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I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. Then opened them to look up at the tall black gate and then at the plaque next to it that said ‘Jai Nivas’. The security guard smiled at me and opened the door.

I returned the smile but my insides were twisting over themselves. I took one step in and saw the main door a few feet away. This was a bad idea. Why would Jai ever talk to me? He hates me. I can’t handle another accusation from him. I turned around and sprinted outside, keeping my eyes on the door. Praying to God Jai doesn’t step out and see me.

Smack!

My bag flopped on the ground along with another sling bag filled with a sketchbook and different sizes of pencils. Amarra bent down to gather her things.

“Ami?” I joined her and we both picked up our bags. “You came.”

“Of course I did Niha. You were so stubborn. I knew you’ll try to come here on your own and Jai…”

“Doesn’t talk to me?” I felt a pinch in my heart. First Jai and next would be Ami. I don’t even know why I try to make friends.

Amarra nodded. She grabbed my hand and headed inside.

I knocked at the main door. It took a few minutes but the cook opened it. The same one who pretend to be my mom. Amarra smiled at her and asked her how she was doing. The cook was so happy and rambled on about her kids in school. Amarra finally asked where Rukmini aunty and Jai are.

“Madam went outside for some work,” the cook said in Kannada. “But Jai puttai is playing with his ball.”

Amarra thanked her and I murmured thanks too as we headed in the direction the cook told us. Soon we were at the backyard. Jai was dribbling his basketball. We walked closer as he moved towards the basket.

He extended his arms and threw the ball to score a three-pointer. It hit the rim and bounced back straight at us. My instincts kicked in and I caught it before it smashed Amarra’s face. She flinched and held up her bag as a blocker.

Jai turned to see us. His body tensed, his lips pursed and he looked right at me. I stared back before looking at Amarra. She was watching both of us with worry lines across her forehead. She straightened herself and sprinted towards Jai who smiled at her.

“Amarra, right?” he said. “The artist’s daughter.”

“I’m an artist too,” Amarra said.

Jai grinned. “So you’re here again. Is your mom here too?”

“Actually…”

Amarra looked at me. Jai’s smile faltered.

“Why are you here with her?” Jai said. “Is she causing some sort of trouble? I’m sure you can let Devi aunty know.”

I gripped the strap of my bag tighter. He’s going to just make things worse. I turned to go.

“Niha,” Amarra called out.

I sigh and turn back. Jai had his eyebrows raised at Ami. It must be because he heard her call my nickname. The one he used to call me years ago. I smirked and took a few brisk strides to stand next to Amarra.

“We wanted to talk to you,” Amarra said.

Jai looked between the two of us and finally met Amarra’s eyes. “I’m not talking to her.”

“I’m leaving.” I sneered and took a step away but Ami had a tight grip around my wrist. I tried to pull but her hold was surprisingly strong.

“Jai,” Amarra said. “You can talk to me but Niha stays.”

“Niha?” Jai scoffed. “Look Amarra. I’m not going to pretend. Niharika already knows this. She’s not the best friend to have.”

Amarra lifted her chin. “That’s none of your business.”

Jai looked at me. “Is this what you came here for?”

Fuck! He’s not going to talk now. I should have just let Ami come in.

“We wanted to know something.”

“And why should I tell you anything?”

Great!

“Come on Ami,” I pulled away but she held back.

“You are so sure,” Amarra said. “Then there must be something to it.”

“You trust her?” Jai asked.

“Look Jai,” Amarra said and pulled out her phone. She swiped to show her gallery. “These are my paintings. A few answers and I’ll paint you one for free.”

Jai took the phone and went through Ami’s portfolio, his eyes widening with each swipe. “These are gorgeous.”

“So we have a deal?” Amarra said, the praise bounced off her.

Jai looked at me again. “Depends on the question.”

He pointed at the bench at the edge of the court and we all sat down.

“We wanted to know about Tara Gowda,” Amarra said. “She was at your school, right?”

Jai nodded. “What’s up with her?”

It took him a second but he sat up. “Wait, it’s your school, right? Peakstone?”

We both nodded.

“Damn, what did she do now?”

