Chapter 1
Taking a deep breath in, she stepped onto the bus numbered 705 ā Blacktown to Parramatta, trying to calm her angry mind. This wasn't the way she was hoping to start her life at a new school. Waking up late, fighting with mom, receiving a crappy 'good morning' from dad and then almost missing the bus; this definitely was not how she had planned it all out.
Sitting at the back of the bus, she felt like an outsider. All the others from her school knew each other, they were bus buddies. But she was not new to this feeling of loneliness. She had lost count of how many schools she had been to in her life, and she sincerely hoped that her parents would settle down in Sydney once and for all. Her parents had promised her that they will settle down this time, no more moving, and to prove their point, they'd built a house in the suburb of Pendle Hill. Moreover, they had decided to settle in Sydney because of their elder daughter, Anjali, who was now into her first year of internship as a doctor.
The bus came to a sudden halt and she jerked out of her thoughts. She heard the other kids create a loud noise and yell out to the driver that he was going the wrong way. Sighing, she picked up her bag which had fallen off the seat and settled back in. 10 minutes later, she was standing outside her new school, staring at the huge sign board that read 'Parramatta High School'. Sending a silent prayer up to the Gods that she didn't believe in, she walked into the huge black gates and towards the main entry.
Showing her paper to the office lady, she followed the lady up the stairs and into another corridor. It was an open corridor that gave a clear view of the large playgrounds and the whole of Parramatta City. In the month of February, the view was nothing short of beautiful. While waiting outside the staffroom with the office lady, she looked out at the view that lay in front of her. A small smile tugged onto her lips as she saw the trees happily sway to the morning summer breeze. At a distance, she heard a bike zoom away to its destination, a car honk and a train racing on the tracks.
"You must be the new student." The year advisor began, almost making her jump. "Reeā¦ ree-"
"Riddhima Gupta." She finished for her with a smile. "But you can call me Ri, I find it easier for me and everyone around me."
"Welcome to Parramatta High Ri. I am Mrs Smith, your Year Advisor. Could you fill out these forms for me and then we'll get you settled with a group of girls who volunteered to be with you. Okay?"
Nodding at Mrs Smith, Riddhima silently filled out all the necessary forms and then walked back down the stairs, following her teacher into a quadrangle. The area was shaded not just by the sail that was held up by 4 metal pillars, but also by a two huge trees that sat adjacent to each other. The area was fitted with metal benches on the edges of the quadrangle, and two little garden beds adorned the corners. Two fleets of stairs led down to another quadrangle, while two led up to different corridors in opposite directions. This school already looks quiet big and confusing. Riddhima thought.
"Hey, I am Muskaan. You must be Riddhima right? The new Year 11 student?" A girl with long, curly hair greeted her with a huge grin.
"Hey! Ya, I am Riddhima. You guys are in Year 11 as well?"
"Yup. We're in the same Year as you. I am Nikki. Well, it's Nikita originally, but I prefer Nikki. Welcome to Parra High. So, let's get going." Another girl greeted with a smile.
"Errā¦ where to?"
"You don't want to know your new school Riddhima?"
"Ohā¦ right, ya. But isn't it roll call time soon?"
"Don't worry, you're free to roam about today. It's your first day, almost like orientation day in Year 7. And we, my dear friend, will be helping you around." Muskaan and Nikki had the habit of befriending anyone and everyone who was new to this school, and when they'd heard about Riddhima, they'd been more than happy to help. "By the way, what do you prefer to be called? Riddhima or Ri?"
"Actually, I prefer to be called Ridz by my friends."
"Oh cool. I like that name. But you don't seem the type to talk a lot. Sigh. We'll have to work on her voice Nikki." Muskaan joked and giggled.
"Oh no, I actually do talk a lot. Once I become good friends with someone or get to know them better, I talk. And I talk a hell lot!"
"Oh good! Welcome to the gang."
"Gang? Muskaan, your gang consists of just 3 people?"
