Author's POV
Class 6th.
Little Aditi sat on the third bench with her friend Divya, trying to focus.
It was math lecture. Half the class was busy chatting and laughing amongst themselves. The teacher was writing something on the board, trying to control her frustration.
Across the room, Naman sat on the second last bench with his friend Kartik. Kartik leaned in to whisper a joke in Naman's ears.
Just as the joke got over, the teacher turned around and the entire class fell silent, knowing very well not to mess with her.
And then-
"Hahahahahaha!"
The unmistakable sound of laughter filled the classroom as Naman laughed at the joke, oblivious to the teacher's glare.
Kartik noticed the daggers thrown towards them by the teacher and elbowed Naman to shut up. Naman finally stopped laughing as he took in the teacher's glare.
"Naman Sharma, what is so funny?", the teacher asked.
Naman swallowed, "N-nothing ma'am."
The teacher crossed her arms, "Then what were you laughing at? Please tell us too, so the entire class can laugh with you."
Naman's face turned red with embarrassment as the whole class stared at him. He opened his mouth to speak but no words came out. He had no defence as he was at fault.
He looked down in guilt, "Sorry ma'am."
"No, but now I also want to know the joke that made you disturb the whole class.", the teacher said.
"But ma'am, the whole class was also talking. I wasn't the only one.", he tried to defend himself.
The teacher narrowed her eyes, "Don't talk back! Don't you have manners?"
Naman stayed quiet.
"And now you aren't even replying."
"Ma'am, you only said don't talk back.", Naman said innocently.
The teacher's frustration grew.
"Shut up!", she then looked between Naman and Kartik and then decided, "Stand up. You won't be sitting there anymore."
She then looked around the class, when her eyes fell on Divya and Aditi.
"Divya, stand up and go sit where he was sitting. And you- Naman, come and sit on the third bench.", the teacher ordered.
Naman knew better than to disobey, so he quickly packed his bag, giving one final look to Kartik who gave him a sympathetic look while clearly trying not to laugh.
Divya went and sat beside Kartik, while Naman made his way towards Aditi.
As she saw him approach, she shifted in her seat, giving him proper space. He sat down beside her with a sigh. Aditi glanced at him just once before looking back ahead.
"Now let me see how much you'll laugh. You're sitting beside a topper now, learn something from her.", the teacher taunted.
Naman didn't even glance at Aditi as he was busy feeling bad for himself.
Aditi thought he had too much attitude and silently prepared herself to tolerate him everyday.
They sat in silence for the rest of the lecture, not even glancing at each other.
As soon as the lecture got over and the teacher left, Naman groaned in frustration, resting his head against the bench.
Aditi's eyes widened, confused as to what happened to him suddenly.
Naman didn't look up for a few minutes, which made Aditi a bit concerned and curious.
She tentatively poked his shoulder.
As soon as her finger touched his shoulder, he sat up straight, whining slightly.
Aditi blinked in confusion at his weird behavior, "Are you alright?", she asked.
Naman finally looked at her properly, "No, I am not! That was so embarrassing! Why did I even laugh so loudly? And why did the teacher only target me out of everyone? You tell me, did I talk back? No, right? And she has a problem when I don't talk too! Everyone was laughing at me!", he complained in one breath.
Aditi just...stared at him with wide eyes, not knowing how to react at his sudden outburst.
Naman noticed her stunned expression, and said while rubbing the back of his neck, "I am sorry. I just had to rant it out. I hope you don't mind."
Aditi slowly came out of her shock. She just nodded at him, acknowledging his apology.
Naman gave her a small, relived smile, which she did not return. He stared at her for a second longer than necessary, which made her self conscious.
"What?", she asked.
"Have we met before?", he asked back.
"We're literally in the same clas-"
"You love jalebis!", Naman suddenly exclaimed, his eyes widening slightly in recognition.
Aditi frowned, "What?!"
Naman clapped his hands as if he had solved a mystery, "I remember now! You were there at the old jalebi wala that day with us! I saw you there! That's why I was thinking, why did your face look so familiar."
Aditi raised an eyebrow, "So, you're telling me that you haven't seen me in class but at the jalebi wala?"
Naman nodded, "Yes! That day with Kartik and Malini and all of us!"
Aditi nodded back and then went back to studying.
Naman observed her as she studied and then came to the conclusion, "So, you're a topper, huh?"
Aditi looked up at the question but decided not to reply and again went back to studying.
