was none other than Veer. Everyone's eyes became bigger seeing him.

Karishma: "Oh Gosh! I can't believe it!"

Laksh: "What happened?"

Karishma was looking at Veer and didn't reply but Swara turned towards Laksh and said: "He's the son of one of the richest and most talked businessmen in India!" - She looked at Veer with dreamy eyes – "And one of the most handsome guy I've ever seen too... Veer Singhania!!"

Hearing this name Ragini got up immediately. She is surprised to see Veer standing near the teacher. He was looking down feeling uncomfortable with all that popularity. A smile appeared on Ragini's face.

She asked Swara: "How do you know about him Swara?"

Swara: "How you don't know Ragini? He is son of a billionaire so obviously internet, TV, magazines talk about him!"

Ragini looked back at Veer who lifted his gaze and finally smiled seeing Ragini there. Ragini smiled too. Swara, Laksh, Karishma and Sanskar noticed that exchanging of smiles and got confused.

Teacher: "It's an honor to have you among us Veer! Welcome!"

Laksh seemed annoyed by all that attention for Veer. He put his elbow on the bench and placed his cheek on his hand yawning.

Teacher: "Everybody knows you... but I don't think you may know anyone so..."

Veer cut him: "No, actually I do... I know Ragini."

Everybody looked at Ragini. Laksh's hand which was supporting his face slipped and he almost hit his chin on the table, Karishma's jaw dropped and Sanskar's eyes went round.

Swara looked at Ragini with big eyes: "RAGINI???!!! You knew VEER SINGHANIA and you didn't tell me?!! When did you meet him? How? Where?! How is it possible that I didn't come to know about it?"

Karishma: "I can't believe that VEER SINGHANIA is your friend! I mean he is so handsome, charming, rich and popular... and you..."

Swara: "Shut up Karishma."

Sanskar and Laksh were bursting with anger. They didn't know the reason but they were not liking all that at all.

Sanskar: "I don't like this guy..."

Laksh: "Same here. I feel there is something fishy in him."

Karishma hugged his arm: "Aww Lucky! Don't be jealous! I won't leave you for him!"

Swara laughed: "He won't even look at you! Instead he will run away... you're looking so scary with all the makeup you are wearing!"

Karishma glared at him.

Swara ignored her glares and asked Ragini: "When and where did you meet this hottie?"

Ragini: "Just today... in front of the Academy..." – She slowly said.

Teacher: "Silence!"

Everybody who was whispering got quiet.

The teacher turned to Veer: "If you want you can sear near Ragini... I don't think Sanskar has any problem to give you his seat..."

Sanskar: "Of course I have!!.... I mean I haven't..."

He glared at Veer. Anger was boiling his blood but he couldn't afford to have an argument with the teacher. He had just been in punishment after all.

Sanskar to Omi: "Omi can you give me your seat and go on the free bench behind you please?"

Omi: "But..."

Sanskar: "Please... I am not able to see anything from behind!" – He lied.

Omi: "Uff... Ok..."

While Veer went to sit next to Ragini, Sanskar sat behind next to Laksh.

Teacher: "So... after this, I want to say thank you to three students and recognize their courage and smartness as well. They made their teachers and principal proud helping Mumbai police to catch Robin the Robber, the famous thief, yesterday."

Some students started to talk about it.

Laksh fixed his hair while Sanskar raised his collar but Ragini looked down. She hadn't told anything about it to Swara yet.

Teacher: "The students are Laksh Maheshwari, Sanskar Maheshwari and Ragini Gadodia!"

Everybody clapped except Karishma who made a grimace and Swara who was shockingly looked at Ragini who wasn't able to face her.

Swara: "Really Ragini?"

Sanskar: "I'll tell you everything Swara!"

He explained what happened the previous day to a shocked Swara. She looked at Ragini disappointed but before Ragini could say anything to her, the teacher called back the students' attention on him.

Teacher: "And the last thing for today... like every year also this time the students can choose an extra activity. This is an Art & Music Academy so obviously art and music are compulsory but we have few extra classes and you can choose one among them. The options are an extra computer class, cooking class, drama class, sport teams, cheer leaders club and fashion designing also. From the next hour you can start choosing the extra activity you want but I don't want you to discuss about them now. Let's focus on our lesson!"

All obeyed.

Veer: "Sir I have placed the order for the books but they must reach by today afternoon only..."

Teacher: "It's ok Veer. You can read with Ragini on her book for today."

