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IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 45
The early morning sun peeked through the branches of a flowering Gulmohar tree, casting a dappled pattern of light and shadow on Haneesha's study desk. Petals, brushed loose by the cool breeze, drifted down like confetti, settling gently on her open notebook. Lost in the rhythm of her studies, she barely registered the distant crack of a cricket bat.Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the tranquil silence. A stray cricket ball, propelled by a powerful swing, had somehow managed to thread its way through the branches, sending a shower of startled blossoms flying. It smashed into the windowpane, shattering the glass with a resounding clang.Haneesha jumped, startled out of her concentration. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she whipped her head towards the window. A wave of anger washed over her, quickly followed by a surge of protectiveness. This wasn't the first time a rogue cricket ball had invaded her quiet haven.Taking a deep breath, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind he
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 46
Haneesha tiptoed into the house, hoping to avoid her parents' scrutiny. But her younger brother, Vineel, spotted her instantly. He was ten, a whirlwind of energy and boundless curiosity."Di!" he whispered, his eyes widening at the sight of her mud-stained dress. "What happened? Why are you all muddy?"Haneesha quickly shushed him, her finger pressed firmly against his lips. "Later," she mouthed silently, a mischievous glint in her eyes.Vineel, despite his usual impulsiveness, understood her unspoken plea. He nodded eagerly, his lips pursed in a conspiratorial smile.Just then, their father, Keshav, entered the house, briefcase in hand and tie askew. Haneesha's heart skipped a beat. Keshav, a man of routine and discipline, had high expectations, particularly for his daughter, the one destined to become an IAS officer."Haneesha!" Keshav boomed, his voice filled with disapproval. "Still loitering about? Shouldn't you be preparing for your exams? Time management is crucial for success,
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 47
Vineel, basking in the afterglow of his successful prank, puffed out his chest with newfound confidence. "Of course you're my hero, always!" he declared, his voice laced with mock seriousness.Vidhur, who had just rounded the corner and stumbled upon this scene, stopped dead in his tracks. "Vineel!" he exclaimed, a mixture of surprise and amusement in his voice.Vineel, caught off guard, faltered for a moment. "Hmm, okay, fine," he conceded with a sheepish grin. "Vidhu..." he began, then stopped again, unable to resist adding a playful, "Hero!"Vidhur rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Alright, alright, hero," he said, indulging Vineel's theatrics. "Tell me, what do you want?"Vineel's eyes lit up. "One ice cream!" he declared, his voice brimming with childish enthusiasm.Vidhur chuckled, the tension from their earlier encounter dissolving. He disappeared into a nearby shop and returned a moment later with a giant scoop of ice cream perched on a cone. Placing
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 48
The sound of their father's approaching footsteps sent Haneesha and Vineel scrambling. In a well-practiced maneuver, they dove for their books, burying their noses in the pages just as their father entered the room.Their mother, exchanging a knowing look with her husband, simply shook her head and retreated back to the kitchen."Good, very good," their father boomed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Keep it up!"Haneesha and Vineel exchanged relieved smiles as soon as the door clicked shut behind him. A collective sigh escaped their lips, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had risen.Vineel, unable to contain his excitement, scurried to the window. "Di!" he exclaimed, "Look! It's Vidhur! I'm going to meet my hero!"Haneesha, ever the voice of reason, tried to curb his enthusiasm. "Vineel, no you're not going anywhere," she said with mock sternness.Vineel, however, was already halfway out the door. "Just ten minutes, Di, please! I promise!" he called back, his voice filled wi
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 49
The sight of Haneesha and Vineel approaching their house sent a flicker of hope through Vidhur. Maybe, just maybe, this was his chance to clear the air.But as Haneesha drew closer, her head buried deep in a book, her expression a mask of indifference, that hope dwindled. She brushed past him, a silent dismissal etched on her features. Vidhur winced, a wave of frustration washing over him."There she goes again with that attitude," he muttered, chewing on his thumbnail nervously. "Can't she spare a second for a simple hello?"Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through his thoughts. "Vineel, stop biting your nails! It's a bad habit!" Haneesha scolded, momentarily glancing up from her book.Vineel, ever the innocent one, blinked in confusion. "When did I do that?" he mumbled, looking around with wide eyes.Vidhur, startled, stopped mid-chew, his bitten nail a testament to his agitation. He cleared his throat awkwardly, "Ahem…"Vineel's face lit up as he spotted Vidhur. "Hey, hero!" he exclaime
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 50
Vidhur's voice, barely a whisper through the cup-and-thread contraption, held a hint of defiance. "True friends," he said, "are the ones who lift you up when no one else notices you've fallen. It's a waste of time trying to explain it to those who wouldn't understand. Tiny-headed people," he muttered, likely referring to himself.Haneesha narrowed her eyes, her brow furrowing in confusion. "Come again?" she pressed, her voice a low hiss. "What was that about tiny heads?"Suddenly, a voice cut through the night – her mother's, calling from inside the house. "Haneesha, it's late! Turn off the light and get to bed!"Haneesha, startled, mumbled a quick response to her mother, "Ha! Okay, Mom, going now!"With a sigh, she pulled the makeshift intercom up, carefully placing the cup back on the table. She stole a glance at Vidhur below, her gaze lingering for a moment. Then, with a determined glint in her eyes, she grabbed a textbook and dropped it down.Vidhur, ever the athlete, caught it ef
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 51
Haneesha, clad in a trendy slit maxi top paired with black pencil jeans that hugged her legs like leggings, stood determinedly behind her younger brother Vineel. He, on the other hand, wore a look of utter reluctance, his small frame dwarfed by her confident one."Di, please yaar," Vineel whined, pushing back against her gentle but firm pressure. "Don't push me into this."Haneesha knew this wouldn't be easy. Convincing their dad, a man as serious as a heart attack, was an uphill battle. But she also knew Vineel, his bravado often masking a deep-seated fear of their father's disapproval."Come on, Vineel," she coaxed, her voice laced with playful authority. "I know you're strong. Just ask him."Vineel, however, remained unconvinced. "Even if I am strong, Dad's a fortress," he countered, using a metaphor that made Haneesha chuckle. "No, I can't. You go ask yourself."Haneesha wasn't about to give up so easily. She deployed her ultimate weapon – the puppy dog eyes. "Please, Vineel?" she
IT'S NOT OVER Chapter 52
Prakash's face contorted in confusion as Vidhur approached their table, a practiced smile plastered on his face. Haneesha, seizing the moment, launched into her act."Hi there!" she chirped, her voice dripping with forced cheer. "Yes, I'd like a strong coffee, please. And can you also spare some change? Like, fifty rupees perhaps?"Vidhur, initially taken aback by her sudden request, quickly caught on to her silent plea. A playful grin tugged at his lips as he played along."Of course," he replied smoothly, his voice directed towards a seemingly oblivious Prakash. "One strong coffee coming right up. And for the change, would you like it in fives or tens?"Haneesha, suppressing a smile, reached across the table and theatrically patted Prakash's hand. "Oh, don't worry about me, kind sir," she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "This gentleman right here will handle the change. Won't you, Prakash?"Prakash, finally catching on to the charade, spluttered in indignation. "Hanees