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NEWCOMER'S ROLL:
PART ONE
DEVANSH RAMDURGEKAR
NOTION PRESS
1
NOTION PRESS
ISBN xxx-x-xxxxx-xx-x
2
limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage
arising out of use, inability to use, or about the
reliability, accuracy or sufficiency of the information
contained in this book.
Foreword
Devansh Ramdurgekar
3
Preface
Has any of you changed ever changed schools?
If it’s a yes, then you must know how difficult or
challenging it is to fit yourself into the lifestyle of
the new school. It is even more difficult to create
legitimate friends, and put on a cheerful face.
Hitanshu Sharma is one such victim. He is
admitted into the TCS, which, at first sight, looks
like a metal asylum. Not much later, Hitanshu
Sharma finds himself alike those who already
existed in there.
Hitanshu meets several people as he embarks
on a one-session long journey in the TCS, each at
completely new turn in his story. There is his
Childhood Friend Anay, and the ‘popular guy’
Abhijit and of course, a girl gang which can bring
even gods into shatters.
Not all people are worth the same in Hitanshu’s
life. Hitanshu is a polite and funny guy, who ends
up creating tough situations for himself. He talks
politely and responds humbly, chats friendlily,
but be it one or the other, all blame shifts to
Hitanshu.
Devansh Ramdurgekar
5
Acknowledgments
Devansh Ramdurgekar
6
Table of
Contents
Acknowledgments..........................................................vi
Change...........................................................................1
Fun Begins......................................................................6
The Hero.......................................................................12
The Insult......................................................................17
An Ally Enters the Game...............................................29
Double Trouble..............................................................35
The Girlie Group............................................................42
Second Meet.................................................................49
Library Drama...............................................................55
End of the April Session................................................68
Memories Forgotten......................................................74
Special Party Unknown..................................................80
The Reopening..............................................................91
Some Meets................................................................102
Science Quiz...............................................................108
Revelations.................................................................120
Seventeen...................................................................126
Eighteen......................................................................132
More Trouble...............................................................144
7
Maddie’s Fighting........................................................150
Some More People......................................................157
‘Age of Laze ’..............................................................169
Expected Gunshot.......................................................175
The First Periodic.........................................................179
Post-Exam...................................................................184
Aftermath....................................................................196
Announcements..........................................................203
Pre-Tour Chaos............................................................209
Tour Diaries: Part 1......................................................220
Roaming......................................................................228
Foe-Turned-Friend........................................................234
There is little time to lapse.Thirty-Two.........................239
Foul.............................................................................240
Back Home..................................................................248
Gurpreet’s Talk............................................................255
Half the Session..........................................................261
Everything but Exam...................................................266
Leave Behind None…..................................................273
“Tell Nobody”..............................................................280
Gear Up for The Week!................................................286
Typical Bad Luck..........................................................293
Things Don’t Stop.......................................................300
Sports Week Peak.......................................................306
Some of English and Some of Drama..........................318
English Drama Peak....................................................325
Annual Function..........................................................332
Party Planner...............................................................340
Special Party Wellknown.............................................347
Who Called The Smoker?............................................354
8
The Mishap Series.......................................................362
Towards End….............................................................368
Bidding Goodbye.........................................................375
List of Characters
Hitanshu: A fourteen-year old sincere boy who is
polite, confident and emotionally moved. He is very
friendly, but does not try to meddle with another’s
business. Dramatic and Inspective, Hitanshu likes to
remain in company of some or the other one. Avoids
hurting anybody, and hence remains diplomatic. Main
character of the Story.
9
diplomatic. He is social and always maintains
surrounding updates. Strangely secretive.
10
and is generally found teasing and laughing at some
or the other one.
11
Natasha: A ‘wondergirl’ by character, she always
has some or the other mischief building up in her
mind: by which she enthrals everyone in her
surroundings. She is considered a good friend, and is
very careful about each voice of hers. Lively and
Childish.
Teachers
12
One
Change
“You have to. There are no two ways for it.” His father
responded sternly as he made his debut into the
room.
“But...”
1
Hitanshu was continuously being counselled just for
readying him to bid that school a happy farewell.
Today it was the final discussion. But Hitanshu was a
bit more than connected to everything around.
Once Again.
2
“It’s me. Tanmay.” The gruff voice suddenly went
very feeble with a scoff. “You get panicked so quick.”
“No needs, you see. What can we gain from you? The
Sports Week and The Olympiads are over, and so is
the Quiz week. Why would anyone in the school need
you?” Tanmay cursed the selfish ‘Homely Friend
School’. “I see. Why are you so angry? Something
serious?”
“What?”
“Yes.”
***
3
“You will have to.” Hitanshu finally stated. His voice
was trembling, but still it was emphatic enough that
Tanmay had to accept the fact. The bond between
Hitanshu and Tanmay was not of days but years now.
They lived in the same apartment and went to the
same school, until today.
***
Hitanshu sank on a sofa as he returned home from
the park. He was already in much of tensions related
to academics, and another grieving idea had struck
him on the way back. Friendship. If he was to leave
away old friends, he was supposed to make new ones
4
too. Academics were another matter. He was
excellent in them no doubt, but he wasn’t the one
who believed to help himself out of study troubles at
times. He had to think on everything. If there were no
two ways on changing schools, then so were for
friends. He ought to make new. He took up a paper.
He started doing what he loved to. Write down his
feelings into a poem.
5
Two
Fun Begins
***
6
last seat, where a boy was extremely busy in
reading a small book. The sound of Hitanshu
and his bag woke him up from his literal
meditation. His brows rounded and he quietly
pointed the bench ahead. Normally, Hitanshu
would have insisted on sitting, and would also
have introduced himself, but this time, the spirit
did not come to his throat. The freshman
understood and moved. He was fully ready to
greet him with a smile, but this backfire was
unexpected.
***
7
was just ready to shoot the students after the
bell rung. He shook his shoulders. He turned
back to Nikhil.
8
and soon all his anger dissolved. A sweet smile
appeared on his face. He called out, “What’s up,
Nikhil?”
9
was very, very strange. Did this boy possess
magical powers, or had he some special training
of reading minds? Hitanshu was puzzling
himself. First day was questionable for Hitanshu
and he needed to take some quick moves
ahead.
***
It had been ten minutes since Nikhil had
disappeared. But none seemed to care. Before
Hitanshu could think about anything else, Nikhil
reappeared, this time with a thin diary in his
hands. He just quietly came back, sat on his
bench, and sighed twice.
10
“Tell me, what’s special about that boy Tanveer.”
Hitanshu wasn’t yet convinced.
***
Finally Here I am in-
Sitting on the chair
Finally Here I am in-
Breathing in the congested air.
Yeah, I’m a newcomer:
New by all sorts,
11
And a smile warmer,
And I’ll greet you back with a grin,
And a heart filled to the brim.
12
Three
The Hero
***
13
expression, because it was Hitanshu required
this time.
***
14
amazing. Hitanshu knew about him in seconds.
Such children existed everywhere.
***
15
He sat at the bench, quietly, at which five
students were already dining. And then entered
Abhijit, and the class seemed to light up.
Tanveer applauded to welcome the man of
today’s match. As he got up advanced and
hugged Abhijit tightly, Hitanshu looked at the
scene in awe. “Great.” He thought of various
things he could speak from behind and do some
allow-me-to-play drama, but then he
remembered: he was a newcomer here. A mere,
inexperienced tenderfoot. And speaking such
things would definitely not add to his fame. But
it could spark off a fight surely. Who knows that
what the temper the leader carries? And
Tanveer may not have relations with school
bullies, but Abhijit definitely has. “Do not
meddle.” A voice echoed his inside an uprising
Hitanshu and he came down quietly eating his
lunch.
16
offering idlis to him. So it ought to be the
foremost duty of Hitanshu not to deny Abhijit
and help him. The newcomer quietly took up a
white-yellowish idli which looked delicious to
eat. He gulped it in small, slow bites. Abhijit
waited patiently until his chewing-and-nibbling
was over.
***
17
What he says is perhaps
Abhijit’s verdict interim.
18
Four
The Insult
19
“And where do you come from?” The teacher
was amazed at the boy’s poise.
21
“They are two, Madame- On Norman McKinney
and on Victor Hugo.” Abhijit tried to imitate
Hitanshu’s ‘Madame’ notoriously. Hitanshu was
new, but Abhijit was definitely experienced by
the nature of the teacher, which he had
eventually forgotten. And Slam! All potential
anger of Hitanshu’s conversation came down
into a thrashing on Abhijit. Plus the teacher
won’t yet stop now. “Shut up, Nincompoop!”
barked the angry old teacher as she dotted
another to Abhijit. His neighbour Tanveer
averted his eyes on Hitanshu, who was quietly
watching the teacher thrashing Abhijit. He
seemed quite scared. Soon, even without
Hitanshu knowing it, he was looking straight
into eyes of Tanveer, who blinked in a way that
reassured him, that it wasn’t his fault. He
chuckled and got the replica expression from
Tanveer. He thought what caused him to look
into Tanveer’s eyes.
***
23
“Okay. Cool down, Hitanshu. This is just like your
earlier school. So students, let’s start.” The
teacher left Hitanshu to himself, guessing his
behaviour as anxiety. He sighed in relief.
Everyone opened their books. The board had
changed its words. The Symphony. Poetry two-
And Hitanshu could not read the page number.
***
29
all interested in helping him; or else were busy
chatting and waiting for their vehicles to come.
31
Five
32
beard haunts my heart. This is getting
intolerable.” Hitanshu recalled the awful, but
victorious fight, and then the long, unknown
stare and then shuddered like a stick. There was
pin-drop silence as he spoke this. Maybe a joke
was playing in Anay’s mind. He smiled and
spoke.
34
“Was he fair?” asked Anay. This was his final
question. But it did not make sense correctly.
***
***
Hell did I do
Towards the end,
I Recall the beard and
The stare that bends.
I can see clearly the two moving away,
One squealing, the other staring,
II stand myself strong,
But I do fear that daring. Yes.
38
Six
Double Trouble
39
minutes yet to go.” Hitanshu smiled sheepishly
on what Abhijit said.
***
***
42
Hitanshu completed the first chapter and stood
up putting the last full stop. He came out of the
bench partially, unnoticing the danger. A girl,
about two centimetres shorter than Anay, was
walking down that time. As he lifted his leg to
come out partially, his shoe swung accidentally
all the way into the girl’s lower leg, and then the
shoe. There was a sucking of air in the girl’s
corner. Luckily, the white dress was saved from
stains. But indeed, Hitanshu became guilt-
ridden. “Oh. I’m so-so sorry!”Another girl smiled
loudly. Hitanshu came out completely, being yet
stuck into the bench, mumbled another apology
to the girl who stood two millimetres away from
him, looking into him, and vanished from the
class into the darkness of the corridor.
***
43
“I was moving out of that wicked bench when
my leg collapsed on hers. She didn’t seem to
take it too lightly.” Hitanshu concluded. Anay
seemed little interested. “Which girl?” he turned
his head on the girls’ row.
***
Something serious?
Not so, perhaps.
What did I do?
Nothing big, I think.
Kicked by mistake, tortured by remorse,
Did my apology receive response.
Yes, perhaps.
No, perhaps.
45
Seven
47
Englishman accent as she continued teaching quite
perfectly. She did not comment on any of
Hitanshu’s BEHAVIOUR. That’s what made her
neutral. Not positive, because she wasn’t too happy
to see Hitanshu in her class either. She’d just
managed to accommodate.
48
cross the tall Abhijit, except for the first sections of
the finger. He seemed to be waving. But he was
not. Hitanshu could not interpret what he was
saying. He continued his book hunt. “What’s her
name?” He whispered slowly to Nikhil, cautious that
the smart teacher wouldn’t take notice.
***
49
personality of Prisha. They had not talked more
than twenty words, but Hitanshu was much of
impressed by her personality. Simplicity was not
the only criteria for a good girl. They could be
smart as well. He had almost forgotten about
Maddie and that dreaded fight until Anay recalled.
He had planned, that Hitanshu grab the next
chance of speaking to Isha, and being good of
friends. Then Maddie won’t think of revenging him
on Usman’s behalf. This was what he was gesturing
in the Maths period. The topic had ended and they
were chatting on everyday nothings.
50
had given Hitanshu the knowledge of each nerve of
Anay. Anay tried to clarify what he said earlier.