Sanskar and Laksh looked on.

Ragini placed the book near Veer who came closer to Ragini. Also Ragini came closer to him since the book was only one. There were few inches of distance between their cheeks.

They were right in front of Laksh who was looking at their closeness with a scowl. He made a ball with paper and hit Veer with it. Veer turned towards him.

Laksh: "Can you please move aside a bit? I can't see the teacher."

Veer went a little bit aside.

Laksh: "A little more..."

Veer moved a little bit again.

Laksh: "A little bit more please..."

Teacher: "What is happening there?"

Veer: "Laksh wasn't able to see you Sir so he asked me to move a bit aside."

Teacher: "Laksh has to look on his books only. There is no history written on my face!"

The students stifled a laughter. Laksh gritted his teeth glaring at Veer from behind.

AFTER A WHILE

Ragini to Swara: "Which activity you are going to choose?"

Swara ignored her and pretended to write something on her notebook.

Before Ragini could say something, Sanskar came and sat on Swara's bench saying: "I am going to choose basketball team! What about you girls? You both are good in it so why don't you join it too?"

Ragini was about to say something when Swara stood up and went out of the classroom.

Ragini followed her: "Swara! Swara stop please, let me explain!"

Swara turned around angrily: "What do you want to explain? And who are you? My sister remained at Kanpur only. I don't know this Ragini of Mumbai who doesn't share anything with her sister."

Ragini: "Don't say like this Swara..."

Swara: "What should I say then? I share everything with you so why didn't you share what happened yesterday with me? You never tell me anything!"

Ragini: "Swara I was thinking to tell you later..."

Swara: "Yeah right..." – She sarcastically said looking away.

Someone spoke from behind: "Yeah right."

Ragini turned and saw Veer standing in front of them...

Veer: "Your sister just caught a thief; it's not a big thing after all. The big thing is that she didn't share it with you. Why should you be proud of her? You have to be upset with her only! It happened yesterday right? It passed such a long time and you still didn't tell her Ragini? Not good..." – He said with sarcasm.

Ragini: "Veer please don't..."

Swara: "No Ragini... let him say... he is right actually... I... I overreacted... I'm sorry..."

Ragini hugged her: "Don't say sorry Swara! You were right... I should have told you yesterday only! I'm sorry... I promise I won't hide anything from you!"

Swara broke the hug and smiled: "Ok now let's end this and let's go to choose an extra activity for us! I'm so excited... wait, let me go and call Sanskar!"

Ragini nodded and Swara went away.

Ragini looked at Veer: "Thank you so much! We met few hours ago only and you have already done a lot for me! I don't know how to thank you! And..."

Veer: "Ok ok now stop!" – He cut her – "We are friends, aren't we?"

Ragini: "Obviously we are!"

Veer: "So no sorry and thanks between us!"

Ragini smiled: "I never thought a billionaire's son can be so kind and sweet! I thought you guys can be spoilt brats only!"

Veer: "Excuse me?!"

Ragini laughed and they kept talking.

Laksh, Karishma and Omi were looking at them from a bit far.

Laksh was glaring at Veer and was feeling angry: "I wish to break his whole skeleton!"

Karishma looking at Ragini angrily: "Same here!"

Omi: "Aren't they looking so cute together?"

Karishma gave him a punch on his shoulder.

Omi: "Auch! What's wrong with you?!"

Laksh: "What's wrong with you idiottt! How can you find them cute? Do you even know what is cute?"

Omi: "Show me!"

Laksh: "Just wait and watch!"

Karishma: "Watch what? Lucky!"

Laksh raised his collar and walked towards Ragini looking up and whistling. He pretended to not have seen Ragini who was talking with Veer and when he passed near her, he purposely shoved her shoulder making her lose the balance. Ragini was about to fall but Laksh held her wrist and also Ragini grabbed his hand he had placed on her wrist to keep balance while she was in half fallen position.

Laksh: "I'm so sorry... I didn't see you and..." – But he stopped as his eyes went on their entangled hands. He looked at Ragini and felt something strange, something that he couldn't understand. He wasn't able to get his eyes off from her.

''Paaya maine paaya tumhein
Rab ne milaya tumhein
Honthon pe sajaya tumhein
Nagmein sa gaya tumhein
Paaya maine paaya tumhein...'''

Laksh was so confused with what was happening to him that he suddenly left Ragini's wrist and she fell down.

Ragini: "Auch!"

