"Good afternoon students! Please take your seat"

Wished back principal sir asking everyone to take seat who were stood greeting him. As everybody sat he began with the announcement he came to inform

"So as you all know every year our school hosts 'The InterSchool Championship', in which 10th standard students participate. But this year looking at the pending syllabus and the boards pressure on them, we have decided that this year 9th standard and that is you guys will participate. I feel our 9th standards are capable enough to get back the trophy again for our school."

Before he could further say anything whole class started celebrating already hooting and howling. But soon it turned pin drop silence when maths sir who stood behind took the stick out from the desk holding it firmly in his hands.

"You haven't won yet!!"

Maths sir said, chuckles could be heard from the back benchers, those were the ones who yelled at the top of their throat earlier and were laughing now. Clearing his throat curbing down the noise, principal sir continued

"This fest is after one week, there are many events, the details of those you will get later on and you can submit your name to your Maths teacher. I am here to tell you about the most important event, the star event which will have 5 top schools participating. The championship event in which every school has to present their team of 4 members. And we have already selected the four students and they are"

Principal sir turned back stretching his hand towards maths sir, who handed over a chit to him. Karan bit his tongue knowing well his name would be there and he was correct the first name was his but listening the entire team name he was shaken up top to bottom.

"Karan, Aman, Kanishka and Aditi"

Mouth hanging open, eyes widened staring at nothing in particular without blinking, lips sucked inside mouth. Were the mutual expressions of Aman and Karan, If Karan was shocked listening Aditi's name, then Aman was scared listening to kanishka's. Their trance came to an end when principal sir announced

"The winner of this event will be awarded with the trophy and the winning team members will be awarded with individual scholarships"

The word 'scholarship' catching their attention other than anything else, turning towards each other they gave each other a look before whispering

"We can help Tanu with this"

Both said simultaneously in a voice which was audible only to them.

"The students whose name I just took, meet me tomorrow morning in my cabin, you all can leave now, Thank You"

Sir concluded taking leave from the classroom, behind him went Maths Sir discussing something with the principal. There was chaos all around as some rushed out of the classroom, some running around playing with each other, so some came and wished good luck to them.

"But do you think Aditi and specially Kanishka will agree to participate??"

Karan said the doubt what Aman had in his mind from long. Aman shrugged his shoulders having no idea about it. Just then an ear piercing yell caught their attention, following the direction they found Kanishka and Aditi stand. Kanishka looked too pissed to listen anything and was moving her hand all around.

"I'm not participating, I can't bear that Aman around me even for a minute, a whole competition is far thing"
Kanishka told shaking her head despite of Aditi's trials of making her understand. Looking at her frustrated and not listen her own friend, Karan bit his tongue losing even the slightest of hope arising inside him that she would agree if Aditi asks her to.

"She won't agree"

"Leave it to me, I know how to make her agree"

"Angry"

Karan corrected his last word, Aman gave him a look shrugging his shoulders not getting it.

"Angry not agree, you know how to make her angry"

"And that's the point"

Aman said smiling an evil smirk, before getting up and taking slow steps towards kanishka. Karan hardly understood a thing, he had no idea what Aman was up to and baffled he watched him walking toward kanishka.

Watching Aman near her, she clenched her fist raising her eyebrows. Looking at her already fuming, Aman felt unsure of his plan. But he wasn't giving up before trying, at last it was for Tanu whom he loved dearly.

Keeping a poker face, pushing aside the uncertainty of his plan's success, he approached her direction. Taking a deep breathe he prepared himself before facing her. Closing his eyes for some seconds explaining himself his own plan all over again, he maintained his cold and rude posture standing right in front of her.

