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The Celebration Before the Storm
All four friends sat by the riverside in the city. A cool breeze blew gently as they laughed and chatted together.
As always, talkative Riya broke the moment's calm.
"So... do you have to leave for the national team training tomorrow itself?"
Akshat replied with a soft smile,
"Yeah. Since I got selected, I'll have to leave for Mumbai tomorrow. There's a lot to pack, and I still have to tell my parents."
Riya perked up, "Then why don't we all go to the celebration party tonight? Anyway, you're leaving tomorrow. Let's have some fun today!"
But Roni interrupted loudly,
"No! Absolutely not. We're not going there."
Akshat agreed, "He's right. Let's just have a small celebration here instead."
Nisha quickly added support,
"We know how bad Diya is feeling... and we don't want you to feel worse by going to that party."
Diya spoke up herself,
"Yeah, I'm sad… but I can't let that keep me down forever. Who knows, maybe there's something even better waiting ahead.
If sorrow comes, happiness follows too... and we can celebrate that, right?"
Looking around at all three, she added,
"So please, don't stay stuck on that one thing. If I'm not sulking, then why are you three being so glum?
We're all going to that party, and that's final!"
Then smiling boldly she said,
"Now go get your dresses and all set up.
And by the way, I'm not that awful of a person that I'd be jealous of someone else's success... like you all think I am."
The others tried to resist, but her smile and stubbornness melted them.
Finally, all three agreed.
---
The Party Lights
It was nighttime. The skies were clear and the stars shimmered above.
And today, Paradise Eternal High School looked like something straight out of a movie set.
Lights twinkled all over the campus—it had never looked so stunning before.
And why wouldn't it?
After all, students from this very school had just been selected to top colleges.
Sure, my name wasn't among them...
But that's okay — no one can stop me from enjoying the party, right?
I wore a white one-piece tonight, paired with shiny white heels that sparkled just right.
My mom had gifted them to me.
Getting my hair straightened was probably the best decision ever.
Though I'm still unsure about these fringes… but hey, trying something new never hurts.
Around me, students laughed and danced, but I stood there… alone.
No sign of Isha, Roni, or even Akshat.
"Ugh! Where did they all vanish?"
Just then, I saw a girl walking towards me in a stunning red bodycon dress, curly hair, a totally classy look.
"Wait... that's... ISHA?!"
I rushed up and tapped her shoulder, "You're unrecognizable! You look like a fairy!"
Isha laughed, "You're no less, Riya…
For the first time, I saw the fairy inside you.
And maybe I'm the devil tonight!"
(Both laughed loudly.)
"But where are those two clowns?" Isha looked around.
Just then, a Defender car pulled up, followed by a sleek Porsche.
Out stepped two sharply dressed guys...
It was them — the clowns themselves!
Akshat was in a black tuxedo — like a total gentleman.
Roni had on a grey tux, and for the first time, his hair looked... well, done!
"Looks like boys take longer to get ready than girls," I teased.
"And I must say, you two don't look like clowns tonight,"
I looked at Isha and smiled, "Right, Riya?"
But Riya seemed frozen in place. Her eyes were fixed on Akshat.
Isha nudged her, "Riya… hey, say something!"
Riya stammered, "Y-yeah..."
Akshat was about to speak when Roni interrupted jokingly,
"You both look beautiful, but not as much as me!"
Isha shook her head, "There's no saving you."
Akshat chuckled and looked at Riya, "Did you get your hair cut?"
Riya couldn't speak—just stared at him.
Isha nudged her again, "He's talking to you!"
Riya quickly blurted, "Yes, I did! They look bad, don't they?"
Akshat smiled, "No. They look amazing."
Riya blushed.
Isha motioned toward the entrance,
"Let's go in, the party awaits!"
And with that, the four friends walked into the shimmering light.
---
The Glittering Auditorium
The entire auditorium glittered with DJ lights and diamond-silver disco balls. The outer decorations felt pale in comparison.
This was my first ever event since joining this school, and I wondered — do they always spend this lavishly?
