Chapter ~16: Shrutika

I heard that life is a journey, sometimes we go through either beautiful gardens, soft path or bumpy, muddy path.

But I think someone forgot to spread the flower seeds and construct the path from which I am walking through.

Now, I demand a new and good life.

One of the teachers met with a horrible accident, and he was replaced by our temporary teacher Mr. Anurag, aka, Vanshika's cousin and the worst thing was that he doesn't like me and girl beside me, none other than Anshika

We don't know why?

Worst in this situation was the awkwardness between us.

Neither of us have spoken clearly. I never noticed until now, Vanshika was the one, who used to fill the cracks of awkwardness.

Suddenly the bell rang, indicating that the period was over.

Anurag sir came out of class with our phones in his hand and said "I am submitting your phones in the principal office, these will be directly handed over to your parents."

Ok!

Okh!

I am doomed!

Then only the trouble maker, the reason for this whole situation, came out.

"Why in this whole world, rather than messaging, you ring Shrutika between lectures?" Anshika roared "Ok, you ringed, BUT WHY WITH MY FUCKING PHONE?"

He just gives his silly toothy smile with weird face and iconic puppy eyes; I bet those cute eyes have the power to melt stone.

But Anshika was stronger than a stone, she was glaring at him like she would chew his bone.

"Give me 'your' phone. We need to call our parents, because of a stupid we lose our phone." She hissed.

Though, we all know that her parents won't come, they will send someone to collect it. But what about me?

I will be bashed by my parents.

I cleared my throat to grab their attention.

Thank God, they noticed me.

"I can't call my parents. If I do, I will be in trouble." I hesitantly spoke.

They both looked at each other and then at me.

Something hit, Aarav's mind he said "I have a plan." And then again looked at Anshika, explaining her plan with his eyes.

Anshika muffed her wicked smile and nodded.

I don't know but my gut was shouting that 'something wicked is going to happen'.

My gut was absolutely right.

The plan was to break in the principal office and take our phones back.

I wasn't having any other option so, I too agreed.

I was whisper-cursing myself nonstop 'why did I said yes?'.

"Shhh! Don't make noise." He Shushed me while keeping his hand on my mouth.

We both were close, so close that I could even hear his heart beat. I bet he could do the same.

Why this man is so, uhh! Because of him we are in this situation and, he is super chill.

We both were hiding under the principal's desk, inside his office with Anshika and my phone, which we 'took', and cherry on the top was that Principal sir along with our class teacher was coming inside the OFFICE.

I have a gut feeling that we are for sure doomed.

Shit!

SHIT!

SHIT!

I looked at him in panic and saw that he was too calm, like it was his daily routine to sit under the principal's desk.

Please no, don't come here sir.

Jinxed, he was coming here only.

Gone! We are gone!

He was coming near, near and near.

My heart was thumping madly.

Then only a loud sound echoed in the whole school.

It was of crackers.

Fire crackers!

The teacher along with the principal ran outside and he held my arms, and we both too ran out of the office as fast as we could.

What happened?

I can't control my curiosity so I asked " What just has happened here? "

A charming yet playfully smirk plastered on his face, he said " Nothing just someone fired crackers in the hall."

I squeezed my eyes and Asked " Is someone, you? "

He just smiled...

"So, does it work?" Vanshika asked, standing beside Anshika and Nishkarsh.

Aarav and I looked at each other and then at them.

He showed phones to them. They all start celebrating the success of plan but the cloud of stress was all over me.

What if we get caught?

They all looked at me, weirdly, like asking 'what do you mean by that?'

Anshika came in front and explained, "Phone lifting, from the principal's office, isn't as big deal as bursting crackers."

"What if-" Vanshika cut me in. "If they catch anybody, it would be Anshika and me. We just fabricated things a little bit." She winked.

Anshika shrugs, "And what can they even do, just suspend us for a few weeks. That's it!" She put hand on my shoulder and continued "We both are old money, gurll!"

Now I get it 'why are they this chill!'

Cause they are old money people except one person. I looked at him, he was standing silently in the corner, listening to everything we were saying without commenting, nasty.

Nishkarsh!

I came back home.

The vibes were off more than usual.

What happen?

I saw everyone, dad, mom and bhai, sitting on the sofa discussing something, er, serious, perhaps.

I walked further in, they all noticed my presence and looked at me.

Dad was looking pissed, mom was burning with rage, whereas my beloved brother's eyes were filled with concern.

Did they get to know about today's incident, anyhow?

Then only my eyes trailed down to the envelope which was seated down on the table.

Oh! My! Goodness!!