CHAPTER 1

Hey Dovies, This's the 1st chapter of "Humming Hearts" ✨️

Happy Reading🌻

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Saanvi Malhotra learned very early that mornings had a personal grudge against her.

“Saanviiii,” her father’s voice floated in again, patient but firm, “it’s your first day at school and Sameer has been up for an hour.”

“Five minutes,” she mumbled, burying her face deeper into the pillow.

Those five minutes stretched into fifteen. Then twenty.

She groaned dramatically, rolled off the bed, and stared at the ceiling like it had personally betrayed her. New city. New school. Same unreasonable mornings.

By the time she came downstairs in her neatly pressed uniform, her hair still slightly damp, her father and brother were already seated at the dining table.

Sameer glanced up from his phone.

“Late. Again. Somethings never changes.”

“Oh please,” Saanvi said, grabbing a slice of toast. “Legends are never early.”

“Legends also don’t miss school,” Sameer replied dryly.

Their father, Harsad Malhotra, watched the exchange with an amused smile. It had been years, yet these moments still felt like quiet victories.

After breakfast, the three of them stood in front of the lord Krishna, in the corner of the living room, folding their hands. Saanvi closed her eyes, whispering a quick prayer to Lord Krishna, before moving toward the framed photograph of her mother nearby.

Her mother smiled back at her from the picture, gentle and familiar.Saanvi touched the frame lightly, as she always did. Sameer stood beside her, silent.

They both bent to touch their father’s feet.

“Do you need pocket money?” Harsad asked casually.

Saanvi straightened up immediately, placing a hand on her chest. “No, Papa. We’re very responsible now.”

Sameer rolled his eyes.

Harsad laughed and handed money to both of them anyway.

Some traditions were non-negotiable.

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The school gates loomed tall and unfamiliar.

“Call me if anyone misbehaves with you,” Sameer said as they walked in. “And stay away from boys.”

Saanvi scoffed. “Relax. I can protect myself.”

Then she smirked. “You call me, if any girl teases you. And stay away from girls.”

Sameer lightly smacked the back of her head. “Chal jaa aab.”

(Go on now)

They parted ways, him toward the senior block, her toward the unknown.

Everything felt new. The corridors buzzed with voices she didn’t recognize, faces that glanced at her with curiosity. As she turned a corner, distracted by her surroundings, she collided hard with someone else.

THUD.

“Ouch,” she hissed, quickly dusting off her skirt. She looked down to see a boy sitting on the floor, looking stunned.

She reached out a hand automatically. “Hello? Andhe ho kya? ”

(Are you blind)

The boy didn't take her hand. He just stared at her. For a heartbeat, his "half-smile" vanished, replaced by a look of genuine surprise, his dark eyes searching hers. Then, as quickly as it had disappeared, a mask of lazy confidence slid back on.

He blinked, snapped out of it, and stood up on his own, ignoring her hand completely.

“Can’t you walk properly?” he snapped.

Saanvi’s eyes widened. “Tum aake takraye mai nahi.”

(You were the one who collided with me, not the other way around.)

His jaw tightened. “Maybe learn to watch where you’re going.”

“Maybe stop standing in the middle of the corridor like a statue.”

Then Two girls stepped in between them. One looked calm but authoritative. The other was openly amused.

“What’s going on here?”

“I’m sorry,” the calm one said to Saanvi. “On his behalf.”

The boy scoffed. “Chhodo yaar, ye ladki thodi si pagal hai.”

(Leave it, this girl is a bit crazy.)

Saanvi opened her mouth to respond, but the other girl laughed. “You’re new, right? I’ve never seen you before.”

“Yes,” Saanvi said, still glaring slightly in the boy’s direction. “I’m looking for XI-B.”

“Oh! Same class,” the girl said brightly. “Come, I’ll take you.”

As Saanvi was led away, she couldn't help but glance back. Rehan was still standing there, leaning against the wall, his eyes following her for a second longer than they should have.

“By the way,” the girl said, extending her hand, “I’m Aditi.”

“Saanvi.”

“So,” Aditi grinned, “what crime did you commit to get into a fight on your first day?”

Saanvi sighed. “Existing, apparently.”

Aditi laughed.

Saanvi entered the classroom and looked around. Only girls.

“Are there no boys in our class?” she asked casually.

Aditi smirked. “Why? Do you need boys?”

Saanvi rolled her eyes. “I just asked casually.”

“They’re already on the ground,” Aditi replied.

After putting their bags down, Aditi groaned. “Now assembly. In this heat.”

Saanvi froze. “Assembly?”

“Daily torture,” Aditi nodded.

Before she could respond, the calm girl from earlier entered. “Everyone, line up. Assembly time.”

As Saanvi stepped out with the rest of the class, the morning sun already burning bright, she had no idea that her first day had already left its mark. Somewhere behind her, a boy lingered longer than he meant to. And ahead of her waited a school that was about to feel far less ordinary. And Saanvi? She was about to find out that some soundtracks are better played as a duet.

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This is my first book, so there may be mistakes along the way. If you spot any errors, feel free to point them out.