He gave her a look narrowing his eyes at her, aware of her hating that look and as he had expected she fumed gritting her teeth

"If you have come here to ask me to stay in the team, then forget it!! I'm not gonna be in the team you are in"

"Oh wow, so kind of you"

Aman exclaimed with an amused smile causing her gaze to go narrow into a squint. Her eyes which went small out of confusion, all of a sudden grew big out of anger listening to him further speak

"I came here to ask you to exit, cause you know I don't like chirping sound around me, and a whole competition with you around is something unimaginable, but you are already exiting by yourself!! I don't have to waste my energy asking you to leave! Glad!"

Aman said smirking releasing a euphoric sigh of relief, she was angry would be an understatement. She grit her teeth clenching her fist. Aman bit his tongue finding her silent which surely he didn't reckon. Only if he knew this was the silence before the storm. She yelled at the top of her throat, her voice penetrating through his ears

"Who the hell are you to ask me to leave, you are not the leader you are no one, it's my wish if I wanna stay or quit the team, and now I've decided"

She took a pause, Aman gave her a curious look, his eyes widening with every second, when she hesitated to speak he initiated

"Decided what huh??"

"I've decided I'm not quitting the team, go and do whatever you want now. If you want you can quit, but I'm not"

Kanishka fumed, her index finger inches away from his eyeballs challenging him. Aman pressed his lips tight preventing the smile from spreading on his lips. Masking his actual grinning self to a frowning fuming self he commented

"You can't do this"

"I will do this, Stop me if you can"

Kanishka stamped down her foot heavily saying this, Aman was losing control over himself and realizing he could break out laughing any moment if he continues looking at her, he turned back walking with heavy steps and in such a way which would suggest he was extremely angry.

Karan laughed shaking his head. Whatever Aman said earlier was now making sense to him. Aman smirked returning wiggling his eyebrows at Karan who dramatically shook his head, with his lips stretched up and hands clapping in his appreciation, but then watching Kanishka looking at him he quickly let his hands down masking his smile.

"I did my work, go and get the final confirmation done"

Aman said passing by Karan before picking up his bag from the bench and leaving the classroom. Karan understood and hanging his bag on his shoulder walked near kanishka and Aditi.

"Hey, thanks for not quitting kanishka, I know you and Aman are not in great terms but don't worry I will see he doesn't do anything to trigger you and I expect the very same for you"

"Don't worry Karan, I won't. You see he doesn't messes up with him, otherwise I will kill him bare handed"

Kanishka spoke, her hands gesturing how she's gonna crush his neck. Karan stepped back getting frightened as her hands were too near his own neck while she gestured. If he was just one step ahead, his neck would have been on her grip.

"Don't kill me please!!!"

Karan said, Aditi laughed listening to him whereas Kanishka pulled back her hand posing a sheepish grin.

"Fine bye, see you tomorrow morning"

Karan said looking at kanishka and then shifting his gaze towards Aditi, his eyes met with that of her. His heartbeat uneasy, but before he could again lose back his senses Aditi said bye, hearing which Karan averted his gaze and nodding slightly, forcing a tight zipped smile, he quickly made his way out of the classroom.

Reaching the playground he found Aman waiting for him seated on his cycle, Karan took his cycle and as they began cycling their way to their home, Karan spoke

"Kanishka and Aditi agreed, now we have to focus on winning this competition"

"Till Aman is there no fear"

Aman said smirking passing his hand through his hair, Karan shook his head watching him.

"You focus on the road, that will be enough"

Karan said watching him leave one of his hand from the handle to style his hair, balancing the cycle from just one hand. Aman passed him a sullen gaze before taking grip of the handle back.

"Let's take Tanu out today"

Karan suddenly said remembering her words earlier when they visited her during lunch time, "Waiting for Sunday". Since that's the only day she gets to go out with them, she waits for the day eagerly. But today she seemed to be missing it quite a lot maybe because of the weather. And none among the two failed to notice the same.

Both of them had decided already that they were taking her out no matter what. Just that Karan voiced out his feelings before Aman could. Smiling wide as even he was thinking of the same thing, Aman replied

"Was thinking the same, but where?"