“Okay, I admit there are most of our classmates are
on Facebook, but you know the least of them.
51
by the simplest question ever. “You’ll know
tomorrow.” As simple the question, as simple the
answer.
“Aahana.”
“Aahana?”
***
53
Eight
Second Meet
***
55
shorter than the overall of his. D-spectacles,
random hair-flicks left hanging over the right side,
and continuously shaking eyes- dripping suspicion.
For three-and-a-half moments he was into a trance.
Then he identified her- when Tanveer called out.
***
This was a kind of pleasure. The anxiety which had
gobbled up Hitanshu for the last two days had
56
finally relaxed, with his becoming friends with the
popularity icons of the class. And to much of
surprise to Anay, the heroine and the newcomer
were not uncomfortable with each other, at least
they showed it so. Anay knew that for Tanishi,
hiding the simplest of her feeling was next to
impossible. The same was with Tanveer, and Isha
too, but Hitanshu, Prisha and Abhijit were
completely opposite. Their facial expressions were
never trustworthy, especially in public.
57
do this commonly, avoiding any conversations with
boys.
58
***
59
too without any gaining. She could not help herself
from smiling shamelessly.
Did I do it?
Yes, I did it.
Maddie is not ‘angry-young-man’ sort,
And Tanishi’s polite enough.
Isha has forgiven me,
At least I think so,
Phew, I’m overall saved
By any possible wrath.
Stand here I,
With my head a little hazed,
Gotta complete some maths notebook,
With some speed and haste.
60
Nine
Library Drama
***
62
power, for not making him perfectly popular, as
Abhijit was, so that he could extract time from
himself.
63
my name, and now it’s your foremost duty to
tell me what you are speaking before inquiring
me, what you spoke. Your stuff still remains to
you. Sorry. Still, I think you spoke something.”
***
64
any norm. Ironically, neither of them wished to
sit with the other in the class. Here, it was just
alright. Everyone needs a new company to read.
65
“Excuse me madam-” Hitanshu wished from the
bottom of his heart, to seek permission to sit
with Abhijit and Prisha, but he really had to twist
his question when he looked at that strange
expression made by her.
66
***
67
“Not really, dude.” Hitanshu wanted to be more
practical than diplomatic. “Actually, I wanted to
read that book.” That red thick covering of a
book, maybe from the Shakespearean era had
got Hitanshu’s eyes fixed on it. It had all the
sonnets of his, and the plays. Shakespeare was
one of the ideals of Hitanshu. But he had never
read one of his plays. So- it was for him to
chose- Social life and friends, for a while, or the
book for a week.
68
Sharma?” She had drawn herself very close to
Hitanshu, who now stood shaking, trembling,
shivering of panic. Following the child hero
formally and illegally had bound him into a
sheer mess. “Speak Up!” She spoke again, her
lower jaw oscillating of anger. “Ma’am, Abhijit
told me to…” He tried to share his blame. It was
not practically him who should be liable. Abhijit
cautiously straightened as his newly-made
friend dragged him into the hall of blame.
***
69
everyone- signs from Abhijit, smiles from Prisha,
Brow from Tanishi, wink from Usman, a gentle
hello from Anay and Tanveer, a victorious grin
from Gurpreet, were going above, without
striking his heart at all. He was replying, eye-
contacts of course, but that was making no
sense for his feelings.
70
cronies. They had their eyes set towards their
other partner, who was unfortunately sitting
with Usman. Eye- contacts and mute
communications were practiced widely, because
of the semi-alert librarian, who had given up her
shuffling by now and was taking a roam.
***
71
same manner as of Hitanshu. “First of all tell
me, what difference do you find here in TCS,
and the Homely Friend?” The questionnaire
started as it was plotted back in both the minds.
72
too, but at least for the ‘elite sections’, it was
necessary to sit with fake comfort, but tired
hearts.”
73
got to his home. His hair was as long till his
waist, ponytailed, and smiling with innocence.
Maddie, you wouldn’t have called him. He was
probably only brought up with such ‘care’.” She
laughed at the end, paused for a while, and
resumed. “So I use it as a weapon. If such photo
goes viral, the muscular man would no longer
be feared in the TCS! He has to do what I say.
And I don’t say something to do that is very
offensive or difficult.”
***
Yeah for sure,
I’m out of risk,
Also plus I
Got another buddy, smily and brisk.
Isha is a sort of facereader,
Gets it when I’m faking,
That’s so good as a friend,
A dear friend undertaking.
74
Ten
76
read out the notice. “Dear teachers and
students,
77
Hitanshu had developed a lot of understanding
of the TCS in these days. Seeing the world by
different visions gives different views. And
different views make up different explanations
to the same problems. And then, TCS was a
mental hospital. Now, there was no problem
which could be defined, since he was busy in
exploring new character traits, he made up no
time to smell what was going on in others’ life.
The least that he talked to was Aahana. That
too, because he had never seen her talking to
anyone- except Prisha and Tanishi. She
preferred to remain the backstage, like Isha,
with her own small world. There was a tall giant,
Nikhil, who used to sleep with open eyes, and
resided on the first bench. A little shorter,
Abhijit, dark yet glamorous: the Superstar. Then
came into the line, the shining Tanveer. Tanveer
had his own light of accuracy. He was not
perfect- for no one is, but he had something
that prevented him from falling into trouble.
Well, the commemoration of Tanveer led him
into another series of thoughts, directing to Day
1: The seventeenth of April, Two Thousand
seventeen.
78
Also, Abhijit was surrounded by Tanveer’s army
of friends. Abhijit was popular among the class,
of course, but the credit of making him famous
could perhaps be given to Tanveer in the earlier
classes. Hitanshu could conclude anything
anytime.
Just then, Hitanshu, who had the special ability
of pasting a smile on his face in public, suddenly
saddened. This addiction of his to social life was
probably now taking over him. He was thinking
of Tanishi, the heroine, and Prisha, the girl boss.
79
heart out. Her own feelings ought to remain
secret, with visible trust only at Aahana.
Whether she showed it from the heart as well,
or the face only, no one knew.
She has to know it. I’ll ask her after some days.
If I do it just now, I may be stereotyped as a
gossip. I have her number. Hitanshu spoke his
mind to himself, linking all his thoughts, and
turned to go downstairs. The sun had set but a
light could be seen far there in the west.
Hitanshu could not make it, whether it was for
real, or he could just see it in his powerful brain.
***
Alone I stand,
Here in this era,
Where there is Prisha,
And there is Tanishi.
One loves gossip, the other life,
And there is Aahana, who doesn’t like at all.
April has died,
May is awaited,
80
I do not know
What is best suited…
81
Eleven
Memories Forgotten
82
Hitanshu was left with no reason to stop back.
He nodded a yes, and the two climbed slowly
down. Hitanshu was still lost in his thoughts of
Prisha, Tanishi, Tanveer, Abhijit, Nikhil and
Usman.
***
83
it there was a circular track in the local school
playground. These three rounds were too bitter
for the children, which they ought to perform in
constant three days. And there was a huge price
for it: A cycle: “Mero 3k178” worth twelve
thousand. Eighteen gears, Shock-ups, power
brakes, and all that stuff. The one who got it
was in heaven in a few minutes’ ride. The one
who got to be the first in at least two rounds
was a worthy to claim the cycle. Other prices: A
watch: “Whoop 34m21” worth three thousand,
and another Mero cycle. Everyone had geared
up for the first position. Tanmay and Anay
craved to win it all.
84
Then came the day of second race. With double
cheers for Anay, and Tanmay, the gunshot was
fired. Tanmay took no chance, and ran just one
centimeter ahead of Anay. He had taken up this
strategy in the practice, and knew that this
time, he’d win. But Anay, allergic to dust,
slowed down due to cough, and this again
brought up the energy on Tanmay. He sped,
causing his loose shoelaces to open, and he fell
on his mouth, without much injury. The race was
won by some Ayesha.
85
seconded him, was granted with the watch.
Tanmay couldn’t even be the third.
***
86
actually happening was that he didn’t let this
cycle be even touched by someone else.
***
Alone I stand,
Between two friends of mine,
87
Two sides of the same coin.
They do not fight; They do not quarrel.
The field of Friendship
Is left barren.
There is no seed,
There isn’t any water,
And Here I am,
Alone to Ponder…
88
Twelve
89
party. But he didn’t want to refuse his parents
as well.
***
90
“Which class are you, elda’ buddy?” A little boy,
dressed in a small black fitting coat and a blue
designer shirt asked him with innocence and
cuteness. Hitanshu spoke with the same tone,
causing laughter to everyone else around. “I’m
in
ninth. Tell me your name?” His smile was filled
with genuineness. He couldn’t be fake or
diplomatic in front of small children!
91
brother spoke, she looked up at him, and they
both saw each other clearly for the first time.
Hitanshu had found a friend today, maybe
formally right now. He knew that this friendship
could be stronger. Bonds tighten with time.
***
And the cake was cut after half an hour. The old
uncle, with a satisfied and gleaming face
thanked each and every contributor to the
party, from the peon to the HR. And the moment
awaited for Hitanshu came.
92
Hitanshu got up, bound by unseen force,
climbed the stage, took the guitar, and the real
show began. One after another- six songs were
presented, with louder cheers each time.
Hitanshu decided to conclude with a duet. “So
ladies and gentlemen, with your due
expectations, I perform the last Item today!!!...”
Richly things, could be bigger than six three-min
songs.
Look at this face I know the years are showing
93
So many questions still left unanswered So
much I've never broken through
And when I feel you near me, sometimes I see
so clearly That only truth I'll never know is me
and you
Look at this man so blessed with inspiration
Look at this soul still searching for salvation
I don't know much but I know I love you That
may be all I need to know
I don't know much but I know I love you That
may be all I need to know
***
94
“What a great singing, Hitanshu!” a female
voice tapped in from is left. “My eyes came
filled every second second.” Hitanshu looked in
a surprised gesture to his left. A girl, almost of
the height as Isha, but comparatively more
fantastically shining, gleaming and much more
lively, she was looking directly into his eyes.
Hitanshu smiled in formality and thanks-
gesture. “Oh! Thank You- Eh?” Hitanshu’s tone
suggested a question to the applauder.
95
“Me too, the same thing. Exactly same.”
Hitanshu said with a comfortable surprise. He
met the same expression from his new friend.
Bright yellow dress, accompanied by a fair color,
lots of makeup on the fair complexion, Supriya
was looking like a stylish short-heighted model.
“So, Which school are you?”
96
watching the blinking lights on the stage. They
exchanged phone numbers while they parted
company, when Supriya was about to go.
***
97
Priyanka, on the other hand, believed Hitanshu
to be perfectly gratifying. His diplomacy, hated
almost everywhere, was coming into use right
here. Priyanka was never used to such applause
and compliments that Hitanshu was making on
her song were making her even more proud.
She knew that Hitanshu is trying to just capture
her conscience into his sweet words. Still, she
could do nothing to avoid it. He was really
capturing her conscience. Also, Priyanka was
letting him do it, because she felt that some or
the other how, Hitanshu is going to prove
helpful later. This could be called selfishness,
however, but it was not. She was impressed by
Hitanshu. The way he spoke, and he expressed
himself: Not too straightforward, neither too
hideous.
98
“Speak something, Priyanka.” Hitanshu spoke
up again, when Priyanka did not speak up.
99
further advancement, and hence, I’m pretty
frustrated. Papa is on the hunt for changing my
school at all conditions, and I don’t want to
leave the either- Dance or the Marathoma. I
don’t know why.”
***
Do I love the Treaty Convent?
Yeah, I do.
Or not?
I don’t know, perhaps.
I cry because I’m in,
100
I still promote,
I meet new chaps, still I remorse.
Did I do something nice enough?
Called two ladies to visit TCS?
Will they like the thing?
Thirteen
The Reopening
102
She looked closely and sharply at Nikhil, from
top to bottom, probably believing that he had
gone mad. The class had stood up in order to
show respect and obligation. With one signal,
they sat, so did Nikhil, nervous and anxious of
no reason. Nikhil, Tanveer, and Hitanshu had to
control their laughter, with a lot of visible
struggle.
***
103
To very fortune of Abhijit- and Hitanshu- and
Tanveer- and everyone else in the gang, no one
major was displaced. Seven students- out of the
limelight- were removed like hair from milk. No
one cared. One of them bid a silent eye-to-eye
goodbye to Tanveer.
