l
Tapping his feet, checking his watch with every passing second he grew impatient. His eyes searched for the one his heart was going berserk without, without whom peace was somwhere lost.

Watching her finally come, his eyes filled with a thousand of sparks, she looked gorgeous as she walked up straight towards him, increasing his heart beat with every step she took closer forming a small lump in his throat as he looked down nervous not able to match her gaze anymore.

Closing down the distance, standing right in front of him, she looked up to his bent head which slowly raised looking deep into her eyes, bringing a sudden calmness inside him, taking over his racing heart as he stared foregetting everything.

Gulping down the lump forming in his throat, he opened his mouth to say something but ended up failing miserably looking down watching their bodies inches away from one another, the close approximity taking his nervousness and excitement to all new level.

The Aman who was scared of nothing, who feared nobody, today looked helpless in front of Kanishka.

A smile escaped his lips as he watched her standing on her toes to match his height, shaking his head grinning he looked back at Kanishka who smiled taking his name with all the sweetness of this world in her voice

"Aman..."

"Yes!"

"I wanted to tell you something!", Kanishka looked down saying it before gazing back to Aman who smirked wide asking

"Yes?"

"Those 3 magical words which I wanted to tell you from very long!!", Kanishka said looking directly into Aman's eyes which filled with an unknown happiness, as he blinked back his curiosity asking dramatically

"Which 3 magical words?"

Kanishka gazed down shy and then looked up playing a grin on her face opened her mouth only to pull it back close, hiding her face in her palms feeling extremely shy to face him who grinned letting out a chuckle before holding both her hands removing it from her face looking into her eyes deep whispering in an erotic voice

"Pleaseeee?"

"Okay, so the 3 magical words are!!!", Kanishka gestured from her hands asking him to bring his ear closer making Aman laugh and then bend his head taking his ear near her mouth, unable to wait any more to hear it from her mouth.

"Wake up Idiot!!!!!!!", Aman flinched at the loud yell in his ears getting up quick spinning his head all around the room panicked with his hand on his heart trying to calm his scared self. Finding himself safe and in his room realizing it was all part of a dream, he sighed heavily.

Turning his head he found his mom staring at him making him flinch at her menacing look, as he muttered

"Mom??"

"What mom?? Have you checked what time it is?? You are getting late! And besides what were you murmuring huh 3 magical words??", His mom enquired making him look down biting his tongue under his teeth, mentally facepalming himself.

As he searched for an answer, his eyes fell on the whisk in his mom's hand, bringing a smirk on his face as he had found a way out of this, answering quick

"I am getting late, I don't have time for this, besides it looks like you were making something Mom". He pointed at the whisk in her hand, and only then she got reminded that she had kept the cake for baking in the oven, making her eyes go wide as she disappeared in a flash yelling "Omg, my pan cakes!".

Aman chuckled shaking his head taking a deep breathe of relief having escaped the unthought question. Taking off the blanket, he walked slowly to the bathroom still lost in the thought of his weird dream.

Brushing his teeth in utmost laziness and then standing beneath the shower taking head bath with all his attention somewhere still stuck in his hallucination of his dream, he didn't realise what he picked up in the process of picking shampoo bottle from the shelf, applying it on his head without giving it a proper look.

Rubbing the towel on his wet hair getting done with a quick bath he came out of the bathroom standing in front of mirror checking out himself with a "I look so handsome" kind of smirk on his face he passed his hand through his wet hair to find it very silky all of a sudden. Thinking the wetness of his hair, the reason behind the same he chucked taking out his school uniform dressing himself in,  leaving the hair for drying.

Wearing his favorite black fastrack watch, getting done with readying Aman checked out himself again on the mirror running the comb over his hair to find it not setting up properly inspite of his trials, and only then doubts started creeping his mind as he touched his hair smelling his fingers making his eyes go wide as he whisper yelled

"Detttollll???????"

Running quick inside the bathroom, looking around his eyes fell on the hand wash bottle which had its lid open, making him facepalm himself groaning, as he had habit of leaving the bottle lid open after using and it was clear he used hand wash instead of shampoo.

