The soft tune of ranjha played in background as I descended the stairs wearing my red bridal wedding lehanga with my brother and cousins by my side.

I walk towards the stage my eyes were on floor. A blush crept onto my cheeks.

As I reach the stage, my groom extended his hand towards me. I accepted his hand and lifted my eyes to look at his face and-

"AHAA TAMATAR BADE MAZEDAR WAAH TAMATAR BADE MAZEDAR." Aashi opened her eyes as her alarm went off.

"Sapna Tha" She said to herself slapping her head , smiling like a fool.

"Abhi to 7 hi bje hai thodi Der aur so jaati hu " She muttered to herself reaching for her blanket.

"Aashi , uth gayi kya ya mai aau uthane?" Came her mother isha's loud voice from kitchen.

"Uth gayi Mummy" She said climbing down her bad reluctantly as she went inside the washroom.

As Aashi came from washroom she looked at her cousin niyati who just finished making her braids.

She took her hand and dragged her to bed and made her sit their while she sat on floor in front of her.

"Kya hai?" Asked Niyati clearly annoyed.

" Meri bhi braids Bana de please mujhse nhi banti." She said with puppy eyes handing her the comb.

"Tu Kab badi hogi?"Said niyati taking the comb from her hand .

"Kabhi nahi" spoke Aashi as she opened instagram on her phone scrolling reels.

As a reel of Bollywood couple siddharth and Kiara reflected on her screen where former was praising his wife she spoke with a sigh whining looking up " Meri life ke Mr.Malhotra Kab milenge mujhe bhagwan".

"Malhotra ki jagah bhagwan se tere Khoye hue marks mangegi to jyada Acha rahega" said Niyati while Aashi showed her tongue.

Niyati and Aashi made their way downstairs and joined their brothers and parents on dining table for breakfast.

They finished their breakfast and Abhinav said " Arsh chal mai tujhe drop kr deta hu tere school aur Aashi niyati ke saath activa pe chali jaayegi."Arsh nodded.

After praying to God they went to wear their shoes when Aashi's father Prithvi said " Man laga ke padhayi karna tumhari padhayi ke liye hi Mumbai shift huye hai" Aashi and Arsh nodded as they made their way out.

"Acha hai hamare school mai commerce nhi hai ab kam se kam school mai to apka chehra nahi dekhna padega" said Aashi showing tongue to arsh.

"To mujhe bhi koi shauk nahi hai Teri chamkadad jaisi shakl dekhne ka "said Arsh before he made his way to Abhinav's car while Aashi sat behind Niyati on activa making their way to school.

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Agastya made his way to his class along with  his bestfriend Shrey, as he move to sit on first bench Shrey held his hand

"Yai to last Saal hai ab to peeche baith ja bhai." said Shrey pleading.

Ignoring him Agastya made his way to first bench

"Yaar har baar ka hai tum dono ka mai tumse baat nahi karne wala ab."

"Thank you Shrey. Ab thodi to Shanti rahegi zindgi mai" said Kashvi entering the class.

"Exactly" said Agastya raising his hands to hifi with her as she made her way sitting near him.

Sighing Shrey sat near her and said "Yai kin do toppers ke beech fasa Dia bhagwan mujhe aapne."

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Aashi and Niyati reached their school and Aashi smiled looking around "School to sahi hai tumhari".Niyati hummed.

As they entered into the classroom Niyati waved at a girl seating at first bench , girl waved back with a smile.

"Aashi she is Vani my first best friend aur topper bhi and Vani yai meri cousin Aashi jiske baare mai tujhe bataya Tha maine" Vani and Aashi smiled at each other.

"Tu kya firse first bench pe baith gayi peeche chl " said Niyati as she took vani's bag keeping it at second last bench .

"Are pr-" Vani argued.

"Pr vr kuch nahi tujhe top krne ke liye aage baithne ki jarurat nahi hai tu class mai nhi aayegi to bhi tere marks aa jayenge" said Trishna entering the classroom. Vani sighed sitting on second last bench as she knew that they are not going to listen to her.

"Lo yai bhi aagyi . Yai Trishna hai meri dusri best friend aur yai meri cousin Aashi". Trishna waved at her with a hi which aashi reciprocated with a smile.

Niyati found herself in a dilemma as she contemplated that where should she sit , with her best friends or cousin as only 3 could sit on a single bench.

Sensing her dilemma Aashi quickly kept her bag near Vani and spoke " Mai Vani ke paas baithungi thoda padh bhi lungi nahi to tere paas baithi to pakka fail hi hojana hai tu peeche baith ja Trishna ke saath "

Niyati smiled as she understood the reason behind Aashi's gesture and sat at the last seat with Trishna.

"So how much did you score in 10th" asked Aashi in order to start conversation with Vani.

"98.2%"Said Vani smiling.

"98!!"Aashi looked horrified. Turning back she looked at Trishna and asked "Tumhare 10th mai Kitne marks aaye the?"

"71, tumhare?"replied Trishna hearing which Aashi sighed in relief.

"Mere bhi 72 hi the." Said Aashi

As the classroom filled with students Vedant and Vihaan entered the class. Finding no empty seat they move to the back of class.

As Vedant came near Vani she shifted to the corner giving him no space  glaring at him. Aashi observed everything with amused eyes as Vedant rolled his eyes sitting near Aashi as she offered him space.While Vihaan sat near Niyati and Trishna.

Suddenly the bell rang indicating that it is the time for assembly.

The girls group made their way to the assembly ground.

Aashi who was telling something to Niyati collided with someone coming from opposite direction.

Due to force she stumbled forward and closed her eyes waiting for herself to hit the ground but instead she felt someone grabbing her hand and pulling her back to her position.

