Harsh (panicking): Saransh, leave him! Are you blind? He is having difficulty breathing. Leave him or you will end up in jail!

Rehan (angrily): He will be fine. After all, his mom is there. Jaise usne apne husband ko pataya, waise hi police officer ko pata kar bail kara degi.

The moment those words left Rehan's mouth, Saransh's eyes filled with pure rage.

He immediately released Rohan.

Before anyone could react-

SLAP!

A hard slap landed across Rehan's face.

The room fell silent.

Rehan stumbled back in shock.

Rehan: Tu- (You-)

Saransh grabbed his collar.

Saransh (furiously): Shut up!

Dragging him toward the main door, Saransh threw him outside.

Rehan lost his balance and fell onto the floor.

Saransh pointed at all three boys.

His hands were trembling with anger.

Saransh (sternly): Get lost.

The three boys stood frozen.

Saransh (shouting): Don't you dare talk to me ever again.

He took a step forward.

Saransh: JUST FUCK OFF!

The boys glared at him before finally leaving.

Saransh slammed the door shut.

The entire house echoed.

Breathing heavily, he ran straight to his room and locked the door.

---

Almost an hour later.

Adhyay came downstairs.

She looked around the living room.

Everything was unusually quiet.

Adhyay's POV:

Why is no one here? I have to complete my project. Tomorrow is the submission.

Adhyay's POV ended...

She took a deep breath.

After hesitating for a few moments, she walked toward Saransh's room and knocked on the door.

No response.

She knocked again.

A few minutes later, the door opened. Saransh stood there.

His eyes were red.

His face looked angry.

Saransh (irritated): Kya hai? (What?)

Adhyay immediately became nervous.

Adhyay: Pro... project.

The word had barely left her mouth.

Saransh (yelling): Tera project!
(It's yours)

Adhyay flinched.

Saransh: Tu khud dekh!
(Your responsibility)

His voice became louder.

Saransh: Main nahi karne wala help. Jaa yahan se!
(I am not helping you! Leave now)

Adhyay's eyes widened.

Before she could say anything-

The door was shut on her face.

She stood there for a few moments.

Completely stunned.

Then she quietly turned around and ran to her room.

---

The moment she entered her room, tears rolled down her cheeks.

She sat on the bed and cried.

Adhyay (sobbing): Pehle khud bola tha main help karunga...
(First, he said he would help me)

More tears escaped.

Adhyay: Aaj aise gussa kar raha hai...
(Now, he is angry)

She wiped her eyes.

Adhyay: Zaroor mera project spoil karne ke liye hi help ki thi.
(He did this to spoil my project)

Her voice broke.

Adhyay: Aaj ke baad main baat hi nahi karungi.
(I won't speak with him from today onwards)

She opened her project file.

Adhyay: Help ke liye bhi khud bola tha...
(He said, he would help me)

Still crying, she started doing whatever Saransh had already taught her.

---

In the evening, Geeta and Arth returned home.

The moment they entered, they noticed the servant sitting quietly.

She looked hurt.

Arth: Saransh ne test likhi?
(Saransh completed his test?)

Servant: Pata nahi. Aap dekh lijiye.
(I don't know. You can check)

Geeta: Aapko kya hua? Bacche kahan hain?
(What happened to you? Where are the kids?)

The servant sighed.

Servant: Apne kamron mein hain.
(In their room)

She paused.

Servant: Saransh ke dost badtameezi kar rahe the. Toh unka aur Saransh ka jhagda ho gaya.
(Saransh's friends came. They were bullying. That's why Saransh fought with them)

She told them in detail about the fight.

Servant: Aur Adhyay project ko lekar pareshan hai.
(Adhaya is worried about her project)

Geeta immediately understood why she looked upset.

Geeta (gently): I am sorry on their behalf.

Geeta: Main Saransh ko samjhaungi. Please unki baaton par dhyan mat dijiye.
(I will speak with Saransh. You don't mind his words)

The servant nodded.

Geeta (turning to Arth): Pehle Adhyay ka project dekhte hain.
(Let's check on Adhyay first)

Arth: Haan. (Okay)

Both went to Adhyay's room.

The sight in front of them broke their hearts.

Adhyay was a crying mess.

Tears covered her cheeks.

The project was scattered around her.

Arth (immediately rushing to her): Kya hua, bacha?
(What happened, baby?)

Adhyay (crying): My project...

Geeta checked the file.

Everything looked correct.

Geeta: Sahi toh hai. (It's correct)

Adhyay: Nahi... It's pending. (No)

She sniffled.

Adhyay: Mere paas time bhi kam hai aur mujhe aata bhi nahi.
(I don't have much time nor I do about further steps)

Arth smiled softly.

Arth: Bas itni si baat? (That's it?)

He sat beside her.

Arth: Itna rona kyun? (Why are you crying?)

He wiped her tears.

