Pia's POV
Being the eldest daughter means two things.
One: you wake up before everyone else.
Two: your life belongs to everyone except you.
My alarm rang at 6:00 a.m., and I stared at the ceiling like it had personally betrayed me.
"Five more minutes," I whispered.
Unfortunately, the universe hates eldest daughters.
Because the door burst open.
"DIDI!"
I groaned and turned my head toward the door.
Standing there was my younger brother Naksh Malhotra, looking like chaos in human form.
"What?" I asked tiredly.
"I can't find my tie."
Of course he couldn't.
"Did you check your bag?"
"Yes."
"Your cupboard?"
"Yes."
"Your study table?"
"Yes!"
I sighed dramatically and dragged myself out of bed.
Ten seconds later I picked the tie up from his chair.
Naksh blinked.
"How did you find it so fast?"
I stared at him.
"Because I actually used my eyes."
Downstairs, the kitchen smelled like chai.
Mom-Rekha Malhotra-stood near the stove.
"Good morning, Pia," she said warmly.
"Morning, Mom."
Dad-Shaurya Malhotra-sat at the table reading the newspaper.
He glanced up.
"Eleventh grade now. Focus on studies."
I sighed.
"Papa, school started two weeks ago."
"Preparation starts early."
Classic.
Being the eldest daughter meant being responsible.
Studying well.
Helping at home.
Being the example.
Sometimes it felt like I was carrying a small invisible weight on my shoulders.
Just as I sat down with my chai-
HONK!
The loudest bike horn in the world echoed outside.
I froze.
I knew that horn.
Unfortunately.
I walked to the window.
And there he was.
Leaning against his bike like he owned the street.
Messy hair.
Annoying smile.
Aayush.
My neighbor.
My childhood best friend.
And the most irritating person alive.
He looked up and waved dramatically.
"PIAAA!"
Naksh peeked beside me.
"Oh look, your boyfriend is here."
I nearly choked.
"HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND."
Naksh smirked.
"Sure."
Five minutes later I stepped outside with my bag.
Aayush grinned.
"Took you long enough."
"You honked like a maniac."
"Well maybe I missed you."
I rolled my eyes.
"You saw me yesterday."
"Exactly."
I threw the helmet at him.
"Drive."
The ride to Sunshine College was quiet.
But comfortable.
It always was.
Because somehow, even when we weren't talking, it felt normal.
Like breathing.
Aayush's POV
Living next door to Pia Malhotra had been my greatest entertainment since childhood.
Mostly because she got annoyed every five minutes.
Which was hilarious.
I had known her since we were six.
Back when she cried because I stole her chocolate.
Now she was the most responsible person I knew.
Top student.
Eldest daughter.
Always serious.
So naturally, my job was to annoy her.
I honked the horn again.
Her window opened immediately.
Perfect.
A few minutes later she walked out looking half asleep.
"Took you long enough," I said.
"You're annoying."
"That's why you like me."
She glared.
I laughed.
Sunshine College was already full of students when we arrived.
As soon as we parked, my friends appeared.
Reyansh, Kiaan, and Yash.
Reyansh smirked.
"Look who came together again."
Pia groaned.
"We live next door."
Kiaan grinned.
"Sure. That's definitely the only reason."
Meanwhile Pia's friends walked toward us.
Aarushi, Rashi, and Sakhi.
Aarushi nudged her.
"You came with him again?"
"He forced me," Pia said.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
She ignored me.
Typical.
Later during lunch break, I spotted Pia sitting under a tree with her friends.
She was laughing.
And for a second, I just watched.
Because when Pia laughed, the whole world looked brighter.
Kiaan elbowed me.
"Bro."
"What?"
"You're staring."
"I am not."
"Yes you are."
I looked away quickly.
"Shut up."
But he just smirked.
Back under the tree, Pia suddenly looked up.
Our eyes met.
She smiled slightly.
And somehow that tiny smile made my day better.
Neither of us realized something yet.
Not when we fought like kids.
Not when we spent every day together.
Not when everyone else noticed before we did.
That the person who had been next door our entire life...
Was slowly becoming the person our heart needed the most.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you like the story please like and comment
~A.K.!