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Ava's POV

Every Sunday evening, like clockwork, the kids in the colony gathered near the bamboo grove for the most anticipated game of the week.

The air buzzed with excitement as teams were about to be formed. Some kids whispered strategies, while others jostled for their preferred teammates. I, however, had my eyes fixed on the far end of the clearing, waiting for Priti. She was supposed to bring Darsh—the new boy, her cousin—to join the game.

I was still trying to wrap my head around that revelation. Priti and Darsh? Cousins? How did she conveniently forget to mention that?

"Ava will be on my team no matter what, and if anyone dares to throw the ball at her, I swear I'll break their hands!" Abhi's voice thundered across the clearing, drawing groans and muffled laughter from the group.

I rolled my eyes, my patience already wearing thin. "Seriously, Abhi? Throwing the ball at your opponent is literally the whole point of Seven Stones. If you ruin the game again like last week, this will be the last time you play with us!"

His overprotectiveness was suffocating, and everyone here knew it. Most kids wouldn't even dare to aim the ball near me, fearing Abhi's wrath. Thanks to him, my circle of friends was laughably small—just Priti and Kyra. And, of course, there was Virin, Kyra's twin brother, who had been "safeguarded" by Abhi's demand that I tie a rakhi on him.

Just as I was fuming, I spotted Priti walking toward us with Darsh in tow. My sour mood lifted a fraction.

"Everyone, this is Darsh," I said as they approached. "He's new to the colony. They just moved here from Mumbai."

Darsh gave a small, polite wave as the others greeted him. The kids, curious but welcoming, threw a few smiles his way. All except Abhi, who narrowed his eyes, sizing him up.

"Darsh, I hope you know how to play Seven Stones," Kyra asked, her tone light but her excitement unmistakable. She gestured toward the stack of flat stones placed beside the ball.

Darsh glanced at the setup, his brow furrowing slightly. "No, this is my first time hearing about it," he admitted.

Kyra's eyes sparkled as she launched into an explanation. "It's simple. Two teams take turns trying to knock over the stack of stones with the ball. Once your team knocks it down, you have to rebuild the stack while dodging the ball. If anyone gets hit while placing the stones, the other team wins."

As Kyra spoke, the teams were chosen. I strategically avoided being on Abhi's team, knowing he'd turn the game into some misguided bodyguard duty. My team included Priti, Darsh, and a few others, while Abhi, Kyra, Virin, and two more kids made up the opposing side.

The game began with a burst of energy. Priti stepped up first, launching the ball with precision and knocking the stones down in one try. Cheers erupted from our team as we scattered across the field, adrenaline surging through our veins.

I dodged and weaved, scanning the ground for the final stone. My heart pounded as I spotted it just a few feet away, but before I could grab it, I heard the unmistakable thud of a ball hitting flesh.

The field fell silent.

Darsh stood frozen, clutching his stomach where the ball had struck. His eyes watered, though he refused to cry out.

I was by his side in an instant. "Are you okay?" I asked, my voice shaky with concern.

"I'm fine," he managed, though his strained voice betrayed the pain he was hiding.

Anger bubbled up inside me as I turned to Abhi. "Did you have to throw the ball that hard?!"

Abhi shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "What? Isn't that the whole point of the game? Or did you forget those were your words?"

I glared at him, but before I could respond, Virin shouted, "Not to interrupt your fight, but... we won!"

Kyra smacked her brother on the head, earning a laugh from Darsh despite the pain he was in. The tension broke, and the game resumed after a short break, with Darsh sitting out for one round.

By the time the games ended, our team had won two out of five matches. We were tired, sweaty, and exhilarated as we trudged back toward our respective homes.

Darsh walked beside me, a quiet smile playing on his lips. Just as I was about to ask how he was feeling, Abhi grabbed my arm, pulling me back.

"What now?" I asked, exasperated.

"You're walking with me," he said firmly, lacing his fingers through mine as if that settled the matter.

I sighed, too tired to argue, but my annoyance returned tenfold when I glanced back and saw Kyra and Darsh exchanging smiles.

No.

Absolutely not.

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