Arth: Don't worry. Papa hai na. (Papa is here)

A reassuring smile appeared on his face.

Arth: Main help karunga. (I will help you)

Adhyay immediately hugged him.

She wanted to tell them about Saransh's shouting.

But the words never came out.

Geeta lovingly ruffled her hair.

Geeta: Tum project complete karo. Main Saransh se baat karti hoon.
(You complete the project. I will speak with Saransh)

---

Geeta entered Saransh's room.

He was lying on his bed.

His eyes looked swollen.

As if he had cried.

She sat beside him.

Geeta: Kya hua? (What happened?)

Saransh immediately hugged her.

Saransh: Kuch nahi. (Nothing)

Geeta: Friends se fight hui? (Ha ad fight with friends)

After a long pause-

Saransh: Hmm...

Geeta: Kyun? (Why?)

Saransh: Nothing serious Mom.

Geeta sighed.

Geeta: Nothing is ever serious about Saransh.

She stroked his hair.

Geeta: They were speaking ill about me that's why you fought with them.

Saransh gulped.

Geeta: Tell me...

Saransh: Hmm... They don't have any right to speak ill about you. They are just sick and the worst humans.

Geeta (straight tone): Are you less?

Saransh looked at his mother in shock.

Geeta: Maybe not for mother but for someone you might have spoken to as well. That's why today they spoke freely in front of you.

Saransh (shaking his head): That's not true. I just speak for fun.

Geeta: So, they did. Why are you so bothered about it? Just because it's about your mother? For whomsoever you spoke they have family. I don't know what makes them the worst humans and you are a good one. Have you seen how Adhyay was crying because of you? You mistreated her. Was it a good thing?

Saransh (defending himself): I was angry. So, I said angrily to Adhyay.

Geeta: Being angry means we can mistreat someone? So, they might have the same logic. Being in fun means bullying someone. You all are being the same just different moods.

Not wanting to discuss the topic anymore, Saransh closed his eyes and cuddled closer to her.

Geeta (stroking his hair): After the divorce, I was so stressed and focused on earning money for our survival. I thought, you would manage yourself. I had trust in my son.

She sighed.

Geeta: But you know, I was wrong. I understand, you were stressed as well. Seeing your father's odd behaviour affected your mind. But Saransh, I want my son to be a good person. To treat everyone with softness. Your friends were speaking behind my back. So, what they said doesn't matter to me. What mattered to me was how my son behaved. He raised his hand, used curses and also made my daughter cry. You disappointed me.

Unknowingly, Tears roll down Saransh's cheek.

Geeta (peaking his forehead): Leave all that. Focus on yourself and the future. I want you to be the best version of yourself.

Geeta hugged him tightly.

Slowly caressing his hair.

Within minutes, he fell asleep.

---

Meanwhile, Arth sat with Adhyay and helped her complete the project.

She was hurt because of Saransh but relieved as her project was completed.

---

The day passed.

Then another day.

And then an entire week.

During this whole week, Saransh and Adhyay barely spoke to each other.

Adhyay once again maintained a safe distance from him.

The same distance she had maintained before.

Their parents noticed the change.

But they didn't interfere.

They believed that, just like before, things would eventually become normal between them.

---

A week later.

It was result day.

In the morning, Arth, Geeta, Saransh and Adhyay went to school.

First, they visited Adhyay's classroom.

The teacher smiled warmly.

Teacher: Mr. and Mrs. Malhotra, congratulations.

Everyone became curious.

Teacher: Adhyay topped the entire class.

Geeta (hugging Adhyay proudly): Meri bachi!

Adhyay smiled shyly.

Arth proudly patted her head.

Meanwhile, Saransh rolled his eyes dramatically.

Soon, parents and classmates started congratulating them.

After some time, they moved to Saransh's classroom.

The teacher noticed Adhyay.

Teacher: Adhyay, how's your result?

Before Adhyay could answer-

Geeta (excitedly): She topped the class.

She said proudly. Adhyay squealed, seeing Geeta so proud. Saransh's heart pinched.

His mother is feeling proud

He disappointed her

Adhyay made her feel proud.

He promised not to disappoint her again.

Teacher: That's wonderful! Congratulations.

Adhyay: Thank you, ma'am.

The teacher then turned toward Saransh.

Teacher (teasing): Saransh, learn something from Adhyay.

Saransh gave an awkward fake smile. His eyes stopped for a few long seconds.

The teacher opened his result sheet.

Her expression immediately changed.

Teacher: He has just passed.

She looked at Arth and Geeta.

Teacher: He really needs to work hard. Boards are coming.

Saransh lowered his gaze.

Before he could feel worse, Arth spoke calmly.

Arth: He is trying.

He placed a hand on Saransh's shoulder.

Arth: I'm sure he will score good marks.

The teacher nodded.

Teacher: Best of luck, Saransh.

Saransh quietly nodded.

They left for home.

To be continued...