104
Hitanshu had far more experience of IX A than
any of the two. They were in the school from
earlier no doubt, but this class was another
world in itself.
The first one, wearing spectacles with a flag of
France in its temples, sat looking right in front of
his nose, not turning a whisker towards his left,
where two boys, namely Nikhil and Hitanshu sat
looking at this alien. His ignoring was visible.
105
Tanveer and Nikhil had known about Bhanu from
earlier. Topper in class VIII, in both the sections,
with the highest: 98% marks. Full-on-full on all
subjects, but French: Only where he was low.
***
The lunch bell rang, with Hitanshu letting out a
big sigh. He turned to Shravan, who had
comforted by now, but had still not ceased
looking in his always front manner.
“Hie again!” spoke Hitanshu, startling Shravan
for once. “B-B- Bye.” Shravan stood up
hesitatingly, taking his bag, moved to the last
seat. Even Hitanshu was puzzled. Even he
wasn’t this antisocial on his first day.
***
Hitanshu decided to make one last call to
Supriya. After a long ringing of the monotonous
bell, someone picked up the phone the other
side. “Hello-” said Hitanshu with a fast-beating
heart. “Hello… may I know whom am I speaking
to?”A voice, definitely not of Supriya responded.
106
“I’m- I’m Hitanshu- Supriya’s friend. May I talk
to her- if you please?”
“What then?”
“Are you coming to the TCS, or will you just…”
Hitanshu could not complete the sentence. “Yes!
Yes! Yes! I am! Dad got really happy at the idea,
and now I’m leaving the Glory. Await me in
there!”
107
“Oh I’m so sorry Hitanshu, I gotta go. I’ll inform
you whenever I come in. Bye!” Supriya spoke in
a hurry, and the phone did not wait for a
response. The line was cut. And the phone
switched off.
***
108
School no.III. “ Spoke daddy, with the finest of
the announcement tones. “As you had told, I
had filled in the form, and yours was the first
entry in there! Congratulations, darling!”
***
109
The duster was banged on the bench with due
sharpness and mercilessness.
***
Priyanka had adjusted herself, at the rightmost
seat of the bench of three, now coping with
Prisha, and Tanishi. Aahana was sitting behind.
Tanishi leaned to have a better look of the
newcomer. “Hello!” Said she, with an
uncomfortably pleasing smile, which made
Priyanka more uneasy here on the battle
grounds of the Treaty Convent. She smiled
110
wanly, with her eyes partially closed of anxiety.
Prisha, having noticed this, kept her affirming
hand on her back, and smiled, with much more
comfort. As Priyanka looked onto her bench in
the Bhanu-style, Aahana laughed from behind.
“Oh dear.” Prisha said, noticing Priyanka in the
dilemmatic form no one, even Priyanka herself,
had expected. Many eyes around her, piercing
her from all the sides were making her duly
uneasy. “Oh dear.” Said Prisha again, gathering
more attention due to high volume. “Keep Calm,
Priyanka. You’re not being ragged or bullied,
that you’re so uncomfortable.”
111
“No formalities, dear.” Supriya became
comfortable quickly.
112
Fourteen
Some Meets
114
humor in her voice than earlier. The Girl gang
leads were piercing into her.
115
teacher. She looked directly into her eyes, which
expressed nothing. “Will you honor me by telling
me your name, mistress?” She spoke in a
humor-hearted manner, but no one laughed.
“Priyanka Khosla.” Spoke Priyanka, still not
making any eye contact. Hitanshu thanked God,
because ‘Madame’ was not uttered again. “And
where are you from?” She let out a simple
question, observing that trying comedy was
causing her own slur. Also, she divided her eye
contact to all of the class, copying and learning
from her new student. “I’m from the Infanthome
Marathoma Quality Educationist Society of
Mathematics and……” She went on-and-on,
pronouncing the full name of the school.
However, it was met with disapproval.
116
“Un conte de deux filles, Madame.” Abhijit
answered. A tale of two girls: By Colina Jenshroff
and Chloe Stevens. Students like Bhanu had
read it beforehand, and students like Usman
were cursing themselves for coming to school
today, that too without the book.
The teacher had turned towards the whiteboard.
She hollered,” Priyanka Khosla. Stand up.”
***
117
“If you please, may I sit here?” Isha had noticed
Priyanka. “Oh, for sure, Priyanka, for sure!” Isha
said heartily, and warmly welcomed the
neophyte. One of her friends, too, was on leave,
and one seat was empty with her. Priyanka
would adjust.
Oh! Here I am
Without any reason genuine;
I don’t know who
Is real, and who’s mean.
I am here!
Waiting for friends
For shaking new hands
Of Course I’ve got some
But they aren’t so done.
I can’t make fun
And can’t be rough
What I do is remain polite
And show that I am utterly polite
I can’t open up;
And remain free of course
Because I don’now
Who’s real- and who’s false…
118
Fifteen
Science Quiz
120
“Students, this is your first CCA period of the
session. It has been organized as an inter-house
science quiz in the auditorium. The last period. I
have been asked to nominate two students, for
my house, so to shortlist them as the
participants of the quiz. All the students of the
John house should stand up in not more than a
second.”
121
participate too.” Hitanshu had no two ways on
it. Here came a new adventure on his way.
***
122
“Hi.” A feeble response came along with a nod.
She adjusted her spectacles, and kept looking to
her front, not turning a hair towards Hitanshu.
The polite, elite boy remembered Shravan. He
resumed the conversation, but by a different
manner. “Did you expect your selection?”
***
The speech lasted really long. For around fifteen
minutes. However, there was no reaction on
anybody else’s face, probably everyone else
had expected this. Hitanshu was tired of sitting
by now. He wanted to run up to the stage, and
play the quiz all by himself. However, this was
neither practical nor possible.
123
with a big round of fake applause. The host took
up again. “So friends, let us get a brief look of
the quiz.” He looked at his placard. “The quiz
will be divided into the regular four rounds: The
Rapid Fire, The Recognition, The Buzzer, and the
Finale. Ten questions will be asked to each team,
and they will have to either answer it, or say
pass. If they answer, the result will be declared.
There is no minus marking, and each correct
answer in the round carries one mark. In the
second round, four pictures of various scientists
will be shown to each team, and the answer is
to be told. At each wrong answer, two points will
be deducted, and for each right answer, five
points will be awarded.” The host stopped for a
pause, and looked at the audience, which was
waiting impatiently for the quiz.
124
With a loud round of applause, the host
dissolved into shadows, yet awaiting more
trouble.
***
125
close, but actually too far from each other.
Hitanshu smiled by the side of his lips.
Opposites.
***
126
bored face. “Johannes Kepler” Said Natasha
feebly. “Right Answer.”
***
127
progress, fifteen points: Three rights and a pass.
Tanishi and Harshali’s house had covered as
well: eleven points; two rights, by Harshali and
Tanishi, and two wrongs. Anay stood devastated
with three points in his pocket. Abhijit was
watching quietly with no role in his team’s
points. All the students shortlisted were fools,
overseeing Abhijit, and including Anay. Hitanshu
laughed.
128
irregular time. Hitanshu was on the stage, and
perhaps their conversation was visible to the
audience.
***
“So students, welcome to the fourth and the
final round of today’s quiz. But there is a
complication. We had decided that two teams
are to be selected for the finale, but teams B
and D have ended up, having the same points.
So, we will enter tie breaker before we resume
our round. A picture will be produced, along with
four options. The team which presses the buzzer
first, and answers correctly, will be directed to
the finals, where they will play with Thomas.”
The host talked simply. This complication was
obvious. The finale was far. The real finale was
to be played between two friends Anay from the
Paul house, and Hitanshu from the John.
129
The picture was produced. Shaven head, tuft of
hair at the back. Of Course, the scientist was an
Indian Brahmin ‘Holyman’. His eyes were
upwards, looking at the sun, and a lifted index
finger accompanied.
BIRBAL.
***
130
the answer, he did not press it. But the students
of the Thomas did. “Ionics.” They spoke, as if
plotting the answer in a map, doubtful, yet
speaking. “Loud Applauses…” And everyone in
the Thomas Camp relieved, and started
celebrating. “For the John House. The right
answer is covalent bonds. Loud Applauses for
the Thomas as well!”
131
Sixteen
Revelations
***
***
133
***
The Math Teacher was absent. The substitution
was made, and the teacher who came now was
more of a let-the-children-do-it-all sort. So she
sat on her chair, while Prisha and Tanishi still
rushed to complete yesterday’s homework.
134
lifted brow. “And the second wrong is that
foolish fellow, whom we all know as Usman. His
magnet has lost power today. He is not getting
stuck to Abhijit anymore.” Speaking, his eyes
investigated Abhijit’s back. “Something has
happened.” His tone was more of assertive. He
ought to be the head of the Crime Investigation
Department of India.
***
135
disturbed. Of course, he knew that none other
possessed such a great interest in footballers
and football, as compared to him, so, he spoke
softly. Because he did not want to mess with
Hitanshu, for no reason.
136
narrative. Even I was there then, as my van had
also come at the same time. However, I
preferred not to be the peacemaker but the
audience. What actually happened was: Abhijit
got out of his van, and found a sticky Usman
waiting for him. As he descended from his
frontal throne in the vehicle, he quickly came
up, flatteringly took up his bag and put his dirty
arm round this fellow.” Tanveer stopped for a
moment, looking with disgust at Abhijit, for
being so closely touched by such a miserable
personality. Hitanshu, too, waned his eyes, with
the same emotion as Tanveer. Abhijit resumed.
“Till then it was okay for me still. But what he
spoke later brought much more anger, disgust
and hatred that I almost threw him.”
137
got up heroically, and tried to catch hold of
Abhijit’s neck. Abhijit, however knew this tactic
of his.” Hitanshu himself remembered how he
had caught hold of his neck. “He caught hold of
his wrist, and almost turned it by three-sixty
degrees. A voice of crack came as well. Usman
was lucky to escape.” Tanveer ended, as the bell
rang and the second period started.
***
138
Seventeen
Complications
139
Hitanshu cast a quick look at the timetable as
he seated besides Anay, with an informal five in
greeting. WEDNESDAY: I: MATHS; II: SOCIAL; III:
PHYSICS; IV: LIBRARY; RECESS; V: FRENCH; VI:
ENGLISH; VII: HINDI; VIII:
COMPUTER THEORY.
***
140
one finger on herself. “Um…yes? What are you
thinking?”
141
heard. Hitanshu turned an eye towards her, and
resumed the conversation.
142
and I say, that they helped me by much. But I
know: It was all a formality. I sensed it all, but
there was little I could do. I was to be
questioned to death, if I had not escaped.”
“It was still the first day. I was sitting with Prisha
and Tanishi. By this time I was already irritated
at them, and they had found no success in
extracting some gossip from me. They had
already asked a thousand questions to me,
maximum in vain. However, even I had decided
to myself that I won’t reveal anything.”
“Further?”
143
anything, just to ruin!’ ” Priyanka was visibly
angry. “Who the hell did give her the rights to
make comments? And await even more, Prisha
approved!” Such serious fouls: all of them.
Sometimes I wonder why I listened to your
advice of joining the TCS.”
144
Oh! There she is!
Between two roads;
One goes straight
Onto the stage.
The other goes down,
Deep into a pit,
Where you can
Hide and sit.
There isn’t any problem,
Wherever you go,
Just crave satisfaction,
And put aside perfection.
There’ll be slips,
Whichever road you choose,
There will be faults,
Wherever you go.
Look Forward for comfort
And put your effort…
145
Eighteen
Socially Anxious
***
146
The bell had rung. It was lunch now. The seven
of them gathered up, at the dining table:
Tanveer, Nikhil, Hitanshu, Abhijit, Anay, Bhanu,
and Usman. The dining table was, of course, the
last seat of Abhijit’s row, where it seemed of no
care, that to whom did the bench belonged to.
Even Usman had come there to ‘acknowledge’
everyone by his presence, where everyone
meant Hitanshu, Anay and Nikhil. Tanveer and
Abhijit, sat up quite normally, unmoved by the
rival’s presence, and ate there lunch as they did
every day. Another member had joined them
recently: Bhanu. He used to eat his lunch in the
typecast cylindrical lunchbox on his bench, but
his bench being occupied by Tanveer as well, he
was led to the lunch party. On one table, three
students from one side pushed in from the
normal side, and three others sat one bench
ahead, turning their legs into the technical blank
of the seat, at its back. The seventh was
adjusted. Sometimes, the eighth was adjusted
as well. Others had to remain standing on the
sides, or roam around like beggars. The same
bench, which denied occupying the third at
times of academics, with the excuse of
congestion, accumulated eight people, when it
came to friendship and lunch.
