Ishika Sharma's alarm rang at six in the morning, just like it did every day. Unlike most students who dreaded waking up early, she was already awake, mentally going through the schedule she had prepared for herself. Class 12 had finally begun, and for Ishika, this year wasn't about school events, friendships, or teenage romance. It was about one thing alone—her dream of becoming a doctor.

The Sharma household was small but filled with warmth. Her father was reading the newspaper at the dining table while her mother packed her lunch. They weren't wealthy, but they had never let Ishika feel deprived of anything that truly mattered. Their unwavering support was one of the reasons she worked so hard.

After getting ready for school, Ishika walked into the dining room and took her usual seat at the table. The aroma of freshly made dosa filled the room as her mother placed breakfast in front of her.

"Eat properly," her mother said. "You barely touched your dinner yesterday."

"I was studying, Maa," Ishika replied softly.

'You always say that."

A small smile appeared on her face as she picked up her spoon.

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the hallway.

Ishanvi Sharma entered the dining room. The atmosphere changed almost instantly.

Unlike Ishika, who was calm and reserved, her elder sister carried an entirely different energy. Ishanvi was beautiful, outspoken, stubborn, and impatient. While Ishika spent most of her time with books, Ishanvi had never been interested in academics. She had graduated months ago and was currently searching for a job, though she seemed to blame everyone except herself whenever things didn't go her way.

"Tea," she said, dropping into a chair. Their mother frowned. "Good morning to you too." Ishanvi rolled her eyes.

"Can I get tea first and lectures later?"

Their father lowered his newspaper."Ishanvi."

"What?" she snapped."Talk respectfully."

"Respectfully?" she laughed humorlessly. "You only care about Ishika anyway."

Ishika froze.

Not again.

This argument had become far too common.

"Ishanvi, don't start," their mother warned.

"I'm not starting anything. Look at her. Perfect grades. Perfect daughter. Perfect future. Meanwhile, I'm apparently the disappointment of the family."

"No one said that," their father replied firmly.

"You don't have to."

The silence that followed felt uncomfortable.

Ishika hated these moments.

She never knew what to say.

She loved her sister despite everything, but lately Ishanvi seemed angry at the entire world.

'I have an interview today," Ishanvi continued. "But honestly, what's the point? I'll never be good enough anyway."

Their mother sighed.

"You are good enough. You just need patience."

"Easy for you to say."

"Ishanvi!"

The older girl stood abruptly.

"I'm getting late."

Without touching her breakfast, she grabbed her bag and walked away.

A few moments later, the front door slammed shut.

The dining room fell silent.

Their mother looked exhausted.

Their father returned to his newspaper.

Ishika quietly finished her breakfast.

She wished things were different.

She wished her sister could see how much their parents loved her.

Most of all, she wished her family could sit together for one meal without arguing.

Unfortunately, wishes didn't always come true.

A little while later, Ishika left for school.

The familiar building soon came into view, surrounded by students laughing, talking, and catching up after the holidays.

As soon as she stepped through the gates, a loud voice called out behind her.

"AISHUUUU!"

Ishika immediately smiled.

Only one person called her that.

Turning around, she saw Vanya running toward her dramatically.

Before Ishika could react, Vanya wrapped her arms around her.

"I missed you."

"We met yesterday."

"That doesn't count."

"It literally does."

"Nope."

Ishika laughed.

Vanya grinned triumphantly.

Their friendship confused most people.

Ishika was quiet, shy, and happiest with a book in her hands.

Vanya was loud, energetic, and somehow knew every piece of gossip in the school.

Yet they had been inseparable for years.

"Come on," Vanya said, linking their arms together. "Let's go before assembly starts."

The two girls made their way toward Section B.

Unlike Vanya, who seemed to know everyone in the corridor, Ishika mostly kept to herself.

She wasn't unfriendly. She was simply shy.Starting conversations had never been easy for her.

Which was exactly why Vanya had adopted her as a best friend years ago.

"You'd spend your entire life alone if I wasn't here," Vanya often claimed.

She wasn't entirely wrong.

The next few days passed normally.

Classes began. Assignments piled up. Teachers reminded students every five minutes that board examinations were approaching.

Life settled into a routine.

Every morning, Vanya dragged Ishika into conversations. Every afternoon, Ishika helped Vanya with notes.

Everything felt familiar.

Comfortable.

Predictable.

Until one particular morning.

Ishika entered the classroom expecting to find Vanya in her usual seat.

Instead, the chair was empty.

A strange feeling settled inside her.

"Where's Vanya?" she asked one of her classmates.

"Fever."

"Oh."

For the first time that day, school felt unusually quiet.

As class began, their class teacher walked inside.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Good morning, ma'am."

The teacher glanced around the room.

"Since Vanya is absent, someone will have to manage her responsibilities as class monitor."

Before Ishika could look away, the teacher's eyes landed on her.

"Ishika."

Her heart dropped.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"You'll handle it today."

The entire class turned toward her.

Instantly, she wished the floor would open and swallow her.

"M-Me?"

"Yes."

"I..."

"You'll do fine."

Ishika wanted to disagree.

She really did.

But arguing with teachers wasn't exactly her specialty.

So she nodded.

Throughout the morning, she carried attendance sheets, delivered messages, collected notebooks, and completed every task assigned to her.

To her surprise, everything went smoothly.

Until lunch break.

One of the teachers stopped her outside the staff room.

"Ishika."

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Can you call Reyansh Malhotra from Section A? I need him immediately."

Her stomach tightened.

"Section A?"

"Yes."

"Okay, ma'am."

The teacher handed her a file.

"Bring him quickly."

Ishika nodded nervously.

Calling someone wasn't difficult.

Calling a complete stranger from another section?

That was different.

Especially when that stranger happened to be one of the most well-known students in school.

Taking a deep breath, she made her way toward Section A.

The classroom was half empty.

A few students were chatting among themselves.

"Excuse me," she said quietly.

Nobody heard.

She tried again.

"Excuse me."

This time, someone looked up.

"Yeah?"

"Um... Reyansh Malhotra?"

"Oh."

The boy smirked.

"Football field."

"Thank you."

Without wasting another second, Ishika hurried away.

The closer she got to the field, the louder the sounds became.

Cheering.

Whistles.

Laughter.

A football match was in progress.

Several students stood nearby watching.

Ishika stopped near the benches at the edge of the ground.

She immediately spotted a group of boys playing.

One of them was probably Reyansh.

The problem was...

She had no idea which one.

Taking another deep breath, she stepped closer.

"Excuse me..."Her voice disappeared beneath the noise.

Nobody heard her.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

Then suddenly—

A football came flying toward her.

Her eyes widened.

Instinctively, she moved aside.

The ball missed her by inches.

Instead, it slammed directly onto the bench beside her.

A bottle toppled over.

Water splashed everywhere.

The papers resting on the bench were instantly drenched.

'Oh no."

Ishika stared at the soaked papers in horror.

That couldn't be good.

Before she could react, footsteps approached from behind.

A shadow fell across the bench.

Slowly, she looked up.

A boy stood in front of her.

And judging by the expression on his face...

Those papers definitely belonged to him.