"What about Mall? Tanu's yet to visit there"

"Let's go there then"

"Done! At Tanu's home in half an hour"

Karan said having a quick look at his wrist watch, Aman nodded and they parted their ways to their home.

***

Reaching home, Karan freshened up quickly getting on his casuals. Before leaving the room, he checked his wallet for the money and looking at 50/- he pressed his lips together. Searching his bag for some money but finding none he searched for the maths book in his shelves.

Pulling out the thickest book, he opened it carefully not before turning his head all around his room. Counting the number of notes which came roughly around 100/- he frowned, not finding enough from his so called piggy bank. Finding no other option left he walked into the kitchen where his mom was washing untensils.

"Come, let me help you"

Karan said taking the unwashed utensils misinterpreting it as to be washed and arranging it in the shelves.

"I'd not washed those yet, you increased my work"

His mom facepalmed, she groaned looking at the unwashed utensils with the washed ones, now she has to redo the work.

"Oops"

Karan bit his tongue, dabbing his fist over his head lightly couple of times. Whenever he tries to do something good, the exact opposite happens.

"Kya chahiye bol jaldi (Tell me fast what do you want)"

Turning towards his mom passing a sheepish smile, he spoke moving his hand over his neck

"Kuch paise chahiye the (I wanted some money)"

"Bol deta, kaam kyu badhaya? (You should have told, why did you increase my work?)"

"Galti ho gayi (By mistake it happened)"

"I gave you your pocket money for today right? Why do you need more?"

"Actually"

Karan thought what possible reasons he could give, his eyes travelling all around thinking of a reason, as his mom's eyes narrowed he quickly blurted out

"I have to give treat to my friends!"

"Friends??"

"Yes"

"I will give you 500"

"Wow"

"But you need to answer me one question"

Karan's glittering eyes lost its shine listening to her. He bit his lips thinking his mom had caught his lie, but nodded chucking it

"Whom are you referring from friends?? How much I know from childhood you have only one friend and that is Aman. Who are this friends now?"

Karan looked startled as he sucked in his lips thinking of the names he could tell her. "Ram, shyam, lakshman" the names his mind suggested, he mentally hit himself over the names he just thought of. Even a fool would guess from the names he was lying. As he didn't reply his mom asked shocked

"Don't tell me you have a girlfriend? And you want money to take her on a date?"

Karan's eyes narrowed listening to her, he gave her an "Are you serious?" kind of look. His mom's next reply made his mouth hung open

"Who will become your girlfriend, what am I even saying, it's not possible"

Karan's face flushed listening to her, watching her laugh at he frowned giving her a sullen gaze. She loved teasing him, watching him frown she pulled his cheeks lightly, before taking out a 500 rupees note from her purse.

Handing it over to him she ruffled his hair muttering

"My son is the most handsome son ever, I'm just kidding, come back home before 7 ok"

Karan smiled wide and left nodding but not before feathering a light kiss on her cheek. Running towards the door leaping on to his cycle he wondered what would Aman be doing to get the money, only if he had any idea his friend was shedding crocodile tears at home.

"Mai khana nai khaunga (I will not eat)"

Aman said sitting down on the floor, he was done requesting his mom for money and now it was time to black mail her. Whenever he requires anything and his mom doesn't agree he starts the hunger strike and eventually he gets it.

It all started from the day when he wanted a new cricket bat but his mom was reluctant to buy him. Getting angry he told he won't eat till he gets the new bat. His mom was adamant too, if he was stubborn then she was his mom.

His mom didn't take him seriously that time but when he didn't eat the whole day despite of his father's angry warnings, she had to give up. He ate only after his mom got him the bat he wished for, till then he didn't touch any food item nor did he speak with anyone. From that day, this has been one of his weapons which never goes ineffective.

His mom raised eyebrows watching him start the thing again, she was already pissed from the house chores and here he was again blackmailing her. She didn't care continuing his work. Aman looked at her from the corner of his eyes, and pressed his lips tightly watching her not react.

