"Good morning ma'am." I greeted Ritu ma'am, who looked a little furious. Nothing new I mean but yeah. "Aarohi Govind! Where have you been? And why have you taken so many leaves in the past few weeks?" She asked.

"Ma'am, I've been diagnosed with anemia so due to fluctuations in my health, I've taken so many leaves recently." I explained to her with the hope that she might understand.

"Oh." She replied and stayed quiet for a minute or two. "Excuse me, ma'am?" I broke the silence between us. "Yes. Well I wanted to remind you that since you are the head prefect you must take care of the events that are going to take place on and before Independence Day." She stated.

"Ma'am but-" "It's alright, you can ask a few students for help but please get it done before 14th." She stunned me with her words but what shook me more was, "And take care." She passed me a pressed smile and went towards the staff room.

As I was digesting the fact that she showed some genuine care towards me by her words, I saw Yuku with an amazed face. "That budhiya smiled at you? Tell me I am dreaming." She said.

"She really did." I replied and saw her mouth agape in surprise. "Tu toh gajab nikli re ladki!" She remarked as I shook my head and took her along with me back to the class.

(You are just amazing girl!)

"Everybody, quiet down. Today's topic would be 'early bhakti traditions in southern india'!" Mr. Verma announced as we got out our second book of 'Themes in Indian history'.

"So the earliest bhakti movements in India took place in the 6th century in Tamil Nadu and this was led by Alvars - the people who worshiped Lord Vishnu and Nayanars - the devotees of Lord Shiva..." He rambled on about the topic.

That's when I saw Yukti drawing clothes on the image of the lady Nayanar poet's figure on source 3 as I passed her a sathiya-gayi-ho-kya-tum? look. (Mind you, we were sitting on the first bench-)

First few periods were as hectic as one can ever imagine but the fact that my iron deficient soul was barely letting me stay focused during the class without getting fainted was my main concern.

"Main toh thak gayi yaar!" Yukti said while slouching back. "You have no idea how much Miss Tina, I and Jahnvi are worn out because of the dance practices." She complained.

"I can understand, behen. Waise school wala competition parso hai na?" I asked counting the days left for the program, in my mind. "Han aur woh jo Gandhi Sanstha wale field mein parade hota hai, usme dance karne ka tension alag." She sighed.

(...By the way, aren't there school competitions tomorrow?

Yes and also I've the tension to dance in the Gandhi Sanstha field)

"Hayee meri baby." I said, leaning in for an embrace. "Don't worry Yuku. You will manage to do everything and if you need any help then you can ask me." I replied and she hummed in response.

It was the time for recess break but the whole senior building was busy doing one job or the other for the upcoming events which is why the canteen was less crowded.

I went to our usual seat and waited for the rest to come, which they did one by one. First was Manav with a huffing Utkarsh, a junior following him behind. "Utkarsh, this is too much now." He said when he saw the younger massaging his shoulder.

"What's the issue?" I asked. "Didi, bhaiya is refusing to include me in the main troop." He replied with a pout, continuing his work. "Because the team is already filled." Manav replied, shaking off his hand.

"Didi, please help." He pleaded me this time but how can I take any decision on the topic I had no idea about? "Achha I'll talk with sir and ask him to add you in the extras." Manav negotiated. "Done done, bhaiya. I mean captain!" He exclaimed and walked off.

Then in came Yukti, all tensed and frustrated. "I can't anymore, bhai!" She sighed and sat down. "Abb tujhe kya hua?" I asked, sipping on my beetroot juice.

"Bro those juniors have irritated me so much!" She paused and took a bite from my box.

"When Miss Tina handed me the decision to make a position for each of them, all of them went crazy and asked me to put them in the first row." She continued.

I just sat quietly and watched her explain everything. But when her monologue ended even Manav bhai was confused to actually give her a solution. "Ahh, chordo! I'll do something." She stated.

"By the way, Akshit kahan hai?" She asked, looking at the empty spot beside me. "Mujhe please pehle khana kha lene do guys." We heard his voice as he was entering the canteen. "Speak of the devil and the devil is here." Manav bhai joked.

(Please let me eat first.)

"But Akshit-" "Not now." He simply replied and reached the table. Then we saw Ronika and Vivaan trailing behind Akshit. "Akshit-" "Didn't I say, not now?" He dead panned.

"Aree jija ji, mujhe meri behen aur aapki Ms. Govind se kaam tha isiliye, woh kahan hain yeh puchna tha." Vivaan replied and waved at me.

