------Unedited------

"Karannnn!"

Yelled Aditi making both Karan and Aman pause. Glancing at each other Aman passed Karan a teasing smirk who rolled his eyes before turning to find Aditi coming running towards them behind whom followed Kanishka causing him to get down passing Aditi a questioning look who answered panting

"Sorry Karan to stop you like this, but actually I just got reminded that Tanu had invited us to her house as she wanted to meet Kanishka. Hence, she told us to tag along with you guys to her house, So...umm... I was wondering if you could show us her house now?"

Aditi spoke eyeing down unsure of their reaction quickly adding as the two just glanced at each other

"Only if you guys are not getting late"

"Nah, nothing like that!", Karan muttered playing a smile eyeing Aman from the corner of his eyes, signalling from his eyebrows to suggest something who just shrugged his shoulders looking as blank and scared as him.

They never thought this would go this fast, on one hand they were scared that the truth of Tanu not being their cousin would come up, and on another hand they didn't want her to lose her only friends, because of this denial. Their trance of staring each other comes to an end when Aditi questions again

"You guys getting late? If you are you can say--"

"No, no, nothing such, we ourselves actually were going to meet her, so you guys can come along with us!", Karan quickly stated smiling realising that they had no other option left, as they just could not interfere in their friendship.

"Thank youuuu! I am really very excited to meet her!" Kanishka exclaimed grinning in excitement clapping to herself just when the shine her eyes held went fading hearing

"God bless my sister", Aman commented dramatically joining his hands looking up making Kanishka raise her eyebrows at him and then smirk nodding her head

"Yeah, at last she has a brother like you, she does not some blessing"

Aman rai

They all started moving towards Tanu house with Karan and Aman holding their cycles and walking ahead of Aditi and Kanishka. The girls were giggling on something, walking freely without any tension, their bags hanged on one shoulder whereas both the boys were stiff and still pondering about the outcome of the girls learning the truth. The entire school body would learn about it and of course, How can their parents be ignorant?

Aman spoke finally breaking the silence "You sure this won't attract any problem right..?"

Karan was himself not sure about this, he looked at him replying "Bhai, I am not sure, I hope everything goes smooth, we will not let them know about Tanu's truth and let's see about the rest. And yeah, we'll behave as normally as possible so as they will not be suspicious of anything." Aman hummed nodding in response. They reached Tanu's house in no time, Karan and Aman stopped their cycles.

Aditi and Kanishka couldn't understand why they stopped their cycles all of a sudden. Not even a minute had passed walking, and they were in front of their school field.

Kanishka asked folding one of her hand across her waist and the other pointing up with fingers twisted in wonder.

"What the hell! Why are you guys stopping here? Now don't tell me you are planning to play now? We were going to Tanu's house you forgot..?" She told frowning though her hand gestures were enough to say what was in her mind.

When her hands moved frantically in the air, reciprocating her words, a smile was crept on everyone's face at her cuteness. Karan replied chuckling "We didn't stop here to play, the house in front is Tanu's house". The girls saw the house confused, Kanishka's eyes widened looking at the small cottage looking house. She whisper yelled "Yeeeeee.....(This)" Her hand pointing towards the old house all confused.

Aman was already irritated, he pointed towards the school's field just like Kanishka telling "Nahi toh kya hai ye? (Then is it this?)".

Kanishka rolled her eyes looking at him trying to copy her, she replied with a shrug "I didn't mean it like that, I just meant I have noticed this house before and I never saw anyone here".

Karan replied trying to manage the situation by not extending this topic further "Now, stop it, Tanu would be waiting for us, let's go! Let's not waste time".

With that he walked up to the door and knocked on it followed by Aman behind silently. Aditi and Kanishka also were behind them. Tanu opened the gate and looking at Karan and Aman, she smiled broadly. But it was when she saw both Aditi and Kanishka standing, there was a glint in her eyes and her smile widened even more like she had seen the most precious thing in the world . Karan expected her to hug him as usual but to his utter dismay, she went across and hugged Aditi or like threw herself on her due to her over excitement.