Punching the wall irritated, he moved back to the mirror trying to set his hair fine in his usual style, but nothing seemed to work out.

After wasting 10 long minutes just to style his hair up properly, he managed to set his hair somewhat in his usual style but it still looked like a mess bringing in the thoughts of skipping school today. He was almost ready to take his uniform off when he got reminded of the practice starting  from today for the competition making him rub his temple frustrated.

Here the question was no more about his hair or his looks, but it was for the scholarship of Tanu which he couldn't put into risk at any cost. Taking a deep breathe he went downstairs for the breakfast in spite of his bad hair, at last the love for Tanu was much intense and bigger than his own ego.

The breakfast had yummy pan cakes, which he ate it in all delight. At last who doesn't like pan cakes..?

His hair looked messy and different from other days which didn't go unnoticed from his mom who asked wondering

"What's up with your hair?"

"Nothing much, just that I didn't comb properly", Aman lied realizing it was easier than explaining the actual reason which he surely couldn't tell his mom or anyone else.

"You?? Seriously you? I can't believe you are saying that!", His mom asked surprised having known exactly how conscious and careful he was when it comes to his hair making Aman bit his tongue before standing quick shoving the tiffin inside his bag, hanging it on his shoulder he answered looking down

"Yeah, I'm late already, I'm leaving!"

Aman avoided looking up at her eyes knowing well he would be caught lying in no second. Turning behind walking out of the main door, he sat on his cycle and was about to leave when he heard his mom yelling behind from the kitchen

"At least tell me those 3 magical words before leaving!!"

Aman rolled his eyes getting the reference his mom was trying to relate, with an unamused face he turned back looking at his mom who was smirking, yelling

"I hatee yoouuuu"

"Love you too", his mom replied waving her hands at him making him chuckle as he started paddling on his cycle.

Reaching school, he went and sat in his place silently. He could see some girls were looking at him and laughing whispering things in their ears irritating him as he turned giving them a glare making them avert their gazes from him.

"Am I looking like a joker today??", He questioned himself turning back his attention to his maths notebook starting to concentrate his mind on the sum in order to avoid the gazes directed on him. Soon Karan entered the class, late as always, and the first thing which caught his eyes was Aman's hair as he kept his bag down looking at him asking

"What's wrong with your hair today?"

"Is that the only thing you guys can see?", Aman asked irritated balling his hands to fist taking Karan by a surprise who flinched back raising his hands up quick in response

"Okay, okay, chill! I just asked! You can flatter girls with that smile of yours, even when you go bald don't worry!"

Karan said the last part over  dramatically making Aman roll his eyes as he muttered shifting his attention back to his notebook

"Shut up!"

"So what's up with your hair?"

"Nothing much, Just used a different shampoo today!", Aman said running his hand over his neck having his tongue beneath his teeth, he surely couldn't tell Karan the actual reason knowing well how much he would tease him the entire day if he comes to know about the fact that he used hand wash instead of shampoo. But was karan that easily convincing?

Of course, not! Finding Aman's voice void of confidence which sounded more like a guess than an answer, Karan gave him a doubtful look nearing him sniffing his hair making Aman pull back his head instantly replying

"What the hell? It's not the gutter water you use on your hair!! Its a branded Men's shampoo which you surely won't know! So stop sniffing on my hair", Aman smirked trying to trigger Karan so that he forgets the topic of his hair but karan wasn't that dumb to not be able to differentiate between the fragrance of an hand wash and a shampoo.

"That's dettol? Right?"

A confused smile played on Karan's face which soon took form of a wide smirk as Aman lowered his gaze looking around before saying a "No", his words mere whisper.

"Aah haan?? So Dettol is your new branded company which produces shampoo for you alone right?", Karan asked taunting Aman for his words earlier who rolled eyes looking elsewhere.

"Wow, Aman you killed 99.9% of your germs today!!!", Karan bursted into laughter saying making Aman arch his eyebrows.

"So, Mr.Aman, I mean, Mr.Germ Killer , how are you feeling after successfully eliminating 99.9% of the bacteria from your hair while keeping yourself safe from the same?? Please share your views!"