“So, Chopra, tell me, that when will you start
working on your height?” Nikhil said, lifting out
a morsel of his vegetable, from Abhijit’s
flatbread. He used to make humor continuously,
however, not attracting much of success. Anay
turned his face into a serious, grave look.
“Nikhil, you tell me when are you going to work
on your height? You need more work to become
a palm tree, if I’m not wrong?” Bhanu smiled in
his usual, down-to-thumbs manner, not ceasing
147
from eating his food. Tanveer burst out into loud
laughter. Nikhil’ expression was matchless.
***
148
lunch at the end. Abhijit, Anay, Bhanu, and
Usman had left already, the former finding
Usman’s presence unbearable. Usman had,
because there was no response for him by
Abhijit. Hitanshu, Tanveer, and Nikhil however,
had, still persisted eating their final morsels.
They had to rush for the basins. Nikhil, reluctant
to go, sat up in the class, making up quite a
mess with his oily hands. No one cared.
149
punching Hitanshu on his abdomen. “Still,
something is wrong. Believe me.”
***
150
made themselves conscious: Gurpreet was a
dangerous player.
151
the teams. A Goal. Hitanshu’s roaming gaze
remained to the farther side: A player was
wandering futilely as he did: Shravan. He
roamed meaninglessly, unaffected from
whatever the outcome of the game.
***
152
Hitanshu was towards the very left, and Abhijit
at the right. He had relaxed, keeping his hand
parallel on the seats iron rd, and rested his head
at the back as well. He had taken over
maximum of the bench’s back. Tanveer, had lied
down, his eyes towards Shravan, who did not
take care, lost well in his imaginary world.
Hitanshu was noticing everything quietly.
153
major drawback. However, this crowd was
almost like a herd of wild goats, which kicked, or
tried to kick the ball elsewhere when it even
was away from their coverage area. A good
distraction for the trident. Attackers, with me in
the lead, were struggling hard to get the ball
from those of the other team, who swiftly
passed it from one side of the court to the other,
even when there were three to four players in
the mid. This was another reason why we could
not handle the ball: It didn’t come to us.
154
with an upside-down smile accompanied by a
nod.
***
155
practicing slow motion. “Move. It’s Computer
Practical. Arrangement.” Spoke the figure again,
and the students lined up, and moved. The
computer teacher was both irritating and
pleasing.
***
156
A slow hit on his head broke him from his
visionary world. “Who the- ” Spoke an irritated
Usman, while he turned back, cursing in his
breath. The tall teacher stood, with a stern
expression. Usman had no choice but to turn
back, and concentrate on his work. “Sorry Sir.”
157
Shravan was applauded, which made him feel
weird, where everyone else was admiring his
work, he stood there, nodding his head, but not
a smile, or any other expression reached his
face.
***
The final bell had rung. The students were
moving out of the school premises, when
Shravan, walked all by himself in the full
corridors of the TCS. A hand, from the left side,
on his right shoulder terrified him to his soul.
Seeing a smiling Hitanshu by his side, he looked
the other side, pushing back his hand, and
increasing his speed.
***
158
Nineteen
More Trouble
159
Aahana, also gave a second thought and
nodded slowly, giving enough effect. “Ah yes.
Still, you talk quite a lot with Tanveer… And I’m
quite sure that he knows…” Tanishi’s eyes
narrowed at Tanveer’s name spoken again.
“That idiot will never tell me Abhijit’s secrets.”
***
160
He had made himself live another life, with
some other worthless guys like him. Not
surprisingly, he had become increasingly
popular, because he had a lot of gossips from
the ‘star section’ of the class. It was a boring
drawing period, where most of the students
were busy talking on one side of the Art&Craft
room: Abhijit, Tanveer, Hitanshu, Bhanu,
Aahana, and of course, Prisha. He had opted for
drawing, keeping aside Music and Dance, in
high effect of Abhijit. Now as there weren’t
bonds anymore, he had made himself sit onto
the other corner of the room. His mates were
not in Drawing.
161
school. Nevertheless, he knew that Tanishi was
just blandishing. “Yeah, that I am, but how does
that provoke you? You remain.” he sighed.
***
162
Two days had passed. Usman had not yet got a
chance to have a word with Maddie, and have
his favor to put out his sword against the person
whom they both were very loyal till but a week
ago. The lunch bell rang, its sound irksome
enough to draw each student out of the class.
163
area a genius, Maddie.” Maddie twitched his
collar in show of his greatness.
***
164
underestimate me… you’ll have to pay…”
Maddie’s decreasing figure showed no sign of
response.
***
165
Twenty
Maddie’s Fighting
167
idiot! You were trying to make me fight against
Abhijit. Why do you forget? We’ve been friends
from childhood. Even if you’d have paid me for
the job I wouldn’t have done it.” Barked the
muscleman as another kick ensured its way to
Usman’s knee. “Son of a rabid dog.” Maddie
looked around. Tanveer was smiling. A hasty
Hitanshu had arrived, so had Anay. He spoke
again.
168
Respect does not come from flattery. It comes
from character. Tell this to him.” Snorted Abhijit.
Intelligent, as strong.
***
169
measure each of his word before his tongue
spoke. Soon, Usman would come to the right
hand of Abhijit. It was just a matter of time that
the words were being weighed.
170
The words seemed to light up the teacher. She
stiffened. “So, have you made the list? I’ve told
you to record the names of the undisciplined. I’ll
take action.” Then she turned to the class. “So,
happy talking, say? See what I do.”
“But ma’am…”
171
Some more names were taken, Tanishi’s place
was changed. Now she had to sit with Supriya,
and Natasha. Some more students’ places were
changed, which mattered the least to Hitanshu,
or anyone.
“Hie.”
***
Damn! What has happened,
Stone beaten instead of diamond:
Abhijit saved, Usman thrown down,
Mind it, Maddie’s no clown,
He seems good and foolish at first,
But he is not that such,
172
He can bring disgrace to all,
That he’s done by much.
One bad thing: Usman’s back to existence
again, And stone sticks to diamond once more.
Shravan sits nearby,
His feeling unfelt,
And then sits Bhanu as well,
Down to thumb from belts.
173
Twenty-One
175
“Oh my God! Now, I’ll be beaten by someone
who fell to his knees, by just one hurdle! And
now, when he’ll be beaten back by me, he’ll go
running to his master, accusing me of his
murder!” He constantly incited and provoked
and instilled Usman, but all in vain.
***
176
***
It was departure. Hitanshu and Shravan were
moving towards their respective destinations.
The corridor was busy, as everyone had moved
out of their classes. The two of them moved in
silence and slowness. In mere oblivion. The bell
had just rung, but everything had seemed to
slow down for Hitanshu. He had been living with
a person with a completely different type. Till
now, he met many kinds of people, the fame
Abhijit, the silent Tanveer, the happy Anay, the
cheerful Supriya, the understanding Isha, the
fascinating Priyanka, domineering Prisha,
chattering Tanishi, observing Aahana,
mischievous Natasha, the know-it- all Bhanu,
and of course, the always-welcome Nikhil. But al
had one quality in common: They were visibly
expressive. With the possible exception of
Aahana, Hitanshu had not met a person to
whom he would have worked hard to reveal his
layers of life. Shravan was the first such. In just
two days, they had developed strong bonds.
However, the trusts weren’t full.
177
They had reached the staircase. Bhanu, being
ahead of them, had hastily climbed down the
stairs. “Look at him!” Shravan turned towards
Hitanshu, pointing towards Bhanu. He was
almost running. Hitanshu hadn’t seen the
incident just before, so there were no questions
in his mind related to Bhanu. “He’s saving his
time. Probably he’ll memorize his Physics
lessons in his van. That’s why he’s hurrying.”
Said the both, as they too climbed down.
178
“What was Tanishi speaking right now?” he
asked mischievously. This made Bhanu partially
furious. He looked up straight into the eyes of
Shravan, with visible sincerity and annoyance
welling up in it. “It is none of your business.
Mind your ways, Shravan. You just look simple. I
know you from your beginning. Do not forget.”
179
further gossiping and storytelling. Swear on
your lives, idiots!” Bhanu said, with all his fine
words, coming together in a string. The duo
swore in no time.
Bhanu signaled them to draw close. They
followed. He then whispered, almost inaudibly.
“She was asking for my Maths Notebook.”
***
180
him to leave. Hitanshu was much amused by his
words. He had remained silent all the time the
two of them talked, and hence, was bored as
well. “Well, Shravan, it’s you yourself
responsible for this disappointment of yours.
Nobody can help it. You yourself tend to remain
at the backstage. Hence, no one notices you.
It’s only in the computer lab where you gather
applause.” said Hitanshu, making way for the
quite man to leave. However, Shravan, sat back
again, with an antique expression on his
banana-like face.
181
Hitanshu laughed. “That you are already,
Bhanu.”
182
Several hands stood up, including Abhijit’s and
Hitanshu’s. However, the teacher, ignored both
of them. Another hand belonged to Gurpreet.
“Yes you, child. Gurpreet, you are gonnabe.”
***
183
deeply as he leaned heavily on his chair. All the
relieving words of Shravan and Hitanshu were of
no effect.
***
184
Hitanshu waved formally to Bhanu. He was
standing at the entrance from the backstage,
along with Gurpreet towards his left. Dressed
not in normal uniform, but in that of the Church,
Bhanu looked cute. Nevertheless, Gurpreet
looked horrendous: that she was. They were not
the first ones to enter though: but they had
been assigned a task, of that of the organizer.
They were looking and checking around for
flaws, in case. There were, however, none. The
TCS was a perfectionist.
185
dress. Gurpreet stood, with her head held high.
Both of them, bowed low as they were entitled
with a common batch: “THE TCS III : JOINT
DISCIPLINE SECRETARY SESSION 2017-18”
***
186
Twenty-Two
‘Age of Laze’
All of June and some of July had passed. Hitanshu
had made himself quite stable into the shaking life of
the TCS. He had already put on to Facebook,
obviously getting in more touch with Tanishi ,
Tanveer, Supriya, Priyanka, Nikhil, and unfortunately,
Usman. Abhijit and Anay weren’t there, but that did
not matter. Hitanshu had stronger face -to-face
bonds with them. However, maximum people were
now remaining offline these days. Tanishi had
deactivated her account. Tanveer was already rare.
No one had interest in talking to Usman. Hitanshu
wondered what the problem was.
“What’s up?”
“Regarding what?”
188
“Regarding school Change. You were hunting for a
school right? And it was my song that put upon your
fate.”
“You know it very well. Its title is: ‘Why Miss Supriya
Changed Her School’.”
***
189
child, let’s take a stroll.” said Anay, when he found
no warm welcome from Hitanshu. Hitanshu himself,
was tired of the day, and lethargically lazy. Even
Anay was very aware of that. It had been a tiring day
at school.
190
solution if there is a problem in real, Anay.” Speaking
this, he looked with awkward expressions.
191
voice. “So this is your problem. You’re out of the box.
Outdated. Old. Boring. And yes, lethargic.”
***
Hell goes on,
Waiting for no’n,
Gotta run after everything,
To get everything done.
Facebook has turned boring,
And boring means lethargic,
And Lethargic means Done with everything.
Change is needed.
192
Twenty-Three
Expected Gunshot
The next day, finding the teacher missing in the
class, Hitanshu had slipped from the last bench to
the third: towards Anay. There was Abhijit as well,
but his attention divided into a Maths sum, gossip
with Tanveer, and greeting Hitanshu. Hitanshu
quietly placed himself on the seat, he himself not
initiating the conversation. Anay, held up an
imaginary mic in his hand, he clasped his fist tightly,
and checked for proper sound by hitting its invisible
top for proper sound. Then he placed it on Hitanshu’s
face, and spoke loudly, to make himself audible to
the ‘speakers’ connected to the mic. “So Mr.
Hitanshu Sharma, what were your experiences on
Instagram? What message will you like to share with
our audience?”
***
194
“It’s not perhaps. I am really not there on Instagram.
I save that time for studying. Bhanu was back in his
down-to-thumbs posture. Shravan was looking into a
blank point in the ceiling as he always did. Hitanshu
responded. “Do you study as well?”