Karan who had half spread his arms already, quickly shoved his hands in his pockets to save himself from embarrassment. He frowned, and Aman came near him and whispered in his ear "Tu toh abhi se hi paraya ho gaya, mubaarak ho ( You became outsider already, congratulations).

The girls hugged each other tightly. Tanu was the first one to break the hug. She held Aditi's hands and expressed her contentment with her eyes that she came. Then she looked at Kanishka, she hugged her which lasted for some seconds and she asked "You are Kanishka right?" Before she could reply Aman coughed replying "No, Mad-ishka"

Karan and Aditi chuckled, Kanishka glared at Aman from the corner of her eyes, but before she could start pleasing him with her words of wisdom Tanu overtook her "You keep quiet bhaiya".

Aman's eyes widened, he did not at all expect Tanu to tell him to keep quiet. After all never once did Tanu defend another person against him. It was now Karan's turn to tease him, he subtly whispered in his ears "Tu bhi (Even you)", saying this he broke into fits of laughter, Aman pouted moving his lips aside in displeasure rolling his eyes.

Kanishka replied "Yeah I am Kanishka, and you are Tanu isn't it". Seemed like Aman had not enough of his insult last time and greedily wanted more, he interrupted again "No, She's Manu.." Listening this Tanu yelled frustrated "Bhaiyaaaaaa". Aman slightly chuckled replying "Okay, okay speak" he raised both of his hands indicating 'I give up'.

Tanu lightly smiled replying to Kanishka "Yes I'm Tanu, I'm really happy to see you guys here, Let's get inside and speak."

With that they went inside, leaving Karan and Aman outside. They looked each other trying to understand if they were left out but before they could react, Tanu yelled from inside "Now what are you idiots speaking standing outside, come inside, and do close the door after coming."

Why did that sound much like an order?

Aman narrowed his eyes listening the word 'Idiots', It was not like he was called idiot for the first time by Tanu but this time he didn't like it. It was simply because Tanu preferred Kanishka to him, according to him.

"I am going inside, you want to do meditation here, then carry on, the ground's not that dirty though". Karan told flatly earning a glare from his best friend who was in no mood to do the duties of his title right now. Rather he wanted to kill him at the moment.

"Nahi karna koi meditation, main toh chala andar aur haan, darwaza toh tujhe hi band karna padega. (I do not want to meditate, I am going inside, and yes you only have to close the door)".

Karan whisper yelled "No, you will" both approached the door at the same time, trying to enter the door their shoulder brushed with each other. They were trying their best to push each other aside in order to enter first. The door was not wide enough for them to enter at the same time.

This all did not go unnoticed from Tanu, she was watching them struggling to enter the door at a time. She was looking at them with a weird look, her forehead had wrinkles trying to think what exactly were they doing, Kanishka and Aditi followed Tanu's gaze. They smiled at their stupidity. They were watching them having a stupid shoulder fight.

They are more kids than kids themselves! Aditi thought shaking her head and resumed laughing.

Tanu yelled finally "What the hell are you guys doing, you guys are trying to push the wall? Can't you both turn and enter at the same time, if you are trying to do that?" Karan and Aman stopped listening her scoldings, they looked at each other with the only look on their face 'Why didn't we think that?'

Ashamed that they had displayed their full on idiocy not only in front of their sister, they were also embarrassed that all this happened in the presence of the two other girls. Seeing their faces all flustered, Tanu started laughing and soon the room echoed with the laughter of the three girls. Karan and Aman were all red due to embarrassment, Aman backed out giving space so that Karan could enter, Karan entered, Aman followed behind closing the door. Aditi, Kanishka and Tanu were sitting on mat since there were no chairs and the bed could fit only 3 people.

They had to sit with them, Aman quickly sat next to Tanu , now the only place left for Karan was beside Aman which was also beside Aditi. In short, he was between Aditi and Aman.

Damn his fate!