Karan asked acting like a reporter rolled his fist using it as his microphone as he spoke keeping it at a distance below his own mouth and  then taking it near Aman's, who clenched his fist watching him before gritting his teeth looking at Karan replying with an over sweet smile

"Not feeling that great!! Qs the biggest germ of my life is still standing rigjy in front of me asking stupid questions, but nothing to worry as I will eliminate and knock him down too today"

Karan who was laughing earlier, now shut his mouth close hearing the latter part, blinking his eyes at Aman in confusion who didn't give him time to react holding his hand twisting it making Karan wince in pain, twisting it further Aman grit his teeth enjoying the wails of Karan who now turned his back at him of the growing pressure on his hand crying out

"Bhaiii... bhaaai.. sorry sorry..! Aur nai karunga sorry (I won't repeat it again)"

Aman pinned his hand behind behind his back twisting it slightly more gritting his teeth saying

"Masti sujh rahi hai huh..? Masti? Yaahan mera sir dard karne laga hai, Masti sujh rahi hai (You are finding it very funny huh?? It's fun to you right? Here my head has started aching, and you are finding it funny?)"

Aman left Karan's hand who groaned rubbing his hand over his hurt hand arching his eyebrows at Aman saying

"Since you are requesting me so much I won't tease you anymore!!", Aman rolled his eyes looking down shaking his head in disbelief running his hand over his temple muttering to himself

"What do I do with him?", Karan flashed him his entire set of teeth. Before any comments could be made further, the English teacher entered the class grabbing all of their attention.

The class everybody loved the most, and why do they not? At last he was among the jolliest teachers of the entire teaching staffs. He was very lively and cracked jokes often while teaching to ease out the mood of the students. He never misses out a single chance to comment and humiliate students who seem very overconfident, rude, or arrogant types. Hence Aman has been his favorite student from the very beginning.

Sir always comments sarcastically at Aman making everyone laugh and inturn Aman replies back to him for which everyone laughs aloud.

Everybody considered Sir as their friend before the teacher, and that was his biggest earning in his teaching career. He laughed along with students, never minded their playful comments, and thus everybody loved him the most. That one class everybody enjoys to the fullest, Nobody disobeys or disrespects sir in any way. And that's why he never minded any fun attracting comments on him as well. Thus was the bond between the teacher and the students.

One of such instances was when Sir was teaching a boring chapter, one of historical importance, which hardly few were interested in. Running his eyes around while he explained, he frowned finding almost the entire class sat drooping their heads, the one boredom-stricken look which he hated the most in his class.

As he wandered his eyes around thinking over something, his eyes fell on Aman who was running his hand over his hair styling it, as he always does between the classes. It wasn't something new, and any other day it would been he would have chucked without a thought, but today was different. A smirk played on his lips as he placed the book on the desk calling out to Aman saying

"Aman, Could you please explain everyone?"

Aman was taken aback listening Sir's words, standing up quickly he questioned

"Sorry sir?".

"No No I don't mean the lesson, But I am asking you to display your hair styling skills! Just the way you were doing it all this time I taught, so why not do it up here? So that everyone can learn a thing or two from you, give some beauty tips as well. Don't you want your classmates to look as good as you?" Sir asked before hand gesturing Aman's moves making those funny faces which cracked the entire class up in split seconds.

Aman face turned crimson red as he bent his head biting his tongue under his teeth in frustration, trying to control his anger but then watching Kanishka who was laughing wantedly a bit more watching him eye her, his fist rolled tight. Looking back at Sir Aman masked his anger with a not so genuine smile replying sarcastically

"I won't really mind explaining it Sir, but is that really worth it to you...?"

Aman smirked stressing on the last words, making everyone broke into fits of laughter in a second. Sir was young and had muscular figure but he was little bald up at front of his head. Hearing Aman's comment which taunted him for the same Sir frowned moving his hand around the balder front of his head making everyone laugh harder.