Naman scowled, "You have so much attitude!"
Aditi finally turned her attention towards him, offended by his audacity, "Excuse me? I don't have 'so much attitude'."
Naman crossed his arms, "Then why are you not answering?"
"Because I don't know you. And because of you my only friend had to change seats!", Aditi complained.
Naman's expressions softened, "I am sorry. I can't change that now, but I can change the other thing."
Aditi frowned, "What thing?"
"I can be your friend!", he extended his hand, his voice carrying a hint of excitement.
Aditi stared at him for a few seconds while he waited for her to shake hands with him with hopeful eyes. And then-
"No."
Naman's face fell, "Why not?"
Aditi thought for a second, trying to find a good reason. She found none, and hence repeated the same thing, "I don't even know you."
Naman sighed, "But you will eventually do! Come on, bench mate."
"Aditi."
"What?"
"My name."
A grin formed on Naman's face, "Does that mean friends?"
Aditi stared at his grin and her resolve weakened, "Friends."
Naman's face lit up, "Yes? Yes!"
Aditi shook her head at his reaction, though she couldn't stop her lips from curving up too.
______
A week later, the teacher announced a surprise test.
"Oh shit! Will you please help me, Aditi?", Naman asked her with pleading eyes.
Aditi, who had now become a bit comfortable around him, nodded, "I will, don't worry."
Relief washed over his face, "Thank God!"
Aditi rolled her eyes, "You should be thanking me."
"I am thanking God because he sent you in my life!", he said, "You're my savior!"
Aditi chuckled at his dramatics.
As the paper started, Aditi solved all the questions with ease, while Naman was able to solve hardly any. After writing whatever he could recall, he poked Aditi's arm.
"Psst! Help me na.", he whispered.
Aditi, who had just finished writing, looked at him. He looked at her with puppy eyes. She shifted her paper towards him for him to copy, her eyes were on his paper as she watched him write as quickly as possible.
Someone clears their throat in the background.
Both Aditi and Naman look up at the same time, only to find the teacher glaring at them with her arms crossed. The teacher snatched both their papers, "I made you sit with her so that you'll learn something from her, not for spoiling her too! And you, Aditi? I did not expect this from you at least!"
Their eyes traced patterns on their bench as they didn't dare look up again.
"I am talking to both of you! It was such a simple test, and you still need to copy? Do you not understand what I teach?", she asked.
"No.", Naman whispered, only for Aditi to hear, but her giggle didn't go unnoticed.
The teacher threw her arms in frustration, "You know what? Out. Get out of my class right now. Both of you. Stand outside with your hands raised."
Naman stood up as if it was an everyday thing for him, while Aditi hesitated for a second, before following Naman out.
They stood outside the classroom with their hands raised, silence wrapping around them, until Naman decided to break it.
"I am sorry, Aditi.", his voice genuine.
She looked at him, surprised.
He continued, "I am sorry that you are getting punished because of me. I know you're a topper and you have an image and all that. Sorry for ruining that."
Aditi smiled softly, "Don't be. It was my decision to help you, and honestly? It's fun to get punished sometimes. Afterall, this is what we remember years later, right? We will remember how we got caught in this exam, not how much marks we scored."
Naman smiled back, "You are right. But still, sorry."
Aditi frowned, "I thought we were friends."
"We are! Why are you saying that?", Naman asked.
"So then don't you know? Dosti ka ek usool hai, no sorry, no thank you.", she said with a straight face.
Naman's face lit up, "Sallu bhai?"
Aditi grinned.
He continued, "He is my favorite!", he then proceeded to do the iconic Salman Khan nose swipe which made her chuckle.
Naman joined her laughter.
"By the way, do you like chole bhature?", Naman asked.
"Is that even a question?" Aditi asked back.
"Perfect! Should we go eat from that stall across the road?", he asked.
"But I don't have any money.", she pouted.
"Oh, don't worry! My mom gave me some pocket money. Call it a treat for getting you punished.", he suggested.
She hesitated, "But that's your pocket money, why do you waste it like this."
"Kyu? Ek dost dusre dost ko treat nahi de sakta? And anyway, it's not a waste if it makes you happy.", Naman said.
Aditi's expression softened, "Okay. If you say so."
After the final bell rang and not before hearing a lecture from the teacher, Naman and Aditi walked across from the school to where the chole bhature stall was situated.
"I have heard they have the best chole bhature!", Naman grinned excitedly.
