“Oye! Put it back!” Kunal shouted, panic lighting up his face.

“I think I broke it!” Jay whimpered, staring at the precariously leaning tower of books he just knocked over.

“I don't want to become the head boy of these freaking girls school!” Raghav growled loudly, his arms flailing as though he were trying to fly right past their mess.

“Stop being childish and get your ass out of there.” Kunal  answered back, frustration bubbling under the surface as he shot a look toward Jay, who's still looking half-dazed amidst the chaos of scattered papers and books.

“Jay!” Kunal command, trying to gather a semblance of order.

“Kunal!” Jay countered defensively, throwing up his hands like he had been wrongly accused.

“What the hell! What are you all doing in MY Drom?” A sharp voice sliced through their frenzy.

All three boys froze like deer caught in headlights and turned to see the source of the voice.

There stood Janhvi Agnihotri, fierce as a lioness, clad in a red-striped short skirt that danced just above her knee, a crisp white shirt with blue borders framing her determined glare, and a blazer that added just the right touch of authority. Two heavy books were clutched in her arms, and her glasses perched precariously on her nose added an air of seriousness that none of them dared to dismiss.

“It’s my room too, if you’ve forgotten,” Raghav muttered, glancing between his friends and the unyielding glare of the head girl, his messy hair doing nothing to enhance his argument.

“I think he forgot the rule, our principal told us,” Kunal thought, hoping the thought wouldn’t send him spiraling into a panic.

“He is dead for sure,” Jay internally lamented, the weight of their impending doom sinking in.

“That doesn’t mean you get to mess it up with your friends!” Janhvi replied, her tone drenched in sarcasm. She continued glaring at them, as if trying to will the unruly trio into submission.

“Bro, I think I should leave,” Jay whispered nervously, inching sideways like he could blend into the wall.

“Me too, I need to search my own dorm room too,” Kunal added, still too transfixed by Janhvi’s steely gaze to think straight.

“You two are scared of a girl?” Raghav smirked, trying to muster courage, but failing miserably as he glanced back at Janhvi, who looked ready to pounce.

“Oi! We’re not scared of her, we’re scared of her principal!” Jai hissed, his body shrinking at the thought. He shot a particularly pointed look at Raghav, adding, “And don’t forget what our principal told us before we came here!”

“Exactly, Raghav, We can’t create a problem for our principal. And don't try to get killed by her!” Kunal chimed in, noting the head girl of Rose Valley girls' school entering the living room with an annoyed look that could carve stone.

“Let’s go,” Raghav declared, striding towards the exit like he was making an escape.

“Where are you going?” Jay asked, blinking in surprise.

“Don’t you two want to find out where your dorm rooms are?” Raghav shot back, feigning annoyance as he ignored Janhvi, who was clearly eavesdropping but kept pretending they didn’t exist.

“Do you even know where our dorm is?” Kunal asked, curiosity piqued.

“Remember, I’m the head boy! I know the lay of the land—and who it belongs to!” Raghav proclaimed with a sarcasm that had Janhvi rolling her eyes.

She merely shook her head and set her books down on the cluttered living room table. “Don’t get lost,” she muttered, starting to tidy up the mess that seemed to multiply by the second.

"Pta nhi kya kar rahe hai ye log yahan, kitna ganda kar diya hai room," Janhvi fumed in her mind, completely oblivious to Jay and Kunal elbowing Raghav to stop him from retorting to her.

“Shut it! We’ll be toast if she tells her principal about us,” Kunal hissed, dragging Raghav along, with Jay trailing behind like a shadow.

“Who’s scared of her principal?” Raghav scoffed, trying to sound brave.

“Us,” both Jay and Kunal said in unison as they began their quest down the corridor in search of their dorms.

“So, where are our rooms?” Jay asked casually, glancing around at the lush garden on one side and dull, dreary walls on the other.

"Just walk," Raghav muttered annoyed.

“What a boring school! I don’t know how I’ll survive two years here,” Jay sighed dramatically.

“You are stuck here for two years. And what about my last year being wasted?!” Raghav retorted, strolling down the corridor with a sense of purpose... that was quickly diminishing.

“Hmmm,” Kunal shrugged, as he observed their surroundings while falling in step.

Five minutes later:

“Bro, I think we’re lost…” Jay exclaimed suddenly, his gaze darting between barren walls that emanated an eerie silence.

“You said you knew where our rooms were! So how did we end up here?” Jay demanded, nudging Raghav for answers.

“Hmmm… maybe we should have asked that girl for help,” Kunal pondered aloud, frantically scanning for any sign of life.

“Why would we do that?” Raghav groaned at the mere mention of Janhvi. “She could have sent us the wrong way!”

“Right, but now that we 'are' lost, what’s our plan?” Jay asked, glancing nervously over the railing as the storm clouds rolled in overhead.

“Uh, guys... what if there’s a ghost here?” Jay's voice turned shaky, chills cascading down his spine as the corridor darkened and the lights flickered ominously.

"Stop being dramatic, Jay!" Raghav snapped, uncharacteristically unsettled as the temperature plummeted.

"Ye school hai, haunted house nhi, Jay," Kunal said, tossing his head back with an exaggerated sigh as he walked towards the railing, peering through the clouds that were swirling ominously above. "It’s about to rain, and I really think we should head back and ask the principal about our classes, dorms, and all those pesky rules we have to follow in this school." He turned to see his friends standing beside each other, looking as nervous as a pair of kittens caught in a thunderstorm.