“So what. If I don’t study, you will be the next topper.
It’s like that. Social media is a distraction. I don’t
want to get into all that fickle stuff.” Hitanshu’s eyes
widened at Bhanu’s explanation. He knew this point
very well, but however, he did not agree with it. He
believed Social Media was better than playing silly
games in free time.
***
195
The teacher had entered the class. Sharply, as
always. After the attendance, Gurpreet was
summoned towards the front. The teacher’s voice
was ice-edged, but yet trusting Gurpreet. “Gurpreet,
take this circular.” a chit was handed. Even her eyes
widened by a fraction, by looking at it. “Note it down
on the board. Everyone! Copy it down.”
***
196
Twenty-Four
***
198
expressions were worth looking. Despite of
breathtaking hard work and soul- beating uphill
struggle, Shravan’s water- filled hollow eyes clearly
believed and showed that he was barely going to
make it. No one cared. Hitanshu gave a sympathetic
look at him. He’d later console him thoroughly.
***
“Damn difficult.” Exclaimed Abhijit, looking wildly at
the paper. Usman was surprisingly absent. Five of
them: Hitanshu, Anay, Abhijit, Shravan and Tanveer
had gathered up at Hitanshu’s mansion for a final
group study of English and French combined.
Abhijit’s paper had visibly not gone well, and hence
was very much of angered due to this. “Who the hell
makes the paper like this?” Abhijit was almost
yelling.
199
“Usman had said he would ‘convince’ Prisha and
Tanishi.” Abhijit spoke with an exaggeration in his
voice, which still had the mix of anger in it. “Any
news? Is he passing?”
200
Hitanshu?” His expression was followed by the rest
as well. Only Shravan remained stoic.
201
annoyance, anger, fury, and also a tint of shame.
“BUT MIND YOU! I AM NOT DEPENDENT ON HER AT
ALL.” And then he suddenly calmed down. Tanveer
passed a glass of water, which he drank in biggest
sips. Hitanshu could not yet believe his ears. Shravan
was still out of the race of emotions.
***
What? A teacher-turned-auntie?
Does it make sense?
She’s a nice teacher, with enough of polity,
And loving nature immense.
I don’t believe, how can I?
But I have to, and stay!
Well, how does that matter?
I have studied, and I’ll perform better.
202
Twenty-Five
Post-Exam
***
204
from all mockery. Her head hung, and a faint curse
on her lips, she lifted her pen. The teacher stated.
“Anyone else who does not know to interpret
French?” There was but a collective gasp.
What was even more wonderful was that the teacher
never conversed in French to the students, except in
cases when the Principal was on round. French was
only meant for lessons. Her dedication was
distinguishable, but still, its usage was restricted.
Then the teacher started unhurriedly.
B o n j o u r à tous,
Hello everyone,
205
We are proud to tell you that the first season has
been very successful around the world. This time,
there is a small change in the subject.
Salutations,
206
least not World-wide. However, the teacher had
packed up everything by now.
***
207
English, and then into French. Much of a difficult task
for anyone. Not for Hitanshu.
***
208
turn up towards my mirror. And lock the room
from inside.
***
209
than contented. He had worked till midnight on
the essay, and very satisfactorily done it. Only
two things remained: First, the final editing, and
second, the translation. Translation wouldn’t
take more than an hour. Editing wouldn’t either.
He had written a full-four page essay, which was
massive enough to fit into the category of 1000-
1200 words. Anay entered, panting of unknown
exertion. Formalities of greeting weren’t
needed, of course.
***
210
this was not due to some unwillingness to go
the library, simply, laziness, slumber, and
hunger had taken over the most. The fourth
period everyday passed like this. The girls
however, were attitudinal and interested
enough to walk past the boys, and enter the
library. Boys were in no mood to gallop.
211
And the last candidate remained, Aahana.
Hitanshu politely offered it to her, what his duty
was. However, Aahana declined. “I don’t like
Mickey Mouse.” And twitched her face in
irritation, perhaps mock. Hitanshu smiled
genially. “What would you like, then, so that I
may get it for you?”
212
deteriorating. “I’m sorry I didn’t Madam. I wrote
it all by myself.”
***
213
just one sentence: - just one. But he’d not
expected this way.
214
wanted to have his grammatical errors
corrected.
***
215
Twenty-Six
Aftermath
216
***
217
Hitanshu was pierced by many eyes as well.
Hitanshu smelled his
218
mistake. He had hurt a cat by a stick. Aahana
wasn’t like Tanishi. Aahana was definitely
irritated and angry.
***
219
“Why in Christ’s name don’t you speak
something, dear Tanishi? Have you put on some
curd in your mouth?” Aahana exploded in anger.
Despite of all her angry attempts, Tanishi was
not provoked by even a whisker. Tanishi was
silent. She herself didn’t know when the last
time she had been this calm.
220
crediting Tanishi for the leak. Looking at the
duo, Usman had learnt about the phrase as well.
***
“But why?” Anay let out a sigh after listening to
Hitanshu’s sudden grieves. Reality had finally
sunk into Hitanshu, as he had noticed Aahana
avoiding his eye rest of the day. By the next
day, Hitanshu had almost concluded it to
himself, that Aahana was angry from her soul.
And by the third day he knew that his position
had fallen. All by studying the various changes
of events the past two days. It was Friday.
Hitanshu and Anay were making their way to
the park. Hitanshu had narrated everything to
Anay: The sudden angry glares from Tanishi and
Aahana, and small glances at him during the
unimportant gossips of girls, as he felt. Hitanshu
doubted, at first, whether they kept an eye on
him. He had not dared to speak to Aahana after
that day, but still, his mind had rung constantly
about his error. But it was little he could do now.
221
was reasonable. There was no problem in asking
for a notebook. But there was a problem in
asking the notebook to her . No one knew why.
Perhaps she wanted to escape the eye of boys.
Perhaps there was some bad-enough reason for
this. Perhaps she didn’t like boys at all.
222
effect at the rhetoric question. “It is a matter of
those. These fishes are being fished. Aahana by
Tanishi. And Shravan by…” Hitanshu stopped to
think.
***
Hell has happened to me,
And for cost none to pay,
Hurt by my attitude is she,
And I got shit to pay.
What did I do in real?
223
Twenty-Seven
Announcements
224
turned towards his best friend. “Leave us
behind, you! Tell, where in the world you were?”
***
225
Tanveer shok the class’ marker and started
scribbling a note in the worst of his
handwritings.
PLEASE NOTE
226
NEXT DAY 29TH, AT 8:00 AM, THE GROUP WILL
DEPART FOR DODDABETTA HILL AND RESORT. THE
STUDENTS HAVE TO BE READY.
227
RECORDER, OR CHARGER WILL BE THE PROPERTY
OF THE UUSER ONLY. THE SCHOOL OR THE TEACHER
ACCOMPANYING SHALL NOT HOLD ANY
RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ANY LOSS. THE USER
WILL BE ANSWERABLE HIMSELF/HERSELF.
***
228
This made Aahana jump in anger. “HOW DARE
YOU, TANISHI!” Tanishi did not scare for a
moment. Instead, she made her sit, by placing
her arms on her shoulders, and passed some
water. “Calm down, dear. There isn’t a meaning
at screaming at me. It won’t affect any
decision.” Some of Aahana’s anger melted.
“Then what shall I do, dear?”
***
229
Twenty-Eight
Pre-Tour Chaos
“What?”
***
231
looks. Has there been left someone, who can
drive out some minds in this…Ahem?” Anay
mocked cough to avoid speaking any foul words
for a girl who could pounce on him for nothing.
That she did anyway.
“So what?”
***
232
watched Tanishi ruining her own game in just
one move. Surprisingly, Usman was playing
Table-tennis parallel to them, having dragged
Nikhil with him. Tanveer watched the scene and
laughed mutely. An owl surrounded by bats, he
wondered. Considering the former foolish, while
self dragging into dark madness.
233
become the Queen, or Rook, or Knight, or
Bishop.”
234
sticking to her from the very next moment. He is
mistaking my friend, Tanveer. And she is getting
frustrated day by day!”
“Speak.”
235
Before Tanishi could speak, Tanveer had left. But
the shock that he had given him had not. The
bell rung in backdrop.
***
“Right…”
236
confirm whether he apologized, or it was just
some on-the-spot wit of the grandmaster.”
237
***
238
“Of course, Hitanshu.” Anay spoke calmly. “If
you and your breeze have done your romance,
There is some good news. Shall I speak it or I
have to wait even more?”
239
“What’s up, Hitanshu?” a voice snapped from
behind. Tanmay. As Tanmay made is seat to
Hitanshu’s either side, Anay bid goodbye and
left. Hitanshu looked at Tanmay. “Let’s play
catch.” Anay’s retreating figure could be seen
clearly in the dim light.
***
240
Not in more than thirty minutes’ time, Hitanshu
was done with his packing. He quietly arranged
the bag in one corner, and joined the chatting
trio. The three, lost in chatting, had forgotten
that they were into somebody else’s house, and
were discussing some matter. The three had
folded their legs and had cornered up into one
side; Tanveer having reclined on the wall, and
Abhijit and Maddie faced him partially, forming a
triangle.
***
241
Twenty-Nine
242
Then a half-lit figure came into his vision. Sitting
cross-legged, with back and spine bent and
eyelids heavy from sleep: looking into a phone.
Priyanka. A friendly, forgotten face. Hitanshu
was the one to suggest her for the TCS, and
Hitanshu was supposed to be her first friend in
here. But Hitanshu was too busy with his own
world which included Abhijit, Tanveer, Aahana,
Tanishi, Anay; Priyanka could be Hitanshu’s best
friend, and she tried hard enough to grab his
attention, but had finally given up, perhaps not
annoyed after all. Isha had proven to be a good
company for her. She was sitting at the either
side, facing Hitanshu, but hadn’t noticed his
presence.
243
painfully. “My bed doesn’t shake.” Priyanka
laughed softly at the mere humor. “What makes
you awake, Priyanka?”
244
“Priyanka smiled wearily at the question.
“Habits, my friend, habits. Rising at five is a
habit. A have-it.”
245
Hitanshu laughed, waiting for Priyanka to look
up to him, finding no answer to her question.
That she did, and Hitanshu responded evenly.
“Of course!” he spoke, reclining back to the
compartment’s divider wall.
“Any username?”
246
“I’m sorry…”
***
247
and compromise with the solitary Nikhil. Prisha
at the end, was left between two choices:
Priyanka or Gurpreet. And her routes were clear.
Gurpreet was given a room all to herself.
248
“When did I apologize, Anay?” Hitanshu
inquired, this time with somewhat more
presence of mind. His memory did not give him
any response for an apology to Aahana.
249
“Yuck.” Hitanshu twitched his nose. The two
giggled for a long time after. The seriousness of
the Aahana and apologies faded away in no
time. “You are not doing such a thing again in
front of me, Anay.”
***
Alone I stand,
When the surroundings move;
My fists clench tight
And Arms go loose…
I’m surprised at myself;
How fortunate that I am,
Surrounded by problems
Yet Guarded by Pals.
I think them worth for trusting,
For all that they do for me;
For I’ll be left with nothing
If my friends leave me.
250
Thirty
Roaming
251
The duo moved forward to climb on the
continuous calling of Anay from its foot.
***
252
Hitanshu did not bother to answer Anay’s silly
joke-question. He was busy gaping at the
scenery, the only ‘romantic partner’ of his, with
all his due affinity. The expressions Anay had
observed in the park at the hometown’s park
had been multiplied by trillions. It was not the
joy of imagination this time, it was the
experience.
253
“Tell me, can a kangaroo jump higher than a
house?” Anay repeated. A derisive smile played
on Priyanka’s rosy lips. “Of course. Because
houses can’t jump!”
***
254
Right now, the travelers was travelling to
Coimbatore. It was around six thirty, and the
group was totally dizzy. Hitanshu was lying
down on his sleeping tier, and so was Anay.
Nikhil was sleeping imbecilely: half dead. At first
the girls had laughed heartily at his snoring
conscience, and also had been irritated at it, but
soon had made up with it, as they saw Nikhil
growing solitary and depressed the very first
day. Priyanka was lying right on the front, and
below her was Tanishi, and in the middle was
Gurpreet. The girls were busy with their phones,
and hence were not paying any heed to the
chats of Abhijit, Usman and Maddie from the
other compartment.
