CHAPTER 3

Hey Dovies, This's the 3rd chapter of

"Humming Hearts" ✨️

Happy Reading🌻

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Mornings at the Oberoi house were rarely quiet. The dining table was already half-full when Myra walked in like she owned the place. Indu, Ishaan's mother, looked up from the stove with a warm smile. "Aa gayi meri bachi?"

Myra grinned. "Good morning, aunty," she said, before greeting everyone else and slipping into her usual spot between Rehan and Ishaan.

With parents who were almost always on hospital duty, Myra spent more mornings here than at her own house. The Oberois had long stopped treating her like a guest. She was family.

"I saw a guy at school yesterday," Myra whispered, leaning toward the boys. "New admission. He was... wow. Really handsome."

Ishaan didn't even look up from his paratha. "Sharam karle thodi si. Aur tu kya ladko ko check out marne ke liye head girl bani hui hai?"

Myra kicked his leg under the table. Rehan, however, flicked the back of Ishaan's head. "Ignore him. Which class? What's his name?"

"Don't know his name yet," Myra shrugged. "Just his class."

"Useless information," Ishaan muttered.

From the kitchen, Reshma, Rehan's mother, eyed them suspiciously. "What are you three whispering about?"

Myra panicked and blurted out the first thing she could think of: "I was just telling Rehan to behave! He was fighting with a new girl in our class yesterday."

The table went silent. Vikram, Rehan's father, looked up sharply. "Rehan. Again?"

"It wasn't my fault!" Rehan protested.

"Har jagah apne khandani parichay dena jaruri hai?" Vikram sighed. Vedant, Ishaan's father, chuckled and waved it off. "Arre, bacche hain. It happens."

Rehan shot Myra a glare. Ishaan chuckled quietly, enjoying the chaos.

At school, Saanvi and Aditi walked toward class. Saanvi hesitated before asking, "Yesterday... you were flirting with that boy. Why?"

Aditi smiled softly. "That was Ishaan. And I... well, I love him."

Saanvi blinked. "Love? Already?"

"I have a massive crush on him," Aditi said simply. "He knows it. I believe one day he'll like me back, maybe." There was no desperation in her voice, only a sunny sort of certainty. Then she leaned in. "And the guy you fought with? Rehan Oberoi. He's Ishaan's brother."

Saanvi stiffened.

"He was our senior," Aditi whispered. "But he was suspended for a year. No one knows why. That's why he's in our class now."

Saanvi frowned. Rehan didn't look dangerous-just... guarded.

The trio-Myra, Ishaan, and Rehan-walked in. Saanvi's eyes immediately met Rehan's. He was already watching her. She looked away instantly.

"Good morning, Prabhu!" Aditi called out brightly.

He paused, looking slightly flustered. "Morning."

"Aapne morning bol diya, aab to din achha hi jayega." Aditi chirped.

Saanvi noticed the tips of Ishaan's ears turn a bright, betraying red. As they sat down, Rehan leaned over and murmured. "Someone's blushing."

"Shut up," Ishaan muttered.

The teacher entered, ending the fun. "New rule, class. To ensure you focus, you will now sit according to your roll numbers."

Saanvi leaned toward Myra. "Aab ye kya hai?"

"Old rule," Myra sighed. "To make students focus on studies."

"It's a horrible rule," Aditi added dramatically.

Attendance began.

Aditi was reassigned first and ended up sitting with another boy. She pouted at Myra and Saanvi.

Ishaan's seat landed two rows behind her.

Myra moved to the front.

"Rehan Oberoi." He stood up lazily, moving to a middle-row bench.

"Saanvi Malhotra."

Saanvi's heart did a nervous somersault. The "New Girl" and the "Troublemaker." Together. She sat down, keeping as much distance as the wooden bench allowed. Myra and Aditi exchanged worried glances.

As class began, tension brewed.

"You're sitting too close," Saanvi muttered as soon as the teacher turned to the board.

"If you have a problem, go sit on the floor," Rehan replied without looking at her.

"Tameej se baat karni nahi aati?"

"Tumhe aati hai?"

"Enough! Both of you!" The teacher's voice cut through the air. "One more word and you're both out of my class."

Silence fell, heavy and charged. Rehan leaned back, a ghost of a smirk on his lips. Saanvi stared at the chalkboard, her face burning. This wasn't just a seating arrangement; it was a total disaster.

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