“Chale?” he asked, his eyes flicking between them.

“Haan, Chalo!” Raghav replied, trying to sound braver than he felt, a slight waver cracking his voice.

Crack!

“Huh?” They both jumped at the sharp sound, exchanging glances filled with surprise and fear.

BOOM!

“MUMMY!!!” Jay screamed, launching himself at Raghav like a frightened puppy.

“Abe! Dur hat mujhse!” Raghav shouted, trying desperately to peel Jay off him.

As if on cue, raindrops started to patter against the ground, the sky releasing its pent-up moisture with a dramatic flair.

“It’s just rain,” Kunal repeated, shaking his head at his friends. “Stop being so dramatic.”

“Alright, I’ll just go talk to the principal myself,” Kunal declared, making a move to leave the dark corridor. “You two stay put.”

“Don’t leave me alone!” Jay wailed, trailing after Kunal with Raghav begrudgingly joining in.

BOOM!

“Hmmm, aaj lagta hai jaise baarish band nahi hogi,” Kunal said contemplatively, straining his eyes to find a way out of the gloomy corridor.

“Yaha ki principal kanjus hai kya? Ek light bhi nahi lagayi corridor mein!” Raghav grumbled, realizing they were plunged into darkness, the absence of light making the long hallway feel even eerier.

“The weather's bad, maybe something happened and that’s why the lights are off,” Kunal tried to reassure them, though he too was starting to feel a little uneasy. He peered into the shadows, hoping to spot a helpful maid or anyone who could direct them to the principal’s office.

Sass...

Suddenly, a gust of wind whipped through, sending a chill down all their spines and leaving Raghav and Jay with an inexplicable shiver.

“Mujhe dar lag raha hai, bhai!” Jay whimpered, inching closer to his friends as if they could shield him from the encroaching darkness.

“Idiot, darna band kar aur sidhe chal! Yaha koi bhoot nahi hai!” Raghav said, an edge of seriousness in his voice, though he was trying to convince himself as much as Jay.

…..

“Look, woh rahe woh log!” a girl with two pigtails whispered as she peered around the corner, watching the trio of new students huddled together in the corridor. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Kamini, This isn't a good idea! If the principal finds out, then we are finished,"another girl, with glasses that slipped down her nose, cautioned nervously from behind her.

“Darna band kar, aur chal mere sath,” Kamini insisted, whipping out her bracelet adorned with tiny bells that jingled enticingly in the dim light.

Taking full advantage of the stormy weather and chilly atmosphere, she began to jingle the bracelet, crafting an eerie soundtrack to their mischief.

“Bhai! Ye awaj kaisi hai?!” Jay said in a panic, gripping Raghav’s arm as if it were a lifeline.

Kunal remained quiet, but his heart raced along with Jay’s.

"Who would have thought that my last year would become my last day?" Raghav muttered sarcastically, already fed up with the bizarre turn of events.

Kamini continued to shake her bracelet, the sound mingling with the whispers of the wind, and just to up the ante, she pulled out a tape recorder and blasted the sound of wicked laughter into the air.

HE! HEHE! HE!

HAHAHAHA!

“MUMMYYY!!!!” Jay began to wail, eyes wide with terror.

“Chup kar!” Raghav yelled in response, though he was scrambling to keep his own nerves in check.

Instead of succumbing to fear like his friends, Kunal’s curiosity peaked. "We should move on, maybe we'll find some help." he said in a calm voice that belied the rapid heartbeat in his chest.

Kamini and Nitya exchanged glances, eyebrows raised.

"It doesn't seem to scared,"Nitya remarked with a nervous smile.

“Aise kaise nahi darega!” Kamini shot back with a mock pout, her mischievous grin returning as she rummaged through her bag for something else that could scare the last boy standing.

“What are you looking at?” Nitya asked, her curiosity piqued as she turned to peek inside Kamini’s bag too.

“Something which might scare him,” Kamini replied, her smile growing wider, her intentions clear as they plotted their playful chaos in the dark corridor.

........

Kunal, who had been following the peculiar sounds echoing through the dimly lit corridor, came to an abrupt halt when he heard the shuffling noise emanating from behind the walls. Curiosity piqued, he crept closer, careful to step as lightly as possible.

Peering around the corner, he caught a glimpse of two girls rummaging through a large bag.

“There must be something that will scare him?" Kamini muttered, annoyance creeping into her voice as she remained unaware of Kunal’s amused observation.

“Actually, I don't believe in ghosts,” he chimed in, his voice calm yet playful.

“Shit!” Both Kamini and Nitya spun around, startled to find Kunal grinning at them.

“Hello, beautiful ladies,” he greeted, his voice dripping with charm and mischief.

“Fuck!” Kamini exclaimed, the surprise plastered across her face.

“Language, Miss,” Kunal whispered teasingly, adding, “Bad words don’t sound good coming from a beautiful woman.”

Nitya snickered at that, only to be met with a glare from Kamini.

Straightening her posture, Kamini shot a warning look at Kunal. “Don’t forget where you are standing! And don't tell me how to speak!”

“Kami, calm down, he didn’t mean it—”

“Calm down? Because of these people, Janvi has to share her dorm, and she's also lost her power as a head girl! On top of that, Megha, Aru, and Gauri have to go to that school, and you're telling me to shut up!" Kamini hissed, her frustration bubbling over as she continued to glare at Kunal. He listened quietly, absorbing her outburst without a word.