As the plates were served, both of them began digging into the food, talking about their favorite Salman Khan movies and bonding over how much they have in common.
After Naman paid the bill and Aditi thanked him for the nth time, they bid goodbye with smiles on their face.
Because somewhere deep down they knew, this was just the beginning of an unforgettable bond.
As the year progressed, Aditi and Naman found themselves getting close and comfortable around each other and by the end of the year, Aditi's image was completely ruined and they were scolded a thousand times for doing things like bunking class, cheating in paper, eating food during lectures, throwing water on the principal, and what not.
When class 7 started, they found themselves in different divisions.
On the first day, Aditi and Naman were walking together in the school corridor before the assembly, when Divya came there out of nowhere and asked Aditi to accompany her to the washroom.
Aditi, who was talking to Naman, nodded.
Just as she was about to walk away, Naman grabbed her wrist gently, "Adi..."
Aditi turned to look at him, "Yes?"
"I... I will miss you.", he asked.
Aditi's expression softened, "I'll miss you too, Naan. We will still meet each other outside class."
"Good, because I want to hang out with you only. What will l do without you?", Naman said, his voice lower than usual.
Aditi paused, "I also want to hang out with you only. Don't worry, being in different divisions won't change anything in our friendship."
Naman nodded, a relieved smile forming on his face.
Aditi walked away with Divya and Naman's eyes followed her until she disappeared around the corner.
He didn't think much about how much attached he got to her in just a year. But all he could think about was how lucky he was to have this bond.
He felt lucky that she called him her best friend.
Kartik, who had noticed their interactions, smirked knowingly.
He went to Naman and leaned near his ears and - "AAAAAAAA"
Naman let out a startled yelp as he jumped up from his sit, his heart racing.
"What the hell, Kartik. You scared me!", he complained.
Kartik grinned, "That was the plan. By the way, where were you lost that you didn't even notice me, huh?"
"I... I was just thinking about the... I.. Why should I tell you?", he stuttered.
Kartik smirked, "Don't tell me. But you can't hide it from me either. I saw you looking at Aditi, tell me what's going on?", he wiggled his eyebrows.
Naman's eyes widened, "What? Are you out of your mind?! Adi is my best friend! How can you even say that? There's nothing going on, okay?"
"Whoa! I didn't even say anything, then why so defensive?", Kartik asked.
Naman tried to compose himself, "Will you please stop? We are literally kids and this is what you think at this age? Very bad, Kartik."
Kartik rolled his eyes, "Everyone thinks the same since last year. It's just that no one ever told you about it."
"What? People are shipping me and Adi? Why did I never notice?", Naman asked, surprised.
"Because you were too busy noticing your Adi.", Kartik pointed out.
Naman cleared his throat, "First of all, she isn't 'my' Adi. And secondly, don't let these rumors spread! I don't want her name to be ruined like this."
Just then, the bell rang and they walked towards the assembly.
Naman continuously kept looking around for her but he couldn't find her anywhere. Just as he was about to give up, two girls came running in the assembly hall.
Aditi and Divya.
They immediately positioned themselves for the assembly and only after that did Aditi look around for Naman.
Their eyes met.
They both smiled.
Kartik and Divya exchanged a knowing glance.
A few months passed by, everything was going well. Aditi and Naman met each other every day before and after class.
One day, Aditi found herself standing at their usual meeting spot during the break.
She waited for a few minutes but when Naman still didn't arrive, she decided to go to his classroom.
When she reached his class, she saw him standing outside his class, talking to a girl.
Aditi frowned. There was no one in Naman's friend group whom Aditi didn't know.
She might be his classmate, she thought, maybe someone unimportant.
Naman laughing with her didn't bother Aditi as much as him making her wait for someone else did. If she really was unimportant, then he wouldn't have stayed behind and forgotten Aditi.
If she was important...
Aditi shook her head, "Stop overthinking. He might have forgotten to tell me.", she scolded herself.
But her eyes narrowed as she watched them continue to chatter.
'But he still made me wait for so long', Aditi thought, 'I don't even feel like meeting him now.'
She was about to head back, when Naman caught her gaze.
Aditi was so busy pouting at him that she didn't even notice how Naman's smile widened just a little when he saw her.
Naman excused himself and walked towards Aditi.
Aditi immediately turned away. She kept an unreadable face as she walked away before Naman could reach her.
Naman frowned and followed her, "Adi! Wait!"
