I stared at the brightly painted building in front of me, the damn kindergarten. What in the world was I doing here? The place was bursting with color—cartoon animals, flowers, all the nonsense kids are supposed to love. It was ridiculous, really. A place like this was no fit for someone like me. I belong in glass towers, not around tiny tables and chairs. Yet here I was, standing outside a kindergarten, all because of that little Miss.

I glanced around, half expecting someone I know to spot me, and then frowned. What if someone actually did see me here? What would they think? Karan Mehra, standing outside a kindergarten, waiting like a fool.

Next to me, Shashank didn’t seem to care about anything but his phone. He leaned back in the seat, tapping away at his screen like he had all the time in the world probably playing his stupid games. His laid-back attitude grated on my nerves. He didn’t even bother to ask why I dragged him here in the first place.

"Why’d you bring me here at so early, bro?" Shashank finally asked, still not looking up. "You haven’t said a word since we left."

I glared at him for a second before responding, "I’m meeting someone."

That finally caught his attention. He looked at me, one eyebrow raised. "Meeting someone? You never bring me to meetings. What’s this about?"

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling the tension build. "This one’s different," I muttered, keeping my eyes on the building. The last thing I wanted was for Shashank to start asking too many questions.

He chuckled, clearly enjoying this. "Different, huh? No thanks. I’m not stepping foot in there. You know I’ve got a reputation to protect, right? Imagine if someone saw me walking around with a bunch of kids. I’d be ruined."He said dramatically flipping his invisible hair.

I rolled my eyes. "No one even knows who you are here," I muttered, more to myself than him.

Shashank grinned like he knew exactly what was going on. "So, it’s that girl from last night, huh?"

I didn’t bother responding. The last thing I needed was to get into that conversation with him. Straightening my jacket, I took a deep breath. Just get this over with, I told myself. I pushed open the door and walked inside, already feeling out of place.

---

Inside the principal's office, it didn’t take long for my patience to wear thin.the principal, was all smiley apart from the heated conversation we had yesterday, probably because he didn’t see people like me too often and my name doesn't help him at all worsening his conditions.

"Mr. Mehra, it’s an honor to have you here! We don’t often see someone of your status at our little school," he gushed.

I nodded politely, but I wasn’t here for pleasantries. "I’m here to see Miss Saraswati," I said, getting straight to the point. "She’s one of your teachers, right?"

The man blinked, clearly taken aback by my bluntness. "Yes, yes, Miss Saraswati is an excellent teacher," he started to ramble. "She’s beloved by the children, a real asset to—"

"That’s nice," I cut him off, my tone sharp. I wasn’t in the mood for long speeches. "Could you bring her here? I’d like to speak with her personally."

The principal nodded quickly, calling for a staff member to find her. I leaned back in my chair, tapping my fingers against the armrest. What the hell was I doing here?All this for what! but how I could leave her without teaching her a good lesson.After all she tried to messed up with me. But honestly I want to meet her , I want to see her from where she got all this courage. I have this feeling that she is not like other girls. Let's see karan.

Sarswati's pov

The soft clinking of bangles always brings a sense of rhythm to my classroom as I write on the board. It’s a small, joyful chaos in here, and I love every bit of it. Today’s lesson is going well—Priya’s bright smile is proof enough.

"Excellent, Priya! Let’s all clap for Priya, everyone!" I beam at the kids, their small hands clapping enthusiastically, filling the room with their innocent energy.

"Now, does anyone else know the answer to this one?" My eyes scan the room, sparkling with anticipation, waiting for the next burst of excitement.

But before any little hands can shoot up, the door creaks open, and I see a staff member standing there, looking apologetic.

"Ma’am, the principal has asked you to come to his office."

My heart skips a beat. It’s too early for this—what could possibly be the issue now? I glance back at the kids, the tiny faces watching me expectantly.

"Alright, kids, I’ll be back soon." I give them my best reassuring smile. "And no mischief while I’m gone, okay?"

I can’t help but poke Priya lightly on her cheek, making her giggle. "Or else there’ll be tickles for the naughty ones when I get back!"

Their laughter follows me out the door, but the further I walk down the corridor, the tighter my chest feels. Something’s off. I can feel it.

"Do you know who it is?" I ask the staff member walking beside me, hoping it’s nothing serious.

The staff member hesitates, then glances at me. "Pata nhi didi , koi to mehra karke hai, unhone hi aapko bulaya hai ."

