Dedicated to tomgirl1406

'Time', a simple four lettered word which is known by all, but understood only by a few.

The one who understand know how it flies, changing everything except something within us which is always surprised by the change.

It flies, breaking all the shackles, like that leaf on the branch of a tree which once fallen cannot be reincarnated back. It flies faster every year, every month, every single day whether you're having fun or not, whether you're living your life big or small, whether you surround yourself with fear or laughter.

The most beautiful moments always seemed to accelerate and slip beyond one's grasp just when you want to hold onto them for as long as possible. So been the past two and an half months for Karan, where he grew close to Aditi and now that the vacations are on the run he misses the time spent with her.

They became good friends in the past months, though they used to not have enough time together, they always made the most out of what they had studying and even speaking meanwhile.

They realize how vulnerable their control over their mind becomes when they look into each other's eyes,  the reason of which they don't know yet, but the thing they surely know and realize is how they enjoy each others company when they are together unconcerned about anything else at that moment.

They didn't change a lot, But if something changed a lot in this months then that was the bond Aman and Kanishka shared. Their talks which was limited to teasing and irritating each other has widened up gradually with passage of time. They understand each other much better than before.

That incident of Rose when Aman lost his control over his anger has brought that realisation in them that how there's a time for everything, and when they have to just control themselves sending the mood of the other. They don't infuriate each other to that extent anymore, as that care for each other has slowly started to blossom.

Their conversation still remains full of mocks and teases but they are comfortable conversing that way, and that's something that they can never change neither they would like to change. That's what makes their friendship unique in its very own way, which even they admire but never voice it out.

It's been one month since the vacation started, and finally tomorrow was the day Karan had been waiting for long. Calling Aman in the excitement, Karan exclaimed before Aman even could say hello

"You remember tomorrow's the results?"

"Oh, what so exciting?"

Pressing his phone away from his ears Karan looked at Aman's caller id with a weird look before pressing his phone back speaking amused

"What do you even mean by what's so exciting?? It's results come on!!"

"What's up with you? From when you became this excited for results? I don't remember you getting so excited for results before this"

Aman asked recalling karan's reaction everytime they spoke about results which would be nothing but "I don't care", not even once he seemed excited to see his results and today he has himself called him just to remind that there is results the next day. Only if Aman had any idea that this excitement had nothing to do with his own results.

"Whatever, be there on time", said Karan hanging up the call. How could he tell that this time the case was different, it was not his result which he was eager for, but it was Aditi's.

"I want that 1st rank at least once", he remember her saying it while they conversed. A smile made its way on his lips just the way it did that day when he replied to her "Why not? You will for sure".

"I hope you get it this time", Karan smiled whispering it to himself before snuggling down in his blanket, sleeping with a contentment of finally meeting her tomorrow after almost a month.

***

Dressing up in his favourite casual wear the one which includes a navy blazer and a blue jeans Karan checked himself for the third time in front of mirror in last one minute, his hair neatly done and his watch on his wrist giving him the perfect gentlemen look.

Watching him stand in front of mirror checking out his hair, his mom gave him a suspicious look. At last it was for the first time he was being this careful about his looks. She doesn't remember him standing in front of mirror even once for this long, and hence sshe questioned amazed

"What's up with you today??"

"Nothing much, just wanna look good on stage"

Karan said doing his collar, surprising his mom who walked up to him turning him towards her by his shoulder

"Is it so? Why do I feel there's something more? Huh?"

Karan rolled in his lips listening to his mom, his mom's smirk making him go shy as he rubbed his temple lowering his gaze stepping back  murmuring unsure of his own words

"No, nothing more"

"Chill, I'm just kidding, my son is looking too handsome today"

Mom pulled his cheeks lightly making him chuckle and grinning wide he left, treading down the stairs quick not before giving a call to Aman asking him to get ready and be out as he would be coming his place before going school.

He was about to leave, when he got reminded of something and facepalming himself he tread back to his room where his mom was stood fixing his cupboard which he had turned upside down to find the correct pair of jeans with his blazer.

"Did you forget something?"

His mom questioned watching him return hastily, listening to which Karan nodded as nothing stepping near touching her feet making her go aww at her son's gesture. Keeping her hand over his bend head she blessed smiling wide asking him to travel safe to which he nodded before treading downstairs leaving her grinning at the place.