Getting successful in his motive of lighting everyone mood as the entire laughed whole heartedly even the ones who were seated in boredom earlier, sir smiled before looking up commenting proud

"Enough, enough, I ain't that bald as much as you guys think I am, and besides, I am still your Biology mam's crush, so..".

Sir stressed at the latter part making everyone laugh again and then whoop in joy with a smirk plastered on their faces as the entire class yelled "Ohhh.. hhhoooo" .

He always does this, jokes on Biology ma'am calling himself as her crush, which was evident as she was always grinned looking at him but felt shy to speak anything.

Sir laughed before picking up the book from the desk silencing everyone signalling them that she was just beside their class and the strict she was made everyone go silent in no second and he continued teaching. This was one such funniest incident which speaks enough about English Sir.

Today was no different, classes started with Sir beginning to teach a drama on Ramayana, just by hearing the name of which many yawned while some bent their heads down before even he could start reading, making Sir look at everyone with his eyebrows arched and lips curved up forming an "As expected!" smile as he shook his head.

Aman was already irritated by his hair, and every time someone giggled looking at him, it added more to his anger. Karan patted his shoulder giving him a look "Chuck it",  at which Aman didn't reply but kept his poker face on. His messy hair didn't go unnoticed from Sir and could he really let go of this golden opportunity to piss Aman further?

Definitely not!

"Oh my god Aman, what's up with your hair? Looks like some rats broke into your hair last night?"

Asked Sir laughing, shifting everybody's attention from him to Aman, even the ones who had not noticed Aman before were not laughing at him making him groan clenching his fist tight. Sir's next comment made him go all red in anger

"Sir pe jungle bana ke rakhoge toh janwar toh ghusenge hi (If u grow jungle on your head, obviously animals gonna break inside! Won't they?)" Sir commented laughing making everyone laugh again, Aman laughed sarcastically taking everyone by a surprise reverting back quick

"Haan sir!! Kahaan jaate wo bechare, ab app ke paas toh aa nai sakte, isliye jahan jagah mili chale gaye! (Yeah sir! Those poor ones had nowhere to go and sadly they couldn't even come to you! So they went where they could find some shelter)"

Aman commented shaking his head in disappointment dramatically, making everyone laugh which only doubled looking at Sir who frowned moving his hand on his balder side of his head. His actions never fail to entertain.

Joking and laughing, grabbing everyone's attention back towards him, turning a boring topic into an interesting one, when an hour passed away nobody realised.

***

"What do you think you're doing?", Asked Karan confused watching Aman who took out his own tiffin from his bag shoving it in Karan's bag as the bell rang indicating the lunch break.

"I'm not coming", Aman released a heavy sigh closing the bag's zip pushing the bag near Karan who raised his eyebrows asking

"And can I ask why?"

"I'm not in a good mood!"

"So you really not gonna come for lunch?", Asked Karan surprised and Aman just nods in head in response before turning his head elsewhere looking at which Karan raised his eyebrows and was about to keep hand on his shoulder when a thought struck his mind causing his hands to return from midway as he muttered an "okay" taking Aman by a surprise.

Blinking his eyes Aman grew confused wondering how Karan didn't force him even a bit. Peeking at Karan who now started to leave having hanged the bag on his shoulder already Aman called out to him quick

"You seriously leaving??"

"Yeah!! You only told to do that right?", Karan asked grinning wide to himself before turning back to Aman playing a naive smile with a light shrug of his shoulder.

"I mean yeah, but how can you leave like this?"

"What leave like this? I don't understand you!! First you want me to leave, when I start leaving, you want me to stop, what do you actually want me to do??"

Karan kept his hands on his hip giving Aman a confused look who bit his tongue before running his hand over his temple irritated. Getting up,  walking up to him with a straight face, Aman paused giving Karan an angry look muttering "Get lost!!", before storming out of the door leaving Karan who had his lips rolled in controlling his laughter and watching him stomp out laughed his heart out before shaking his head following him behind grinning.

***

"What's wrong with your hair bhaiya..?"

Asked Tanu wondering making Aman roll his eyes having heard the question umpteen number of times in the day already. Passing her a tired look, releasing a sigh he was about to speak when Karan decided to answer it for him earning a strong glare in reward from Aman.

