Author's Note
Hey readers! 🌸
In this chapter, we step into Isha's world as she navigates the chaos of Section B, encounters Rudra for the first time, and experiences the protective concern of her cousin, Aryan. It's a blend of awkward school moments, unexpected tension, and subtle emotions just beginning to surface.
I wanted to capture the nervous excitement of entering a new environment, the feeling of not quite fitting in, and how small gestures can leave a lasting impression. As Isha's morning unfolds, family dynamics add warmth, humor, and a quiet undercurrent of tension.
Thank you for joining Isha at the start of her journey. I hope you enjoy this chapter. 💖
Chapter Blurb
Morning light, classroom chaos, and unexpected encounters—life in Section B is anything but ordinary for Isha. From flying paper balls to an accidental fall onto the enigmatic Rudra, her first day spirals into embarrassment, tension, and curiosity.
With Aryan's protective warning echoing in her mind and Rudra's lingering presence unsettling her thoughts, Isha begins to realize that Section B isn't just another class. It's a world filled with challenges, secrets, and unspoken connections.
Will she find her footing in the chaos, or will the mysterious Rudra turn her school life upside down?
ISHA POV
Morning light slipped through my window, gently brushing my face. I lay in bed, hugging my stuffed toy.
"좋은 아침이에요."
(Good morning.)
I sprang up and glanced at my reflection in the mirror. A small smile tugged at my lips. My hair was slightly messy, my face still sleepy—but somehow, I liked how I looked. Imperfect, yet quietly charming.
But as I stared at my reflection, memories from yesterday surfaced.
Section B had been chaotic. And it felt like they didn't like me at all.
I lingered in front of the mirror, running my fingers through my hair, lost in thought. My breathing grew shallow as my mind replayed every moment.
Mr. Freak had seemed irritated with me. I still didn't understand why.
I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I barely heard my aunt calling me for breakfast.
AUNT:
Isha beta, khane ke liye aa jao.
(Isha dear, come for breakfast.)
ISHA (sighing):
Aa rahi hoon, chachi ji.
(I'm coming, Auntie.)
Realizing I was running late, I grabbed my clothes and hurried to the bathroom.
I entered the dining room.
The atmosphere was calm and devotional. A soft bhajan played in the background, wrapping the room in gentle serenity.
할아버지 (grandfather) and 할머니 (grandmother) sat quietly, eating in peaceful silence.
My two aunts served me my favorite sandwich along with a chocolate milkshake. My stomach growled, and I fidgeted impatiently, eager to eat.
One of my uncles—who considered himself the most knowledgeable—sat reading the newspaper, while the other, just as hungry as I was, had already started eating.
My uncle folded the paper and looked at me.
UNCLE:
Isha, kal school kaisa raha beta?
(How was school yesterday, child?)
The question made me pause.
ISHA POV — Flashback
The school bell echoed through the corridor.
I sat quietly on the front bench. Moments later, the teacher stepped out of the classroom. An uneasy silence followed; the boys suddenly went still.
Then a paper ball hit my desk.
My heart skipped. I glanced up and saw them sitting together, whispering among themselves.
I tried to ignore it, gripping my pen tightly and focusing on my work.
Another paper ball struck me. Then another.
Soon, they were raining down one after the other. Heat rushed to my face. I slammed my pen onto the desk and stood up.
ISHA:
"Dude, who's throwing these?"
The laughter only grew louder.
I walked straight toward the class president.
ISHA:
"What's your problem?"
RUDRA:
"No one asked you to get comfortable here."
ISHA:
"Try making me leave."
RUDRA:
"You really think you'll survive here?"
ISHA:
"Yes."
RUDRA:
"Accepted."
I left the classroom to wash my hands and returned minutes later.
My lunch had been placed on the top shelf of the cupboard. The boys sat together, smirking.
ISHA (muttering):
"They'll pay for this."
I jumped to reach my lunch.
My foot slipped.
And suddenly, I was falling.
RUDRA POV
She fell straight onto me.
We crashed to the floor, her body above mine. Everything froze.
Her eyes locked with mine—wide, startled. Her breath came fast, uneven. Too close. Too real.
My heart raced.
ISHA POV
Time slowed.
My arms flailed, and before I could stop myself, I landed hard on Rudra.
"Ah!" I gasped as the air was knocked out of me. My chest collided with his, my heart pounding wildly.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as his dark eyes stared back at me.
I tried to push myself up, but my balance betrayed me. My fingers caught in his shirt as I struggled to steady myself.
Oh no... oh no... oh no...
Whispers rippled through the classroom, but I barely heard them. All I could feel was Rudra—tense, stunned, impossibly close. My breathing came in quick, shallow bursts.
ISHA:
미안해.
(Sorry.)
RUDRA (shocked):
"What are you saying?"
Humiliation twisted in my stomach. I wished the ground would swallow me whole.
ISHA:
"Sorry..."
I stood up quickly, straightened my clothes, and returned to my desk.
SHAURYA (bumping Rudra's shoulder):
Bhaiya, puri romantic movie ka scene chal raha tha.
(Bro, that was a full-on romantic movie scene.)
RUDRA:
Dimag kharab ho gaya hai kya?
(Are you out of your mind?)
He narrowed his eyes, masking whatever expression threatened to surface.
That's when I noticed it—his hand was cut, crimson drops staining the floor.
ISHA (to herself):
Calm down. Just calm down.
I pulled a bandage from my bag and quietly placed it on Rudra's desk, slipping a small note onto his notebook.
Then I walked out of the classroom.
Rudra returned moments later. His gaze fell on the bandage—and the note.
Put this on, Mr. President.
RUDRA POV
Why does she care so much?
His heart skipped—uninvited.
The flashback faded.
ISHA:
Theek tha, chacha ji. Bas ek ladke ne thoda pareshan kar diya tha.
(It was fine, Uncle. Just one boy bothered me a little.)
Her aunt leaned in.
AUNT:
Beta, kaun tha?
(Who was it?)
ISHA:
Shayad uska naam Rudra Dev Pant Bharadwaj tha.
(I think his name was Rudra Dev Pant Bharadwaj.)
AUNT:
Arey, yeh ladka toh pahadi hai.
(Oh, that boy is Pahadi.)
GRANDMA:
Beta, khana kha le.
(Eat your food.)
ISHA:
Haanji.
(Yes.)
The front door creaked open.
My cousin walked in, boots thudding against the floor. His hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
AUNT:
Beta Aryan, aaja nashta kar le. Thak gaya hoga na?
(Come have breakfast. You must be tired.)
He was Aryan—Aryan J. Bhatt. My cousin, and easily the most intelligent person in our family.
AUNT 2:
Section B mein sab theek hai na?
(Everything fine in Section B?)
Aryan looked up sharply.
ARYAN:
"Wait... you're in Section B?"
ISHA:
"Yes, 오빠."
ARYAN (firm):
Change your section. Stay away from them. Especially Rudra.
ISHA:
What? Why?
ARYAN:
Just do as I say.
His tone left no room for argument.
ISHA (quietly):
Okay.
ISHA POV
Why did he say things like that?
I couldn't understand why everyone treated Section B like a curse. First the teacher—now Aryan too.
RUDRA POV
Why am I hurting someone so innocent?
I forced myself to focus. She doesn't belong here. Making her leave—controlling the chaos—was my responsibility.
I'm the class president. Composed. Untouchable.
And yet... something slips through the cracks.
A quiet warmth I don't know how to shut out.
It's nothing. Just a bandage. A note.
And yet, it feels like more.