Laksh: "I'm sorry... I don't know... how this happened..."

Ragini, who was still on the floor, looked at him massaging his elbow: "It's ok..."

Laksh turned around to leave from there. He was in his thoughts when Omi and Karishma came in front of him.

Omi: "You were right Lucky! This is the real cuteness!"

Laksh returned back in the reality and smiled: "Saw? I told you!"

Karishma held Laksh's elbow and said: "You know when you went to Ragini and held her before she could fall, I thought that was the cuteness you wanted to show and I was so angry!"

Laksh furrowed his eyebrows: "That was only the cuteness I wanted to show na..."

Karishma didn't hear him and continued: "But when you made her fall on the floor like that I felt so happy as I understood that..." – She made Laksh turn around – "This was the cuteness you were talking about!"

Laksh looked at Veer giving a hand to Ragini to help her get up since Laksh had left her on the floor. Laksh understood that Karishma and Omi were talking about Veer and Ragini and not him and Ragini.

Omi: "Aww... so sweet!" – He said looking at Veer helping Ragini.

Laksh made a grimace whispering: "Rubbish!"

Karishma: "But Lucky, there was no need to do all this! We are the cutest and loveliest couple in the academy so why are you creating competition? Don't do this again ok?"

Laksh clenched his fists looking at Veer and Ragini and said gritting his teeth: "I swear I really won't!"

AFTER A WHILE

Ragini, Sanskar, Veer and Swara were standing in front of the notice board where they had to write their name under the form of the activity they wanted to attend.

Swara: "This is not possible!" – She cried.

Ragini: "What happened Swara?"

Swara: "Fashion class is full! Last registration is Karishma's... you know Ragini how much I love fashion designing! I so wanted to do this!" – She stomped.

Sanskar: "Basketball team is full too..."

Ragini: "Oh... now?"

Veer: "Why don't you try computer class Ragini? You really need to know about basic technology at least like... how to put battery in mobile! This class will be helpful for you!" – He laughed while Ragini looked at him with a pout and her hands on her waist.

Ragini: "Veer!!"

Sanskar raised an eyebrow looking at them with gritted teeth.

Veer: "I am going for drama class. It sounds nice!"

Ragini: "Hmm... I will go for it too then... apart from computer class which is boring, only cooking class is left but I'm already a pro in cooking so it's useless, modestly!"

Veer: "Really? One day you will make something for me then!"

Ragini giggled: "Sure!"

Sanskar interrupted them: "And I'm a pro in acting! I love it! So I'm going for drama class too!"

Swara: "Then I'm with you guys too!"

Ragini was about to write her name on the list for registration when Laksh came and wrote his name on it before her.

Ragini: "Oh no! I need to bear you there too!"

Laksh: "Seems so!" – He looked at her smirking while she glared at her.

AFTER SOME MINUTES

DRAMA CLASS

The teacher was on the stage while students were standing down.

Teacher: "Good morning to everyone! I am Ishita Trivedi and I welcome you in the world of drama! It's not easy like it looks! So... we always choose a popular play to enact at the starting since it's easier for the newcomers if they know the story. I am sure everybody knows about Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet so this year we will enact that play for the annual drama festival which as usual will take place in our academy and it will be this weekend! We got delayed this year so I know we have very less time but we will manage! We will start with the auditions the tomorrow itself. We have to decide who will be our Romeo and who will be our Juliet obviously but we also need a team for costumes, lighting, script etcetera etcetera... So everybody decide what do you want to do! Am I clear?"

Everyone nodded.

Swara: "Yay! Costumes! So fashion designing is needed here too! I'm going to talk to mrs. Trivedi right now about it!"

Laksh: "And I will give audition for Romeo and I'm sure I'll get selected! I'm lead material after all so obviously the main role will be mine!"

Sanskar: "I'm sorry Laksh but Romeo can be played by only one person and that's me!"

Laksh: "We will see it soon who is best for Romeo Bhai!"

Laksh and Sanskar looked at each other with challenging eyes.

Veer: "Ragini do you want to be my Juliet?"

Sanskar and Laksh immediately turned to look at him with big eyes.

Ragini: "What?"

Veer: "I mean... do you want to give audition with me? Me as Romeo and you as Juliet... it might give a better impression than giving it alone! What do you think?"

Sanskar and Laksh looked at Ragini waiting for her reply.

CHAPTER END

Precap: who will be Ragini's Romeo? The cute Sanskar, the handsome Laksh or the charming Veer?