The airport buzzed with excitement. Aman and Arnav leaned against a pillar, scanning the crowd for Akash.
Just then, Akash strode into view, his smile radiant, flanked by Khushi and Maddy. The moment Arnav's eyes landed on Khushi, he froze, confusion and irritation flooding his thoughts. He glared at Akash, aware they had kept this little detail hidden.
"Yeh kya kar rahi hai yaha? Ye hamare sath jaegi!" Arnav exclaimed, his voice dripping with annoyance.
Akash shrugged, unbothered. "Haan bhai, maine toh kaha tha. Mere friends jaayenge, kya ho gaya bhai?"
Khushi crossed her arms, peering at both boys, eyebrows raised. "Agar koi problem hai toh main chali jaati hun. Mujhe b koi shauk nahi tha yaha pe aane ka."
"Ab tum toh chup karo, Khushi yaar," Akash pleaded, frustration creeping into his tone.
"Tumne bataya kyun nahi tum sir ke sath ja rahe ho?" Khushi shot back defiantly.
Before the argument could escalate, Aman intervened. "Guys, flight ka time ho raha hai. Let's go, okay?"
Maddy, eager to diffuse the tension, added, "Haan na Khushi, chalte hain na, please!"
With reluctant agreement, the group made their way through the bustling airport and boarded the plane. The excitement of the holiday hanging in the air.
Arriving at their hotel in Goa was like stepping into a paradise. The atmosphere buzzed with laughter and the promise of carefree days ahead.
They were given their room keys, and as Aman gathered them all for a few words, he said, "Listen, everyone, we're here for fun, so we are not your professors here, and you're not our students. We're all friends here. Do whatever you want, go wherever you want. Enjoy, guys!"
Arnav's room was next to Khushi's, their balconies facing each other. As they stepped out to breathe in the salty air, both caught a glimpse of each other, a moment of electric silence passing between them.
Suddenly, Akash burst into Khushi's room and joined her on the balcony, and Arnav's irritation simmered just beneath the surface.
That night, as the group settled in, the excitement of the next day loomed large.
The following morning, Khushi and Maddy were in their room, preparing to hit the beach. Khushi frowned as she looked at Maddy, who was trying on a bikini.
"Ye pehn kar chalogi?" Khushi asked, voice tinged with disbelief.
"Han, aur tum aise chalogi?" Maddy fired back, amused.
Khushi shook her head vigorously, "Tum pagal ho gayi ho, sir bhi toh aayenge na!"
Maddy waved her hand dismissively. "So what? Did you not hear Aman sir? He said we're not students on this trip!"
Trying to ignore her friend's exuberance, Khushi replied, "No way, I can't wear a bikini in front of them."
When they reached the beach, enjoying the sun and the carefree atmosphere. Clad in their slightly revealing outfits, they drew stares, laughter echoing as they formed teams for volleyball games with other tourists. Their energy was infectious, and soon even Arnav joined in, albeit with a visible reluctance.
As the games continued, Khushi accidentally splashed water on Arnav's face. Panic surged through her, prompting an immediate apology. But to her surprise, Arnav retaliated, drenching her even more, all while laughter surrounded them.
Meanwhile, Maddy, feeling adventurous, encouraged Khushi to take off her jacket. "Do it! Everyone else is," she urged.
But Khushi demurred, her earlier discomfort resurfacing. Akash caught the vibe and asked, "Kya hua, Khushi?"
Maddy chimed in, laughing, "Because of Sir, she didn't wear a bikini!"
"Shut up, Maddy!" Khushi shot back, embarrassed.
With Maddy in the water, Akash and Aman excused themselves for a moment, leaving Khushi and Arnav sitting side-by-side on the warm sand, a comfortable yet charged silence between them.
Finally, Arnav broke the quiet. "So, you didn't wear a bikini because of us?"
"Hmm," Khushi replied softly, glancing away.
"Why? I mean, if you wanted to wear it, you could have. Why didn't you?" Arnav pressed gently, genuinely interested.
Khushi looked down, contemplating her response. "I have a lot of respect for you and Aman sir. I can't wear it in front of you ."
"Okay," he said, his tone more understanding.