“She stole a project,” Amarra said.

“Allegedly,” I added.

They both stared at me.

“What is this? A crime show?” Amarra giggled and Jai grinned.

“Stealing is nothing,” Jai said. “She’s done far worse.”

“The murder attempt,” Amarra said.

Jai scoffed. “I won’t call it murder but yeah. She did try to hurt someone.”

This isn’t looking great for her… or me.

“She was the top dancer in our school,” Jai said. “And being a politician’s daughter definitely made her popular. She looks good too. So it worked.”

I felt annoyance creep up. No one asked how he thought she looked.

“It was always her and this other girl, Parul or something,” Jai continued. “They always took turns to bring these awards from fests. Sometimes they both got awards. The problem was that they barely worked together.”

“Poor girl,” Amarra said. “Must have been hard when it’s Tara on the other side with all that influence.”

“Or poor Tara,” I said.

Jai raised an eyebrow at me. “Should have known you’ll take her side.”

Amarra tensed. Before I opened my mouth to retort she said, “So Tara tried to hurt her?”

“Well, Parul got selected for the reality dance show.” Jai looked back at Amarra, his features relaxed.

“Wait,” I said. “Parul Sharan? The girl who came with crutches in the first round of Desi Dance Season 3?”

Jai snapped his fingers at me. “That’s the show.”

“Parul said someone attacked her in her school?”

Jai nodded. “So Tara had auditioned for the same show and didn’t get in. There was a huge fight between the two in the school grounds. No idea who started what but Tara broke Parul’s leg.”

Amarra’s eyes went wide and she looked at me. I narrowed my eyes at Jai and he sighed.

“What? You don’t believe me?” he asked.

“You jump to conclusions.”

Jai groaned and Amarra shifted herself to stand between us.

“Do you know anything else Jai?”

“She shifted schools,” Jai said. “We all know that. Even her brother Dhruv changed schools.”

There was a pause. Jai stared at the ground. My mind went back to Tara’s face as she stepped out of the staff room. I don’t remember any aggression or any fear. It’s Rishav who gave me the chills.

“Poor Parul,” Amarra said.

“How ‘poor’ was this Parul?” I asked. If this is a rumour, this isn’t the whole story. I should know.

Jai stared at me. “You just can’t believe when I say someone did something bad right?”

I felt a pang in my chest. My mind swirled in the memory of him accusing me for lying. Devi is pretending to beg for forgiveness because I stole the necklace I’ve never seen.

“Jai, come on.” I cleared my throat and tried to sound normal. “I saw Parul on the show. She’s so melodramatic. Everyone loves her but you’ll be an idiot to not see how fake she is.”

Jai sighed. “Well yes. She’s no saint. She’s not as bad as Tara though. Just competitive.”

Amarra got up. “Thanks Jai.”

She held out her phone. “Dial in your number and give a missed call so you have my number. I’ll get your painting done.”

Jai looked between us. “That’s all? You have some stupid rumour from my school?”

Amarra nodded and sprinted out. I followed her but Jai’s arm got in the way. Amarra had already disappeared. I looked at him. His face was solemn.

“What are you doing?” he said.

I locked my eyes with him. He’s not going to scare me with those dirty mud-brown eyes.

“Amarra seems nice. Don’t drag her into whatever you do.”

I turned to face him. “It hurts, huh? Knowing you are wrong. That I’m not that lying, horrible person you told everyone I am.”

“You-”

“Never want to listen to the truth,” I completed his sentence. “It’s the same with Tara. Something more happened. Maybe you don’t know. Maybe I need to go back to Dhruv and ask him. But I’m not going to make someone a villain for no reason.”

“Really?! She probably stole the project but it’s a touchy subject for you.”

I balled my fist. I am not going to start a fight with him.

“Don’t drag Amarra into your mess.”

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out. It was Rishav.

Meet me tomorrow before school.

My breath hitched. He had another fucked up task and I bet it’s something about Tara.

“What?” Jai said.

I look up. His frown lines deepened but his features softened. My hands started sweating. He can’t know anything.

“Nothing.” I stuffed the phone into my bag and took a step away from him but he pulled me back.