"Nope, there are these three idiots but I cannot see them here. They must be in the basketball courts. Let's-"
"Basketball!" Riddhima shrieked, making Muskaan and Nikki jump.
"Errā¦ ya! You're a basketball freak too?"
"Yes, like, big time! I completely love basketball."
"I bet she can't match up to Armaan's craziness though, aye Muskaan?" Nikki asked, shaking her head.
"Who's he?" Riddhima pondered over the name. Armaan, she thought, nice name.
"He is the hunk of our school. All the girls drool over him. I get it that he is good looking and all, but I don't think he deserves that much attention."
"Ya, you'd definitely think like that Nikki. After all, you have a boyfriend!" Muskaan stressed on the last four words.
"So do you Muskaan. Come on, let's face it ya! He isn't the best looking guy in the world."
"So what if I have a boyfriend? That doesn't stop me from checking out other guys." Muskaan winked.
"I am so telling that to Rahul."
"Go on! It's not like he doesn't check out other girls, especially those in the mini-skirts."
"I can understand your pain Muskaan!" Nikki said, keeping a sympathetic hand on Muskaan's shoulder. She dramatically shook her head and sighed, and the next minute, they both were laughing at their lameness.
Riddhima watched them laughing and smiled sadly. That was the one thing that was missing from her life, best friends. Her constant moving around had given her no time to bond with any of her friends at the other schools. And that's what pissed her off the most about moving. Her parents thought it was easy, but only she knew how hard it was for her to adjust in a new school every time they moved. She had always felt lonely and left out, and that's exactly what she was going through right now. She felt forgotten, as if she was invisible to them; and watching them laugh like they that, she didn't have the heart to stop them.
"Oi Ridz, where are you lost? Armaan's name got you dazed or something?" Muskaan asked, trying hard to control her laughter. "Let's go! The basketball courts await you."
She followed them down a couple a fleet of stairs, all the while being told of the middle quad which was right below the top quad, and then science quad. She walked down another fleet of stairs and there she was, standing at the edge of the basketball courts. On the other side of the courts, a hill led down to the open grounds. To the left, there was another basketball courts and further left, a hill led up to the volleyball courts. On her right was the street and the apartments on the other side lined up on the edge of the streets.
Riddhima's eyes focused on a guy not much taller than her. He was well built and fair skinned. She tried to see his face, but it was hidden from her view. He wouldn't face her, trying to keep the basketball to himself. Riddhima watched his footwork and smirked. I could beat him so easily. She thought to herself.
"That right there is Armaan. Look at you, already drooling over him." Nikki sighed and Riddhima rolled her eyes.
"No Nikki, I am not drooling over him nor am I checking him out. I was looking at how he plays and I could so beat him at this." Riddhima said, not taking her eyes off him.
"Really? Like, seriously? He is the basketball champion of the school ever since he's been here, that is, 4 years. You are a new entrant here Riddhima, and it's Senior years. You don't want to make a joke out of yourself on the very first day."
"I won't! I just want to verse him. I mean, how could he be the champion?"
"He is, sadly. And that's what gives him a big head. You sure you want to play this match?"
"Positive!"
"Okay! Let's go Muska- Where did she go?"
"Oi Ridz!" Muskaan yelled across the basketball court from the other end, where Armaan and two other guys were standing. She gestured Riddhima and Nikki to come where she was. Dropping her bag under the trees, Riddhima jogged to the other side with Nikki. "Armaan, this is Riddhima. Riddhima, this is Armaan. You guys ready for the game?"
As Muskaan introduced them to each other, Armaan turned to look at a girl who was a few inches shorter than him, standing there with a challenging look on her face. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail and she was squinting as the sunlight hit her eyes. Unknowingly, Armaan smiled. Boy is she cute or what? He thought.
Riddhima noticed him smile and took a step back, creating a distance between them. She noticed his face, perfectly chiselled with bluish-grey eyes. He sure was hot, no denying that.