Reaching Aman's house, he waited for him to come out. He knew even before reaching there that Aman would surely not be ready. Therefore he had called him before leaving hoping he gets ready but as expected he was not.

Getting down his cycle Karan walked around back and forth checking his watch with every passing second growing impatient. He wanted to reach school early but seemed like Aman was on a mission to fail him down as he didn't step out even after 5 minutes.

Finally giving up on waiting, Karan shook his head walking up to the door ringing the doorbell. He didn't wanna do it, but he had no other option left.

The door was opened by Aman's mom who greeted calling him in. Greeting her back he entered inside going straight to Aman's room. Stepping in, his eyes narrowed looking at Aman who was standing in front of mirror applying something on his face. Facepalming himself Karan spoke irritated

"Abe oooo, Fair and lovely"

"Fair and Handsome", Aman corrected continuing to massage his face with the same, listening to which Karan shook his head releasing a sigh

"Haan haan wahi, chal ab (Yeah yeah same, let's go)"

"15 minute hai abhi, tereko kis baat ki jaldi hai? (15 minutes are still left, why are you in a hurry?)"

Aman said turning towards karan pointing at the clock on the wall which read 9:45.

Karan gave him a look before gazing down searching for a reply, he knew there was time left but he wanted to reach school early so that he could speak to Aditi before the function starts, as once the auditorium gets filled there would be no chance of him even meeting her later. But he could not say this to Aman as he knew he would do nothing but tease him until he goes wild and hence wanting none of that to happen he spoke

"We shouldn't be late at least today, you idiot"

"Oh really", Aman smirked moving near Karan placing his elbow on top of his shoulder before speaking again

"Mujhe toh nai lagta ye baat hai, baat toh kuch aur hi hai, Kyu hai na? (I don't think so this is the reason, the reason is something else, isn't it?)"

Pulling his shoulder aside causing Aman to almost fall, Karan yelled irritated

"Aisa kuch nai hai, ab chal jaldi (Nothing like that, now let's go)"

"Ruk, ek baar baal thik kar leta hun (wait let me style my hair properly)"

Before Aman could move back to the mirror, Karan dragged him along by his collar not minding his continuous yells of "let me check mirror for the last time"

Leaving his collar only after dragging him to the door, karan turned giving him a stare shutting him up

"Shut up!! You look good, now hurry up"

Aman frowned giving karan a pleading look, but finding him not react anything to it he shook his head bending down wearing his shoes before following him behind uninterested.

Reaching school before 10 minutes, entering inside one could see people slowly gathering up in the auditorium, the chairs in the front rows were getting filled up by the parents and the students of every other classes.

Taking seat at the last row, Karan's eyes searched for Aditi scanning each and every rows, whereas Aman's eyes searched for his own reflection on the back of the seat next to him trying to style his hair.

Finding her nowhere inside the auditorium, karan released a disappointed sigh falling back on his seat looking at Aman who was busy styling his already styled hair. His eyes looking for that one face among everyone else's coming in from the entrance.

"Let's go outside"

"What?"

"Yeah, let us come in when the auditorium will be full"

"Wait what? You mean we came early just to wait outside?", Aman shrugged his shoulders giving karan an "are you serious" kind of look who ignored his words getting up saying

"Shut up and come, it's no fun sitting here"

Karan walked down the steps making his way out from the exit, leaving Aman, who shook his head following him behind having left with no other option.

Coming out to the playground, looking all around there attention gets grabbed by a chubby 9 year old kid who was playing on his own jumping around trying to catch a butterfly, looking at whom Aman laughed commenting

"Chal thode maje karte hain (Let's do something fun)"

"What do you mean?", Karan gave Aman a curious look, who winked at him smirking.

"Oyyeee"

Aman called out to the kid who stopped running looking around trying to figure out who was calling him before running again behind the flying butterfly.

"Oyyeee idhar (Look here)"

Aman called out again, this time lil louder, successfully grabbing the kid's attention who looked at Aman pointing one finger at his face confirming if he was the one being called.

"Haan tuuu, idhar aa (Yes, you, come here)"

"Kyun pareshan kar raha hai bachchee ko (Why are you even troubling that small kid?)"