“You are saying as if we are having fun here after leaving our school!” Jay exclaimed, having rushed over to investigate Kamini’s loudness, Raghav following close behind.

“This is your principal’s fault!” Kamini snapped, still fiery.

“Kamini, listen, enough already! Let’s get out of here!” Nitya pleaded, attempting to drag her friend away, but Kamini shot her a fierce look, clearly not ready to back down.

“Principal ko pata chala na ki hum yahan hain toh bahut daat padegi,” Nitya insisted seriously.

“Mera phone!” Nitya suddenly panicked, not finding it in her bag.

"It's in your bag. Now let's get out of here!" Kamini said, stomping off towards her classroom.

The boys stood there, watching their chaotic encounter unfold.

“What weird girls,” Jay remarked, shaking his head, an expression of bewilderment on his face.

“I want to leave this place,” Raghav grumbled, his annoyance clearly visible and finding no humor in his new school.

“Let’s go, we should meet the principal and then we can finally settle into our classes,” Kunal suggested, walking down the dim corridor.

“But how will we find the principal's office when we don't know anything about this school?" Jay asked, curiosity lacing his voice.

“He’s got a point,” Raghav chimed in, all seriousness as he glanced around the shadowy hallway.

"A while ago you said you knew everything about this school,Mr Head Boy?"Jay said with amousment.

"Shut up!"Raghav grunted in annoyance, making jay and Kunal chuckled.

Kunal simply responded with a gentle smile. “Just trust me,” he assured them, and they began walking deeper into the labyrinth of the school, thunder rumbling ominously outside.

....... Principal’s Office......

“So, they have arrived?” a lady in her mid-thirties asked as she sat at her desk, clad in a simple cotton blue saree, her hair styled in a neat bun, eyes sharp and commanding.

“Yes, Ma’am, they’re here,” the nervous PT teacher confirmed.

“Very well, Kritika Ma'am, you may leave,"  the principal instructed, briefly glancing at a message that buzzed on her phone.

“Sure, Ma’am—”

Knock!

“Excuse me?” The warden opened the office door, ushering in the three boys.

“M-Ma’am, they wanted to meet you,” the warden stammered, nerves evident in her demeanor.

The principal focused her attention on the boys. “Please, come in,” she said, motioning for them to take a seat. Turning to the teacher, she added, “You may leave, Kritika Ma'am.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” the PT teacher nodded, casting one last glance at the boys before exiting.

Kunal, Jay, and Raghav eyed the principal curiously.

“Boys, please have a seat. I’m sure you’re all feeling a bit worn out after transferring to a new school,” the principal stated firmly, her eyes still sharp.

“Humare principal sir toh fir bhi smile karte the, per yahan dekh kar lagta hai jaise kisi ko smile ka matlab hi nahi pata,” Jay thought to himself, recalling his earlier encounter.

“Thank you, Ma’am, but we’re fine,” Kunal replied on behalf of both Raghav and Jay, who were too busy processing the stark contrast between their old and new school.

“As you wish,” the principal replied, glancing at Raghav and Jay. Her attention was drawn to the head boy badge adorning Raghav’s shirt.

“Well, let’s start with introductions,” she began, her tone businesslike. “My name is Sharvani Kanojiya, principal of Rose Valley Girls High School.”

With a nod, Kunal took the initiative. “Kunal Oberoi.”

Before he could continue, Jay interrupted, bursting forth with enthusiasm. “And I’m Jay Bhardwaj! I love cricket, and my favorite team is CSK—Thala is the best!”

Both Kunal and Raghav exchanged awkward looks, feeling a twinge of embarrassment.

The principal’s face remained stoic, with only a slight nod in response as she turned to Raghav. “And you?”

“Raghav Kundra, Head Boy of Rose Valley Boys School,” Raghav stated plainly, keeping it simple and straightforward.

A brow quirked up on Sharvani’s forehead as she took that in.

“But now, Mr. Kundra, you are indeed the Head Boy of Rose Valley Girls,” she replied, her tone firm.

“Because—”

Kunal discreetly kicked Raghav’s foot under the table, silencing him instantly. The principal raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by Raghav’s unexpected mutism.

“Ma’am, if you don’t mind, could you tell us when our classes will be starting?” Kunal asked gently.

“From tomorrow, as classes are canceled today due to some minor inconveniences,” Sharvani explained, then added, “However, there are a few rules you must follow, which I’m sure your principal has briefed you on before your arrival here?”

“Don’t worry, Ma’am, our principal already went over the rules and regulations with us, and we promise not to create any inconvenience for you while we’re here,” Kunal assured her, glancing at his friends for support.

“Yes, we’ll make sure of it, Ma’am…” both Raghav and Jay echoed in soft voices.

“Hmmm,” Sharvani nodded, then turned to the maid standing patiently at the door. “Please show them their dorm rooms.” Then, turning back to Raghav, she added, “And I’m sure, Mr. Kundra, you already know that you’ll be sharing a room with Janhvi.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” Raghav replied tersely, then promptly stormed out of the principal’s office, barely waiting for Kunal and Jay.

“Oi! Kahan ja raha hai tu?” Jay called out, jogging to catch up with his friend, matching his pace as he kept stride beside him.