"Thank you " said Aashi but as she looked at the guy, her heart skipped a beat. She could feel her heart racing. The guy went from there nodding. But she was in her own world when Niyati nudged her bringing her back .

Standing in the assembly ground Aashi roamed her eyes around expecting a sight of the stranger who did something to her heart at the first glance itself. And there he was coming from the another side of ground with the micset in his hands. Aashi could not help but stare at him.

As the assembly started Agastya,Kashvi and some other students made their way on stage as the choir group. They started singing the morning prayer and other students followed behind .

Then Agastya came forward introducing himself and delivering the thought of the day.

"Agastya" Aashi smiled to herself whispering his name.

As the assembly came to the end Principal made her way on the stage grabbing the mic.

"Good morning everyone. I welcome all of you in yet another session at Phoenix High School. I hope all of you will focus on your academics and co-curricular activities and will have a great year ahead.Thank You."

As the assembly concluded with the national anthem, students made their way to respective classes.

Vedant and Aashi introduced themselves.

"First class kiski hai ?"

"Maths" answered Vani and Vedant together.

"Yrr yai kaisi school hai, jab mujhe NEET Karni Hai to mai Maths kyu padhu?"

"Aree to vo minor hai tera jaise meri bio minor hai" Said Vani.

As a lady teacher made her way to the class Vedant,Trisha and Niyati sighed together.

"Kya hua"asked Aashi curiously to Vedant.

"Agar inse Maths padhli to Jo aati hai vo bhi bhul jaogi." Answered Vedant.

"Iski baat mat suno isko to Einstein bhi padhane aayenge to bhi nhi Samajh aane wala"spoke Vani

"Shut up " Said Vedant.

"It is the first class and you already started talking Vedant. Not good . Learn something from your brother Agastya atleast. Such a brilliant guy he is."scolded miss preeta.

"Yai fir se Shuru ho gyi" muttered Vedant.

"Agastya ka bhai hai yai"thought Aashi.

As the class came to an end Aashi told "Sach Mai Maths bhul jaungi inse Padhi to mai"

"Kaha Tha na maine tumse inki maths samajhne ke liye special dimag chaiye Jo  hum jaise normal logo ke paas kaha." Said Vedant teasing Vani

"Tum kehna kya chahte-" She stopped as the next teacher entered in class.

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As Niyati and Aashi entered inside Mehra house Isha asked them

"Kaisa raha din tumhara"

"Acha Tha mummy" said Aashi sprawling on sofa keeping her bag at a side while Niyati went to change her clothes.

"Ja jaake kapde change karke aa pehle, konsa kheto mai fasle tod ke aayi hai jo itna thak gyi" said her mom Isha.

Aashi stood up from Sofa taking her bag reluctantly and went to her and Niyati's room.

In the evening as Niyati and Aashi sat on their bed , Aashi could not help but think about the pleasent stranger who was able to make a place in her heart in first glance itself.

As Niyati looked at Aashi who was in her own dreamland, she nudged her.

"Kiske khyalo mai khoyi hui hai."asked Niyati

"Tere jiju ke"replied Aashi still in her dreamland.

"Kya? Kb bane ? Tune mujhe bataya bhi nhi kamini kahi ki."said Niyati

"Are Matlab bane nhi hai pr bs psnd kr liya hai maine."

"Acha mtlb crush hai vaise real hai ya is baar bhi fictional?"

"Are is baar sach mai hai. Vo jo aaj Stage pe the na Agastya."

"Agastya bhaiya?"Asked Niyati  "Behn puri school ki ladkiya unpe line maarti hai,pr vo to kisi ko bhav bhi nhi dete. Aur Pata Hai 10th mai unhone district top kia Tha."

"Yai mere saare crush aukat ke Bahr wale hi kyu hote hai"said Aashi whining.

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Plugging earphone and tapping  onto a random playlist Aashi sat down to copy some chemistry numericals from Niyati's notebook.

As her mind drifted towards Agastya,  tune of Pehli Dafa filled her ears.

Pehli Dafa

Dil Kahe Kahaniyan Pehli Dafa

Armanon Mein Rawaniyan Pehli Dafa

Ho Gaya Beghana Main Hosh Se Pehli Dafa

As aashi recalled the moment when she collided with him in the corridor. The world seemed to stop for her. All she could remember were his deep eyes.

Pyar Ko Pehchana Ehsas Hai Ye Naya

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

Suna Hai, Suna Hai Ye Rashmein Wafa Hai

It wasn't the first time that she had a crush. But this feeling was new to her heart . She had never felt this way ever before.

Jo Dil Pe Nasha Hai Woh Pehli Dafa Hai

Kabhi Dard Si, Kabhi Zard Si Zindagi Benaam Thi

Kahin Chaahatein Hui Meherban Hath Badh Ke Thaamti

In the quiet of her own space, she allowed herself to dream of what could be, savoring the hope that perhaps, this simple collision was the start of something extraordinary.

Ik Wo Nazar, Ik Wo Nigah

Rooh Mein Shamil Is Tarah

Ban Gaya Afsana Ik Baat Se Pehli Dafa

Pa Liya Hai Thikana Baahon Ki Hai Panah

It felt like she was in some another world and her heart knew that it is not an simple attraction but something more deeper. And she wanted to experience it all.

Pehli Dafa

Dil Kahe Kahaniyan Pehli Dafa

Armanon Mein Rawaniyan Pehli Dafa

Ho Gaya Beghana Main Hosh Se Pehli Dafa

Putting the books back she laid on the bad grabbing a pillow as she recalled the moment for uncountable times again.

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