"Ruk na maja aaega (Wait it will be fun)"

Karan shook his head facepalming himself listening to Aman knowing well what was he up to, whereas Aman smirked looking at the kid who came running towards him giving him a puppy curious look saying

"Kiiia uuaa baaaiyaa ( What happened bhaiya?)"

Hearing the kid's stuttering voice Karan chuckled whereas Aman controlled his bending down to his height asking

"Kya kar raha tha waahan (What were you doing there?)"

"Mai titili pakal la tha (I was catching butterfly)"

"Ohh.. naam kya hai tera? (Oh, what's your name?)"

"Benny"

"Benny nai, aaj se tera naam Bandar (Not Benny, from today your name is monkey)", Aman said pointing his finger at the kid who frowned stuttering

"Nai.. mela naam Benny hai (No, my name is Benny)"

"Bola na bandar hai (I said it is monkey)"

"Nai (No)"

"Haann (Yes)"

"Nahiii (Nooo)", the kid yelled jumping, tears forming in his naive small eyes as he frowned at Aman who was barely holding on to his laughter. As Aman yelled a 'yes' staring at him with a fake frightening look enough to scare him, the kid ran away crying yelling

"Didi ko bataunga (I will complain to my sister)"

"Rula diya bachchee ko, Kaisa insaan hai be (You made the kid cry, what kind of human you are?)"

Karan commented suppressing his laughter looking at Aman who was almost falling out laughing, standing taking support of Karan's shoulder he tried to speak controlling himself from laughing but failing laughing out louder making Karan laugh as well.

Karan's smile disappeared in no moment as he watched the kid return and looking at the person with whom he was returning he bit his tongue. Watching Karan's eyes fill with horror all of a sudden, Aman's eyes narrowed.

Blinking his eyes before he could follow Karan's gaze to find out the reason of horror, karan turned back running causing him to lose balance and almost trip down as his hands were on his shoulder.

"Abe oo Bhoot dekh liya kya? (Oh hello, did you spot some ghost?)"

Aman yelled behind Karan who slightly turned back asking him to run too, but was Aman running?

Definitely not, he stood shaking his head styling his hair smirking, he would have surely run only if he had any idea what or to say who was approaching him.

His trance of thoughts in which he was calling karan a mice gets broken when a hand taps on his shoulder calling him. Turning back looking at the person standing right in front of him a small smile tucked his lips which didn't take long to vanish listening to the voice

"Yahi wo baaiyaa hain (He is the one)"

Aman bit his tongue listening to the same kid's stutter. Watching kanishka raise her eyebrows, he bend his head looking down cursing his fate moving his hand over forehead murmuring

"Isi ka bhai nikalna tha ye (Did he really have to be her brother?)"

"What did you say to my brother??"

Kanishka yelled, startling Aman who replied innocently "Maine toh kuch nai bola (I didn't say anything to him)"

"Juuuuiiittt bol leee haii (He is lying)"

Aman stared at the kid with a frightening look who hid himself behind Kanishka's legs getting scared. Watching Aman scare her brother Kanishka yelled stepping one step ahead towards Aman making him step one back

"How dare you!? What do you even think of yourself"

"Areee .. I was just kidding, I didn't know he would start crying"

"How can you treat a small kid like that, don't you have a little shame.. I know you don't have.. but still how can you behave like that with such a small cute kid"

Aman rolled his eyes, the latter part making him raise his eyebrows, "Cute??" He questioned looking down at the kid who flashed him his entire set of teeth infuriating him further.

"You have any problem?"

Kanishka said clenching her fist, Aman gulped the lump forming in his throat muttering quickly

"Nai nai, bahut jyada cute hai (No no, he is too cute)"

"I know right, he is my brother at last", Kanishka bent herself to her brother's height taking out her handkerchief wiping his face with it smiling wide at him. Aman shook his head at the scene rolling his eyes whispering to himself

"What a superb family!"

"You said something?"

"Nothing! Absolutely nothing!"

"By the way where is our topper", questioned Kanishka getting up, Aman shrugged his shoulders replying

"He must he somewhere near, what about the other topper"

"She must be somewhere near too"

Kanishka replied, her facial expressions similar to that of Aman who nodded looking around searching for Karan, and spotting him coming with Aditi from far he pointed his finger towards them showing

"See there they are"

Kanishka followed the direction he was pointing at only to get amazed by the view.

