"Wake up! Wake up!"
"See, it's 7:00 o'clock already. You're late for school. Don't you want to go today?" said Rajat, Arjun's older brother.
Arjun didn't reply and walked straight to the bathroom—his eyes half-open, legs trembling with sleep. His brother got angry at Arjun's ignorance but controlled his anger because it was early and a sweet morning.
Now Arjun had reached school and noticed that Priyanka was sitting behind him again today. He walked straight to his bench, hiding his face so she wouldn't recognize his presence. His mission was successful because she was talking to Disha (another girl in his class).
He put his bag down and suddenly focused on their conversation. He realized they were talking about him.
Hmph… (murmuring in Arjun's mind)
What?? Why? Why only me? And why is this new girl talking about me with someone else?
He kept thinking to himself when suddenly, a hand rested on his shoulder, followed by a calming voice.
"Hey! You forgot to handshake with your friend. It'll make you feel better—and supported too."
Ham… what the hell? I have to do it again? Why? I want to scream, but I can't do that kind of foolish thing right now…
He turned back and said, "Yes, why not? But it makes me feel awkward because…"
"Yes, I know," Priyanka replied with a smile, stretching out her hand. "You feel that way because you've never talked to a girl this much."
"You remember what to do? Or should I teach you again?"
"Hey! Don't touch me again! I don't want to do anything like this!" Arjun screamed and stood up.
(Priyanka) "What happened to him?"
"Oh! Umm… I'm very sorry. Forgive me," Arjun said and shook her hand. But it wasn't easy for him to do that.
"What kind of boy are you? A pretty girl wants to be friends with you!" Disha said to Arjun with a witch-like smile on her face.
What does she mean? Why is the topper girl suddenly being friendly with me?
Uff… whatever. I need to focus on cracking that exam.
(After four regular periods...)
Now it was lunch break. All his friends were absent. He didn't feel like eating alone, so he opened his bag to put his untouched lunch back in. Suddenly, a girl's hand stopped him.
"Aahhh… why her again?"
His mind was out of focus—he didn't know what to do.
"Why are you compromising your health? Oh, I see—your friends are absent today. Can I give you company?" Priyanka said with her usual charming tone and smile.
She's so kind. But why only with me? And why is that creepy topper staring at us awkwardly? Nooo! Nooo! I don't have time to think about this. I have to clear the Navodaya exam!
"No need to be that kind to me. Go and find someone else!" Arjun said in a strong voice.
This deeply insulted Priyanka. She went back to her desk, feeling regretful, thinking maybe she was forcing him. After a while, she started sobbing.
Hha… Is she crying? I think I did something wrong. I have to apologize.
Arjun stood up and gently rubbed her head. In a soft voice, he said,
"Please forgive me for whatever I did."
Priyanka stopped crying and easily accepted his apology.
SCHOOL FINISHED.
When I reach home, I'll ask Mom to buy me a book to prepare for that exam. And if she refuses, I'll ask Dad—I'm sure he won't refuse.
At home...
"Mom! Mom!" he shouted excitedly.
"What happened, fool?" Mom said and slapped him lightly, killing his excitement.
"Mom, I want a book for prepa—"
"STOP."
"You want this?" She handed him a wrapped gift.
"What is this?" Arjun asked.
"Open it," she said.
Arjun opened the gift layer by layer. After removing two layers, he realized it was a book. His excitement returned in a flood.
Finally, he uncovered the last layer. The title read:
"NAVODAYA VIDYALAYA ENTRANCE EXAM"
As soon as he saw the name, his eyes sparkled so brightly it felt like they could blind his mother.
Arjun started dancing and jumping with happiness…
A fight is on the way stay tuned to read...