Hello everyone... I hope you guys are doing well 😌... So here i am with another chapter.. i hope you will like it .. please do follow me on instagram for spoiler.. 💗💗

................................................................

NMV High School, Pune

Neha sat at her wooden desk, her chin resting on her palm. Her body was in the classroom, but her soul was drifting out the window. Down on the dusty playground, the girls' football team was practicing. She watched the ball soar, her heart racing with every kick. She could almost feel the wind on her face and the adrenaline in her veins.

"Are you done admiring, or is there still something left to see?"

The sharp voice snapped the thread of her daydream. Neha jumped, her face flushing crimson. "I’m... I’m so sorry, Ma'am," she whispered, bowing her head in disappointment. The teacher sighed and continued the lecture, but Neha couldn't focus on the chalkboard anymore.

Half an hour later, as the bell rang, Neha was silently packing her bag when her teacher, Mrs. Megha, called her aside.

"Neha," she said, her voice softening. "I know you love sports and dance. But I also know your parents. I’m sorry for being stern in class, but I remember how your father argued with the dance teacher last time. He should be proud of your talent, not disappointed by it."

Neha gave a small, sad smile. "I know, Ma'am. And please, don't apologize. You’re my teacher; you have every right to guide me."

As Mrs. Megha walked into the hallway, she met her colleague, Mrs. Nita. "You look tense, Megha. What happened?"

"It’s about Neha," Megha sighed. "She’s a brilliant student—the kind who is good at everything. But her parents... it’s heartbreaking. Who behaves like that? If I had a daughter like her, I’d thank God every day. Her father’s narrow mentality is stifling her. I honestly wished I was a police officer when he was shouting; I would have arrested him for the way he treats that girl."

"Some people never change," Nita whispered. "I just hope she achieves everything she dreams of one day."

At lunch, Neha sat in the school garden, staring at her tiffin. Her friend Riya walked over and sat beside her. "You okay? I thought you’d be upset after being called out."

"I'm fine, Riya," Neha replied.

"Can I ask you something?" Riya hesitated. "Why is your Papa so strict? Everyone was praising your dance at the meeting, and he just... he looked so angry. He didn't even want to listen. I'm sorry if I'm overstepping, but I feel bad for you."

Neha looked at the grass, her fingers tracing the edge of her tiffin box. "He’s just... not very open-minded. But he loves me. Anyway, let’s eat, or the break will end!"

Lexicon International School

The atmosphere here was worlds apart. It was Parent-Teacher Meeting day, and the air-conditioned hall was filled with well-dressed families.

"Naksh is an extraordinary student, Mr. and Mrs. Rajvanshi the Math teacher said, handing over a flawless report card. "He’s at the top of the class in every subject and excels in sports too. He is very obedient."

"Thank you, Sir," Naksh’s mother, Vishakha, said with a proud smile.

Outside, Naksh was waiting with a restless energy. He spotted his best friend and nudged him. "Veer! Come on, man. Our parents are calling. When will you stop being so distracted?"

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Veer laughed, running toward their parents.

"Hello, bade papa! Hi, maa!" Naksh greeted Veer’s parents with a bright, sweet smile.

"Vishu maa , you look so cute today!" Veer teased naksh's mother, earning a playful glare.

"Shaitan!" she laughed, pulling both boys into a hug. "My two sons are the best. Come on, it’s treat time. Let's go for lunch!"

As the two families walked toward their luxury cars, Naksh looked back at the school one last time, his life feeling perfect, unaware of the shadows was casting from behind the scenes.

Rathore Villa

The silence in the villa was heavy, suffocating.

"Mumma, please... just have some soup," Aryan pleaded. He was only a boy, but his eyes were filled with the exhaustion of a man.

"I don't want anything, Aru," Garima whispered, her eyes red from crying. "You're late for school. Go."

"I'm not leaving you like this. Please, Mumma. If not for yourself, then eat for Aayu Didi," Aryan said, his voice trembling.

At the mention of her daughter’s name, Garima looked up at Ayukta’s framed photograph on the wall. A fresh sob escaped her. "What was my daughter’s fault? Why her?"

Aryan felt the sting in his own eyes. Losing an elder sister was a living hell, but he had to be the pillar for his mother. He couldn't lose her too. "Mumma, I’m begging you... for Didi’s sake."

Garima finally nodded, and Aryan slowly fed her. Once she finished, he took his bag and headed downstairs. He met his Dadi, Kaveri, in the hall. "She ate, Dadi. Please make sure she sleeps."

But the moment Aryan left, Kaveri went upstairs to check on Garima. When she pushed the door open, her heart nearly stopped. Garima was standing there, a sharp blade in her hand, her eyes vacant.

"GARIMA!" Kaveri screamed, rushing forward and knocking the blade out of her hand. "What were you doing?! Think of your son!"

"I don't want to live, Maa! Please... let me go to my daughter!" Garima collapsed into Kaveri's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Later, after Garima had finally cried herself to sleep, Kaveri stood before the idol of Sri Ram, tears rolling down her face. "What did we do wrong, Lord? Why are you punishing my children like this?"

A hand touched her shoulder. It was Ravindra. When Kaveri told him what had happened, he froze. His wife—once the life of the house—was trying to end her life. He rushed into the bedroom and saw her standing by the window, staring at the empty sky.

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, pulling her close. "Don't you ever think of me? Or our son? He would break, Garima. I would die without you."

"I can't do this, Ravindra... my Aayu..." she choked out, clutching his shirt.

Ravindra tightened his grip. The nightmare was real, but he wasn't a man who gave up. He made a silent vow: I will bring your smile back, Garima. No matter what it takes...

So let me know how how was the chapter and do support 💗😌.. take care .. bye bye cuties 🥰...