It Started With A Mistake

24 Schemes On Track

It was the last week of February. The air on campus already carried a restlessness—two days more and March would begin, bringing with it the much-awaited mid-semester break. Students moved through corridors lighter, some with hurried goodbyes already planned, others still scribbling assignments to submit before leaving.

Inside one of the classrooms, Ananya leaned back in her chair, swinging her pen idly as their last lecture ended.

"So," Shruti stretched her arms with a sigh, "from the first of March, finally...mid sem break. What are you guys planning?"

"Obviously going home," Shruti answered herself before anyone else could. She twirled her pen between her fingers. "Last time, during Diwali, we barely got any days. I didn't even get proper time at home."

Meera leaned back in her chair. "Tell me about it. I couldn't even go home on Diwali. The break was so short, I just went to my Maasi's place. But this time—I don't care—I'm going straight home to Jabalpur."

Ananya blinked. "Wait...what? But you guys said you were coming to my cousin's engagement. I thought it was all decided."

Meera bit her lip. "Yaar, I want to come, but my mom will literally kill me if I skip going home again. She's already upset with me for not coming last time."

Ananya turned to Shruti instantly. "Okay fine, Meera can escape. But you" she pointed a finger "you have no excuse. You have to come."

Shruti raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Why? So you can just make me dance in your cousin's functions till my feet hurt? I know you too well, Ananya. That's your evil plan."

Ananya folded her arms. "Oh, please. As if I was only thinking about myself."

Meera smirked knowingly, gathering her books. "I'll leave you two to fight. Bye, girls!" She slipped out of the room, leaving Shruti and Ananya alone.

Ananya leaned closer, lowering her voice. "I was thinking about you, Shruti."

Shruti gave her a side-eye. "Haan, sure. About me?"

Ananya turned back instantly, a sly smile playing on her lips. "Remember you once said you have a little crush on my brother?"

Shruti groaned, covering her face. "I can't believe you're bringing that up now! Are we on some kind of mission or what?"

"Maybe we are," Ananya teased, leaning back against the seat. "If you don't want to come, fine. I'll just go alone."

Shruti shot her a glare. "You're impossible."

"Admit it," Ananya grinned wider. "You're tempted."

Shruti sighed, defeated. "Fine! But if this turns into some matchmaking drama, I'm blaming you."

✦

That evening, the basketball court was alive with the squeak of sneakers and the hollow thump of a ball echoing across polished ground. Aman dribbled swiftly before shooting, the ball swishing cleanly through the net. Karan caught the rebound, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm.

"Match in Jaipur next week," Aman reminded as they slowed down near the benches. "Coach says we need to push harder, big teams are coming."

He glanced at Rishi. "Rishi, you're coming too, right?"

Rishi was bent over, tying his shoelaces tighter. He shook his head, half-apologetic. "Can't, yaar. Some urgent work at home. I'll be stuck with family stuff."

"Unbelievable," Aman groaned. "Meera's leaving, now you too? Who's going to hype us from the stands?"

Rishi straightened, brushing dust from his palms. "Why don't you ask Ananya and Shruti? They might be around."