Chapter 1
Kashvi Roy

Morning sunlight slipped softly through the curtains, resting gently on her face.

Kashvi stirred under her blanket, brows knitting slightly as the warmth nudged her awake. A faint voice followed.

“Kashu… wake up, you’ll be late.”

Her mother’s voice.

Kashvi blinked her eyes open, pushing her round spectacles up the bridge of her nose. Her dusky skin glowed under the soft light, her messy hair falling across her face as she sat up lazily.

“Five minutes…” she murmured.

“Not even one minute,” came the immediate reply, closer this time.

Sia stood by her bed, arms folded but a smile playing on her lips.

Kashvi groaned dramatically before finally dragging herself out of bed.

A while later, she walked into the dining area, dressed in a simple fitted top and high-waisted jeans. Her hair was tied in a loose ponytail, a few strands framing her face. She looked effortlessly put together, though she would never admit it.

“Good morning,” she mumbled, pulling a chair.

Aryan looked up from his newspaper, eyes softening instantly.

“Good morning, Kashu,” he said, his voice carrying that familiar warmth.

Sia placed her breakfast on the table and sat beside Aryan.

But instead of eating peacefully, Aryan leaned slightly closer to Sia, whispering something that made her suppress a smile.

“Stop it,” she muttered under her breath, nudging him lightly.

“I didn’t even say anything,” he replied innocently, though his eyes clearly said otherwise.

Kashvi watched them, narrowing her eyes.

“Seriously? Morning romance session again?” she said dryly, taking a bite.

Aryan chuckled. “Jealous?”

“Disgusted,” she corrected.

Sia laughed softly, shaking her head.

But Aryan wasn’t done. He reached under the table, clearly doing something that made Sia stiffen slightly before glaring at him.

“Aryan…” she warned quietly.

Kashvi noticed.

“Oh my god. Can you both not? I am right here.”

Aryan looked completely unbothered. “You’ll understand when you grow up.”

“I am grown up,” she shot back.

“Not enough,” he smirked.

Before Kashvi could argue further, a loud bike horn echoed from outside.

She froze for a second, then instantly got up.

“Adi.”

Aryan’s expression changed immediately.

“I don’t like that boy,” he muttered.

“He’s my childhood friend,” Kashvi replied casually, grabbing her bag.

“And that is exactly the problem,” Aryan said, frowning.

Before anything could escalate, the front door swung open and in walked Aditya Singh like he owned the place.

“Good morning, people,” he said loudly, flashing his usual carefree grin.

He looked at Kashvi and gave a mock whistle.

“Damn, Kashvi Roy. College is lucky today.”

Kashvi rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the tiny flutter in her stomach.

“Shut up, Adi.”

Aditya turned to Aryan, folding his hands dramatically.

“Well, Mr. Roy, your daughter is actually hot.”

The room went silent.

Aryan slowly lowered his newspaper, his gaze sharp.

“Say that again.”

But before things could go south, Kashvi grabbed Aditya’s arm.

“Bye, mom,” she said quickly.

“Bye, Kashu,” Sia smiled, clearly amused.

“Come on,” Kashvi whispered urgently, dragging Aditya outside.

Within seconds, the bike roared to life and they were gone.

Aryan stood there, staring at the door like he had just lost a battle.

“I don’t like him,” he repeated.

Sia leaned against the table, watching him with a teasing smile.

“He’s her friend, Aryan. Relax.”

“He called her hot.”

“He was teasing.”

Aryan shook his head. “Make sure he keeps his distance from my Kashu.”

Sia walked closer, placing her hand gently on his chest.

“She’s not a little girl anymore.”

“I know that,” he sighed.

Before he could continue, Sia leaned in and placed a quick kiss on his lips, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Aryan blinked, momentarily stunned.

And just like that, his irritation softened into something else entirely.

Sia smiled knowingly.

Ch 2- FIGHT

Morning at college always felt the same.

Crowded corridors, loud voices, people rushing to classes.

But for Kashvi Roy, it never really started… until she saw him.

She adjusted her spectacles and walked toward her classroom, books held close to her chest.

And right on time…

“Where are you going without me?”

Aditya voice came from behind after parking his bike.Before she could react, her notebook was already in his hand.

“Adi, give it back.”

He flipped through the pages casually. “Let me see how much you studied. Topper vibes.”

“Stop it,” she said, trying to grab it.

He lifted it higher, out of her reach, a teasing smile on his face.

“By the way…”

He paused, looking at her properly.

Kashvi stilled.

“You look good today.”

Her fingers froze mid-air.

“Bas aaj?” she asked, trying to sound normal.

He shrugged. “No, but today… extra.”

And just like that, he handed her the notebook and walked ahead like he hadn’t just changed her entire mood.

Kashvi stood there for a second.

Then quietly followed him.

In class, she tried to focus.

Tried.