"Your smart Aman bhaiya can't distinguish between hand wash and shampoo."

"I was sleepy!", Aman covered himself up from embarrassment making Karan look at him with doubtful eyes as he smirked asking

"Or maybe you were lost day dreaming about someone??"

His comment making Aman bite his inner cheeks before quickly masking his scared expressions with excited ones as he exclaimed

"Look what I got!! Pan cakes!!"

Aman whooped in joy opening his tiffin, causing both Karan and Tanu's eyes to go wide shining as they plucked the tiffin out of his hand feasting on it like hungry wolves.

Watching them forget the topic completely, Aman released a sigh of relief before managing to pull out a piece for himself before the two could  finish it off themselves. Laughing at their behaviour, as they fought for each piece, Aman asked snickering

"Now you don't wanna know the reason!!?"

"Later!", Came the reply in an union making him roll his eyes guffawing. His mood was way better, frustration was long gone and was replaced by a smile, a content one of being with the loved ones, ones he loved dearly and deeply.

***

Stepping in the auditorium, they were off to a surprise as Kanishka and Aditi were there already and so was principal sir, looked like the wait was just for the two.

Glancing at each other they walked up to them, wishing sir who greeted them back signalling them to take the seats. Watching the front rows which had 4 seats the corner two of which was already occupied by Aditi and Kanishka, Karan thought he would take the corner most seat but Aman was quick to take it leaving the only option being the seat next to Aditi.

Signalling him to shift the places, Karan raised his eyebrows at Aman  who looked elsewhere ignoring his eyes making him grit his teeth but then listening to principal sir who asked him to take seat quickly, sat quietly beside Aditi who smiled at him making his heartbeat go uneven in a fraction of a second.

Nervousness was what he could feel at that moment, just by the thought of her being next to him was forming a lump in his throat, composing himself was tough but he somehow managed to make himself feel better taking deep breathes.

"Okay, so hoping you guys have no problem in participation as you all are here, I suppose I can go ahead with the competition details, Can I?"

Getting a nod from everybody, Sir continued

"So let me begin from the very beginning! This competition is all about the 2 rounds, the 1st round i.e, the Quiz round is your qualifying round! This round mostly consists of general knowledge based questions and the current affairs, so you can pretty much be assured that there will be no study based questions asked.

I would strongly recommend you all to start reading newspapers daily, get some general knowledge books and also the most important be aware of the ongoing political news.

Now your 2nd round is Skill round, This round will test your Speaking skills, every individual member of the team would be participating in this Pick and Speak round.

It's all about your speaking skills, I hope you all remember that you gonna be facing the 10th standards, so you have to be fluent and flawless to defeat and win this competition.

If u win 3 out of 4 individual rounds then u will be adjuged the winners. But if u win just 2 rounds, and the score ties, then the winner of the competition will be decided based on the winner of the 1st round. So winning the 1st round is very important.

The school pride is in your hands!! The scholarships are in your hands! It's about grabbing and making full out of this opportunity! Winning won't just see you getting this both, but also the pride and prestige with which you will be entering the competition again next year. So that's enough talking. I hope I am clear, Any doubts..??"

As everyone shook their heads in denial before glancing at each other, sir nodded his head continuing

"Okay then, Start practicing for 2nd round, you all are supposed to speak only for 2-3 minutes, so practice accordingly, help rectifying mistakes of each other!

Karan you are the leader so make sure to lead your team well. I have some topics made for pick and speak round, practicing these can help you out immensely! I'm leaving you guys here, practice well! Any help, let me know!"

Saying that principal sir left not before forwarding a bowl full of chits to Karan who kept it on his seat before getting up looking at everyone saying

"Guys!! Can I have your attention please?"

"Wow, a motivational speech from our leader", Kanishka clapped in excitement making Karan bent his head looking at which Aditi held Kanishka's hands signalling her to stop who frowned looking back at Karan who spoke in mere whispers

"Guys, I don't think I can take this!"