"I already hate this place, and now I have to live here for an entire year!" Raghav hissed, frustration dripping from every word as he stormed down the corridor.

"At least you got the head boy's room," he grumbled, adopting a grumpy baby voice, "Look at me! I'm still trying to find my dorm room!"

"Aren't you even a little mad?" the maid asked Kunal, who silently listened to his friend's complaints, choosing to stay mum.

"Nope," Kunal replied softly, his gentle voice contrasting with Raghav's outrage.

The maid smiled, grateful for his calmness, as they continued walking. Eventually, they reached a stunning area where vibrant greenery surrounded them. After navigating a flight of stairs, they finally stood before a door.

"You two will be staying in this room, and I'm sure you know where your room is," the school warden announced, eyeing the boys, who both nodded obediently.

"Thank you for your help," Kunal said, opening the door with a flourish, allowing Jay and Raghav to step inside.

"Let me know if you boys need anything. I'll be in the staff cabin," the warden offered before leaving them with a smile.

"Thanks, we’ll let you know," Kunal responded, flashing a friendly grin as the warden exited.

"Who will save these boys from the girls around here?" she chuckled quietly, shaking her head as she returned to her duties.

......

"This room isn't half bad," Jay thought, glancing around the living area before spotting two doors on the opposite side.

"That's my room," he declared, pointing to one door while opening the other. "And that one is yours!" He peeked inside to find a simple setup: a bed, a study table, and a window draped with curtains fluttering under the rain's gentle onslaught.

"Well, good thing I don't have to share a room, or a bed, with anyone," Jay said, letting himself fall onto the couch with a thud.

"My room has a bookshelf," Kunal chimed in, emerging from his side of the apartment, joining his friends.

"Yeah, sure!" Raghav retorted, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface as he remembered his fate of sharing a room with a girl.

"What's got you all riled up?” Jay asked, grinning mischievously, enjoying Raghav's predicament of dealing with a girl as a roommate.

"I hate this school and the girls here already!" Raghav snapped, his voice dripping with teenage angst.

"It's been one day, and you already despise it?" Kunal questioned, eyebrow arched in disbelief.

"And we have to survive here for a whole year! Imagine what that will be like!" Jay teased, clearly relishing Raghav’s misery.

Infuriated by their banter, Raghav jumped to his feet.

"Where are you off to?" both Jay and Kunal asked, curiosity piqued.

"To hell!" Raghav shot back indignantly. "Wanna join?"

"Send me the menu from there, and then I’ll consider it," Jay quipped, rolling his eyes, which made Raghav glare with annoyance before storming out of the dorm.

"But seriously, if we’re this miserable already, just think about the girls! What's their situation like?" Jay pondered aloud, chuckling at the thought.

"Don’t fret! Our principal has everything under control. And Rudra and Bhramchari are there to handle it all," Kunal reassured them, clearly remembering their other friends.

"Are you kidding?" Jay laughed. "Rudra doesn’t even like girls, and Bhramchari, He himself is scared of girls and that is why he is in a boys school, And You really think those two will manage everything?"

"Maybe," Kunal chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief.

......Rose Valley Boys High School.........

Three girls scurried outside the school campus like drenched cats, attempting to avoid the looming rain.

"Let’s head over there!" Megha exclaimed, spotting the nearby gate. She bolted forward, doing her best not to get completely soaked.

"Wait! I'm coming too!" Gauri shouted, sprinting to catch up.

"I swear, I hate this rain!" Aru grumbled, scowling at the dark clouds above as beads of water dripped down her forehead.

"Ugh, I'm getting soaked!" Megha protested, wringing her drenched jacket. "Oh wait, it’s just my jacket that’s wet."

Aru shook her head, giggling at Megha’s dramatics, turning her attention to Gauri, who looked like she had just jumped into a swimming pool.

"Here, take this," Megha offered, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it to Gauri.

"Thank you," Gauri murmured, a shy smile crossing her lips.

"Well, good thing I brought my bag! At least we can change out of these clothes," she continued, glancing around for any sign of a restroom.

"What are you looking for?" Aru asked, eyeing Megha with curiosity.

"There must be a room around here where we can change before we meet the principal," Megha explained, wrinkling her nose at the not-so-clean hallway filled with boys’ art attempts and chaotic scribbles.

"Doesn’t anyone clean around here?” Megha wondered aloud.

"It's just drawings! It’s raining; it's normal," Aru teased as she strolled alongside her, searching diligently for a changing area.

"Umm...Aru?"

Aru halted, turning as she caught a glimpse of Gauri, who had a worried expression, hugging herself tightly as if hiding something.

"M-my shirt is wet, and it’s—it's showing my b-bra!" she whispered, cheeks reddening with embarrassment.

"Holy crap!" Aru gasped, her eyes wide.

"Just a second; let me find something!" Megha exclaimed, frantically digging through her backpack. Instead of clothes, she pulled out various snacks and food items.

"Seriously?" Aru and Megha both thought, then quickly visualized their mischievous friends who were still back in Rose Valley.

"Shasha!"

"G-guys?" Gauri whispered, her panic evident as she looked around nervously.

"We need to act fast, Aru!" Megha declared, puffing her chest out like a warrior ready for battle.

"But what do we do?" Aru questioned, anxiety creeping in.

Glancing around, she found a room, "Look over there! It’s a changing room! Come on!" Megha shouted, dragging Gauri along with her.