Karan had no other option left, he sat next to Aditi making sure there's enough space between their legs. Oh lord! Even if there's a skin contact between Aditi and Karan, it was all sure that he would either get a heart attack or will simply faint. And it was no exaggeration. In this process his leg was brushing with that of Aman's, Aman gave him a stare but he returned back the stare with more intensity asking him to stay quiet.

Aman kept quiet, mentally laughing on his friend's nervousness. They were sitting making a small huddle, with Tanu in between giving an impression that she is the head of the group. She spoke delighted "We all seem like power rangers, aren't we? They are also 5, even we are!"

Everyone hummed, Aman signature smirk played on his lips while he spoke "Yeah we all are, I'm not sure about one person though". Everyone understood what he meant except Tanu. She could not understand what he meant and asked innocently "Who are you not sure of bhaiya..?". Aman replied smirking "The one beside you".

Before Tanu could react, Kanishka replied sardonically "What Tanu? You can't understand whom he is speaking about?" Aman could not understand, he thought "Wasn't she supposed to get angry, yell at me, I'm sure she got a plan." he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. Tanu also saw confused at her asking "Who..? You..?".

Kanishka replied "No, it's him, he is not sure about himself, how can a monkey be a superhero..! Have you seen a superhero before with abilities like jumping before..? No right..! He is even beside you as he told 'one beside you' ", Tanu laughed listening to her, soon whole room was filled with laughter noises, with Aman sitting quiet,hands folded, embarrassed. His own words backfired at him.

He wanted to tell something but soon everyone started laughing, he sat quiet waiting for them to finish. He was embarrassed and angry, when he saw Tanu and Kanishka laughing looking at him like there was no tomorrow, his heart skipped some beats. He was looking at the two most beautiful ladies of his life laughing their heart out. His anger had long vanished away, he was biting his inner cheek to not smile, he kept a poker face on.

After a long one minute, they calmed down a bit but the glow on their faces was still visible. Tanu asked Kanishka curiously about her hobbies.

She replied "I love writing poems, singing, and reading books".

"Yes, she sings really well" exclaimed Aditi smiling at Tanu. The skills and hobbies of her dear best friend were no secret to her. Surprised, Tanu replied "Oh wow, Kanishka why don't you sing something..?".

The air felt too hot for Kanishka all of a sudden. She was about to deny Tanu's request but Aman who could not miss out on a chance of listening to her sing, spoke trying to provoke her "Oh just say that you cannot sing and are just bluffing. Bluff-master." His signature smirk was back on his face. She glared him replying "I can sing okay..!". Aman replied passing her his smirk again "Oh please, spare me of your bluffness."

Kanishka so wanted to sing and prove him wrong, but she was scared thinking that if she inadvertently sings bad, Aman could exacerbate the situation for her. And the last thing she would ever want on this planet was that Aman teasing her about being out of tune. She had indeed a melodious voice but since her only audience was Aditi, she lacked the confidence to sing in front of anybody else as she might slip or something. Though Aditi never halted to boost her confidence, it was quite nerving for Kanishka to sing even in a crowd of four people.

She always thought that since Aditi was her best friend, so as her feelings are not bruised, she was praising her falsely but to her complete ignorance, that was not the case at all.

Sometimes when we possess an inborn talent, we hesitate to make people discover it. Only because of their judgement. But that's where all of us go wrong. We are too busy being a slave of the opinion of others that we forget the desires of our hearts.

We ignore or rather flout our own feelings but what we care about is that what those few people will remark. That's where we kill ourselves for others. We must do what makes us happy, caring least what will people think about us.

Kanishka always wore her heart on her sleeves, playing and jumping around, caring less about people judging her but as we know nobody is perfect. Everyone has their own share of insecurities which they would be extremely conscious about.

She had too, she feared the negative comments, she hated the people who judged others. She was very sensitive in this case but she never showed her sensitive part to anyone not even Aditi.

She was stuck in a battle between her mind and her heart. "Where are you lost..?" Tanu shook her hand. Only then she came out of her thoughts. "Nothing" replied Kanishka, Aman saw her confused face, he teased her more hoping she agrees to sing "She's just scared that she can't sing."