He repeated his words again but she acted as if she couldn't listen me. Understanding this won't work and he didn't had much time, he went near her showering her with 'please'.

The word new to his daily vocabulary, but he didn't care. His mom slowly melting with every please and he could see that very well. Shedding fake tears he said please again, and as he had expected she melted down completely handing him over a 500 rupees note saying

"Ro mat chal (Don't cry now)"

Aman jumped in joy, whooping and celebrating, before his mom could understand the whole ploy and stop him he was already on his cycle leaving for Tanu's house.

***

Parking his cycle in the nearby playground, Karan walked towards Tanu's house but stopped at a distance at the view which melted his heart too much to be able to make any further move. He stood motionless staring at Aman and Tanu run around laughing their heart out.

He stood leaning on to the side wall, trying to recall when was the last time he saw Aman laughing that naturally. A lone tear escaped his eyes running over his cheek which he wiped out walking near them who were too busy playing 'caught and escape (Pakdam pakdai)" in the small area outside Tanu's house.

As Tanu's sight fell on Karan, she ran quickly hugging him who hugged her back with utmost love and care. Aman smiled at Karan who returned the smile saying

"Shall we leave?"

"Now only you came and now only you are speaking about leaving?"

Tanu asked frowning, bending his knees a little to meet her height Karan touched her nose saying

"We all are going out, even you are coming with us"

A bright smile played on Tanu's lips who looked at Karan and then to Aman who nodded smiling back, making her smile go wider. She hugged Karan in no second yelling in excitement

"I so wanted to go out, thank you"

"No thank yous, we are getting late, come on fast"

"Where are we going though??"

Tanu asked as Karan locked the door, slipping in the key inside his pocket. Karan smiled saying

"Find it out yourself"

***

"If you can't eat spicy why do you even try"

Tanu said quickly getting water for Karan who stood gagging with a red flushed face covering his mouth from the back of his hand. His mouth and throat burning out of the spicy panipuris he just had. Getting the jug of water quickly Tanu poured in a tumbler making him drink the water.

Aman shook his head, he warned him before eating pani puri that it will be spicy, well aware of his spicy food sensitivities. But he didn't listen to him saying ''how spicy can it be? It's ok, I'll manage", and now after just eating 3 puris he was shedding tears from his eyes.

Karan released a sigh of relief after eating a non spicy puri handed over by the panipuri seller. He sat relaxing drinking water every passing second, looking at him Aman and Tanu decided not to eat anymore but he forced them to eat until they felt they are done.

In spite of knowing the fact that he cannot eat spicy food, he tried because of Tanu. If he wouldn't eat she would also not eat, though she loved panipuris a lot she would have made some excuse to not eat amd this Karan didn't want to happen.

"You already drank a gallon of water, leave the jug at least now"

Aman said sarcastically watching Karan still drink water. It's been 5 minutes and he's still holding on to the jug, meanwhile they were done eating as well. Karan bit his tongue embarrassed getting up flashing them a sheepish smile making them narrow their eyes at him facepalming. They left for the mall not before paying the money.

***

"Wow what a place"

Exclaimed Tanu looking around the mall as they entered.

"You've lot more to see"

Aman said smiling at her. She smiled, her eyes glittering at everything she saw as they wandered around the mall, carefully observing anything. Her steps ceased looking at escalator, she was watching that for the first time and felt extremely scared stepping on it.

Noticing her facial expressions, Aman enveloped one of her hand with his making her look at him with a smile which grew wider looking at Karan who held her another hand from the other side.

Smiling they blinked their eyes at her in affirmation, calming her fear and nodding her head she looked down at the escalator raising her leg stepping on it. They all stepped on it simultaneously, going to the clothes section of the mall.

Reaching there Tanu looked around the women's section whereas Karan and Aman checked some jeans in the men's section.

"I will go check her out"

Karan said to Aman, before making his way to the women's section. Entering there, his eyes searched for Tanu and spotting her he stepped near only to find her eyes fixed at a blue dress, he could see the longing for it in her eyes. He hid himself behind watching her.