Teachers and students looked stunning. The stage was alive with performances.
Maybe this is what makes this school so elite.
On stage, Khushi Chauhan and others were receiving certificates — stamped with the name of my dream college, 'Mortal Signature,' and scholarship amounts printed on them.
Just not my name.
I kept watching, maybe too closely.
My friends noticed, grabbed me, and pulled me near the stage — dancing like maniacs.
There was no beat, no rhythm…
I don't even know which country that music was from.
But their mismatched dance moves, their laughter, their warmth…
That's what mattered. That they considered my joy and my pain as their own.
Besides my dad and sister… if I've ever called anyone mine…
"Yes. These are my people."
Suddenly, my phone rang — it was Anshu.
"Didi, when will you come?"
"Bit late, but I'm on my way."
"Oh, and by the way, you looked sooo pretty today! Suhana was burning with jealousy!" — Anshu giggled.
"Go sleep now. I'll tell you everything when I'm home."
I hung up with a smile.
When I returned to the hall, I saw Isha and Tina heading somewhere.
Before I could ask, they disappeared.
I looked around — and there was Akshat. Standing alone.
"Where's Roni? And why aren't you dancing?"
"Please, don't ask about him. And I wasn't dancing with him — only with you guys."
"Whoa, Mr. Calm Down!"
A slow romantic song began to play.
"I love this song," I whispered.
Akshat took my hand and twirled me.
"It's perfect for dancing," he smiled.
I laughed, "Especially with the right partner."
"Hungry?" I asked.
"I'll grab something to eat," he replied and walked away.
As I looked around... I noticed — Kirti?
She sat on a bench, eyes swollen with tears.
Maybe she didn't get selected either...
Like me. Poor girl. Her dad worked as a janitor in this school to support her studies.
They were kind people. I saw him — Mr. Gupta — comforting her, but also scolding her a bit.
I walked up, handed him a glass of water.
He thanked me warmly.
I left them to talk — she needed support, but not interference.
Just then, someone pulled me into a corner.
It was Khushi Chauhan — the same girl who betrayed me.
"I've wanted to talk to you for so long..." she began.
"There's nothing left to say," I replied coldly.
She fumbled, "Riya, I admit it — I made a mistake.
If I had supported you, we might both be on that stage today.
But... I stooped so low… just for a game..."
"Khushi, it wasn't just a game. You said one thing and did another. That's betrayal.
And I don't deal well with fake apologies."
Her eyes welled up, "Please… forgive me."
I stayed silent for a moment... then said,
"What's the point now? I've moved on. Enjoy the party."
She smiled faintly, "I didn't think you'd forgive me. You're... truly amazing."
"Next time, I'll win — won't let you steal it!" I joked.
She laughed, "Deal! I'll cheer for you!"
Suddenly—
"Smack!"
"Crash!"
A loud slap. A plate fell to the ground.
Everyone fell silent.
On stage — the principal had slapped someone.
The crowd murmured. I stepped forward —
"Akshat?!"
"I told you to apply to Mortal Signature College — and you didn't!
And now I hear you've been selected to the national basketball team?!"
"I want you to take over my business — not waste time on sports!"
"Dad, have you ever tried to listen to me?" Akshat shouted.
"I'm ashamed to call you my son!"
Stunned silence.
I was frozen.
"What? The principal... is Akshat's father?!"
All the puzzle pieces connected.
The scholarship... the admission... the anxiety.
I tried to hold back… but I couldn't.
"Sorry sir, but you can't yell at your son like this in front of everyone!"
"You don't understand — this is a family matter!"
"I understand everything, sir!" I yelled.
"Akshat lives in fear because of you. He takes anxiety pills, sometimes ends up in the hospital.
You say he should make you proud — but have you ever tried to make him happy?"
"What you just did... it broke a son's spirit."
The principal stood silent... and then walked away in anger.
"Oh my God! What did I just do?!"
I turned to Akshat.
"Sorry... I only said what I felt was right..."
But he didn't say a word. He just walked away.