Aman was crossing all the limits now, and her being irritated already about his insensitivity could not control her from snapping at him "I'm not scared, not a coward and nor a bluff-master. I. can. sing." she yelled the last part. Aman surprisingly was completely unfazed about her attitude replied coolly passing his hands through his hairs "Then prove it by singing."

"Okayyyy" She was now hell bent to prove him that she could sing that too extremely well. She was incensed. If she would be in her normal senses and someone would have asked her to sing, she would have never agreed but this was no one else but 'Aman' the person she loved to hate the most. She took a deep breath to calm her insides to help her sing in a peaceful state of mind.

Tanu clapped in joy, excitement all visible throughout her gestures when she handed over her phone with earphones plugged to her, Kanishka went through the playlist and selected one random song she liked the most. The tune had started, but she was silent, she was feeling nervous all of a sudden, noticing it Karan started clapping for her trying to cheer her.

Following him Aditi, Tanu started clapping too, unknowingly Aman clapped too. Kanishka smiled, she was not shy now nor nervous. She started singing making all hands freeze at their position, listening her melodious voice

Kabhi Jo Badal Barse
Main Dekhoon Tujhe Aankhein Bharke..
Tu Lage Mujhe Pahli Baarish Ki Duaa..

Tere Pahloo Mein Rah Loon..
Main Khud Ko Paagal Kah Loon..
Tu Gam De Ya Khushiyaan
Sah Loon Saathiyaa..

She paused for the tune to be passed, she had sang the first para, she looked at everyone's face trying to understand if they were liking it. She hoped to find a weird look on everyone face but she found everyone smiling and waiting for her to continue. Aman was smiling too, but when she looked at him he masked his satisfaction pretty well with a listening to a boring lecture face but she noticed it, she was happy, she wanted to stop but when she saw everyone smiling and enjoying the song, she thought to continue, Aman's smile gave her the courage and confidence to continue it.

Koi Nahi, Tere Siva Mera Yahaan..
Manzilein, Hain Meri To Sabh Yahaan..
Mita De Sabhi Aaja Faansle..
Main Chahoon Mujhe Mujhse Baant Le..
Zara Sa Mujhmein Tu Jhaank Le..
Main Hoon Kya..

Ooo..
Aaeee..Aeee..Aaa..
Pahle Kabhi, Na Tune Mujhe Gham Diya..
Phir Mujhe, Kyoon Tanha Kar Diya..
Guzaare The Jo Lamhe Pyaar Ke
Hamesha Tujhe Apna Maan Ke..
To Phir Tune Badli Kyoon Adaa..
Yeh Kyoon Kiya..

Ooo..Ooo
Kabhi Jo Badal Barse
Main Dekhoon Tujhe Aankhein Bharke..
Tu Lage Mujhe Pahli Baarish Ki Duaa..

Tere Pahloo Mein Rah Loon..
Main Khud Ko Pagal Kah Loon..
Tu Gam De Ya Khushiyaan, Sahloon Saathiyaa

Hmm.. hmm..

As soon as she completed the whole room was filled with the clapping noise. She sang beautifully, each words were clear and melodious. Tanu was beyond happy, she hugged Kanishka in no second, she was taken aback by the sudden hug but hugged her back.

"Wow, that was just awesome, You have a beautiful voice I must say" Tanu blurted out breaking the hug. Kanishka replied "Thank you, was that really good..?". Karan replied "Yes, It was just perfect..! You know what that's my favorite song and I never heard the female version of it till date, Thank you so much for singing it today", his broad smile indicated how happy he was.

Everyone looked at Aman hoping for his reply, Kanishka looked at him smirking. She knew he liked it but she also knew he will never agree to it. He replied forcing his hand on his hair "I prefer Arijit Singh's version", his reply made everyone raise their eyebrows at him including Tanu.