Aditi rolled her eyes, "That's what I have been doing for the past ten minutes! You were the one who was busy.", she said, not even looking back as she continued walking towards her class.
Naman caught up to her and stood in front of her, blocking her path.
Aditi paused, arms crossed.
"Aree... I was just coming to meet you, when Priya suddenly came up to me. She was talking about the school's annual day."
"Oh yeah? And it was so funny? Who even is Priya? You never told me about her!", Aditi questioned.
Naman sighed, "She is my classmate, and also works in events committee. I laughed because she was complaining about her seniors."
Aditi scoffed, "Then go and listen to her complaints and laugh with her only!", saying this, she again started walking.
"Areee! I am sorry for making you wait, na! Forgive me!", Naman called out as he followed her.
Aditi didn't stop.
"I told her that I was participating in the annual day too, and she asked if I'd like to partner up with her."
Aditi finally stopped and turned around to look at him, her eyes wide.
But before she could say something, Naman continued, "But I refused. Because I wanted you to be my partner."
Aditi opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Naman held his ears as he walked closer, "I am sorry.", he said sincerely.
Aditi's resolve cracked.
Aditi dropped her arms to her side, "I will forgive you only on one condition."
Naman straightened immediately, "Anything."
Her lips betrayed her as she said, "I will select the song for our performance."
Naman jumped in excitement, "Done! So you're not angry anymore, right?"
Aditi thought for a second, "No. But you better not keep me waiting again.", she warned.
Naman nodded, "Never."
Aditi smiled, "Better."
Just then, the bell rang, indicating the end of recess.
Aditi waved him a goodbye and turned around to walk back to her class. Naman's gaze followed her until she disappeared around the corner, a small smile dancing on his face.
Only after she got out of sight did he go back to his class.
The big day came really quickly. Aditi and Naman participated in a group dance along with Kartik, Divya, Malini, Shravan and Ayush.
All the participants reached backstage along with their parents to help them get ready.
However, Aditi found herself standing alone.
Her parents were busy with work and her sister was caught up in her studies. Aditi felt completely alone in the crowd of many.
She was supposed to start getting ready now, the performances were going to start. She wasn't perfect in doing hairstyles and make up, she was just 12 years old.
She looked at the other students as their parents helped them get ready and felt an ache in her chest.
Her parents were always at work. They never cared about spending time with thier children. It was her sister who would take care of her and tie her ponytails for school, but she had assignments too.
Aditi's eyes filled with tears
Just then, she spotted Naman. He entered backstage along with his mother, all ready for the performance.
She immediately wiped her tears away.
Naman walked towards her, "Adi, why haven't you gotten ready?", he asked.
"I... I was just about to get ready.", she replied.
His mother somehow understood that she was all by herself, "Do you want me to help you get ready?", she asked, her voice gentle.
Aditi looked at her, her eyes glistening as she nodded, a smile forming on her face, "Yes aunty."
His mother smiled at her as they went inside the girls' room, leaving Naman behind.
Shreya aunty combed Aditi's hair gently, "You know, I have always wanted a daughter like you."
Aditi looked at her through the mirror, "Really?"
Shreya aunty nodded, "Yes, really. I wished to comb her hair like this, dress her up, and pamper her all the time."
Aditi's heart melted a little at her words.
She continued, "So to fulfill my wish, I'd make Naman wear cute gowns when he was a kid."
"You did?", Aditi asked, amused.
"Yes. I even have his pictures from that time. I'll show it to you in front of him to annoy him even more.", Shreya aunty winked at her.
Aditi giggled.
Shreya aunty finished her hair and make up quickly after that.
"All done. You look like a doll, bacha.", she said lovingly.
Aditi admired herself in the mirror, she indeed looked really pretty.
She turned to Shreya aunty, "Thank you so much, aunty.", she said.
Shreya aunty engulfed her in a motherly hug, "No need to thank me, beta. After all, you're like my daughter only."
Aditi smiled, too emotional to speak.
Naman was pacing outside the room when they came out, worried about getting late.
As soon as Aditi walked out, Naman paused momentarily. He took in Aditi's look, his breath hitched, his lips parted in awe.
She was wearing a green frock, her hair tied up in a neat bun.
When she reached Naman, he couldn't stop himself from complimenting her, "You look like Tinkerbell.", his voice just above a whisper.
Aditi's eyes widened for a second before her expression changed into something soft, almost shy.
Their eyes lingered a second too long.
His mother walked out a second later, "Let me take a picture of both of you!", she said, taking out an Instax camera.