"Wow, both are matching"

"Indeed", whispered Aman light smiling looking at the duo who were dressed in blue each. Karan who wore a navy blue blazer on top of his white shirt and light blue jeans, matching perfectly with Aditi's knee long full sleeved royal blue dress.

As they walked near, Kanishka hugged Aditi exclaiming happy

"You looking too pretty"

"Thank you, you are looking pretty too cutie"

"Not more than you", said Kanishka breaking the hug looking at Aditi top to bottom again before turning to Karan commenting

"Karan is looking handsome too, see even he is wearing blue, you both are matching-matching today"

Karan glanced at Aditi once before gazing down tight zipping a smile in response feeling shy to say anything.

"What about me?", Asked Aman raising his hand giving Kanishka a proper look at him who looked at him from top to bottom with one eye scrunched and commented gazing elsewhere

"Pura bandar (True monkey)"

The smirk on his face vanished getting replaced by a sullen frown as he commented

"Tu bhi puri junglee (Even you are looking wild)"

"Kya bola!!?? (What did you just say!?)"

"Sach (Truth)"

"Ruk tujhe abhi batati hun junglee kise bolte hai (wait let me show you what does it actually look being wild)", Kanishka was about to grab Aman's hair but he dodged stepping back at the correct time. As she tried again he ran making her chase him behind and behind them ran the small kid stuttering

"Didi luuckoo na (Sis, wait for me)"

Listening to which Karan and Aditi laughed, watching them enter inside they looked at each other smiling, which only grew wider as their eyes met with each others.

"Let's go in, results are awaiting us"

Said Karan, to which Aditi nodded making their way inside the school and then to the auditorium, reaching where they went to the last rows where Kanishka and Aman were seated with their heads turned in opposite directions, smiling at them they took the seats beside each other which were left vacant for them by their friends.

The function didn't take long to begin, the principal, the H.O.D's, and the invited guests were welcomed by the host who was none other than their maths teacher. After an hour of just welcoming them, greeting them, and then listening to their boring speech to which no one was ever interested but they themselves were, it was finally time to declare the results.

Begining with the results of the primary classes starting from 1st standard to 5th standard all the children ranked from 1st to 10th were announced and called on stage. And then from 6th standard onwards only the top 5 rank holders were being announced and awarded with the medals.

With every results getting declared, Karan and Aditi's curiousity was reaching a new peak, they were just too eager for the results unlike Aman and Kanishka who were busy taunting and passing indirect message to each other through Benny, the poor kid who was being used as a bait by both. The only mistake he had committed was to sit between them.

"Tell your sister she's the smallest but yet the wildest animal"

Aman said in a voice audible to Kanishka, he was turned towards his left where Benny was seated but his eyes remained on the next seat where Kanishka was seated staring at him back. And before Kanishka could reply indirectly again to Aman, Benny jumped down the seat saying

"Aaap idhal aa ke khud hi bol lo (Come here and say yourself)"

Listening to him Karan and Aditi laughed, whereas Aman and Kanishka rolled their eyes turning their heads in other direction making a "hmpnf" sound doing a quick move from their lips.

"Up next, we have the results of our 9th standard"

The anchor announced grabbing all of their attentions, making Karan and Aditi to look at each other.

"Are you ready?"

"Can't be more, are you ready to come 2nd for the 1st time?"

"Oh, is it so? Let's see", replied Karan grinning blinking his eyes at her in affirmation who smiled back shifting her gaze back to the host leaving Karan who still had his eyes fixed on her.

"I wish you get that rank"

Whispered Karan to himself turning back looking at the stage and just after him turning Aditi turned towards him

"I wish you only get that rank"

Murmured she with a smile before turning. The irony was both were speaking about the same '1st' rank, what they said each other earlier was completely opposite to what they wished. They didn't know who would take that rank, but one thing surely they knew was they would be genuinely happy for the one who takes it.

***

The 5th rank goes to "Rose ......"

"Seriously??"