She replied resentfully "Bhaiyaaaa, we didn't ask you whose version you prefer the most, how was her version you just tell us that", everyone seemed to agree with her reply, Aman loved her singing, but he just could not tell that, he could not tell how happy he was.

But he maintained a poker not really interested face and replied not wanting to sound unnatural "Thik thak hi tha (It was okay-okay)", Kanishka rolled her eyes at his comment, it was the second time in the day he had told that not wanting to appreciate her in any ways.

Everyone shook their head chuckling, they were not oblivious from the fact that expecting an appreciation from Aman is like expecting rain on a clear blue sky day. Tanu, Kanishka and Aditi all three of them were engrossed in talking among each other, learning about each others' facets.

Karan and Aman were silent, Suddenly Karan smacked a punch on Aman's shoulder, Aman's head was about to kiss the ground but he prevented that to happen taking support of his right hand. He turned towards him, holding his hurt shoulder ,glaring at him he half yelled "Pagal hai Kya (Are you mad..?)".

Karan laughed at his words and replied trying to be angry "You are mad..!!? She sang so well couldn't you at least tell her some delighting words, do not tell me you didn't like it..!?", Aman replied laughing "I liked it, but it was not that good to be appreciated by me 'Aman' "he pulled up his imaginary collar. Karan rolled his eyes.

They didn't notice, the girls who were chatting so far were now looking at them, once they saw them Kanishka asked exasperatedly "How much do you guys speak, aren't you guys getting late for your home", Both Karan and Aman glared at her rolling their eyes. Karan replied "It was you all who were speaking so far", she muttered a "Whatever" and got up.

They all got up, walking up outside the door. Once they all reached outside, Tanu hugged both Kanishka and Aditi at the same time she spoke "Thank you for coming to meet me, I am really happy, I found two new friends today".

Karan and Aman smiled looking how happy Tanu was today. Their smile disappeared listening to what Tanu said next, and they looked each other in horror.

Tanu told breaking the hug "Why not we all have lunch tomorrow", Aditi asked looking at Kanishka "Lunch..?". She replied "Yes, Karan and Aman bhaiya always come here to have lunch with me, why don't you guys join along". They smiled, Aditi replied "Why not..!! If Karan and Aman doesn't have any problem".

Tanu replied on behalf of them "Why will they have any problem..? Kyu hai na bhaiya...? (Isn't it bhaiyaa..?)". Karan had no other left, he nodded replying "Han, hame Kya problem ho sakta hai..! (Yes, What problem can we have..!)" Aman forced a smile like Karan did.

Aditi replied "Okay then, see you tomorrow, bye" with that she hugged Tanu. Kanishka and Tanu hugged then. Karan and Aman bid bye to Tanu, they all left leaving behind Tanu, who was still waving at them, she was beyond happy today and that was evident by her seem to be never-ending smile.

Karan and Aman took their cycle, Aditi and Kanishka waved at both of them, Karan waved back, while Aman just smiled like always.

When he saw Kanishka unknowingly a smile flashed in his face, which didn't go unnoticed by Kanishka as she lightly smiled back in response. His heart raced fast looking at her smiling, he quickly started cycling. Karan saw him going, he waved again starting to cycle behind him.

Aditi and Kanishka spoke all their way. But there was only thing which was going in kanishka's mind "He is surely not what he tries to portray himself" with that an unknown smile flashed on her lips.

On the other hand Aman and Karan were talking about the things they have to take care tomorrow so that Tanu's truth does not come up in front. Or more like only Karan was talking because Aman was lost in his thoughts "Did she really smile at me..? Aren't I the one whom she hates the most..? The why did she smile at me..? Maybe she doesn't really hate me". Thinking all this was making him confuse but it also made him grin like an idiot.

***

Hey everyone..!!

How was this update..? Did u like it..? How would u rate it on a scale of 1 to 10..?

What do you guys think, Are the things changing between kanishka and Aman..?

Are they soon gonna be so called 'friends' ..? Eating food together will help them in any way..?

Meet u all in the next chapter guys..! Till then

<Bye,Tc💖>