255
Aahana had vomited to her extremity. Prisha,
the gang leader, had occupied her side, and was
repeatedly patting her back to relax her.
Aahana’s own dress had been spoilt somehow,
and some of foul-smelling liquid still drooped at
irregular intervals from her mouth. Usman was
squealing repeatedly, as he started feeling like
vomiting as well. He was laid down to sleep by
Abhijit in the other room, because the team
could not retire any other player on injury.
Aahana was shaking in pain, fear, sickness and
shame.
256
***
257
Thirty-One
Foe-Turned-Friend
It had been two days since Aahana had vomited for
the first time. Her condition had both worsened and
improved simultaneously in the past two days. She
had started to remain awake more time, but threw
up into vomits even more often. All this was clearly
predicted earlier by the TCS committee. There had
been a rule: In case there was an illness in the group,
everyone would do duties to nurse the patient. The
general set of medicines had been a part of
prescribed set of carry-ons into the trip. Sea-
sickness was not contagious, yet Aahana was bound
up tightly in a mask, which looked definitely
suffocative from outside; but Aahana complained for
no such thing. Perhaps she had been satisfied by the
disease’s power itself. Everything else had been
lowered down automatically. Life had taught the
drama queen to adjust with things before the
conditions worsened. The visit to Siruvani was
cancelled. Right now, the students were in the
effotel: in Aahana’s quarters, all of them. A short
time gap had been given, and they had stayed back
in Coimbatore itself. The journey was to proceed
after some announcement by the school.
***
“How do you feel now?” Hitanshu spoke in a
motherly voice and touched her forehead.
259
It was around six thirty. Aahana woke up with a
start, and withdrew slightly at the sight of a boy
at his pillow, but soon recovered from the
sudden surprise. Hitanshu passed a glass of
water to the patient, and fought with the
medicine packets for opening some tablets.
Aahana seemed fresher and stronger today. A
sweet smile drew on her face, as she saw
Hitanshu kindly working for her: selflessly and
without any wish for return. She felt ashamed of
herself and Tanishi, who had drawn elaborate
plans and ruses to make Hitanshu bend to
knees; for a mere apology. And this he was.
Loving, affectionate and caring. The drama
queen was noticing something dramatically real
and really dramatic.
260
All shine from her cheeks had vanished, and
face had lost color; the eyes that never looked
down now had practice of not shifting her eyes
from her own feet. She knew that the group had
to stay back because of her.
***
261
“It’s not about the sickness, or sleep, Usman. It
is your duty. Would it have not been Hitanshu up
early or Aahana would have worsened. Supriya-
Natasha had left to sleep at five-thirty, as they
were sleepy by the night work. They are
humans as well, perhaps you are not. Aahana is
strictly forbidden to move around. Strict bed-
rest and no moving around. Without Hitanshu
around, she would have struggled with
everything in the room and possibly would have
hurt herself as well.” Abhijit spoke in calm,
vibrating tone.
262
Ten minutes, eh? SLEEP TEN HOURS NOW! NO
ONE NEEDS YOU! CATCH A FLIGHT AND GO
BACK HOME, USMAN!” Prisha screamed at the
end. Tanishi had to soothe her.
***
263
Thirty-Two
Foul
264
and tired. The effect of illness was still taking its
toll on the poor girl.
***
265
minutes’ halt at the neighbor station. There was
around an hour left for the travelers to reach
their home grounds. The twenty minute halt had
made most of the student-passengers excited
and they’d left for the stalls at the platform:
books, tea, snacks, or fresher air. But Usman
was interested in none of these. He had filled
his load of snacks much earlier, and was
munching on a packet of fries while he looked
out from the train’s window seat. Strong urges
were rushing through his spine, and anyone
sitting parallel could possibly see him tremble.
For perhaps no reason.
266
Abhijit shook his head and heaved another sigh.
Usman was a gossip. If he took off his puff of
insignificance and boredom, he would mutter it
all in the ear of Maddie, and from where it’d
travel all the way to the whole class, the
mediators being Tanishi, Isha, and perhaps
Usman himself as well. And Abhijit knew that he
was no match when it came to his and Maddie’s
muscle, or else he’d have shut up both the duo.
Popularity brought to him control, but not power.
Usman was different. Power, that too of Maddie,
was bringing him a series of favors. And they
would continue to. So, the simple way out was,
to keep you sorrows to yourself. Perhaps
Tanveer would be the right one. There wasn’t a
long wait.
267
“Idiot.” he whispered to himself, making sure
the lazy Abhijit didn’t hear.
***
268
then, Usman thought to himself. Managing
Abhijit was another big deal. He would have to
again maintain strange relations with Maddie.
Maddie. The chap, no matter what the situation,
always backed him. A supporter wheel for his
cycle. Without which he’d take no time to fall.
269
higher to respond the summon. Calling him
personally was his idea. He took out is eighth
fries packet. And looked at it longingly. Then he
kept it aside, and opened a smaller pocket in
the travelbag. A smaller packet. Of soft
cardboard. A bit larger than a matchbox.
270
Usman remained clung into the emptiness, his
theft being caught. “A cigarette packet?” Maddie
asked another rhetoric. Still no response from
Usman. Too dumb to react.
Gurpreet.
***
271
Thirty-Three
Back Home
***
273
Half-day had been declared in the TCS and a
meeting ceremony had been organized. The
left-up students were allowed to mingle with the
enterers, and exchange vital pieces. Tanveer
greeted Abhijit and Hitanshu with his friendly
clasp at the IX A doorways itself, and then the
trio moved ahead. So did Harshali with Supriya-
Natasha, and the twins turned into triplets. Isha
welcomed Priyanka with a lovely hug, and all
the newcomers moved ahead. The left-Behinds,
Aahana-Tanishi -Prisha, the all time joints,
moved ahead to greet their girl gang. Maddie
did not respond to Usman’s goodbye, and took a
corner in his class, where he was raised to
shoulders and jumped in air. He was the second
child hero. Usman, wishing that Abhijit would
cooperate, took up his usual post, Abhijit’s left;
however, Abhijit seemed to shrug at this. Nikhil
and Gurpreet quietly packed themselves. Nikhil,
narrated a small friend, his adventures, as if
that of Gulliver’s Travels, and Gurpreet
struggled with herself to keep a secret hidden.
274
“Hey Guys!” Hitanshu spoke with new
excitement, with all his exhaustion in hiding.
“Look better than before!”
275
The three chatted on and on. Until the mingle
meeting was over.
***
“You definitely not believe what happened here,
Brophet. Seems as if ages passed.” Tanveer
reclined on the back of the bench. “Eight to ten
days they are, bros.” Abhijit spoke with a soft
smile. Still, his curiosity was increasing. He was
noticing change. But not realizing it, for sure.
Usman cut in. “Tell me. I’ll agree with your ages
concept.” Actually, ages had passed for him as
well. Tanveer paid no heed. He continued facing
Abhijit, and speaking. “Each of the teachers put
on a new coat after you were gone. Really.”
276
“Better be not. Be not indeed.” Abhijit punched
his face, but with words, and not fists. He did
not listen, for sure it could be guessed.
“I do. Continue!”
277
“It’s like that.” Tanveer waved his hand. “They
are bullies. They will tease everyone. See.
Bhanu, Shravan and Harshali belong to them,
and they packed themselves comfortably with
the ‘potato fries’. In Maddie’s absence, who
looks to be their head, they turned wild. They
would just hobble up from everyone’s lunch,
and eat from them like demons. If you oppose,
you get a cup of herbal tea. Perhaps you get
how worse their herbal tea is from ours.” The
herbal tea term was prevalent universally.
***
278
Thirty-Four
Gurpreet’s Talk
280
One: Aahana fell ill. It was her contribution in it
as well, to be healing her. One- Twelfth of
contribution in healing a sick poor old girl of
fourteen. Pretty much.
Selfless; Unthanked; Teaching experience.
Valuable indeed.
***
281
protagonist. No one cared. No one would. There
was no reason.
282
He had never heard about her, or learnt about
her past achievements, and even did not know
her surname. What he cared for was: there is
my competitor sitting in front of me.
Perhaps she has a doubt in any of the subjects,
and has come up with a request for help. Or
else, she is here at random. Or else, she is here
because she wants a quiet environment that I
shall provide. Or else whatever.
“Hello, Bhanu.”
“Secretology.”
283
That isn’t even a word, or is it?” Bhanu’s light
went dim.
***
Hardly do I care
For what these girl with glasses speaks,
But yes I know that
Usman’s criminal deeds.
Well, that’s a thing big enough,
A cigarette in front of a nerd girl!
Now she comes in to tell me,
284
Her adventures of travel.
Well, I don’t care.
285
Thirty-Five
287
the class, and their general was no one.
Uncivilized, wild, and experienced, this gang
would clear enormous part of crowd and reach
straight to the target. Clear typical gang wars.
Small-scale and less injuring. Yet amusing.
***
288
he positioned it on his band. And he positioned
the band on his fingers. He positioned his
fingers on his palm. His palm on his wrist. His
wrist into the elbow. His elbow to the shoulder.
And strung the band tightly backwards, towards
him. Soon it would be flying through the air and
hitting the plain cheek of Anay. He did not feel
everyone standing up, because he was focused
on his target, which stood up as well.
289
“Get out!” the teacher screamed.
290
Thirty-Six
292
the lunchboxes aside, and sat on the table,
making him look taller than the massive Nikhil.
Nikhil stood fearless, still grinning of the old
joke. “I’m a sweeper?” Usman tried to sound
ghostly and fearful, but was actually creating
comedy amongst the six spectators.
***
293
which was more of drama than pain. He had
started to limp, having injured his right. He
shrugged when he saw Nikhil, but tried to
remain as upright as possible, showing no pain
for all his ego hurting in the recent past. He had
not learnt that he wasn’t powerful enough to
fight anyone. Maddie wouldn’t always be there.
He had lost from Hitanshu, the guy who looked
lean, weak, and submissive; but had insulted
him in front of the school. He had lost to
everyone, which even included Maddie and
Abhijit for a time. How hard he had struggled to
make them his allies. Strong ones. He had
managed to win the trust of Abhijit again and
again. Maddie was not that type. He wouldn’t
trust, he wouldn’t scold either. Both a hang-out
buddy, and a fighting friend. Whatever he was,
he was a benefactor for the filthy boy.
294
and started walking quietly with Natasha
amongst the corridors, at the end of which they
met an impatient Supriya. At sight of Natasha,
she turned on a sarcastic smile, which she had
practiced in the period. “Such a pleasure to
meet you again the same day, Natasha! I
thought you’d courier my bag at my home.” A
satchel exchanged hands.
295
inspiring talks. Hitanshu had really talked a lot
to Priyanka all these days after the tour. They
would stroll for long in the TCS corridors, in
lunchtime, or in departure. They’d talk about
various things, which would be too many to list
away.
296
The last one to be left was Hitanshu. Supriya
had said it all in a joke, but she had definitely
plucked a different string in Hitanshu’s
conscience. She had made him realize the value
of friends and expectations. He had valued
these all his life, but he had now come to know
that abandoning a relation could leave worse
off.
***
297
Thirty-Seven
298
eyes, looking slightly downwards, to meet
Hitanshu’s eyes. “Yes, Isha?”
299
“May I sit here, Hitanshu, if you don’t mind?”
Isha pointed towards an empty chair and
appealed Hitanshu.
300
seemed brightened up by this talk. “How do you
know, Hitanshu? Who told you? Priyanka or one
of those idiots…”
301
Isha was a good girl, was a fact known to
Hitanshu from the very first days of TCS entry.
But, for unknown, or perhaps no reasons, he
had forgotten all about her. That meant, that he
forgot that he had befriended her in the
beginning, but soon became quite lost in his
own world of illusion. Isha seemed to have
forgiven him as well. He had given her a friend.
Priyanka had told Isha that she came here on
Hitanshu’s reference. Acknowledging each other
with words after a long time, the two talked on
for the whole period.
***
302
“What for this time?” Isha asked out of curiosity.
“What have you done? Revealed the
photographic secret of Maddie?”
303
***
304
Sports week was a big event in the TCS. A really
big event. Three sports: Kho-Kho, Volleyball, and
football would be organized in the ground.
Another game called table tennis would be
arranged in the sports room upstairs. The most
glory was achieved by the football winner.