But every few minutes, her mind replayed it.

You look good today.

She hated how easily he affected her.

Canteen was louder than usual.

Aditya was already there with his friends, laughing at something.

Kashvi walked in slowly, holding her tray.

“Bro, that senior from commerce… she is into you,” one of his friends said.

Aditya leaned back casually. “Haan, she is nice.”

Kashvi stopped for a second.

Just a second.

Then she walked to their table like nothing happened.

“Move,” she said, sitting beside him.

He looked at her. “Late.”

“Class.”

“Excuses,” he smirked.

She forced a small smile and started eating.

“Chale after this?” he asked.

She nodded.

Like always.

Like nothing was wrong.

Later that day, near the parking area…

Kashvi was waiting for him, scrolling through her phone.

Suddenly, someone came close.

Too close.

“Madam, waiting for your hero?” a boy from another group said, smirking.

She stepped back slightly. “Mind your business.”

He laughed. “Attitude dekho. Specs wali.”

Another one joined. “Adi ke saath rehke khud ko heroine samajhne lagi hai.”

Kashvi’s grip on her phone tightened.

“Say that again.”

The voice came from behind.

Cold. Sharp.

Aditya.

Both boys turned.

“What will you do?” one of them said mockingly.

Next second, Aditya punched him.

Hard.

Everything happened too fast.

The other boy tried to push him back, but Aditya didn’t stop.

Another punch.

Another.

People started gathering.

“Kashvi, your friend is going crazy,” someone said.

Her heart dropped.

She ran.

By the time she reached, the crowd had formed a circle.

And in the center…

Aditya.

Angry. Uncontrolled.

“Adi stop it!” she shouted.

He didn’t.

She pushed through, grabbed his arm.

“Adi, bas!”

He froze.

His breathing heavy, fists still clenched.

Then slowly, he looked at her.

The anger in his eyes softened.

“Leave it,” she said, quieter now.

For a moment, he just stared at her… then let go.

The other boy stumbled back, escaping the situation.

The crowd started to disperse.

Kashvi turned to Aditya.

His knuckles were bruised. His lip slightly cut.

“Are you out of your mind?” she said, her voice trembling.

“He deserved it,” Aditya replied, wiping the blood casually.

“What did he say?”

“Nothing important.”

She looked at him.

That was a lie.

“Come with me,” she said.

“I am fine.”

“Adi.”

He sighed. “Okay.”

The bike ride was silent.

Kashvi held his arm tighter than usual.

Not because she wanted to.

Because she was scared.

They entered her house.

Aryan looked up immediately.

One glance at Aditya, and his expression darkened.

“What happened?”

“Nothing, sir,” Aditya said casually.

Kashvi glared. “Nothing?”

Sia walked in, concern clear on her face.

“Kashu, what is this?”

“He got into a fight,” Kashvi said, pulling Aditya to sit.

“I told you, it’s nothing,” he muttered.

“Sit quietly.”

She brought the first aid box and sat in front of him.

Close.

Very close.

Her fingers gently cleaned the cut on his lip.

He winced.

“Don’t move.”

“I am not moving,” he said softly, watching her.

“You fight like this often?” she asked.

“Only when needed.”

“And today?”

He looked at her for a second.

Then said quietly, “Someone said something about you.”

Her hand stopped.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He smiled slightly. “Handled it, didn’t I?”

Her heart tightened.

“You shouldn’t do this.”

“You shouldn’t let people talk about you,” he replied.

Their eyes met.

A moment stretched between them.

She felt it deeply.

He didn’t.

From across the room, Aryan watched everything.

The closeness. The way she leaned in. The way Aditya looked at her.

His jaw tightened.

“I don’t like this,” he muttered.

Sia smiled softly. “She cares.”

“Too much.”

“Done,” Kashvi said, pulling her hand back.

Aditya stood up.

“Thank you, Dr. Kashvi Roy.”

She rolled her eyes. “Shut up.”

He looked at Aryan with a teasing grin.

“Sir, your daughter is dangerous. Got me into a fight.”

Aryan’s gaze turned sharp. “Mind your words.”

Before things escalated, Kashvi spoke.

“Dad, please.”

Aryan looked at her.

“He fought for me.”

Silence.

That one sentence softened the air slightly.

“That still doesn’t justify this,” Aryan said.

“I know. But he didn’t start it.”

Aditya glanced at her, a flicker of something in his eyes.

After a moment, he picked up his helmet.

“I should go.”

As he passed Kashvi, he tapped her head lightly.

“Take care, Kashu.”

She smiled softly.

“You too.”

He left.

Just like that.

Like it was normal.

Kashvi stood there, watching the door.

Her fingers still remembered the warmth of his skin.

Her heart still held onto his words.

Every small thing he said.

Every careless touch.

For him, it meant nothing.

For her… it meant everything.