She touched the mannequin wearing the dress cravingly before returning back to the men's section. Karan made sure she doesn't see him on the way back keeping himself hidden behind a mannequin. After she left he went near the mannequin she was looking earlier.

It was indeed eye catching and he could imagine Tanu wearing it looking extremely beautiful. As he checked the dress top to bottom his eyes went on the price tag hanging by the hand of the mannequin.

50% OFF, available just at 999/-

Karan flinched back looking at the price tag, he didn't had enough money to buy it. Pressing his lips tightly he was about to turn when he heard a familiar voice

"Dress achchii hai na? (Dress is nice, isn't it?)"

Turning he found Aman stand with a thinking posture examining the dress.

"Haan hai toh (Yeah it is)"

"Toh le le (Buy it then)"

Aman turned his head smiling a tight zipped smile at Karan blinking his in eyes at him in affirmation.

"But.."

Karan stopped whispering the only word to himself watching Aman who grabbed his hand and placed something over it saying

"Go straight to our park, We will meet you there"

Shutting Karan's palm folding his fingers over, Aman smiled before walking off. Karan couldn't understand a thing until he opened his palm to see a 500/- rupees note. A wide smile played over his lips as he understood everything now.

"Make it fast, you moron"

He heard Aman yell, causing his smile to disappear and in next moment reappear replaced with a wider grin from earlier.

"I love you Bhai"

He shook his head whispering at his disappearing figure before calling the shopkeeper asking him to pack the dress.

***

"Why you left us in the mall and came here alone??"

Tanu asked frowning to Karan as soon as she saw him. All the way to the park she has been thinking over the same thing. While she played in the kids zone of the mall, Aman informed her that Karan is waiting for them in the park, and when she asked him the reason he said nothing but "Ask him yourself" making her anxious.

"I came here because..."

Karan said taking her hands in his, making her sit down on the grass, before he himself sat down with her repeating his words

"I came here because.."

"Because??"

Tanu asked curiousky blinking her eyes at Karan who winked at Aman signalling him something. Getting his signal Aman blindfolded Tanu with his hands and in the meanwhile Karan quickly took out the cover he hid in the bushes placing it on her lap.

Aman removed his hands around her eyes, making her look at the box kept on her lap. She gave them a look asking what is it, to which Karan replied

"My reason of coming here, don't you wanna know what's inside the box?"

Tanu nodded before quickly opening the box. Her eyes went wide in surprise looking at the same dress she liked earlier in the mall. She gave a surprised look watching them in disbelief who were grinning wide at her, observing every bit of her facial expressions.

She was happy imagining her wearing it but having it for real seemed like a dream. Moving her hand over the dress, she tried making herself believe that it was happening in real and wasn't a dream afterall.

"It's yours Tanu, We are eagerly waiting to see you wearing this dress"

Karan commented breaking her train of thoughts, she looked to say something but ceased listening to Aman

"It's our wish to see you in this dress Tanu, you will fulfill your brothers wish right?"

Aman told turning on his undeniable puppy look, Tanu smiled nodding finally making them smile satisfactorily before hugging her sidewise. She hugged them back controlling the pool of tears forming in her eyes.

As the lavish sun set over the horizon, slowly turning the beautiful reddish orange sky into smoky dull darkness which would soon lit up with the brightness of stars, Tanu watched the sky careless about it.

Careless about the stars popping and lighting up the sky as the stars of her sky were already beside her, lighting and filling up her sky with their own brightness. The two shining stars of her life which were enough to provide the light required to keep her sky lightened up forever. And she couldn't be more happier about it.

***

Hello everyone!!

Biggest update till now!! How was it??

Aman made Kanishka agree to not quit the team. But do you think they can work as a team?

Will they become friends after this or the problems between them will only intensify?

To know, stay tuned. Meet you all in the new chapter, till then

<Bye,Tc♥️>