Kanishka half yelled surprised, so were the expressions on Aman's face who facepalmed saying

"I don't wanna come 4th, any other rank is okay to me, even I don't get any rank it's okay, but not 4th please"

"I wish you get 4th only", replied kanishka making Aman raise his eyebrows. Shutting his eyes he prayed mentally that he doesn't get that rank as if he does he would be forced to stand next to her. But could kanishka's words go in vain as such?

Definitely not.

The 4th rank goes to "Aman Lohani"

Aman rubbed his temple cursing his fate, his fist clenched listening to Kanishka laugh, giving her a death stare he stood walking with heavy steps towards the stage. Getting up on stage standing next to Rose, he grit his teeth looking at the wide grin on her face, his fest clenched tighter as she shrugged near him murmuring

"You came 4th intentionally right?"

He so wanted to push her away but he could do nothing that moment other than stand quietly controling his anger.

The third rank goes to "Kanishka Jena"

Kanishka stood walking up on stage and all the time she took coming up on stage Aman was staring at her with anger filled eyes which only increased when she whispered standing beside him

"Cool down, your Rose is beside you"

He stared at her from the corner of his eyes, but then processing her words again in his mind a small smile tucked his lips unknowingly.

"The 2nd rank goes to.."

The host took a pause, bringing about a sudden pause to Karan and Aditi's heartbeats. Their ears and eyes fixed at the host, who announced the name taking them by a surprise

"Aditi Rathore"

Karan bit his upper lip listening to Aditi's name, turning towards her he was surprised to look at her already smiling at him. He was left stunned for a moment as she blinked both of her eyes at him getting up and walking up on the stage.

He had thought she would feel sad but instead looking at the bright content smile which played on her lips as she stood smiling on stage, a satisfaction enveloped him in its embrace.

The topper of 9th standard, the first rank is bagged once again by "Karan Agrawal"

It was not the first time he was being announced the first rank, but this time it felt different, a new feeling altogether watching Aditi and everyone else clap for him as he walked up to stage amidst clapping hands.

Going and standing beside Aditi, he smiled listening to her comment

"Congrats Mister, for again getting the 1st rank"

"Congrats to you to Miss, for again congratulating me with the same thing"

Karan looked at her from the corner of his eyes chuckling at her making her chuckle too.

"Don't worry next time you will be congratulating me with that"

"I will be glad to", replied Karan smiling wide at her who smiled back at him.

I would like to request our principal sir and our honorable chief guest to congratulate the students by presenting them with the medals and the certificates.

The principal sir and the guest stood presenting them each with their certificates and making them wear their medals, they even hand shaked and exchanged some words with each.

Having received her bronze medal, Kanishka stood smirking at Aman as he didn't recieve any medal being 4th rank, when he didn't pay attention to her, she stamped his shoes making him pull back his leg staring at her in annoyance who smirked flashing him entire set of teeth showcasing him the medal looking at which he raised his eyebrows rolling his eyes.

Turning his head the other side he found Rose who was gawking at him with her head tilted towards him making him grit his teeth, rolling his fist he stood looking straight irritated beyond words but still a light smile was playing on his lips as he watched Kanishka grinning at him from the corner of his eyes.

Whereas on the other hand, Karan and Aditi had their head turned towards each other looking at their medals which was shining on their chests and then into each others eyes with a wide grin not leaving their eyes.

One such moment among many of their life which they would never forget and even if they want to, they wouldn't be able to as the picture being clicked by the cameraman won't let them. The moment which they will cherish one day,

For sure.

***

Hello everyone!!

How was the update? Hope you enjoyed!

What had you expected from the time leap? Something like end of 10th standard? If yes, don't worry! 10th standard will have lot of fun coming, which you would surely not wanna miss!

I update in around 20 days though it's quarantine going, I know you guys are not very happy, but I edit chapters too, I will suggest check out the edited chapters I mention at the end, as I include lot more than what you have read earlier..

I have edited 7th chapter recently, with lot more exciting stuffs! Do check out!

Meet you all in the next chapter, but before that just wanna say one small thing!

If you ever feel depressed, please don't keep it in hurting yourself, it becomes really suffocating when you stuff yourself with so much in your head, so if anyone who feels they have anything to say, please message me!! I will see I listen to you and help you out not by advising you but listening to you as a friend! I will not judge any of you,

<Bye, plz tc♥️>