They moved closer, with Naman towering over her due to their height difference. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, a little hesitantly.
Aditi smiled, glancing up at him. Naman looked at her too, and at that exact moment, his mom clicked a picture.
As the photo came out, Shreya aunty looked at it with a fond smile. When she looked up from the photo, she saw that they were still standing there in the same position, looking at each other.
She narrowed her eyes, already sensing the chemistry.
But she didn't have to worry about them right now. She knew they were both innocent and responsible.
She cleared her throat, showing them the picture.
They stepped away from each other casually, as if they weren't staring into each other's souls for the past two minutes.
Both of them had a soft smile on their face when they saw the photo.
Before Aditi could say anything, Naman declared, "I am keeping this photo!"
Aditi frowned, "No, I am keeping it!"
Naman shook his head stubbornly, "I won't let you!"
Aditi crossed her arms, "I won't let you either!"
Shreya aunty intervened, "None of you will keep it! I will."
Naman scowled, "But-"
She glared at him, shutting him up immediately.
"Where are your other friends?", she asked.
Naman said, "Yeah, they are waiting for us. It's almost time for our performance."
"Then get going now. I'll be in the audience", his mother left.
Naman signalled Aditi to walk first, "After you."
After the successful performance, Shreya aunty came backstage again, "You all did well, kids!"
Everyone thanked her.
"Aditi beta, come here.", she said, "Naman, you too."
"Yes aunty?", Aditi asked.
She grinned, "You already forgot about the photo?"
Namam narrowed his eyes, "What photo?"
Shreya aunty scrolled through her phone before pausing on one photo and showing it to Aditi.
Naman's eyes widened as he looked at the photo. Before Aditi could even get a proper look, Naman snatched the phone out of his mother's hands.
"Maa! Why would you show that to her? It's so embarrassing!", he complained.
"But I want to see it!", Aditi pouted.
"Naman, let her see if she wants to.", his mother said.
"Are you my mother or hers?", he said, betrayed.
"Now I won't let you go before you show it to me.", Aditi announced.
"That's never going to happen!", Naman said as he started running away.
Aditi ran after him, "You have to show it!"
Shreya aunty chuckled as they continued the chase.
And just like that, the annual day got etched in their memory.
In no time, class 7 got over.
On the last day, the four of them decided to eat something out.
"So, what should we eat?", Divya asked.
"Let's eat at the dhaba. I'm in the mood of eating sabzi and naan today.", Kartik suggested.
Aditi disagreed, "No, Naman and I were thinking of eating chole bhature."
Naman nodded in agreement.
Divya pouted, "But you always eat chole bhature only!"
Aditi shrugged, "Because I like chole bhature."
Divya suddenly smirked, "Oh, really? But I thought you liked Naan more."
Both Aditi and Naman's ears turned red at her words.
Aditi tried to act cool, "No! I like chole bhature only..."
Divya rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah, keep telling yourself that."
Naman cleared his throat, "Okay then, chole bhature final."
On the way, Naman saves Aditi from getting hit by a car and Divya and Kartik tease them again as they both fall on top of each other.
After that, they enjoy their unusually tasty chole bhature.
It was only a few days since the summer vacations started when Aditi's father got a call from Mumbai that his father expired. They had to rush to Mumbai immediately, leaving everything behind.
What was supposed to be a matter of months, turned into a whole year and two.
Back in Delhi, Naman felt lonely when he didn't see Aditi on the first day of class 8. He kept telling himself that she will be back in a few days but it never happened.
He felt a little heart broken when he learned about her shifting to another city.
Now that she was not there to help him cheat in exams or eat between lectures, Naman became a little serious.
He started studying sincerely and became more disciplined.
After class 10, he didn't feel like continuing school in Delhi and hence convinced his parents to let him study in a different city.
He blindly chose Mumbai, where he met Siddharth and Rishi, who became his closest ones after Aditi
Aditi was no less affected by his absence. After arguing with her parents ample of times for going back to Delhi, she gave up and continued her school in Mumbai.
She became friends with Ruhi and Radhika, who became her comfort in the quiet loneliness of a new city.
She told them everything about her Naan and he, too, told Siddharth and Rishi everything about his Adi.
Only after they passionately told their friends about them, did they realize how deep their bond was.
They missed each other a lot, but knew that meeting them again might just be impossible.
But hope still lived quietly in one corner of their heart.
And then, destiny did its magic.
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