A stillness lingered between them, thick with unspoken words. Then Khushi asked, "Aapko accha nahi laga na mera aana?"
"Arre nahi! Aise nahi hai, just— I'm sorry for yesterday," Arnav confessed.
"That's okay," she replied, a small smile breaking through.
"Can we enjoy this trip like others, without any professional relationship?" he asked, excited curiosity glimmering in his eyes.
"Of course," Khushi beamed, relieved and delighted.
Just then, everyone rejoined them after their antics, and they all headed back to the hotel. Later that night, they gathered for dinner, the evening filled with chatter, laughter, and a series of goofy photos.
Suddenly, a familiar face emerged from the crowd.
"Hi, Khushi!" Kabir called out, his bright smile cutting through the clamor of the restaurant.
Khushi's face lit up, and she stood up, extending her hand for a handshake. "Kabir! What are you doing here?" The warmth in her voice was unmistakable as she introduced him "This is Akash and Maddy my friends, and my professors, Arnav sir and Aman sir. Guys, this is Kabir, my school friend!"
The introductions were exchanged, and soon the group was chatting comfortably, animated discussions flowing like the wine being poured. Khushi and Kabir shared anecdotes from their school days, their laughter dancing in the air. A gentle touch on Khushi's hand. Kabir leaned close to share a joke.
Sitting nearby, Arnav felt an uncomfortable tightness in his chest. The sight of Kabir's hand on Khushi's made his blood boil with an intensity he hadn't expected.
Why did it matter to him? She was his student! He stood abruptly, pushing his chair back with a screech against the wooden floor. All eyes turned to him, surprised.
"I need to—uh—go," Arnav stammered, avoiding the curious gazes, and stormed out of the restaurant, his heart racing.
"Arnav!" Aman called, getting up to follow him. He caught up to Arnav just as he reached their hotel room. The door slammed behind them, and Arnav paced like a caged lion, frustration evident on his face.
"Listen, Arnav," Aman began, leaning against the door to block the exit. "Why don't you just tell her how you feel?"
But Arnav shook his head fervently. "You know the rules I've set for everyone! No personal relationships in this college. I can't break my own rules." His voice had an edge of desperation that startled Aman.
Aman's brow raised in disbelief. "Wait. Are you saying you're in love with her?"
Caught off guard, Arnav blushed, his indignation crumbling in a heartbeat. "Yes, of course, I'm in love with her!" The admission slipped out almost reluctantly, like a secret he wasn't ready to share.
Aman burst into laughter, the sound filling the room with an air of disbelief mixed with joy. "But, Arnav, you're the one who made the rules! Now look at you—completely lovestruck over your student!"
Arnav crossed his arms defensively, his cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. "It's different…You don't understand," he mumbled, shame washing over him.
"Please," Aman teased, rolling his eyes. "The guy who established the no-dating policy is turning into a romantic fool! And not just about her— I've seen you getting jealous when Akash is around her!" He smirked knowingly and added, "And right now, I can see you're waiting to throw Kabir out of the window."
"Shut up. I'm just—" Arnav started, but Aman interrupted.
"Emotionally invested? Yeah, I can see that," he said, a teasing grin on his face. "You should just tell her—before someone else does."
Arnav sighed, rubbing his temples. "But what does she think of me? She's my student; it complicates everything!"
"Trust me," Aman said earnestly, meeting his friend's gaze with seriousness, "I know Khushi. She likes you. Just figure it out already. Otherwise, you might find yourself watching someone else grab her attention."
The tension in the room thickened as Arnav chewed on Aman's words, wrestling with his emotions. He thought about Khushi's laughter and the way she looked at him in class. It was a bittersweet mix of joy and heartache, and amidst all the rules he had laid down, a part of him couldn't deny he wanted to be the one making her laugh.
With a deep inhale, Arnav finally nodded, the fire inside him igniting with a new sense of clarity. "You're right. It's time I stop letting fear dictate my happiness."
Aman grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's the spirit! Now go and reclaim your happiness, before Kabir makes it more complicated."
With newfound determination arnav, " i will tell her about my feelings after this trip ."
The walls that had once separated their relationships were slowly crumbling, revealing new layers of friendship, and perhaps something deeper.