Scene 4: Next Day – English Class Mein Aag Lag Gayi
(Flames of jealousy + cold stares + savage reply)
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Agla din... English Literature ka lecture chal raha tha.
Topic tha: "Pride and Prejudice – Characters, Ego & Emotions"
Whole class mehmaan bani thi, kyunki kal cafeteria mein Viaan ne Kanchan ko priority di thi, aur Anjali ki hawa tight thi.
Viaan ek baar phir usual spot pe baitha tha—aur jaise hi Kanchan ne classroom mein kadam rakha, usne book se nazar hataakar seedha usse dekha.
Kanchan aayi, aur bina kuch bole front bench pe baith gayi.
No drama. No overreaction. But whole class was watching—Kanchan is trending.
Professor:
"Okay class, let's discuss what makes Elizabeth Bennet a strong female character."
Tabhi… Anjali ne haath uthaya.
Ek sweet but poisonous smile ke saath boli:
"Ma'am, I feel like some girls act strong, but it's more like attention-seeking, not actual strength."
Professor ne slow nod kiya:
"Interesting point, Anjali. Anyone wants to respond?"
Aur tabhi sherni ne vaar kiya.
Kanchan slowly turned back, directly Anjali ki taraf dekhte hue boli—calm, composed, but savage af:
> "You know, Anjali... there's a difference between acting strong and being strong without acting."
"Girls who are really strong don't need to cling to someone to be noticed... they become noticeable without trying."
(pause)
"Waise bhi... real strength doesn't cry for validation... it naturally threatens the insecure ones."
WHOAAA—whole class goes silent.
Ek ladka peeche se slowly whisper karta hai:
"Ouch… that burn tho..."
Professor ne smile suppress kiya aur bola:
"Very well said, Kanchan. That's exactly what Jane Austen was trying to portray."
Anjali ka chehra laal. Uski besties usse shoulder rub dene lagi jaise emotional damage hua ho.
Viaan?
Uske lips pe full-blown smirk tha—admiration, interest aur thoda sa pride.
Usne notebook band kiya aur bas softly bola:
"Nice shot."
Kanchan (bina uski taraf dekhe):
"Thanks. It wasn't aimed... just landed."