Everyone was staring at me. Isha and Roni — nowhere to be seen.
I panicked. I left. Went straight home.
"You're back early? Weren't you going to be late?"
I didn't answer. I just lay in bed, silent.
One fear echoed in my mind—
"Did I just ruin... everything?"
---
The Next Morning
Beep! Beep! Beep!
Riya woke up with a jolt as soon as she heard the honking of a car.
She knew exactly who it was—
There was only one person who could be honking outside her house this early in the morning: Akshat.
She quickly rushed downstairs and the moment she stepped outside,
She saw Akshat standing next to his car.
> "He's probably mad at me… God knows what he's going to say,"
Riya thought nervously.
"Should I go or not? Whatever… let's just face it."
"Akksshh—"
She was just about to speak when—
Akshat looked at her—
And smiled.
Riya felt an instant wave of relief wash over her.
> Phew! He's smiling. That means it's not bad news.
Akshat immediately grabbed her hand and said excitedly,
> "Thank you!"
Riya looked confused, "Why? What happened?"
> "What happened yesterday... maybe it was something that never happened before.
Or maybe it should've happened a long time ago—
But finally, it did."
> "What?"
Riya's eyes widened.
There was a spark in Akshat's eyes as he said softly,
> "My dad… he hugged me."
> "Wait—are you serious?!"
> "Yeah. We argued a lot when I got home.
But when he found out about my anxiety pills…
He broke down.
He had no idea I was suffering like this because of him.
Maybe I should've told him earlier.
But I never had the courage."
> "But you…
You stood up for me. You spoke for me.
Thank you for that."
Then he glanced at his watch and said,
> "Okay, I'm leaving at 10. Still need to finish packing.
Will you come see me off?"
Riya smiled and said,
> "Of course… definitely."
---
At the Airport
Riya felt genuinely happy.
The same father who once never stood beside Akshat—
was now standing proudly at the airport to see him off.
And his mom was there too.
It was the first time Riya saw Akshat's mother—
simple, graceful, and both parents looked genuinely happy.
Akshat turned to Riya and asked,
> "So… how much are you going to miss me?"
Riya teased him,
> "What kind of question is that?
I won't miss you at all!"
Just then, Roni jumped in,
> "Yeah right! And guess who she'll miss the most?
Me! After all, I came all the way to drop you off!"
Akshat laughed,
> "Honestly, I didn't expect you to show up either."
Then he looked around and asked,
> "By the way, where's Isha? Haven't seen her since yesterday…
She's not even answering her phone."
Riya grew concerned,
> "Yeah… I haven't spoken to her either.
Is something wrong?"
Akshat said seriously,
> "If anything happens, please message me, okay?"
Riya nodded,
> "I will. Promise."
Akshat began to walk away, then suddenly turned back and said,
> "Take care of yourself, Riya."
Roni jumped in again,
> "Don't worry, I'll take care of her…
Just don't hang out with her too much, Akshat!"
They both laughed.
Then Riya and Roni started walking back.
Roni offered,
> "Come on, I'll drop you home."
Riya replied,
> "No no, I'm just going to a shop nearby. You go ahead."
> "Alright then,"
Roni smiled and walked away.
---
Riya was just heading toward a nearby shop when—
Tip… Tip… Tip…
Suddenly, it started raining.
She quickly rushed under a nearby bus stand.
That's when her eyes fell on someone sitting on a bench ahead.
It was Isha.
She was soaking wet, sitting still, completely drenched.
> "Isha! Come over here! It's raining!"
Riya shouted.
But Isha didn't even seem to hear her.
Riya ran toward her through the rain and reached her side.
> "What are you doing? Why are you sitting in the rain like this?
And why are your eyes so red?"
Riya asked, panicked.
Isha didn't say a word.
She just sat there in silence.
Riya gently tried to pull her by the hand—
But Isha grabbed her wrist tightly, looked into her eyes,
And in a voice cold and serious, said—
> "Listen, Riya…
There's something very important I need to tell you."
---
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