Gauri let out a small yelp of surprise, trying to cover herself with her hands while Aru swung Megha’s drenched jacket over her shoulder.

"It’ll help hide you a bit," Aru said, trying to be reassuring.

"We need to check if anyone is inside," Megha whispered, knocking on the door first. Hearing no response, she exchanged glances with Aru and Gauri, before she nodded and jiggled the handle.

"Looks like luck is on our side; no one's here," she said, peeking behind her. "Come on inside."

"B-but—" Gauri stammered, hesitation evident in her tone, but she was already being pulled into the room.

Thud!

Click!

Megha swiftly locked the door behind them, shutting out the chaos outside.

“Okay, Aru, find something for Gauri to change into!” Megha instructed, diving into her search.

...Gauri POV...

As I watched my friends scurry around, searching for something for me to wear, I stepped forward to help them.

“I’ll help too,” I chimed in, glancing around the boys' changing room, which had a distinct messy, boyish scent. I felt oddly at home, recalling my two little brothers and their perpetual mess.

After rummaging through the debris, I spotted a corner with a slightly dented locker. Curiosity piqued, I opened it, recoiling as I encountered a stinky sock.

"Eww! Do these boys ever wash their clothes?" Megha exclaimed, throwing the sock away with disgust.

I couldn’t help but chuckle but resumed my search, ignoring the disarray around me. The clothes were haphazard, but one item caught my eye—a sleek black blazer with a big letter 'R' stitched on it.

"Maybe I could wear this over my shirt," I mused, pulling it out and finding it remarkably clean.

As I slipped it on, I felt a wave of warmth and protection wash over me, as if someone were wrapping me in a reassuring hug.

"Looks good! At least no one will notice what’s underneath," Aru teased, striding toward me with a playful grin.

"Hmm.." I hummed, catching a whiff of a distinct, musky scent lingering on the fabric—something like sandalwood mixed with a smokey undertone.

"I hope whoever owns this doesn't mind me borrowing it," I whispered apologetically, feeling like I was pilfering a piece of someone’s identity.

"Don't overthink it; let's just get out of here before someone walks in," Megha said, swinging open the door.

"Right, and we still need to meet the principal, plus figure out our rooms and classes," Aru added in a mock grumpy
tone, pulling me along as we dashed back into the fray.

......Principal's Office.....

“So, boys, I trust you understand why I’ve summoned you here?” the principal asked, scrutinizing his top four students.

“I think it’s because I kinda, um, broke Laksh’s nose?” Ishaan replied, shifting nervously and rubbing the back of his neck.

“We’ll discuss that in a moment, Mr. Vashisht,” the principal interjected, his voice firm and his gaze piercing.

“Is it because I, uh, may have taken some snacks from the kitchen?” Ayan chimed in, hesitating like a cat on a hot tin roof.

“Same goes for you, Mr. Awasthi,” the principal replied, maintaining his stern tone.

“But why? I was starving! Can’t a poor hungry soul even eat?” Ayan exclaimed dramatically. “Why are we innocent children being subjected to this tyranny, Principal Sahab?”

“Mr. Awasthi, -5 for overacting,” the principal said, a chuckle escaping him.

“I wasn’t that over the top, was I?” Ayan asked, glancing at the guy leaning against the doorway, eyes closed and headphones snugly in place.

“Your antics compel me to want to give you a good thrashing,” Ishaan quipped.

“Sir, please ignore them and continue,” Dev said, standing a few feet away and trying to maintain some decorum.

“I’m sure you are all aware of the recent proposition from our chairman,” the principal said, capturing their undivided attention.

“The proposition to convert Rose Valley High School into a co-ed institution, right?” Ishaan asked, catching on despite having missed the initial discussions.

“Correct, Mr. Vashisht,” the principal confirmed, his expression sober. “Your three friends have already been sent to Rose Valley Girls’ School.”

“Yes, we know,” Ishaan, Ayan, and Dev replied together, while their friend leaned casually against the door, nodding.

“You do understand that the boys should be safe there, don’t you?” the principal asked, gauging their reactions.

“Uh, yeah,” they agreed, albeit uncertainly.

“Likewise, you must also realize that the girls coming here could be in danger,” the principal stated sternly.

“Why do you think they wouldn’t be safe here?” Ayan shot back, the heat rising in his voice.

“Mr. Awasthi, why do you think I’m saying that?” the principal countered, his seriousness unwavering.

“Because to women, men are often the most perilous creatures on the planet, especially when they’ve stolen their rights and freedoms,” Dev answered, wearing a sophisticated facade.

An awkward silence engulfed the room.

“Need further explanation, Mr. Awasthi?” the principal probed, a steely look directed at him.

“No, sir,” Ayan muttered, eyes downcast and filled with shame. The principal nodded in understanding.

“If that’s the case, then why does the chairman want to place the girls here, which could be dangerous for them?” Ishaan asked, genuinely intrigued.

“Good question, Mr. Vashisht,” the principal acknowledged, glancing at each of them. “The chairman intends to merge both the boys’ and girls’ schools into one co-ed institution,” he explained, observing their reactions intently.

“Then why the fuss? He could do that without all this drama, right?” Ayan wondered aloud.

“Actually, Mr. Awasthi, if we suddenly converted both schools to co-ed, there’s a good chance that parents would pull their kids out for various reasons—” the principal’s gaze drifted to the guy still slouched in the doorway, hands in his pockets, eyes still closed. “—because Rose Valley Boys have already built quite a reputation outside the school, leading people to believe we’re raising gangsters, not children,” he finished, annoyance creeping into his voice.