Abhijit was the champion of class IX. Four goals
was his record till present, in class IX.
Unmatched. Unbeaten. Awe-inspiring. Dreadful
score.
***
305
Thirty-Eight
“Tell Nobody”
***
307
“Bro, you sure about that? Wanting to keep it
real secret?” It was like a punch on Bhanu’s
spectacled face. Bhanu had let open a part of
his lip, and some of the secret had vented
through it. Now, Shravan knew, that it was
Gurpreet who had told a secret into his ear, due
to a typecast pain in secret-keeping. Now Bhanu
was experiencing the same. And Bhanu was
weaker to crumble down, as compared to
Gurpreet. And Shravan seemed to knock at the
right door. According to him, and his psychology
he had learnt during one of his breaks in Online
Java Tuitions, when a person is asked not to do
things, he is more excited or aroused to do
those. That was what he was trying.
308
“Kay then. Let me make you remember.” And
Shravan started off at once. “We, Shravan and
Bhanu, as bros, or ‘bronathans’, decide and
promise each other, that we will tell our
brosephs everything we reach out to. We will
share every sliver...”
***
309
beat with rage and shock. He was moving down
the staircase at departure, when he bumped
accidentally, as well as dramatically into Prisha.
310
“Will I be honored enough to know what in this
world are you speaking about?” Hitanshu finally
cried seeing no sign of speech from Prisha.
“What?”
“So?”
311
nodded excitedly. Hitanshu couldn’t contain the
thing.
***
312
Thirty-Nine
Hitanshu nodded.
314
Hitanshu had hardly played kho-kho. Perhaps
just once or twice that too when the grounds
were wet and all guys and girls had two options:
either to stay in class or play kho-kho in the
concreted road. No one chose the former at all.
Still, the game had fascinated him; he could not
attend it much; because of his obligations at the
volleyball court. It was time. The right time.
***
315
@watchmystatus: And who are your
sources, by the way? Have they given you
the rights to publish the information?
@anay.30: Tell me that the person is
Usman.
@smilylady: It indeed is. Nice guess,
shortie. You got tall brains!
@anay.30: Mind language.
@tsinghania9211: Unbelievable! You sure
about this?
@simplycrooked: Believable, actually. You
can’t say what comes next for the guy.
@supriyaverma321: Well, yes.
***
316
“Time Trials! Abhijit announced on a makeshift
megaphone. “You, let alone the rank, have to
complete the race in no more than fifteen sec.
Group One, Take Positions.”
317
Nikhil increased his speed in the last and won,
leaving behind Bhanu just by a second. Both of
them qualified. Usman came last, even getting
defeated from Anay, and sat down weeping on
the track itself.
“ReadyOne-Two!” Clap!
***
318
Abhijit, Bhanu, Hitanshu, Ravi, Maddie, and
Usman. Usman again: such an insolent oaf. He
called himself brave and trying, and knew that
he’d come last, still he had come. So bad. So
Dangerous.
“ReadyOne-Two!”
“Clap!”
***
The legendary sports week has come into
existence, And the secret thing is going as
expected,
Prisha smokes the secret in the group and
around the fence,
And not everyone is shocked, they perhaps
expected.
Well it does matter the least to me,
319
So does the newborn smoker,
And I’m good with my things rising,
And nothing bad goes on.
320
Forty
322
commands. Two guys went running in different
directions, happy to serve their gods.
***
323
“What scar of bravery? Saved a hundred lives
from fire?” Tanveer seemingly disapproved the
metaphor.
***
“Hello?”
324
“Hello… Abhijit… Hitanshu speaking…” Hitanshu
could recognize the female voice quiet clearly.
Still, he needed to stammer to make sure of
politeness.
“Yes Hitanshu?”
325
“Injuries?”
“Nothing madame.”
***
326
@tsinghania9211:Wow. Well, Gotta go.
Talk to you later.
@watchmystatus: Bbye.
***
What?! Abhijit’s dying?
Thrown on the cycle,
And the cycle stolen away?
What cowards men are actually…
He lied there and fainted.
Well the thing needs to be told,
Since the sources are waiting,
The set is made and so is the setting.
Hitanshu knows, And I’m coming to know
by him?!
Well, surprising indeed.
327
Forty-One
***
329
“What Usman thing?” Prisha provided a large
synapse after each syllable.
330
“Stop calling me new-kid-new- kid. Be you new
kid. Be your… ahem! Don’t let me speak foul,
Usman!” Hitanshu, already enraged by the say-
this-to-your-dad-thing, hardly managed to
control.
***
331
“Nothing much.” Hitanshu sighed. They had
reached the outer corridor of the ground floor.
“It’s just that Usman…”
Boom!
332
“Yes Madam.”
***
333
Forty-Two
335
Clear statement: Madhav Kumar Shah class IX
B. Brackets: Abhinav Badjatya, class X B.
***
336
would take place. During cultural activities,
mats would be laid down, and the students
would enjoy the festivities. However, visiting the
auditorium was occasional, only when there was
some festival around, or when Trustee sir
wished to bore the whole school with a century-
long speech. However, the auditorium was good
overall. Right now, it was usual: revealing the
green marble floor from beneath the usual
durries. A good place for an audition.
337
“Ma’am, auditions?” Priyanka asked with an
excited smile, of skipping the test. “Ah, yes.
Take the scripts.” Poorva Ma’am handed them
scripts quickly. “Start!”
338
The selections, went pretty well, except the fact
that Anay, who was expecting himself for the
role of Lewis or Clark, could not be done; A guy
named Lakshit landed into the auditorium at the
last moment, claiming that he could do better,
that he did, without doubt.
339
“We are not playing games without Maddie.
Especially when Maddie is present.” Ambar
Kumar Shrivastav, the John house kho-kho team
captain and a gold-medal athlete in state levels,
stated clearly.
340
“Maddie will play.” Ambar Kumar Shrivastav
settled the dispute all at once. “You are a
nobody. You cannot do a single thing. Go wash
your face. Why are we wasting time on a
lunatic? Com’mon Maddie, jump into the first
group. The Pauls have set on the ground long
ago.
341
“What’s the matter guys? Feel free to tell me!”
Shiva dug deep into Usman’s wounds. Usman,
already waiting for some power to land for
helping him, started off all at once.
“Nowhere. Then?”
342
“Oh, I see. Team politics. Good player taken
again. I see, I see. But, tell me, why are you
burning in pain?” Shiva nodded in
understanding. For the first time, Usman felt
that someone had got to understand him. “Let
them play! What is your trouble?” Shiva
completed his words, along with a gasp of
laughter in the John crowd.
343
guy, with his batch reading Samyak Jain, Deputy
Captain, Paul House spoke with politeness,
despite of position.
344
“You change whoever you want from class IX.
Except Maddie.” Ambar had to finally deal with
the smoker.
345
“Fight me, will you?”Challenged Hitanshu for a
straight duel.
“Bloody Sharmaji.”
***
346
Forty-Three
347
were removed illegal. So, you have stronger
reason.”
***
The corridors were silent as death. Maddie and
Usman were climbing the stairs with even speed
and bustling energy. Sweat had considered itself
a fountain on the two. There was just one thing
left to make them a complete sportsman:
sportsmanship.
348
“Not enough power to say. Drained out on
waste. Pauls were like mountains.”
“For sure. And one single shot does not tear the
wood.” Maddie agreed. “But I say, do you think
you could have made it to the team?”
“Nothing new.”
349
“Fine, fine. Thrown to the back, advancing
towards a nice beating, couldn’t have done
without me, well done.” Maddie left hurt. He
was craving to hear a thanks, that he did, but
only words. All credit were snatched by Usman
himself. Big blunder.
***
350
“Oh damn! Who do we have here…em…”
Usman began to look around for a substitution.
“Oh, our Sharmaji is here! Sharmaji, would you
mind running off to the kho-kho poles, for
practice?” He poked the freshman verbally.
“No.”
351
“You bloody failure!” Hitanshu fell, unexpecting
this misbalance, struggling to keep up his frame
in front of the whole class.
***
352
following Usman. “You spoke it like you had
every might in the world.”
***
I remember the day so well,
The mustached man scared me like hell, And
then he’d said,
“I’m nothing like a bully nor I got power.”
But today he showed what he was,
Perhaps just for me,
Perhaps he was angry on the smoker.
Whatever feel had he,
Doesn’t it matter much,
Coz’ I was almost broken by the smoker,
And he was the one to save me like such.
353
Forty-Four
355
“It’s simple. I got some academic impression in
front of Shobha ma’am. I’ll ask her secretly, and
I gotta get the thing.”
***
356
“You should concentrate on your part,
Pradyumn. What are you speaking?”
“So?”
***
357
the TwoMinus, or to bring it straightaway. It was
even after two of full-practice days, that he had
brought up enough life in his gut to pick up the
phone from the study to the jacket of his bag.
***
358
“Gimme the cake.” Lakshit and Nikhil advanced
towards Pradyumn in post-lunch.
359
Anay left apologetically to his room, parallel to
this one. This, however, created a hole in the
crowd, to reveal the bench, with it the phone.
The phone was quickly hidden before ma’am
arrived.
***
361
Forty-Five
Annual Function
362
“Me too. But yes, it is real fun to deliver a
practice in tension.” Pradyumn stated from the
other end of the room.
363
“Good Luck.” Shobha ma’am shrugged. “Ten-
minute break. Then another practice.”
***
364
“Guys. Our turn.” The English Teacher clapped.
***
365
“Wonderful performance! Please give them a big
hand of applause!” These
***
***
366
“Hitanshu!” Priyanka called out. “Just a minute.”
Hitanshu returned. “Yes. What’s now, Priyanka?”
367
“Ah, yes. They are parents. Only light of hope in
darkness.” Priyanka gibed. “Shut up, Priyanka.”
Hitanshu hushed her.
***
@tsinghania9211:Hey, Hitanshu.
@watchmystatus: Hullow, Tanishi.
Whassp? @tsinghania9211:Bored.
Watching TV.
@watchmystatus: And texting me from the
television as well?
@tsinghania:No-no Stupid. I’m texting you
from the cellphone. TV’s got no Instagram.
It got only commercial ads.
@watchmystatus: Ah, yes.
@tsinghania9211:You say? Drama thing
over?
@watchmystatus: Yup. In the car,
returning home after the fnction.You
didn’t come?
@tsinghania9211:Yes.
@watchmystatus: Why?
@tsinghania9211:I didn’t want to. Simple.
Draw brains Hitanshu.
@watchmystatus: Fine. Don’t be upset.
@tsinghania9211:Hmm.
@watchmystatus: What’s going on the TV?
@tsinghania9211:Ah, yes. Got it. I
remembered. Finally. Thank goodness. I’m
so happy. How can I forget? How did I
forget? Why did I forget? Ohh-
@watchmystatus: Isn’t it too long for the
name of the show?
@tsinghania9211:Stupid. It isn’t the name
of the show. The television is throwing shit
from its screen. Leave it.
@watchmystatus: Fine. Then?
368
@tsinghania9211:It’s Aahana’s birthday
next week. @watchmystatus: Wow.
@tsinghania9211:You idiot. That means
I’m planning a surprise party. You’re
invited.
@watchmystatus:Thanks. Where? When?
What time? Tell me the date at least. I’ll
wish her.
@tsinghania9211:You can wish her at the
party. Seven pm at the Café Spectrum
Shade this Saturday. Send your Contri too.
And tell your Priyanka to come as well.
@watchmystatus: Don’t call ‘my Priyanka’.
It’s vulgar. Well, the café’s expensive. How
much do you need?
@tsinghania9211:A hundred bucks. From
you and your Priyanka too.
@watchmystatus: Done if you stop making
Priyanka my possession.
@tsinghania9211:Fine. See you there.
Seven sharp. @watchmystatus: Aren’t you
coming to school? @tsinghania9211:I am.
@watchmystatus: Then we’re planning this
together. I am no guest.
@tsinghania: Done.
@watchmystatus: Then see you first at
school day-after. Tomorrow is holiday.
Bbye.
@tsinghania9211:I know. Bbye.
***
370
Forty-Six
Party Planner
371
“Hey, Hey.” Tanishi jumped whilst sitting. “Did
you think something of Aahana’s b’day?”
372
some work. You didn’t tell would we call
Gurpreet?”
***
373
@tsinghania9211:Thanks, Prisha.
@smilylady: For what?
