Unexpected

The following days at school was absolutely normal…with the three brothers making a bunch of new friends. They did miss their previous school at Mumbai, but Kolkata had a different vibe of itself. The teachers had been helping them collect notes from everyone, though Shubh had personally told Aditi that, “I’m taking all the notes from you, okay?” , to which the latter’s reply was, “Alright Captain!”

On the other hand, Jagruti had already shared her notes with Lakshya, and had also managed to ask her friend Chanda’s elder brother, Chinmay, who was Agastya's classmate, to help him out. To say that the latter was initially surprised, then touched by her friendly gesture, would be an understatement. He was a very quiet person, while Jagruti loved to talk. According to him, any person, let alone her, would find him boring. But he was proved wrong.

During this time, a girl named Mihika Sharma had befriended him. She had seen Agastya with his younger brothers, and truth be told, she possibly had a tiny crush on young Lakshya. Well, it can’t be helped if even at such a young age, he could attract people from the opposite gender. His quiet and introvert nature, along with that serene and calm look, added to his charming personality. It’s only natural if girls found him interesting. Agastya, on the other hand, had a calm and confident personality. He was proud of his family, and his strong and intelligent aura naturally demanded respect. Shubh was a bit different from his brothers. He was cute, funny and loved being surrounded by people. It was his jovial appearance that caught one’s eye.

Mihika had noticed one thing: other than his brothers, and his close friend Jagruti and Varun, the only person Lakshya talked freely with, was Aditi. She had seen how every time the little girl came running towards the team, Lakshya's face lit up. The two of them shared a really beautiful bond. She really wanted to be friends with him the way Aditi was. Hence, befriending his brother. Though she had proved to be a great friend to Agastya as well.

A few months had passed after the three had joined school, and soon it was nearing the end of the session. One day, during break, the whole gang was having their lunch, when Advik turned up. Seeing him, Aditi instinctively clutched Lakshya’s hand, without noticing. Immediately, he gave a tight squeeze to her hand. When she turned towards him with a troubled expression, he blinked at her reassuringly, and she smiled in relief. Agastya looked at him and said, “ Arey Advik, do you want to sit with us?” The latter rolled his eyes and said, “Sorry blue boy, but that’s not what I came for.” That’s when another gang member, Mohit, Agastya’s friend spoke,” If you don’t want to have lunch with us, then what is it?”

Veer’s voice boomed in the lunch room. He spoke, “ I came to talk to Jagruti, of course! Do you think I’m the least bit interested in you guys?” At that moment, Aditi, as well as Agastya , glared at the burly boy. If looks could kill, by now, Advik would have been six feet under. Jagruti got up from her seat and then calmly spoke, “ What is it?” That’s when Advik said,” We have the school annual program in a month. You are going to dance with me.”

It took everyone a whole minute to digest his idea. Aditi was the first one to gain her senses back. She marched to Advik, then poking her finger on his chest, like a gundi (goon- female) said, "Listen you Vanmanush (caveman), you are no one, and I repeat, no one to order my sister. She might be younger than you, and that’s the only reason why you are still alive after dictating her, but trust me, neither I nor our Bhai is like her. I’ll tell bhai how you treat our friends and us, then you’ll know what it means to bully Soham Roy Choudhury’s sisters.” The moment he heard Soham's name, Advik's face ashenned. He managed to croak, “ So…Soham Roy Choudhury is your elder brother?” Seeing his scared expression, the Kapoor brothers and the rest of the gang tried hard to stifle their laughter. Shubh then said, “ Yes! Soham bhai is Jaggu didi and Diti's elder brother. By now I think you already know his temper.”

But suddenly, Advik’s expression changed. He smiled way too sweetly at Jagruti and said smugly, “ Well actually, that’s a good thing. I know Soham bhaiyaa personally. He won’t mind me.” From a distance, seeing her friend staring at someone with rage, Mihika decided to go and check the matter. Walking in to the scene, she spoke,” Arey! Why are you all standing? Don’t you want to finish your lunch or what?” That’s when she noticed Advik, as he looked to his side to see the source of a soft voice that carried a hint of concern. And bam! Something happened. As if a bell rang somewhere.

Both of them kept looking at each other for a couple of seconds, after which Advik gave her an unusually charming smile, then forwarded his hand and said in a natural, yet cool voice, “ Hi….I’m Advik Chauhan. May I know the name of the sweet angel who just came into the scene?” His line made Mihika blush slightly, and she said smiling, “Hello. I’m Mihika Sharma. It’s a pleasure meeting you.”

The cute exchange made Agastya raise his eyebrows, while Lakshya and Shubh whispered to each other at the same time, “Oye yeh ho kya raha hai!?” (what is even happening!?) Remembering that they have an audience, who were looking at them with a baffled expression that screamed “explain”, Mihika cleared her throat and tried coming up with something, “ Vo my Papa said that making new friends is good for health….hehehe.” She of course was confused with the way her heart was thumping loudly, as if it wanted to jump out of her chest. Same was with Advik. But he knew one thing in this couple of minutes, and that was: he did not want to dance with Jagruti anymore. Because he had found Mihika, his barbie doll.

Watching the duo, Aditi sighed in relief. Whew! No more having to protect her Di from this weirdo! She sent a silent prayer to her Mahadev as a 'thank you' for sending Mihika on time.

"I've to get Mihika didi a gift for saving Di. Hmm... let's go home and ask mumma for help." mused the little girl.