Hello beautiful peoples here is the third chapter enjoy reading♡♡
After the Match:
The match had ended, but the energy lingered in the air like leftover fireworks.
Yash was being pulled into high-fives, group hugs, and shoulder slaps from excited teammates. But his eyes kept drifting toward the edge of the field-toward one particular pair of glasses and an annoyed pout.
Shivani sat cross-legged, squinting at her phone.
"You're still grumpy?" Meera teased, popping a piece of gum into her mouth.
"Main grumpy lag rahi hoon ya hoon?" Shivani replied dramatically.
"A little bit of both," Meera said with a smirk.
Just then, Rohan flopped down beside them, all sweaty and breathless. "Meeraaaa, did you see my goal assist?" he asked, trying to act casual but clearly fishing for praise.
"I saw your lost puppy eyes more than your gameplay," Meera shot back without missing a beat.
Rohan clutched his heart. "Oof! Critical hit. Tumhara sarcasm toh headshot deta hai."
Meera laughed. "Bas bas, zyada filmy banne ki zarurat nahi."
Nearby, Yash finally walked over, a water bottle in one hand and a towel slung over his shoulder. "Chashmish," he said, lowering his sunglasses to look at Shivani. "Aankh toh theek hai na?"
Shivani narrowed her eyes. "Doctor ban gaye ho kya tum?"
Yash shrugged, sitting beside her, just close enough to make her aware. "Nahi, par tumhari aankhein dekhne layak toh hai."
There was a pause. Meera and Rohan exchanged a knowing look. Shivani stared at Yash.
"Cheesy," she muttered. "Very cheesy."
Yash grinned. "You love cheese."
She rolled her eyes-but didn't move away.
Meera whispered to Rohan, "Bas ab ye dono kab official honge, yeh dekhna baaki hai."
Rohan smirked. "Pehle tu mujhe ek chance de de, phir baat karenge."
Meera blinked. "Kya?"
Rohan smiled innocently. "Kuch nahi."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting golden light over the group, the school bell rang in the distance. Slowly, students began heading back inside. But the four of them lingered-laughing, teasing, throwing harmless jabs-because somewhere in all the chaos, the ground had become more than a field.
It had become a memory.
Later that day, as classes continued, Mr. Sharma's English lecture echoed through the classroom. Shivani was deep in concentration, while Yash, clearly bored, scanned the room. He rolled up a piece of paper and, without missing a beat, threw it at Shivani's head.
She turned around, checking who had thrown it at her. Her gaze landed on him, and she gave him a sharp look before throwing the same paper back at his face. The class fell into a long silence. Rohan and Karan struggled to control their laughter.
Yash's face contorted with rage. He started throwing more rolled-up papers at her. Shivani didn't back down and threw the same paper back at him. What had started as a lecture now felt like a circus.
Mr. Sharma placed his hand on his head in frustration, while the other students began hooting, enjoying the impromptu show.
Shivani yelled, "You stupid Yash Parsh! How dare you, monkey donkey?"
Yash smirked. "Yes, Chashmish, don't yell at me," he teased, his eyes flicking to her small, angry nose and big brown eyes. He almost laughed-she looked cute when she was angry, and he secretly enjoyed making her upset.
Mr. Sharma's voice rang out, silencing the classroom. "Enough, you two! Stop fighting like children!"
Shivani raised her voice in protest. "Sir, saari galti yash ki hai!"
Yash immediately put on an innocent expression. "Sir, do you really think I'd do something like that?" he said, mimicking Shivani's voice. "What would I even do?"
Mr. Sharma gave both of them punishment and sent them out of the class.
"Go and stand outside!"
They both stood outside. Shivani immediately glared at Yash.
"This is all because of you, Yash."
Yash smirked. "Chashmish, chill. Itna kyun gussa kar rahi ho?"
She sighed in frustration. "Shut up, monkey."
He grinned. "Main monkey hoon? Aur tu Chashmish."
Irritated, she turned her face away. They both stood silently like that.
Their gaze landed on a group of little kids running through the corridor, laughing and playing. Yash broke the silence.
"Yeh moments... those childhood days were so precious, right? Back then we used to think about growing up, going to college. But now, it feels like childhood was better-carefree, tension-free. Hum kitne khush rehte the."