(Dear jiju, actually I wanted to ask about my sister and your Ms. Govind whereabouts, that's what I was asking you.)

He said that Ritu ma'am has also asked him to take care of the event management and have a small meeting with her after the school ends. Then both Ronika and Vivaan left together without any other word.

"Inka kuch chal raha hai kya?" Yukti asked, generally. "Ladki tumhari section ki hai, hume kaise pata hoga!?" Manav replied. "Dekha jaye toh ladka tumhari section ka hai. Pata toh tumhe bhi ho sakta hai." Yukti added.

(The girl is from your section, how will we know!?

If we see, then the boy is also from your section. You should also know about it.)

"Vivaan is in S-2." Akshit replied and was about to sit beside me when he gasped loudly and said, "Ms. Govind what are you doing? Khoon ki kami hone par aap khoon piney lagi?"

(...On having blood deficiency, you're drinking blood?)

Not just me but even Yukti and Manav were dumbfounded by his words. "Mujhe toh yeh samajh nahi aa raha ki tu top kaise kar leta hai." Manav added while Yukti suppressed her laugh.

(I'm unable to understand how you are scoring top marks in exams.)

But the 3 of us ended up laughing when Manav said, "Beta, woh gir gaya hai aapka." And Akshit asked, "Kya?" "Aapki buddhi." He added.

(Son, your possessions have fallen there.

What?

Your brain.)

"Mr. Big Brains, this is beetroot juice and not blood or something else." I said when he understood the reason behind us laughing so loud. "Ohh." He replied, getting all embarrassed. "It's okay." I said, rubbing the side of his arms. But I stopped when I felt the muscles stiffen.

He fake coughed and flexed his biceps while passing a sly smile. 'Yeh ladka bhi na!' I thought to myself and poke his biceps before withdrawing my hands.

Days passed by as the whole environment of the campus turned more patriotic with different inter school as well as district level competitions organized in our school premises.

Thanks to all the teachers, volunteers and club leaders, we successfully managed all the competitions, events and were fully prepared for the commencement of 15th August.

The next morning.

"Ayushi, jaldi uthhh. It's already 5:30." I nudged a sleepy head, who curled herself more under the soft fabric. "Choti, I'll count till 3 and if you won't wake up then the consequences will be really bad." I threatened.

But who was I kidding? My little sister gave no damn and continued to sleep. "Uth jaa yarr, mummy mujhe sunayenge warna." I requested this time. "Bas 2 minute." She replied grumpily.

I knew it was now time for the Brahmastra. "Mummaaaa!" I screamed while she jolted up in her sleep and passed me a death glare, running towards the bathroom. 'Great job, Aarohi.' I complimented myself.

"Why are you shouting this early in the morning?" Mumma screamed back but I didn't dare to reply back and went to my room to get dressed as I had already taken a bath.

As I wore my uniform, blazer, a tricolor badge and was tying my hair. I then scrolled through Instagram to check about the recent updates as I had no idea about anything lately.

My feed was filled with 'We want Justice' slogans and posts for the heinous crime that had taken place a few days earlier.

As I was watching reels of people protesting and doing candle marches for justice I saw my father enter my room.

"Good morning, Gudiya Rani." He greeted me with a warm smile and a gentle kiss on my forehead. But his smile faltered when he saw my phone screen.

"Kab tak?" I asked. "Not just you beta, each and every parent of a girl child wants a cease on such vicious crimes." He replied, and hugged from the side.

"Everyday, a person with an ill mentality commits these crimes and we are so bound that all we do is candle marches?" I was angered and upset at the same time. "One day, one day, the system will change for good." He assured me but didn't sound less confident.

Later, I received a call from Yukti. "Good morning Yuku, Happy Independence Day." I said. "Good morning meri jaan. Aur tujhe bhi." She replied and asked me if I will join her at the field after the program at our school ends or not.

I agreed and told her about my worry. "I know, Rohi. This is the reason why we have interpreted the act through our dance on this topic." She replied and I hummed, and hung the call.

I calm myself and post stories to at least spread awareness. Silently, I wished that her soul would find peace and her culprits the total hell.

At school.

Upon reaching the gate, I met the crackheads who were waiting for me. I gestured Ayushi to come and say hi but she was occupied by her friends leading her to ditch my offer. "Hi everyone." I cheered and went near them.