“But sir, you were a gangster too, so wouldn’t that mean we’d be gangsters as well?” Ayan exclaimed excitedly.

“And who told you that, Mr. Awasthi?” the principal shot back, tone firm.

“Uh... hehehe... that was, um—”

Dev interrupted him, “But sir, the fact remains that our boys are rowdy, and that definitely tarnishes our school’s reputation.”

“Exactly why the chairman wants this change, Mr. Maheshwari,” the principal clarified.

An uncomfortable silence settled in.

“Fine.”

At that moment, the boys turned to the guy still lounging against the door, who finally lifted his gaze to meet theirs. “I’m leaving,” he stated flatly.

After those words, he stood tall and exited, leaving the others exchanging bewildered looks.

The principal couldn’t help but beam with amusement. “Looks like I don’t have to worry about him,” he mused silently.

“So, we’re doing this,” the other boys concluded in unison, understanding exactly what their friend’s departure implied.

“But nobody's making me someone’s bodyguard!” Ishaan complained, rising to join his friends.

“Then just become a Brahamchari bodyguard waise bhi us bichare ko jyda jarurat hogi; after all, he’ll be the first to face this shock tomorrow,” Ayan added, teasingly.

“Great idea,” Ishaan retorted with a mock-serious tone.

“Boys, best of luck,” the principal called out as they left his office, bickering about who would take on what responsibilities.

Once the door clicked shut, the principal sank into his chair and made a phone call.

“Hello?” came the voice on the other end.

“Please schedule me a one-year appointment at your hospital,” the principal responded, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

“Why? Are you planning on kicking the bucket and need a year to prepare?” the man, his best friend, asked playfully, clearly enjoying the principal's plight.

“Yeah, so you better do as I am saying!” he replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“You, who put others in the hospital back when you were a gangster, now prepping to visit the Grim Reaper as a principal?” his friend teased.

“Principal...” he retorted as he gazed out the window and stood up. “Let’s not dwell on that.”

“Ah, love struck you hard, hasn’t it? This is the reason for your state,” his friend quipped from the other end of the line.

The principal walked towards the large window, observing the rain hammering against the ground. A soft smile crept onto his face. “Nishkarsh, be a decent doctor and leave an empty room reserved for me; I’ll need it soon,” he murmured, watching students make a run for it across the drenched school grounds.

“As you wish, Mr. Gangster,” Nishkarsh responded, still chuckling.

“Did you tell Ishaan about my past?” he inquired, processing how his students had quickly caught on.

“I’ve got patients and a surgery to get to, bye!”

Beep!

Nishkarsh ended the call, prompting the principal to glance at his phone with a chuckle.

“Idiots,” he muttered, turning back to the window where the rain continued to pour.

As the glass captured the blend of sadness and amusement on his face, he turned his attention to a letter left by his best friend and chairman.

…One Month Ago…

“No!” Sharvani declared firmly, settling into her chair beside the other principal in the Chairman’s office.

“Just hear me out?” Raj asked hesitantly, his voice wobbly as he felt the weight of Sharvani’s piercing glare.

“Has she ever listened to anyone?” Mr. Principal quipped with a smirk, only to find himself on the receiving end of an even fierce glare from Sharvani.

“People should at least be honest if they want to be heard,” she shot back with biting sarcasm.

“Yeah, right, like you’re the daughter of Harishchandra,” Mr. Principal muttered under his breath as he avoided eye contact, trying to dodge her lethal stare.

“Looks like they wouldn’t agree to my plan after all,” the chairman mused silently, sinking into his chair with a heavy sigh.

“Hello, Chairman! Why do you want to turn Rose Valley into a co-ed school?” Mr. Principal inquired, eyeing the chairman’s quiet demeanor with suspicion.

“Because Sharvani’s getting married soon and I don’t want to search for a new principal,” Raj blurted out, frustration lacing his words.

“Who’s getting married...?” Mr. Principal turned to Sharvani, who had suddenly turned into a statue, studiously ignoring him.

“I just mentioned it’s Sharvani, who else?” Raj sighed, exasperated, throwing a glance between his best friend and the other principal.

“But what does her marriage have to do with turning the school co-ed?” Mr. Principal frowned, irritation creeping into his tone.

“Honestly, I divided the school so the two of you could become co-principals of Rose Valley without killing each other… or me,” Raj added, lowering his voice dramatically on the last part, almost as if it were a secret.

“Who gets married at this age?” Mr. Principal scoffed, a teasing undertone in his voice loud enough for Sharvani to hear.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if one of my principals dropped dead today due to their own foolishness,” Raj thought as he watched his best friend poke the bear.

“Your reasoning is weak, Raj. I need a solid argument; otherwise, I won’t agree to turning our schools co-ed,” Sharvani stated firmly, her expression unyielding, completely ignoring Mr. Principal as if he were invisible.

“I knew you wouldn’t agree,” Raj replied in a defeated tone, rummaging through his desk drawer and pulling out a news article, laying it flat in front of his two friends who currently held the title of principals.

Both Sharvani and Mr. Principal leaned in, eyes wide as they read the headline on the front page of the news outlet: ‘Rose Valley High Boys Vandalized a Cafe.’

