Chapter 1

CHAPTER-1

“In all cases, the best antidote to rumour is the truth, however painful.” Edward Glover

“Why did you ruin my life”

The bus screeched to a stop. I woke up suddenly from the dream. The driver was honking at the morning traffic in front of my school. We had to cross a narrow bridge to get to school. I grabbed my bag and lunch kit got down from the bus.

So, let’s start: my name is Nivetik. I am studious because I can grasp studies easily, peace-loving by choice, and social with everyone because evolution made us very social beings. I think a lot because situations demand it, and I am a problem solver by destiny. I am in class 7A. Now, where were we? Ah, me getting inside the school.

The school’s name is Bharath School. It’s a 3-storey building (including the ground floor) with classes from kindergarten till +2. We have a huge auditorium named the cube, a good-sized home theatre called the galaxy room, fully equipped computer, physics, biology, and chemistry labs, a conference hall,5 staff rooms, a sick room, basically everything else a school needs.

As I walked through the front doors, I felt a familiar tug in my gut. The last time these tugs happened- nope, I must not think about it. I don’t need another therapy session from Riya about leaving that mess behind.

I slowly walked up the main stairs (we have 3 staircases in this school, and I have conveniently named all 3 for my purposes. There are the main stairs, which I am currently walking on; the Galaxy Staircase, which is our quick getaway staircase; and the Principal Staircase, which is located near the principal’s cabin).Finally, I reached my class. My class is located on the noisiest corridor of the school.

As I walked into my class, I saw the usual people who would arrive at my time; none of my friends, though, had come, which usually happens since my school bus arrives first of all the school buses. Usually around 8:40.

I walked outside of the class and stared at the auditorium and, of course, the scenery of coconut trees and the people and teachers who come and go. The tug had returned, a small, dull tug. The same one that heralded many problems.

’What was it with tugs inside my stomach today?’ I thought.

After sometime I went inside class, Nandan was there. I quickly looked left and right, then walked up to Nandan, took him to a quiet corner by the windows and asked, ” What happened yesterday in zero hour?”

Nandan replied, “I fought with Rajeev”.

I sighed. ‘I expected as much’.

“So, the fight was about the Elizabeth issue”, I asked.

Nandan turned away from me, looked outside the window and nodded.

‘Great. ’ I thought

You know Rajeev will come for revenge, right?? I folded my hands

Nandan continued looking at the scenery.

‘What’s it with him and mountain scenery? He hates mountain scenery.’ I thought. ‘Is he avoiding my question’

“Ahem”. I coughed.

Nandan looked at me, sighed. Then said

“Look, Rajeev threatened Elizabeth, OKAY”

“Don’t yell, Nandan”. I stepped a few steps back. “The entire corridor does not need to hear”.

I heard footsteps behind me. It was Riya. I called her. She came to us both and asked.

“What happened”

I replied, “Nandan needs some help controlling his protectiveness toward Elizabeth”

Riya said, “hmm ok, you can go, Nivetik. Rahul is waiting for you downstairs with John”

“Thanks, you’re a lifesaver”. I walked out of the classroom.

The floor underneath us, basically the first floor, was quite normal. I passed 4A while I was going to 7D.

“Happy times those were”, I thought.

I was almost near 7D when I bumped into her. Rohini. I looked at her. She looked at me with anger, then walked away briskly. Classic signs of huge anger.

“Wonder why she is mad”, I think. Pushing away the memories that come when I see her.

Rahul waved at me. I go to him, tap John on the head and ask him.

“Why is Rohini angry”

“How am I supposed to know?” John said. “She was quite mad when she came just a few minutes ago and slammed her bag onto the bench.”

“Classic signs”, Rahul replies

“Yep”, I say

John asks me. So how is life treating you at the moment?

“Very greatly”. I say. PA 1 exams finished, and the results came. My parents are happy, so am I. If only Maya would talk to me, but it’s just my- “

Rahul interrupts me.” Nivetik, we all know what you did was not your fault. It was the person who said it to her”

“I know, Rahul. I know”

The warning bell rang. I checked my watch. 8:55 it read. I sighed

“Time to go. Bye john. Come on, Rahul.”

Me and Rahul walk back to our class, where I saw that everyone has arrived. Then, after like 10 mins, the prayer starts. And then first period English starts. Nothing happens other than a few glares from Rajeev at all of us, especially Elizabeth and Nandan. Then second period. Maths. Nothing happens till break.

Everything is as normal as it can be in Bharath. Within a minute, the corridor where my class is located is full of students hanging out, running, screaming, talking—the usual. I go down to the first floor. Aimlessly walking around. Till I bump into Rohan.

“Hey, Rohan!”

Rohan says, “Hi, Nivetik. Out on one of your walks”

“Obviously, and Riya is doing well in class; ok, she rejected that last proposal she got”

Rohan starts to blush. You guys won’t stop, would you”

“Never, Rohan, never. That’s what we friends are for”

Rohan says nothing. I turn to look to my left and see…Arjun. Immediately, a bunch of memories hit. A group of boys talking. Arjun’s shocked expression. I push them away. Then Arjun looks at me, and he walks towards me. Then I see Riya climbing down the stairs hurriedly. She finds me, grabs me and whispers

“Problem in class. Rajeev has started an argument!”

I look at her in shock

“Not this fast. No way. It should take at least 2 more days”

I sigh. Thinking about my life choices. I then race up the stairs towards my hell of a class.

End of chapter 1