"This bowl?? Why? Is it heavy", Asked kanishka wondering making Aman roll his eyes and Aditi facepalm while Karan played a bitter smile reverting

"Yes, it's heavy! But not the bowl but the leadership role!"

"That rhymed", Kanishka was about to exclaim but sensing the seriousness behind his voice, gulped in her words looking back at him who continued

"Nervousness is my synonym, I get nervous even to speak in front of my own classmates, how would I even speak in front of a cheering crowd with the crown of leadership on my head! The stage fear would eat me up, I would be very tensed. How can you expect a panic-stricken person to lead you all in such a tough competition, Isn't that stupid?"

Karan blurted out his feelings which he had been holding within making Aditi and Kanishka to have a glance at each other having no idea what to say.

"If you think, You cannot overcome it, then there's no stupid other than you yourself!! It's not something impossible, you can and you will I bet you. And as far as leadership role is concerned, no one else can play that role better than you"

Aman gave Karan a stern yet confident look, who was surprised hearing him, he hadn't really expected him at least to reply something as such. Hearing him, Kanishka nodded her head speaking next

"True! Leader is not the one who's perfect, but he is the one who leads the team perfect, even we all are not so good in speaking, not at least on stage. So, it's same with everyone here. And speaking about your stage fear, we all will practice together and help u overcome it"

A small smile played across Karan's face which only grew wider when his eyes fell on Aditi who spoke

"Yes Karan, we all will help you, we are together in this!!"

Karan couldn't be more worried now and the words escaped his lips "Thank you, thank you so much guys, I will try my best and will not let you guys down!"

"We are sure you won't!!", Kanishka replied grinning making Karan smile back saying

"Okay, so let's start! Pick your chits up"

Karan gestured towards the bowl, picking a chit for himself. The next was picked up by Aditi, whereas Aman and Kanishka approached the bowl at the same time causing their hands to collide with each. Pulling back their hands they looked at each other frustrated before Kanishka yelled

"Idiottt!! Can't you see I was going to pick up"

Aman raised his eyebrows hearing her replying irritated "Notice diya tha kya uthane se pehle..? (Did you give me some notice before picking up..?)". 

Kanishka eyed him frustrated yelling back at him

"Oh shut up you Monkey-head, You should've waited for your turn! Cuz I'm always first!"

Aman was furious at being called the monkey-head and he reverted quick

"I thought cats were loving and polite, but after meeting you I realize they are irritating and out spoken too!! Such a wild cat!!", Aman spoke with his teeths grit making Kanishka go wild at his comment as she yelled at the top of her voice

"How dare you call me that..??"

"Here they go again", Karan facepalmed shaking his head in disbelief, just before some seconds they were speaking of team work and achieving things together, and now were busy ridiculing each other for literally nothing. Aditi chuckled at Karan's expressions.

Ignoring her words Aman stretched his hand and was about to pick when was slapped on his hand by Kanishka making him drop the chit back again

"Don't you dare, I will pick up first"

"No I will", Aman got up taking the bowl on his hands which was held by Kanishka from the other side as she stood repeating his words.

They started pulling the bowl from both the ends, making Karan and Aditi yell at them to stop. The sudden yell causing them to flinch, resulting in the slip of the bowl from their hands which fell making a sharp noise startling each.

Kanishka was taken aback by the sudden noise and trying to step back in a sudden reaction, she tripped on the seat's leg losing her balance, and was about to fall but Aman was quick to react and caught her before she could.

Grabbing her by her waist as she encircled her hands around his neck, their eyes met causing them to forget breathing for some seconds as they just looked into each other's eyes sending chills down their body as his strong eyes held her naive ones.

Eyes speak more than words, but at that moment all they could listen was a weird feeling trembling inside their heart, which was new as it was the first time their eyes didn't hold anger for each other.

***

Hello everyone..!!

Hope you guys doing good! How was this update..??

At last one cute incident between kanishka and Aman, Will this result in change of their behavior..!?

Do comment your opinion guys..!! PLEASE vote if u like the update, it keeps me motivated to write, write better, better than the earlier!

Meet you all in the next update, and till then

<Bye,Tc💖>