Call me a simp but my man was looking FINE. "Damn." I huffed out which drew their attention, Yukti and Manav bhai started hooting while he was a blushing mess. "Did I ever mention how good you look in the school blazer?" I flirted even more with real honesty.

"No? Then let me tell you. You completely look like 'My Maal'." I announced as he was shook by my sudden boldness. "Ritu ma'am, aap?" Yukti said, making my blood drop cold. "Ma'am, I- I-" I turned around but found no one.

"Yukti ki bachhi!" I shouted. "Abhi toh huye bhi nahi hain." Manav bhai shyed. "Ae tu chup re." We said collectively. Honestly, all three of them were looking very well.

Yukti was wearing a white kurti with plain palazzos (her costume) and the school blazer over it while Manav bhai was dressed in full NCC uniform with gloves and a tricolor badge near his chest pocket.

I complimented each of them and went straight to the back stage and Manav bhai went to lead his troop as it was now time to start the function. Vivaan and I announced and welcomed the chief guest and all the dignitaries.

Everybody stood up for the national anthem as a sign of respect when the chief guest hoisted the national flag. The surrounding was filled with a great sense of patriotism and gratitude towards the nation and its protectors.

The parade then began while Miss Joshi took charge of the microphone, announcing the names of the commanders and flag bearers and depicted the theme of each house troop of our school.

Meanwhile, I saw Akshit around a corner, away from everyone, walking around in a panic. When I approached him, he didn't think twice and just took me in a respectful embrace.

"Akshit, kya hua?" I asked, patting his back. "I am way too nervous, Ms. Govind." He answered.

(Akshit, what happened?)

He pulled off and I noticed his shaky hands. I held his hands and tried to calm him by the 'breath in, breath out' method because that is what I know best. "Everything will be fine, have some faith in yourself." I said.

"Okay." He sighed. "All the best and please don't stress much." I said and tried to boost his confidence by my words. The event went by as planned with a great speech by Akshit and a great performance by Yukti and her team.

Then it was their turn to announce the results for the competitions that took place during the week. But at the last moment, Tina ma'am rushed the dance group as the reporting time in the field was preponed.

So, Miss Joshi being the cupid she was, asked me to take charge on Yukti's behalf and continue the program with Akshit. I suppressed my blushy smile and went to the stage with the winners list.

Akshit tested both the mics set on the podium to the left of the stage and scooted a little to make some space for me. I simply passed him a smile and started the event.

Throughout, there was a sweet smile settled on our faces, not because of the instructions given by the teachers to act cheerful and presentable but because of having each other by our side.

After school we both reached the parade field for our respective trophies in debate, essay writing and quiz competitions.

While receiving the prize I still remember how a few days back Akshit was refusing to take part in all these but thankfully he did after my hour long speech.

The ended on a good note as he texted me, 'Thank you for pushing me and reminding me that I can do things well.' I replied with a heart emoji and said 'It is my job, after all.' And hop back to sleep.

I thought about how the last weeks of August were packed with festivals, as mumma and I were doing rakhi shopping, while strolling in the street markets of Lucknow. We were looking around when mumma found a Rakhi stall and led me to it.

She picked out 3 sets of rakhi for my maternal uncles and aunties and a few more for Ayushi as per her orders. "How many rakhi do you require for school?" She asked while looking for the same.

"Umm, 3. For Manav bhai, Yash and Vivaan." I replied. "3? I think you miscounted. You need 4." She corrected me but I got confused and asked, "How 4?" She then replied, "For Manav, Yash, Vivaan and Akshit."

I was too nervous to speak up so I agreed to her and brought 4 rakhi along with 2 more for my cousins. We then went to shop for new outfits and jhumka. Not gonna lie, my mother is a great stylist and can dress me the perfect way I want to look.

The next morning, upon reaching school I searched for my gang and found them just by the gate of the auditorium.

Every student from the 9-12th classes was present there as our school celebrates 'Samoohik Raksha Bandhan' every year.

I explained everything to Yukti as she suggested that I tell my mother that Akshit was absent today, which is why I didn't tie him the rakhi. As it was the only sensible way to escape I agreed.

Then I tied the sacred band of respect and love on Manav bhai's wrist. "I'll continue to protect you from all the evil and will always assure that my sister is safe, happy and free from any sort of problems." He said and smiled.

I repeated the same with Yash and Vivaan who said similar words as Manav bhai. "Well thank you, but I also want a promise from the 3 of you that you guys will also make each and every girl feel safe around you. I hope you understand what I mean." I said.