"Guys!" Muskaan screamed, bringing them out of their thoughts. "I asked you something! Are you ready for the match?"
"I am, not sure about this chic!" Armaan smirked.
"This chic happens to have a name Armaan. Hi, I am Riddhima Gupta, but you can call me Ridz." Riddhima offered her hand to him, not breaking the eyes contact, making sure to give him the same attitude.
"But Ridz, isn't that name only reserved for friends?" Muskaan asked, twisting her nose in confusion.
"So who said Armaan was my enemy? Not quite sure if he considers me as his friend, but I just thought that Muskaan and Nikki's friends are my friends soā¦"
"You got that right. Muskaan, we are friends. This is just a fun game, right?" Armaan smiled, all the while cursing the morning sun in his head as the heat beat down on him.
"No Armaan, this game is to break your huge ego!" Nikki rolled her eyes at him and he chuckled.
"Ya right! I am sure Ridz can't beat me at my own game."
"This ain't just your game. It's my game too baby. Let's see who wins." Riddhima said with a wink. With that, she dribbled the ball away from him and ran off to the other end of the court, shooting a three pointer off a good distance from the arc.
Impressed by her skills, Armaan yelled, "Impressive Miss-I-Am-So-Full-Of-Myself! Let's have a proper match and see who wins."
"Looks who's talking!" Riddhima muttered under her breath as she walked to the centre of the courts. To her surprise, Armaan had heard her and asked her if she said something. "Ya I did. You say I am so full of myself? I've heard that you have an ego so big it's kind of hard to fit it in this world. Let's shrink it a bit today ya?"
Rahul threw the ball up in the air and it was Riddhima to take the ball in her direction. Dodging Armaan and shielding the ball from him, Riddhima scored. Another direct shoot in the hoop, and the scores were already 4 ā 0. Shooting a 3 pointer, Armaan brought the scores up to 4 ā 3. The next 10 minutes were nothing but an amazing match of Basketball. With none of them being able to score and 5 minutes still left for the game, the spectators' mouths were left hanging open. No one had ever given Armaan this tough competition, and everyone could already see the frustration creep up on his face. Another shot from Riddhima, and the scores were 6 ā 3. As the game ended, Riddhima jumped up in excitement while Armaan glared at her. He saw Muskaan and Nikki give her a hug and wondered if they were his friends first or her.
Riddhima looked at Armaan, anger was evident on his face along with jealous. Smiling a little, she walked up to him and shook hands with him. "Good game Armaan. And don't take it personally ya? After all, it's just a game Mr Champion."
"Not so much of a champion anymore am I Riddhima?" Armaan said sardonically.
Annoyed by his unjustified behaviour, Riddhima said, "Uh-oh! Poor baby's hurt. How does it feel Armaan? To fall down from right up there to right down here?" She indicated to the concrete with her index finger, keeping her tone bitter.
"Woah, break it up guys. What are you guys getting so angry at each other for? It's just a game right?" Rahul spoke up.
"I know right, it's just a game. Tell that to this loser standing in front of me, I don't need to be told of that." That said, Riddhima walked off in a huff, leaving an equally angry Armaan behind.
Later that day in lunch time, sitting on the bench in the top quad, Riddhima wondered why she had fought with a complete stranger. What was the need to? And even worse, what if Muskaan and Nikki wouldn't have talked to her after this? They did, they were still friends, but what if they decided not to? Smacking herself on the head, she told herself not to lose her temper in front of anyone at this school. Just make friends Riddhima, and apologise to Armaan! He must have been mad at being defeated after 4 years. Just apologise.
"Man, I gotta apologise to her. I mean, why the hell did I lose my cool like that? So what if she beat me at a match? Someone's gotta be better than me right? Do you know where she will be right now?" Armaan asked Rahul and Abhi.
"Let's go find them in the top quad. They'd most probably be there." Abhi said, and the three of them took off to see Riddhima. I am stupid, stupid, STUPID! Shouldn't have lost my cool. Just apologise.
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CID
Anupamaa
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