Shivani nodded. "Yes... but that's life, na? It doesn't wait. We have to keep walking forward and see where it leads us."
"And jab tak hume samajh aata hai how life actually works, we're just... standing still and watching," Yash added.
They looked at each other quietly.
"Yes... life won't ever be the same," Shivani said softly.
Then she suddenly looked at him and made a face. "Anyways, tum itni serious baatein kyun kar rahe ho today?" She stuck her tongue out. "Bade aaye, badi badi baatein karne wale! Tumhari wajah se mujhe punishment mili hai, Yash!"
He turned to her. "Agar maine ek baar paper throw kiya, toh tumhe wapas throw karna zaruri tha?"
She nodded confidently. "Yes. And there we go again..."
They both started bickering all over again.
"Yash, I swear, I'll punch you. Shakal bigaad dungi!"
He glared at her. "Aur main tumhara haal behaal kar dunga."
"Oh really? Aur main yahan dekhti rahungi? 'Ayein Yash babu, aapko jo karna hai kariye'-you think I'll say that? Yash Parsh!"
Yash smirked again. "Is that so, Chashmish?"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Yash."
He muttered under his breath, "You, Shivani."
She nodded slightly. "Yes, Yash."
Their eyes locked in a sharp glare, tension crackling in the air between them.
Just then, Mr. Sharma stepped out of the classroom.
"Enough, both of you! Come inside," he said with a sigh of frustration.
They entered quietly and settled into their seats.
Meera leaned toward Shivani. "Shivi?"
"Yes, Meera?" Shivani responded.
Meera frowned. "You know, you never used to talk this much."
Shivani blinked, surprised. Meera was right. This version of herself felt unfamiliar-even to her.
Meera smiled softly. "I'm happy you're finding your way back."
But Shivani stiffened, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face.
"No, Meera... I can't," she said, voice low.
Meera, sensing the weight behind those words, didn't press any further.
Meanwhile, Yash sat down, only to be greeted by Rohan and Karan's teasing.
"Yash, since when did you become such a tyrant?" (jalad) Karan joked.
Yash stared at them, deadpan. "Seriously? You think I'm a jalad?"
He glared, and the boys laughed.
After class, the trio retreated to their usual spot behind the school garden-their secret heaven.
Yash leaned back, eyes on the open sky. Birds soared overhead.
"That's life," he said. "No destination-just the will to fly high."
Karan nodded. "Yeah, everyone's journey is different. Speaking of which, you both should come with me today. My cousin's wedding-what do you say?"
The three looked at each other and smiled.
"Of course. We'll come," they said in unison.
A calm silence followed. In it, they found peace.
Each held a different story-untold and unfolding.
But time, as always, would reveal all.
They had been best friends since childhood-Yash, Rohan, and Karan.
No matter the situation, they had stuck together.
That loyalty was what made their friendship legendary.
They weren't just friends; they were family.
Elsewhere in the corridor, Shivani and Meera walked side by side, talking.
"Yaar Shivi, why isn't there any drama in my life?" Meera sighed dramatically.
Shivani giggled. "You're too much, Meera."
"I mean, come on-I'm so cute!"
Shivani laughed again. "Yes, my bestie, you are."
They, too, had been best friends since childhood.
Meera knew everything about Shivani-her family, her struggles, even her sister's behavior.
She never left Shivani's side, not because she had to, but because she wanted to.
She knew Shivani needed someone, even if she never said it.
And Meera had promised herself-Shivani would never be alone.
Not on her watch.
They giggled, their laughter echoing down the hallway, and disappeared around the corner-just two girls, carrying years of memories and unspoken strength.
After the Bell
As the classes ended, the school buzzed with the chatter of students. The soft sound of rain echoed through the halls.
Meera and Shivani looked at each other.
"Hum ghar kaise jayenge?" Meera asked, concerned.
Without a word, Rohan came over and stood beside her.
"I'll drop you," he offered.
Meera glared at him. "No thanks. I don't need it."
Shivani tried to hide her smile. She knew Rohan liked Meera.
Shivani turned to the rain, a strange mixture of calm and happiness blooming inside her.
Just then, Yash and Karan walked over.
Yash looked at her. "Chashmish, umbrella doon? Yahan kyun khadi ho? Ab yeh mat sochna koi prince aayega aur tumhe apni baahon mein lekar chala jayega."