CH 3 unseen

The next day felt… normal.

At least, that’s what Kashvi told herself.

Same campus. Same corridors. Same noise.

Same him.

“Move,” Aditya said, sliding into the seat beside her before she could even react.

Kashvi didn’t look at him. “You’re late.”

“Worth it,” he replied casually.

She raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

He leaned closer, lowering his voice slightly. “There’s a new girl.”

Kashvi paused.

Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten.

“Oh,” she said, pretending it meant nothing.

“She joined commerce stream. Rohini. You’ve seen her?”

Kashvi shook her head, even though she had. A glimpse in the corridor. Soft features. Confident smile.

“Set karwa de,” he said suddenly.

She blinked. “What?”

“Set me up with her,” he repeated, like it was the most normal thing.

Kashvi stared at him.

“You’re serious?”

“Yeah,” he grinned. “You know everyone. Help me.”

For a second, she couldn’t speak.

Her throat felt dry.

He’s asking you to set him up with someone else.

Her fingers tightened around her pen.

“Why me?” she asked quietly.

“Because you’re my best friend,” he said easily.

That word hit harder than anything.

Best friend.

She looked at him.

He looked so normal. So casual. Like he hadn’t just shaken something inside her.

“Okay,” she said after a moment.

Her voice sounded steady.

Even though everything inside her wasn’t.

That evening, she stood in front of the mirror longer than usual.

Her reflection stared back.

Dusky skin. Soft eyes behind her spectacles.

“Best friend,” she whispered to herself.

A small, bitter smile formed.

“Of course.”

The next day…

Kashvi spotted Rohini near the stairs.

She walked up to her.

“Hi, you’re new, right?”

Rohini smiled warmly. “Yeah. Rohini.”

“I’m Kashvi.”

A few minutes of casual conversation.

Simple. Easy.

Kashvi noticed everything.

Rohini was sweet. Friendly. Effortlessly charming.

The kind of girl people liked instantly.

The kind of girl Aditya would like.

“Actually…” Kashvi hesitated for a second.

Then forced herself to continue.

“My friend wants to talk to you.”

Rohini tilted her head. “Friend?”

Kashvi nodded. “Aditya.”

Recognition flashed in Rohini’s eyes. “Oh… I’ve seen him.”

Of course you have.

“He’s… nice,” Kashvi added quietly.

Rohini smiled. “Okay.”

That was it.

Simple.

Done.

Kashvi walked away before she could change her mind.

“Ho gaya?” Aditya appeared beside her out of nowhere.

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“And?”

“She’s nice.”

He grinned. “Good. When are we talking?”

“She said okay.”

His smile widened.

“Best,” he said, lightly bumping her shoulder.

“Thanks, Kashu.”

She forced a smile.

“Anytime.”

Later that day…

Kashvi entered the classroom.

And froze.

Aditya was already there.

But not in his usual seat.

Not beside her.

He was sitting next to Rohini.

Leaning slightly toward her, talking, smiling.

The same smile.

The same tone.

The same… everything.

The things he used to do with her.

Her steps slowed.

For a moment, she just stood there.

Watching.

Rohini laughed at something he said.

Aditya smiled back, relaxed, effortless.

Kashvi looked at the empty seat beside them.

Her seat.

Not anymore.

She walked quietly to the back and sat down.

No one noticed.

Not even him.

The lecture started.

Kashvi opened her notebook.

But the words on the board blurred.

Her eyes kept drifting.

To them.

He leaned closer to Rohini, explaining something.

She nodded, listening.

He smiled again.

Kashvi’s grip on her pen tightened.

He used to sit like that with me.

He used to talk like that with me.

Her chest felt heavy.

She forced her eyes back to her notebook.

Focus.

Just focus.

But her mind didn’t listen.

After class, Aditya walked up to her like everything was normal.

“Kashu.”

She looked up.

“Hmm?”

“Coming?” he asked.

She shook her head. “You go.”

He frowned slightly. “Why?”

“I have notes to finish.”

He shrugged. “Okay. Don’t study too much.”

He left.

Just like that.

No second thought.

Kashvi watched him walk back to Rohini.

And together, they walked out.

She stayed back.

Empty classroom.

Silence.

Finally, she let out the breath she had been holding.

Her eyes burned.

But she didn’t cry.

Not here.

Not now.

She laughed softly to herself instead.

“Of course he doesn’t see it,” she whispered.

“How would he?”

She was the one who helped him.

The one who said okay.

The one who smiled through it.

Because she was his best friend.

And that was all she had ever been.

That evening, her phone buzzed.

Aditya.

Adi: Reached home?
Adi: Rohini is nice
Adi: Thanks again

Kashvi stared at the screen.

Her fingers hovered for a second.

Then she typed.

Kashvi: Good

She put the phone aside.

And for the first time…

She didn’t wait for his next message.

But her heart still did.