"Of course! It is a promise from us that we will respect every female like we do to our sister and mother." Vivaan added and the rest complied.

Then it was Yukti's turn to tie rakhi to Akshit, Yash and Ekansh, a junior from Ayushi's class. "Yeh lo, didi." Ekash said while passing Yukti a box of Ferraro Rocher chocolate. "There's no need for this, pagle." Yukti denied the gift.

But he asked her to accept it as a token of appreciation because it was Yukti who helped him get refined in his dancing skills which is why he had received different prizes. At last, Yukti accepted the gift and then we were back to the regular school routine.

Time skips.

"What gifts did you get then?" Mumma asked, sitting beside me on the sofa. "Manav bhai gave me jhumka and Yash & Vivaan gave me chocolates." I replied. "And what about Akshit?" She questioned.

"Nothing, I didn't tie him rakhi." I said absent-mindedly, munching on my salad. "Why so?" She asked as I realized what I just said. "Woh- He was absent today." I lied.

"Ohh, sad. Then ask him to come home in the evening to celebrate it here. Also ask Manav as well." She replied as if she had found the best solution for my issue. But she had no idea that she had created a huge & concerning challenge for me.

I went to my room and searched the following: "Can I tie rakhi to my boyfriend?" I mean what else can I do now? Thankfully the result showed 'yes' as I sighed a sigh of relief. And dialed his number.

"Emergency! Emergency!" I said as he picked up the call and ranted him about the whole situation that I had partially created for myself. "Mai rakhi nahi bandhwaunga aapse." He threw a tantrum.

(I would never get rakhi tied from you.)

"Abb kya karen?" I almost cried, getting nervous. "Tell her that I'm not feel- aunty ka call aa raha hai." He said as my heart almost skipped a beat. "Why???" I questioned. "How would I know?" The whole situation escalated.

(What shall we do now?)

"Nevermind, the call got cut." He replied as I sighed. But again I got another heart attack when I heard mumma's voice as she was greeting Mamta aunty over the phone. "Mumma has dialed aunty's number." I said as he quickly ended the call.

Author's pov:

Both of them got out of their room and went towards their mothers. The only difference was, Akshit went directly in front of his mother and tried to tell her everything while Aarohi was eavesdropping on her mother's conversation.

Akshit managed to get the call on hold and told his mother the whole situation and asked her to put the call on speaker. So his mother did as asked. "I was thinking if you could send Akshit to our home this evening to celebrate Raksha Bandhan." Said Aarohi's mother.

Akshit's motion had completely turned chaotic as he gestured to his mother to say 'no'. He even did the choreography of the 'Malhari' step to let his mother get clear with what he was saying.

[If yk yk.]

"I don't think he will be able to come, Sarika ji." His mother answered, looking strangely at her son's behavior. "Oh is there any problem?" She asked. Mrs. Choudhary was trying to handle while Akshit was enacting what she must reply to Mrs. Govind.

Akshit's actions meant the following: "I am not feeling well. And I'm sleeping right now." But most probably his mother missed the sleeping part and said, "Akshit ko achha nahi lagg raha. Wo gaya-?" She was half confused herself.

(Akshit is not feeling well. He is gone-?)

"Kya? Kahan chala gaya?" Her mother asked which made Aarohi puzzled as to where her boyfriend has gone now. That too in the middle of this chaotic scene.

(What? Where did he go?)

"To the bathroom." His mother took over and said, receiving a 'ohh' from the other side. "And also our relatives are visiting us today so, I hope you don't mind." She added.

"It's completely fine. Ok then, see you." As soon as the call ended, Mrs. Choudhary found her son lying straight on her feet.

"Aapko koti koti naman, matashree. Aapne humari jaan bachali. Kripya kar apni kripa hum par banaye rakhen." He prayed, earning a heartfelt laugh from his mother. "Tathastu baalak." His mother said goofily.

(Lots of respect to you, matashree. You saved me. Please keep on showering your blessing on us.)

♡

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked and enjoyed this chapter!

Koi galti hui ho toh batana as this chapter is edited in a hurry as many of you were asking for early update.

Chapter kaisa laga yeh bhi batana zaroor.

Badi khabar: Iss baar targets purey naa hone par nahi milega update.

[Translation: There will be no update in case of incomplete target.]

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《Radhe Radhe》