She glared at him. "Kyun, tumhe koi problem hai agar main yahan hoon?" she muttered. "Junglee."
Yash replied coolly, "Aur tum, junglee chashmish."
Rohan and Karan exchanged looks and shook their heads, used to the constant banter between the two.
Karan stepped in. "Guys, let me drop you. Dad's car is here to pick me up."
Rohan smirked. "Teri car khud chal ke kaise aa gayi?"
Karan rolled his eyes. "Chup kar, saale."
Meera sighed at their lame jokes. "Okay, drop us."
Shivani and Meera walked toward the school gate.
The car started. Yash, Karan, and Rohan sat in the front, while Shivani and Meera took the back seat.
The ride was quiet, peaceful. Yash stared out the window, lost in thought.
Karan finally broke the silence. "Guys, tum dono itne silent kyun ho?"
Shivani replied, "Haan, hum kuch bolenge toh kisi ko acha nahi lagega," clearly referring to Yash.
Yash turned to her. "Par kahaan tum apna muh khol chuki ho, aur yeh band hone se raha."
Shivani narrowed her eyes. "Main apne muh ke saath haath bhi chalati hoon. Aur woh seedha tumhare gaal par lagega."
Yash scoffed. "Jaise mujhe pata hi nahi tha ki tum haath bhi chalati ho."
He laughed, which made her even more annoyed.
"Guys, stop," Rohan cut in.
"Meera, Shivani-your stop is here."
Yash muttered under his breath, "Acha hua aa gaya, warna car ko hi apna ghar bana leti."
Shivani snapped, "Mujhe koi shauk nahi hai kisi aur ki car ko apna ghar banane ka. Infact, I have a home."
Yash replied, "As if I didn't know."
She sighed in frustration as they both got down from the car.
"Thanks, Karan, for dropping us," Meera said.
As the car drove away, Shivani sighed in relief.
Meera looked at her and giggled. "Relax, Shivi."
Shivani nodded, but her gaze lifted toward her house. Her eyes froze.
There, on the balcony, stood her father-his face dark with anger.
Fear-sharp and sudden-flashed across her face.
Meera followed her gaze.
She knew that face all too well.
She squeezed Shivani's shoulder. "Shivi, main chalti hoon. Let me go talk-"
But Shivani shook her head. "No. Please, just go."
Meera knew Shivani wouldn't let her intervene. She gave her a nod and walked away.
Shivani took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and walked inside.
"SHIVANIIIII!" her father, Raj, bellowed, making her flinch.
"Kaun the woh log? Kiski car thi? Tumhe koi sharam nahi hai?"
"Dad, they were just my classmates," she tried to explain. "It was raining, they dropped us off-"
But Raj's face twisted in rage. "Agar woh bolenge to tum unke saath chal dogi?"
Her mother, Vinita, joined in. She had heard everything but still began scolding, as if it were Shivani's fault.
Shivani stood still, silently taking it all in. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Don't start crying now!" Raj shouted.
"Dad, trust me. I didn't do anything wrong," she whispered.
Raj muttered, "Whatever."
"We have a wedding to attend today. Be ready by 8. Don't be late. Now go change."
"And after that, do the housework. Now get out of my sight!"
She flinched and rushed to her room.
"She's too much," Priya muttered.
Shivani closed the door and lay on her bed, tears escaping silently.
Not because she had done something wrong-but because her own parents always doubted her.
She stared at the ceiling, then wiped her eyes.
With a sigh, she changed into a pink kurti with delicate embroidery, paired it with jeans, and tied her hair into a neat bun. She folded her school uniform properly and placed it aside.
Then she went downstairs and began doing her chores.
She cleaned her parents' room, then her sister Naina's room. Finally, she entered the kitchen and began chopping vegetables.
The aroma of her cooking soon filled the house.
Even amid the chaos, she found peace in cooking.
She smiled as she tasted the dish.
"I think I'm my food's biggest fan," she muttered to herself.
The smile faded quickly, though, as a realization hit her: no one
appreciated her efforts.
Sighing again, she cleaned up and returned to her room, quiet and unseen.
Thank you♡♡
Like and comment yours thoughts about this chapter.
Any guess why her family behaves with her like this
Did you like there friendship?
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