CHAPTER1 - Introductions : JAB MILA TU
"Best of luck!my baby. Put your best foot forward. May you shine" Khushi mom Garima Gupta let out in a single breadth, kissing her cheeks.It was her first day at Mount Helena School(MHS)after all. Garima was a modern, sophisticated and one who was more of Khushi's friend and confidante rather than a patronising mother. She was a teacher at a primary school.
"Thank you mom" Khushi chirped and kissed her back.
"Beta ! Surya devta ko pranam kar ke jaana.Aur class mein Saraswati mata ka naam le kar kadam rakhna"Khushi's father Shashi Gupta told her gently patting her head.
"Papa! Don't spoil my hairstyle" Khushi pouted.
Shashi Gupta was a civil engineer, currently working at the post of Superintendent Engineer in CPWD Department. He was very religious and spiritual, a complete contrast to her 'Karma hi dharma hai' modern, not-so-religious wife.
"Bye papa ! Bye mom. Of course mein surya devta ko pranam karna aur saraswati mata ka naam lena yaad rakhongi." Khushi assured her father and scurried off to the bus stop. She couldn't miss the bus on the first day of her 10th grade.
Her elder sister Payal was fast asleep, too busy dreaming and drooling over Hrithik Roshan to wish her luck on her first day.
Khushi finally reached her school in the daunting chartered bus ----- her school bus. Duh! It was stinking of luxury- heavy curtains, tinted full view glass windows with the AC on full blow, and not to forget the large comfortable seats. But Khushi wasn't complaining, in fact her she was used to such luxury, thanks to the numerous perks offered by her father's job.
She had to practically push through the crowd to reach her class as the corridors were packed with students walking in snail-pace, gossiping and giggling. But finally she was successful in finding her class and seated herself in the third bench in the third row, in the four row classroom. She neither wanted to be a back bencher nor was she the front row student's type, she found comfort in the middle benches.
"Goodmorning Ma'am" the children sang in unison as a middle aged, spectacled, sari clad teacher entered the room.
"Goodmorning students.Please take you seats" the teacher smiled back and everyone settled down.
"I see quite a few new faces" she said scanning through the class.
"Let's start with introductions then. Myself Mrs Taneja and I will be taking your English Classes and am also your class teacher" she declared, her voice echoing through the silent classroom.
"I want the all the students to introduce themselves ' name, hobbies, future aspirations and any other thing they want to share with the class. So let's start" Mrs Taneja continued excitedly.
" Arnav Singh Raizada . I like playing basketball and I am a voracious reader when it comes to crime novels. I want to be software engineer, precisely a hacker" a confident voice declared,drawing Khushi's attention,who was otherwise busy in reahersing her introduction in her mind.
"Hacker! Interesting choice, any particular reason?" Mrs Taneja asked with genuine interest.
"Mystery intrigues me. I want to make my passion my profession" came the curt reply.
"Very well Arnav! I get your point" Mrs Taneja nodded her head in approval.
The introductions were conducted in a smooth way and the last turn was Khushi's.
Khushi was about to stand, when her foot got caught in the back leg of her desk and she stumbled. Her hands caught the table of her desk reflexively to balance herself, but the little mishap drew everyone's attention to her. Khushi composed herself, straightened her shirt and started gingerly " Goodmorning everyone. Myself Kushi Gupta. I want to be software engineer. I am interested in dramatics and thriller novels", oblivious to a pair of hazel orbs drinking her image, scrutinizing every word that came out of her mouth, judging her hand gestures , tapping of her feat and rapidly blinking eyelids out of nervousness .
Mrs Taneja smiled at Khushi and gestured her to sit down.Khushi sat down thanking her stars for not making her fall face down.
The rest of the periods till the lunch break flew by with most of the teachers opting to keep the studies light for the first day and make the new students comfortable.
"miss clumsy" someone patted her shoulders as Khushi was was arranging her books back in the bag and taking out her lunch.She turned immediately to find a pair of hazel orbs staring back at her.His were something Khushi couldn't tear her gaze away from.Is he hypnotizing me? Why I am not able to look away. Khushi look away. No I don't want to. Is he talking to me? Why are his lips moving?
"Earth to madam clumsy" Arnav clicked his fingers in front of her.
"huh'" Khushi barely managed.
Arnav rolled his eyes and said with finality " Look you are in MY group and I don't like anything less than perfect. So you better get over this gawky and unconfident attitude of yours and buckle up" his harsh tone brought Khushi back to reality.
"What group?" Khushi asked confused.
"Of course you don't know newbie. All the students have been divided into groups of four for a project we have to to submit by the end of the week. Our topic is 'French Revolution' " Arnav informed Khushi who wore a what-the-hell-are-you-talking expression.
"Me,NK,Lavanya and you are in a group and we are meeting at my house for dividing the work at 7:00 pm today. Be there." Arnav continued in a patronizing tone, handing her a piece of paper with his address and mobile number.
"Don't patronize me. And what makes you think that it is YOUR project? All the four students in the group are equally responsible for it" Khushi retorted angrily.
" I like this fiery attitude , Clumsy" Arnav smirked crossing his hands.
"Don't call me clumsy and by the way what makes you think that I will come to the god-damn house of yours" Khushi replied back with gritted teeth .She was thoroughly pissed off with his high handed attitude.
"Be there" he said leaning a little and pinning her down with his eyes. He straightened himself seeing a stunned Khushi and sauntered out of the class.
"F*cking idiot" Khushi swore under her breadth, glaring at his back.
The rest of the periods passed without any major happening with Arnav and Khushi side glancing or rather side glaring at each other. Khushi finally agreed, though reluctantly, to go to his house as Lavanya and NK who were sitting on the bench in front of hers, made her see logic. The group partners had to meet to divide the work and Arnav's house was approachable easily by rest of the three.
"I hate that idiot. What does he think of himself! Is he Prince William , to order me around. F*cking moron" Khushi ranted to Payal, who was hardly interested in her hate talks , which had been going on since she came back from school.
"Khushi relax .Chill babes! You're practically spiting fire" Payal tried to calm her down.
"Jiji, how can I calm down down when have been coerced to go to that Napolean's house." Khushi groaned sitting back dejectedly on her bean bag couch.
"Achha baba! Now plz clam down . Dress up and become ready to fight the Battle of Waterloo" Payal laughed out loud.
"Ha ha ha ha very funny" Khushi stomped towards the changing room.
She came back after 5 minutes wearing a yellow sundress .Her hair were left loose ,collected on the left side. Collecting her books hurriedly she marched out of the house cursing Arnav all the way.
Khushi's dress:
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Edited by harsha577 - 12 years ago
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