Karan Mehra. Of course, it had to be him. The blood drains from my face as the memory of our last encounter floods back—the tension, the unsaid words. Is he here because of that?

Calm down, Saraswati. You can handle this. You’re not the same girl who used to freeze at the first sign of trouble.

But even as I repeat those words in my head, I can feel the nervous energy building inside me. Why does he make me feel this way? And what could he possibly want now, in my school of all places.

As I walked down the corridor toward the principal’s office, my mind raced with questions. Why was Karan Mehra here? Was it about the argument we’d had on the phone? The tension from that conversation still lingered in my chest. I felt like a student called into the principal's office for misbehaving—nervous, guilty, and utterly unprepared.

I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm. You can handle this, Saraswati. But even as I tried to reassure myself, I could feel the familiar prickling sensation—my mind slipping into its usual, overactive patterns.

And then, just as I rounded a corner, I heard it—a soft, exaggerated tsk followed by a playful, sing-song voice.

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t Ms. Saraswati, about to face the wrath of the infamous Karan Mehra,” Naina’s voice chimed in from behind me. I didn’t even have to look; I could already picture her smug expression.

“Naina, not now,” I muttered under my breath, keeping my eyes on the hallway ahead.

But, as always, she wasn’t one to be ignored. In a split second, she appeared beside me, walking in step with a mischievous grin plastered on her face. Dressed in a vibrant red kurta, her bangles jingling with every movement, Naina was the perfect embodiment of chaos—just when I didn’t need it.

“Oh come on, Saru,” she teased, shortening my name in that way only she dared to. “You can’t seriously be this nervous about seeing him again. What’s the worst that could happen? He scolds you for being a bad girl?”

I shot her a glare, wishing she would just disappear. “This isn’t funny, Naina. He’s not exactly happy with me right now. And god knows maybe he was planning my murder or what”

Naina shrugged, completely unfazed by my anxiety. “So what? He’s hot, rich, and powerful. Honestly, you’re the luckiest kindergarten teacher I know.”

“Luckiest?” I repeated, incredulous. “Have you forgotten the part where he was furious with me on the phone? Or the fact that I have no idea what he’s doing here?”

Naina waved a hand dismissively. “Details, details. He’s probably here to sweep you off your feet with some grand romantic gesture.” She waggled her eyebrows at me. “You know, the whole 'businessman falls for the sweet, innocent teacher' thing. Classic.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “Stop it! This isn’t one of your made-up love stories.”

“Are you sure about that?” Naina leaned in closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re the heroine, and he’s the brooding hero who’s just waiting for the perfect moment to confess his undying love.”

My head spun, her words feeding into the whirlwind of thoughts already swirling around in my mind. I could see it so clearly—Karan Mehra standing in the principal’s office, his intense gaze locked on mine, the air thick with unspoken tension. Would he soften, apologize, or... something else?

I shook my head, trying to clear the ridiculous image from my mind. “Naina, stop it! He’s not in love with me. We barely know each other.”

Naina smirked, undeterred. “Not yet. But give it time.”

I huffed in frustration, quickening my pace as I neared the office. “You’re making this worse, you know.”

“That’s what I’m here for!” Naina twirled around, walking backward in front of me, her laughter light and carefree. “Besides, you need someone to remind you that life isn’t all serious meetings and awkward apologies. Sometimes, it’s about sparks and possibilities.”

I rolled my eyes, but deep down, I knew there was no getting rid of her. Naina had been with me since I was a child—my constant companion, my hyperphantasia made real. She was the voice in my head that never let me escape my wildest thoughts, and right now, she was doing exactly what she did best: throwing me into complete mental chaos.

As I reached the principal’s office door, I paused, taking one last steadying breath. Naina, of course, was right beside me, her grin widening.

“Good luck, sweetheart,” she said with a wink. “I’ll be waiting to hear all about how Mr. Mehra couldn’t take his eyes off you.”

I glared at her, but before I could respond, she vanished—just as quickly as she had appeared, leaving me alone at the door, heart racing.

I knocked gently, my hand trembling slightly.

You can do this, Saraswati. Just… ignore everything Naina said. This is going to be fine.

The door creaked open, and I stepped inside, bracing myself for whatever was waiting for me—and for Karan Mehra’s piercing gaze.

.................................................................

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Author's note:- if you guys noticed I changed my writing style and from now on I will write only in this style bcoz it is more comfortable for me. I hope you guys don't mind.

This chapter was too long , so l have to split it in two parts😭.I  Will upload next chapter on Friday.

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