📅 6th September – Devgarh High School
5 a.m. Wake-Up
The alarm rang sharply at 5 a.m. Ishanvi stretched, rubbed her eyes, and shook Raghav awake. Across the hall, Abhay nudged Vaidehi, whispering,
"Time to wake up… 6 a.m. extra classes…"
The four scooters were lined up outside by 5:45. Ishanvi, Abhay, and the rest mounted, bags secured, helmets on. Even at this hour, Simran was waiting near her school gate, ready to join in with her teasing grin.
"Firefly, Ripple, you two look like zombies!" she laughed as they passed.
Abhay stammered, "W-we… we're awake!"
Ishanvi smirked, "See, Ripple? Zombies can be cute."
He turned pink and muttered, "D-don't, Firefly…"
6 a.m. Extra Classes
The classroom smelled of chalk and wet notebooks. The early-morning sunlight streamed in faintly through the windows. The teacher wrote the mock test schedule on the board, and all eight, plus Simran, sat in a row, pencils ready.
During a tense math problem, Ishanvi quietly nudged Abhay.
"You got this, Ripple."
"I… I… uh…" he stuttered, almost dropping his pencil.
Simran, leaning over, whispered loudly,
"He's such a softie around you, Firefly!"
Raghav groaned, Aariv and Vivaan snickered, and even Vaidehi rolled her eyes.
While Ishanvi concentrated, her palm brushed the metal edge of her desk. She felt a mild warmth that made her fingers tingle. Abhay, looking out at the window, noticed the small puddle forming from a leaky roof and felt it ripple unnaturally, though he didn't fully understand why.
Neither of them said anything, just shared a quick glance — a silent acknowledgment.
Mock Test Tension
By mid-morning, the first mock test began. Ishanvi's hands were steady, Abhay fumbled a little but focused.
After the test, the results were quickly marked:
Ishanvi & Abhay: top of the class, slightly ahead of city students
Raghav & Vaidehi: solid scores, proud but teasing each other
Vrinda & Aariv: steady, improving steadily
Meera & Vivaan: small mistakes, learning from them
Simran nudged Ishanvi, whispering,
"Top scorer again, Firefly. Looks like Ripple has a lot to keep up with."
Abhay blushed, stammering, "I-I… I'm trying!"
The siblings couldn't stop teasing, and laughter filled the classroom.
Lunch Break Mischief
During lunch, Simran and Ishanvi discussed notes, while Abhay quietly ate, getting nudges from everyone.
"Ripple, you're too quiet!" Simran teased.
"I'm… concentrating," he muttered.
Raghav whispered to Ishanvi,
"Your Ripple melts every time you talk to him like that."
She smiled, whispering back,
"Exactly why I do it."
After School Ride
The scooters took them home slowly as the sun leaned west. Simran went to her nearby home, waving goodbye.
Ishanvi and Abhay rode side by side, quietly talking about the test. Neither mentioned the tingling warmth or rippling puddle, but both noticed.
"Do you think we'll manage the scholarship exam?" Ishanvi asked.
"We… I… will," Abhay stuttered, glancing at her.
She smiled softly. "We'll do it together, Ripple."