“What the—?!” Mr. Principal exclaimed, his shock evident as he scanned the rest of the article, realizing this was not the first incident of such juvenile behavior. It seemed the boys’ school was more about raising gangsters than students.

“What do you expect from a principal who runs a gangster factory?” Sharvani remarked sarcastically, now directing her focus back to Raj.

“You want the girls from my school to have classes with these hooligans?” she added, incredulous.

“Turn the page, Sharu,” Raj urged, trying to stifle his amusement.

She turned it and gasped as her eyes fell on the new headline: ‘The Reason Rose Valley Boys Started the Problem was Because of the Girls from Rose Valley High.’

“People only know how to put blame on others,” Mr. Principal said with a smirk, a twinkle of mischief in his eye.

“Have you considered how parents and students would react if we suddenly announced we're becoming a co-ed school?” Sharvani asked, tone steady and firm as she continued to disregard Mr. Principal’s smugness.

“Don’t worry! I’ve already handled that issue before consulting you two,” Raj said, pulling out letters he had received from parents, excitement bubbling in his voice.

“Why are there so many letters?” both principals asked, eyebrows raised, exchanging incredulous looks.

“Well, I’m not turning the school co-ed right now,” Raj started, showing them the replies he had gathered from the parents. “I asked them about Rose Valley High becoming a co-ed, and while some parents were okay with it, others weren’t—which is understandable, so I didn't want to push anything on them just yet.”

“So?” Mr. Principal raised an eyebrow, sensing that Raj was hiding something.

“So, I have a particular idea! Let’s just say…three students will become exchange students between both schools!” Raj revealed, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“......”

“.....”

Both Sharvani and Mr. Principal stared at Raj, processing the news.

“And what’s that supposed to change?” Mr. Principal asked, trying to understand the logic behind his best friend's plan.

“Sita(Chairman, wife) mentioned that this could help lessen the rivalry the two schools have created between them,” Raj answered, recalling his wife’s wise words.

“And how do we plan to pull that off?” they replied in unison, skepticism etched on their faces.

“Don’t worry! I’ve already sorted everything out,” Raj declared enthusiastically, genuinely surprised that neither of his best friends objected to his plan after hearing it.

................ Flashback End..............

“Now the students can save Rose Valley High, or else...” he trailed off, his eyes landing on an invitation resting on his desk.

A bittersweet smile crept onto his lips. “Looks like I’ll be spending my entire life alone...” he chuckled softly.

Thunder rumbled outside, drawing his gaze to the window, where heavy rain poured down like an uninvited guest.

................. School Hallway.................

“Where the hell is the principal’s office?!” Megha exclaimed in frustration as she, along with Gauri and Aru, ventured through the school hallway. Boys passing by cast them odd glances, some even scurrying away in fear the moment they got too close, leaving the girls baffled, unable to inquire about the office without a clear target.

“But don’t you think it’s weird how their expressions changed as soon as they saw Gauri?” Aru wondered aloud, observing the boys’ reactions with interest.

“If you said they were running scared because of you, I might believe it. But Gauri? No way!” Megha retorted proudly, “She’s the sweetest innocent soul God ever created; who could ever be scared of her?” She glanced affectionately at their friend, who was tightly clutching her jacket, a mixture of nerves and confusion written all over her face.

Aru nodded in agreement, thinking that Gauri’s timid nature seemed far from menacing. After a few moments of confusion, they finally spotted a peon who pointed them toward the principal’s office, and off they went.

.....Meanwhile, in the Rose valley boys Gaming Room...

"He said he doesn't give his things to anyone!?" one boy exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief. The other nodded in agreement, looking equally shocked.

"Yeah, remember the basketball match? He told that girl that only his woman  gets to wear his match jacket!" the other boy added, his voice dripping with intrigue.

"Kya ho raha hai yaha?" Ishaan asked as he strolled into the game room, immediately sensing the tension hanging in the air like a thick fog.

"Bhabhi Aa Gyi!" they all shouted in unison, their expressions a mix of surprise and panic.

"Oye! Bhabhi kise bol rahe ho?" Ishaan protested, his eyes darting around as he instinctively tried to hide behind his hands, suddenly feeling exposed.

"Idiot, woh tujhe Bhabhi nahi bol rahe hain," Ayan chimed in, walking into the room with Dev by his side, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Gaurav, come on, spill it. What’s this all about?" Ayan asked, plopping down on the sofa, a throne amidst the chaos. The other boys quickly settled in, ready for the 'serious meeting.'

"Classes were canceled, so we were chilling coming here from the hallway, when we spotted three girls," Gaurav explained, raising his eyebrows as the others leaned in to hear more.

"So, they’re actually here!? That's not surprising at all," Dev said, a nonchalant shrug punctuating his words.

"But what's got you all so riled up? You were acting like it was the end of the world, and you turned Ishaan into 'Bhabhi' in the process!" Ayan chuckled, amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Is it really that funny?!" Ishaan shot back, glaring at Ayan as everyone else cracked a smile.

"Oh no, we weren't calling Ishaan 'Bhabhi'. It's just that one girl was wearing the Leader's jacket! Remember when he said he wouldn’t give it to just any girl, only to his future wife?" Gaurav elaborated, a knowing look on his face.

Ishaan and Dev exchanged glances, the realization dawning on them as they turned to Ayan, their eyebrows shooting up in surprise.

"Bhabhi, jaldi nahi mil gayi?" Ayan muttered, feigning shock.

