Olivia was taking a walk in the woods when she heard the sound of something hitting the ground. It came from a few feet away. She stood there for some time, contemplating whether to go or not.
'Maybe it's the staff who collects dry branches?'
She was about to walk away when she heard a groaning sound and stopped in her tracks.
'That's some weird noise. Perhaps I should check.'
Then headed towards the source. Dry leaves that had fallen here and there crunched under her foot as she made her way.
'It came from somewhere around here.' Olivia thought while looking around.
Suddenly, she heard the groaning noise again but louder. Olivia followed it and came near a big pit about eight feet deep.
"Oh?" Olivia raised her eyebrows, seeing what was below.
Koushik was half lying at bottom of the compost pit and was groaning, clutching his ankle which was badly sprained if not fractured. Wet soil was stuck all over him and his hair was messed up with leaves and grasses. There was also the stench of the pit. He lifted his head, hearing someone's voice from above and saw a hazy figure through his tear-clouded vision. He wiped his eyes and saw Olivia looking down. His face flushed from realisation of his current state and he uncomfortably looked away.
Not wanting to add to his discomfort Olivia asked as nonchalantly as possible, "Can you stand?"
Koushik shook his head without looking at her. Always trained to look elegant in public, he was really afraid of catching a mocking look on her face seeing his pathetic state.
Thup.
Instead he saw her jump down.
"Why did you do that?" He asked in shock.
The little chances of her pulling him up or calling for help was gone. Now both of them were stuck in the pit.
Olivia frowned and touched her nose. Although the pit had not been used recently, it still had some leftover, damp, semi-decomposed plant and kitchen wastes stuck here and there which gave off a foul smell. The floor of the pit was also wet and slippery.
'Probably because of all those rotten egg yolks.' Olivia thought, eyeing the soft, sunken ground below her feet.
She exhaled loudly and crouched down.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Koushik asked again.
"Getting you out." She replied as a matter of fact.
"Huh?" He stared at her with are you an idiot written over his face.
"Get on." She wriggled her fingers.
Koushik silently blinked for some time and then asked, "Me?"
'Who else is here?' Now it was her turn to look at him like he was the world's biggest idiot.
"Ahem. No thanks, I'll be fine after some time and get up on my own." He waved his hand.
Olivia gently touched his ankle.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHH."
'And you were saying you'll be fine after some time?' She raised an eyebrow at him.
'After that soft whisper?'
Koushik blushed and said, "What are you looking at? Didn't you say you'd help me out of here? Do what you were planning to."
Olivia shook her head at how quickly he changed his mind.
'Hmm. I don't think he'll be able to get on my back. I should find another way.' She got up.
"Oye, are you backing out now after making fun of me?" Koushik gulped, regretting turning down her offer to help.
But he suddenly saw her turn around.
"Arre, why are you coming closer?"
Olivia turned a deaf hear to his questions and scooped him up in her arms. Koushik, who was about to say something, was shocked being abruptly lifted into the air.
"..."
What just happened?
"Oyeeee!"
Suddenly realising that he was in her arms, he started flailing his arms and legs, telling her to put him down.
Olivia frowned. But before she could tell him to stop, something else happened.
"Owwwwww." Koushik whimpered.
He had accidentally knocked his already injured ankle against the pit. His eyes squeezed shut and a few drops of tear came out of the corners as his lips pursed in a thin line from the sudden pain. Olivia, who was about to scold him for moving around so much, swallowed her words, taking pity at his miserable condition.
She sighed and said, "Hold on tight,"
Koushik hugged her neck tightly and curled into a ball, afraid of any more accidents. Olivia walked near the wall and lifted one foot, pressing her leg against the wall of the pit. When she took the first leap, Koushik shrieked in fright and tucked his face in the crook of her neck, clinging for life. She jumped up and bounced a few steps against the wall. Then flipping in the air, she landed outside.
"We're out," Olivia said trying to keep her face away from his hair.
'Damn it, the stench is strong.'
He slowly open one eye and then the other. After confirming that he was truly safely outside, he straightened up and heaved a relieved sigh. Olivia carried him to a nearby tree and helped him lean against the trunk.
"Thank you very much. If it weren't for you I don't know how long I would have been stuck there. And sorry for trying to act tough instead of accepting the help right away." He bowed his head.
Olivia waved her hand. It was understandable that he would not want to be seen him in a state that can ruin his public image which was an important part of his career. She then dialled a number and called for a wheelchair.
"You're allowed to make calls during school hours?" Koushik asked puzzled.
"In case of emergency, you can. But I'm allowed to do so in other times as well being the School Captain," Olivia shrugged.
"Oh!"
Since she was never seen to associate with any of the students' council members he actually had forgotten that she was the School Captain of Ketu.
"Wait, you mean to say that I could have called for help?"
Olivia nodded.
Koushik slapped his temple.
"Whom did you call?" Koushik asked.
"The school doctor," Olivia answered and squatted down. She carefully removed his shoes and examined his foot. 'The sprain is pretty bad.'
"Uh, Olivia," Koushik called.
"Hm?"
"Thank you."
Olivia looked at him with a puzzled gaze. He had already thanked her. So why again?
"If it hadn't been for you who knows how long I would have to be stuck there. Thank you for helping me." He smiled at her. Olivia acknowledged his words with a nod.
"And... sorry for dirtying your uniform." He looked at her uniform which was stained with mud here and there guiltily. Olivia waved her hand indicating it was not a big deal.