@simplycrooked: ‘for regaining her mood’.
@tsinghania9211:Exactly.
@smilylady: Why, Tanishi, is your mood a
pingpong ball?
@anay.30: what is ping-pong?
@watchmystatus: Table Tennis. Keep quiet
and watch the show, Chopra.
@tsinghania9211:What show?
@watchmystatus: Tanishi v/s Tanveer: Play
begins. Judge: Prisha.
@smilylady: (cluster of laughing emojis)
@priyankaathegreat: Well, is the show
over? M I a bit late? @simplycrooked: You
are late, but it works. Perhaps it’s my turn
now.
@tsinghania9211:What chance? The ball is
in your hat, crooked.
@smilylady: which ball?
@anay.30: ‘ping-pong-ball’.
@simplycrooked: well, it never came to
me. It originated from @smily, and then to
Anay, and then straight towards the
status-man. I never went into it.
@supriyaverma321: Well, guys, we should
talk this much in real too!
@tsinghania9211:Impossible.
@watchmystatus: Pessimistic.
@tsinghania9211:Damn yes!
@simplycrooked: Passed a lot of time.
Guys, meet online late night. Gotta study
French or that hell teacher going to draw
hell off me. Bye. CU Guys later.
@tsinghania9211:me too.
@supriyaverma321: Isn’t this chat too long
for a single unit.
@watchmystatus: It was.*GAME OVER*
374
@priyankaathegreat: ROFL.
@anay.30: I’m weak at acronyms.
@tsinghania9211:‘ROLLING ON FLOOR
LAUGHING’ @anay.30: you online again?
@tsinghania9211:Any problems…?
375
Tanishi, with a navy blue top printed “D.A.M.N.”
in white bold was looking perfectly weird. Along
came a cream-colored Jeans, a perfect match
with the top. Hitanshu’s attire was simple and
formal, yet richly. An olive green t- shirt,
accompanied by a black trouser, Hitanshu could
be easily mistaken for a child-model. “You’re
late, Tanishi.”
“Sure.”
“Drinks?”
376
“Good. Or else we’d need ID proofs. Well, it will
get you through two thousand and five hundred
bucks, excluding food and drinks. You can
choose your menu from our catering, or go for a
non-food party.”
377
***
378
Forty-Seven
“Hello?”
“Oh, how?”
379
“She was found unconscious on the footpath.
We are good people, if we are talking to good
people. Tanishi’s parents do not know. According
to them, she’s at your house, as she mentions.
If you want her safer, you can carry her home.
Yours or hers, doesn’t matter.”
Beep.
380
“How much my doll knows me!” Tanishi clapped
at last lines of Aahana when she heard.
***
“Get into the café and use the lift. Meet at the
second floor. Tanishi is on the second tier.”
Aahana followed.
“From where?”
381
“From heaven.” Tanveer, who had come by the
stairs replied, holding back a puff of tiredness.
“You’re late.”
382
wall. Tanishi and Prisha had got it printed.
Happily, there was no Usman. Sadly, There was
no Hitanshu except in a photograph of the trip:
the Doddabetta. No Usman again. He was
‘hanging out’ in the bus because he was a
daredevil.
“With pleasure?”
383
“Let’s make the party!” Supriya imitated from a
song.
“Happy Birthday to you, Aahana!”
***
384
Tanishi knocked at the box. “A makeup kit of
eyeliners.” She prompted. “Expert, Tanishi!”
Usman exclaimed.
***
385
Forty-Eight
387
“Tanishi would never think of spoiling Aahana’s
party.” Girl gang unified, Priyanka wondered.
388
Tanishi-Priyanka would behave the same as
earlier. But not Hitanshu-Priyanka and Tanishi-
Prisha. Neither did wonder twice, that Hitanshu
did not talk to Usman, just for insulting Tanishi,
or Tanishi would never like Aahana insulted.
Fate, that Usman was late, or else Aahana would
have left crying. She did not like uninviteds to
parties. And to her own, she did not want any
uninviteds, especially, the smoker.
***
389
@supriyaverma321: See. Usman lives eight
hours each day with us in school. He could
have overheard something of our planning
convo.
@simplycrooked: Possible. Tanishi, I told
you thrice to keep your voice low when
you were telling me the plan. I knew that
the smoker was around.
@tsinghania9211:Nice planning, guys.
Hats off.
@simplycrooked: Of course a master plan,
Aahana. But not because of your ‘teddy-
bear’.
@tsinghania9211:It’s Tanishi this side now,
crooked. Shut up. @supriyaverma321:
elaborate? @tsinghania9211:No!
@simplycrooked: Wait. I’m posting an
anonymously recorded conversation
between T.H.U.G. and Aahana. Listen to
the last line with more attention!
390
@watchmystatus: No. Apology for doing
nothing?
@priyankaathegreat: As you wish.
***
391
“Things are not so fast. I personally feel, too,
that Abhijit would love to leak such info. But
Usman got no speed of light. I had just switched
live two minutes before Usman appeared.”
392
***
393
Forty-Nine
“Never.”
“Why?”
“Then?”
395
“What was the problem, then?”
“Oh.”
***
396
“Speak no?” Tanishi demanded.
397
“Why dude?”
***
398
@anay.30: It’s Ok.
@smilylady: I didn’t hear any sorry, to
reply with itsok!
@supriyaverma: HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE
@anay.30: My fault.
@Supriyaverma: It’s OK. Equalized.
***
So wherever I go,
In the country
Or in the town,
One thing is sure:
Things break down.
At first comes the wound
In which I had no fault,
Just that I got some meaningless assault.
Then now it’s the whole of TCS-III,
Fallen into a peril so great,
That there is no option left…
399
Fifty
Towards End…
***
“Very much.”
401
“Dreams are polite. Not wild. Well, tell me, do
you compare people of here and there?”
402
acid. Devastating and mysterious.” Nikhil
laughed. “And?”
“What?”
403
“Yup. It’s just too late to teach me. I have
already learnt all this.”
***
404
“Trying to downcast me, are you?” Nikhil’ blood
boiled in the freezing cold. “Speaking about
family and things? Wait.” Nikhil, effortlessly and
beautifully, make Usman rise to his height,
holding him by his neck, and his hands
trembling and knocking all over the huge Nikhil
to let him down. “Try catching my collar.” He
threw Usman to the ground, with a really loud
frictional noise and that of uprooting of some
grass.
***
405
“Eight.” Hitanshu caught up. “Seven! Quick!”
406
Sharma remembered my birthday. Thanks a lot,
Tanmay.” Epic scene.
***
Fifty-One
Bidding Goodbye
***
408
enough sleep at night. So the class is her
sleeping palace.
@smilylady: lucky fella.
@vardhanthegreat: We aren’t that lucky. I
don’t know how we draw circles with equal
chords.
@simplycrooked: I do. Just copy my sheet
and do some nice tomfoolery in the worst
of your handwriting. That teacher will
never know.
@pinkpriyanka777: What about French?
@smilylady: Shoot! I forgot. Gotta complete
3 chapters. That teacher is going to eat me
tom. Meet tomorrow at school or late night
online. Bbye!
@simplycrooked: Bye. Well, what to do?
@supriyaverma321: Study!
@callmeyourdad: Impossible.
@anay.30: ‘kay then. Answer a thing.
@simplycrooked: Better study.
@supriyaverma321: Ask?
@anay.30: Why is the stadium so cold?
@callmeyourdad: Comeon, Chopra. It’s
January. Even the stove is cold.
@supriyaverma321: Why?
@anay.30: Because it was full of fans.
Need Another? I got a bagful.
@pinkpriyanka777: No, thanks a lot. Really
strong dose. Bbye.
***
409
Prisha and her leftover cronies, or remained
simply alone; leaving behind Isha and her
mates. Isha was too inquiring, especially when it
came to Hitanshu. Whatever details Priyanka
gave, they were never enough for her. Prisha
and Priyanka could gossip away time. Hitanshu
was becoming more and more attention
grabbing, even when he didn’t do anything, but
simply lie heads down on the bench. Prisha’s
eyes were sharp to detect change.
410
@vardhanthegreat: It’s simple. Case I:
Sufferers: Hitanshu, Priyanka. Loss to
Hitanshu: Emotional Sadness, Downfall in
studies, Break in social life. Loss to
Priyanka: Lost a friend. Had to change
companions. Has to go into hideout
whenever Hitanshu is around. @smilylady:
sharp boy. Let me complete. Case II:
Sufferers: All girls. Convict: Tanishi. Main
Sufferer: Prisha, Tanishi. Prisha: Lost good
friends, compensated it with good studies.
Tanishi: Got command over max girls, still
cannot make her word followed. She’s in
loss. I’m surfaced.
@vardhanthegreat: What can we do to
restore?
@smilylady: Why restore?
@vardhanthegreat: Because they are
affecting all of us now. We are not the
same as we were earlier. We’re losing fun.
The group’s broken.
@smilylady: Fine.
@vardhanthegreat: Got some idea for
getting this?
@smilylady: Try to explain both.
@vardhanthegreat: I’m tired of explaining
Hitanshu. I should take Priyanka instead.
@smilylady: Fine. Then I take over
Hitanshu.
Breaking the duo had not proved
beneficial to Prisha. She had to rearrange
and do something. She wasn’t going to
school for the next week, preparing
chemistry. Only Instagram was the only
way left for her to get things done.
@smilylady: Hey, Hitanshu. Whassup?
411
@watchmystatus: Doing some Maths
exercise from the last two decades, with
no success. You say?
@smilylady: Killing time. Well you tell, did
you tell me that you needed to complete
the French story-writing, didn’t you? I got
some clicks of Priyanka’s notebook.
@watchmystatus: You brought your phone
to school?
@smilylady: hell no. We gathered up for
group study. Need that thing?
@watchmystatus: That’ll be fine. I
shouldn’t be taking help from Priyanka,
but I need that story thing. Text that in
repeat mode.
@smilylady: Why should you not be taking
help from Priyanka, by the way?
@watchmystatus: She may not like it. Text
me, will you. Gonna submit tom.
@smilylady: TOM? Last date is next week.
@watchmystatus: I know very well. I’m not
coming next week. Geography Self-Study.
Damn Social Science.
@smilylady: True. Get it. But yes. Priyanka
is not like you’re looking way at her. She’s
just upset because you first let Usman in,
and then didn’t agree to that, and then
went rude with her. That’s it. Apologize
and you’re done.
@watchmystatus: You can block me too if
you wish. But I didn’t call Usman. Okay?
@smilylady: Who knows. Well, no fighting.
At least apologize to get things back to
place?
@watchmystatus: I’ve lost those guts.
@smilylady: You are one of the most
confident guys of the class.
412
@watchmystatus: All air blown away when
Priyanka comes in. Well. I need to solve
this math Problem. See you later. Bbye.
413
@vardhanthegreat: Even the name?
@pinkpriyanka777: …Umm. Just don’t take
the name.
@vardhanthegreat: Why?
@pinkpriyanka777: I thought you knew.
@vardhanthegreat: I know that you guys
aren’t going on well, but…
@pinkpriyanka777: But nothing. I am into
no mood of talking about that boy.
@vardhanthegreat:Oki. Answer one simple
thing. How do you know Hitanshu let
Usman in?
@pinkpriyanka777: It’s not just because he
let Usman in. It’s beyond that. Well, I don’t
need to answer. All of you boys are just
supporting each other all the time.
@vardhanthegreat: (as if girls don’t) Just
answer; rest I’ll get things arranged.
@pinkpriyanka777: I don’t need things
arranged.
@vardhanthegreat: Just answer then. Plz?
@pinkpriyanka777: See. It was Hitanshu
who made the list of the invited. Plus, he
is so flying-in-air, that he can’t talk
straight way to me? Wait. I’ll send you the
screenshot of our last chat.
414
@pinkpriyanka777: See, I know you are
trying to take his side in front of me. Well,
nothing can’t be done now. Ask him to say
a sorry, and perhaps things can get
normal. I am taking no lead in talking to
him. Bye. I got guitar classes.
***
“Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding- Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding-
Ding-Ding” The long bell seemed like the most
pleasing and melodious sound, also with a little
sorrow of partition. End of IX A. Hitanshu smiled.
“How was the paper, Broseph?” Bhanu asked.
415
account is @thebrobro. Forget not to follow me.”
Bhanu ran, spelling out his ID.
416
“It was you who blocked me.”
417