"Whatever it is, now that we've all agreed she’s our future sister-in-law, it’s officially our duty to protect her. Got it?" Ayan said, channeling his inner serious leader, eyebrows furrowed like he was addressing a boardroom full of business execs.

"Yes, Boss! We’ll protect our Bhabhi like it’s our mission!" they all chorused, faces serious, though the twinkle of mischief in their eyes betrayed them as they began plotting who would do what—and how—to ensure they wouldn’t get caught by the principal or, of course, the girls.

"Rudra and Bhramchari ko yaha hona chahiye tha," Dev thought with a smirk, watching his friends dive into intense discussions like they were strategizing a heist.

........ The Girls ...............

"Wow? This place is amazing!" Megha exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder as she admired the head dorm rooms.

"This room is super pretty! Don't you think so, Gauri?" Aru said, gaping at the aesthetic bookshelf and the window that offered a full view of the rain cascading down outside.

"Now, I definitely need to become head girl!" Aru complained playfully, her inner diva bursting forth.

"Next life, maybe! For now, let’s get back to our dorm. I’m freezing and really need to change and rest!" Megha said with a roll of her eyes, grabbing Aru’s hand.

"Chalo!"

Glancing over at Gauri, who was practically cuddling the blazer like it was a security blanket, shivering slightly due to the chilly weather, Megha sighed.

"Gauri, you should change into something warm too; you look like you’re freezing right now," Megha said, eyeing her shivering friend with concern."Hum baad mein milenge."

"Hmm," Gauri nodded, not trusting her voice as she bid goodbye to her friends and closed the dorm room door behind her with a soft click.

With a purposeful stride, she headed toward her room. A pink head girl board greeted her, proudly declaring that this was her space. As she opened the door, her breath caught in her throat.

"Huh?" She blinked in surprise, drinking in the sight of her utterly charming sanctuary.

“Kitna sundar hai,” she whispered, a small smile coming onto her lips. Her eyes danced across the room, landing on a plush carpet that felt like a warm hug beneath her feet. The bed, adorned with a pink bedsheet, looked almost too inviting, while a bookcase sprawled in one corner, crammed with books and an assortment of quirky toys and softies. A sea of cushions awaited her on the bed, featuring a cuddly teddy bear that seemed to be waving hello. The window, flanked by delicate curtains, fluttered gently, whispering secrets of the outside world as the wind played hide-and-seek.

“Aachho!” Gauri sneezed, the sound echoing slightly in the quiet of the head dorm room. She rubbed her nose, noticing how chilly she felt despite the warmth of the heater. “I need to warm up,” she muttered to herself, shivering just a tad. In a flurry of motion, she grabbed her clothes and scampered off to the bathroom.

After a hot shower, steam swirled around her like a comforting hug. The heat seeped into her bones, replacing the cold with warmth. Emerging from the bathroom, she slipped into her favorite soft, oversized sweater—which was practically a blanket with sleeves—paired with fuzzy pink woolen pajamas. Cozy, yet a little too comfortable, she thought, smiling to herself as she towel-dried her hair.

With a book cradled in her arms, she made her way to the living room, plopping down onto the couch in the center. The rain streamed outside the window, casting a comfortable and cozy atmosphere that seemed to invite her to snuggle deeper into the cushions. “Megha said she’ll come back to meet me soon,” she recalled, the memory of her friend’s words making her smile slightly.

“I should just wait,” she said aloud, flipping open the book. The pages were filled with adventures that whisked her away from the dreariness of her current cold. But as she began to read, the warmth of the heater enveloped her, and soon, her eyes began to droop. The weight of her tiredness crept in, and before long, she dozed off, a soft sigh escaping her lips.

Moments later, the door to the head dorm room creaked open, and in stepped a figure. His expression was a well-rehearsed mask of indifference, a stoic facade that gave nothing away. But as his gaze fell upon the sleeping girl sprawled on his couch, a flicker of surprise lit up his eyes. It was brief, hardly noticeable, but it was there—a spark amidst the calm.

He paused, the principal's words echoing in his mind, reminding him not to get too involved with his new dorm mate. With a slight shake of his head, he opted to ignore her slumbering form and headed towards his room.

A few minutes later, he re-emerged, wearing a fresh set of clothes that hinted at an outing. Just as he was about to step past the living room, a soft thud echoed behind him—the sound of a book tumbling to the floor. His instincts kicked in, and he glanced back, his eyes landing on the girl he would soon be sharing duties—and a roof—with.

Gauri was still lost in peaceful dreams, her lips slightly parted as if whispering secrets to her dreams. For a moment, his stony demeanor softened just a fraction as he observed her. Unable to resist the urge to do something, he glanced down at the fallen book. He picked it up gently and placed it back on the table, feather-light as if the action might wake her.

Yet, as he turned to leave again, he noticed her hugging herself, the chill still clinging to her. With a resigned sigh, he headed back to his room. Moments later, he returned, this time with a soft blanket draped over his arm. Quietly, he approached her sleeping form, draping the blanket over her shoulders with the utmost care, ensuring not to disturb her slumber.

“Sweet dreams,” he murmured, although she was too far gone to hear. He lingered for just a heartbeat, casting one last glance at the girl who would now share his life, before he turned to leave for his student council meeting.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Gauri in a world of warmth and dreams, and the quiet hum of an unexpected beginning.

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