Annoyance bubbled up. “What Jai? Amarra is my best friend. Stop telling me not to make friends.”

“What have you gotten into?” Jai’s voice was low.

I stopped struggling. His features were still soft. His frown lines deepened.

“Nothing.” My voice came out like a whisper. “Why do you care?”

Jai dropped my arm and stepped back. “I don’t. You’re not my best friend or anything now.”

He looked down and picked up the basketball I dropped earlier. “But Ma will definitely worry and I can’t see that.”

It’s hard to say if he cared or not but I have bigger things to do. I need to make sure Tara didn’t fall into the trap I did. I left Jai with his ball and headed out.

Amarra was waiting for me at the gate and asked me what had happened. I made up some excuse about the washroom but my mind stayed on Tara’s rumour. Something just didn’t add up. It can’t. I shouldn’t add up, at least for my sake.

I know I said this is the last chapter but damn I didn’t think this scene would take its own sweet time when I showed the tension between Jai and Niharika.

This collection of linked short stories ends with the next chapter. I am considering an epilogue so you know what’s coming up in the next installment…season… whatever you want to call it. I’ll be posting soon on what’s coming during the break between the two.

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Sachin pushed past his classmates and ran to Nirmala. She turned and said something we couldn’t hear thanks to all the chatter, and then walked out of the lab. Tara picked up her record and the pendrive and headed out, but Sachin blocked her way.

Amarra and I looked at each other and then ran to either side of Sachin before Tara ate him alive.

“That’s my project,” Sachin said. “Where did you get it from?”

Tara curled her nose. “It’s ours. Maybe yours looks the same. Are you also doing a multiple-choice game?”

“I know my output when I see it,” Sachin said. “That’s my game.”

“Where’s Rishav?” Amarra asked. “Maybe he stole it.”

“He’s still on sick leave with viral fever,” Tara said. “He’ll be back in two more days. He worked on this at his house because he’s been there all week. He couldn’t have stolen anything from anyone when we were all still working on our projects.”

Tara took a step forward to get past Sachin, but he took one step towards her to block her way. He balled his fists, and his breath became audible.

“I am not letting you ruin my project,” Sachin said. “ And I am not letting that fucker Rishav ruin my project, again.”

My eyes grew wide, and I looked at Ami, who mirrored my expression. Sachin actually said fuck. He doesn’t curse.

Sachin’s breath grew louder, and a few loose strands of Tara’s hair were flying. Ami’s shock turned into worry. It looked more like jealousy. She tugged at Sachin, who stepped back.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Tara said. “But good luck with your project.”

She held her head high and strutted out of the room.

Sachin was still fuming until Amarra dragged him out to go have lunch.

* * *

Sachin jabbed his noodles with a fork until they were tiny pieces and stuffed them into his mouth. Through his glasses, the muscles around his eyes were tensed as he bit hard into his food as if the noodles were Tara… or Rishav.

I bet Rishav did this. It just made sense. We need to make sure he gets caught again. It should be easier, what with all the crap he pulled with Nirmala before. Rishav will get suspended again… at least.

Amarra, who was sitting next to Sachin, placed a hand on his. “Sach, we can talk to Nirmala.”

“With what?” Sachin said. “We have no proof. She knows Rishav, and I hate each other. She’ll think this is some sort of revenge for the last time.”

I turned back to face them. “We just need to prove Rishav did it. We can find something, like last time.”

Ami shook her head. “That was luck. It went way better than I expected.”

Avni walked in and took her seat next to me. The class was half empty now, but the chatter just grew thanks to some idiots trying to do stunts on one side of the classroom.

“I am almost done with my part.” Avni handed Sachin the pendrive. “We have more than enough for this progress presentation.”

There was silence except for the wild laughter of the other boys on the other side of the class.

“What?” Avni asked, looking at each of our faces in turn.

Amarra explained what happened, leaving Avni’s mouth hanging.

“So they also had the second game almost done?” Avni said.

“That’s the code you just finished,” Sachin said. “I bet they skipped that. They might add some basic game for the final presentation, but the main complex one is all mine.”

“We can’t submit the same thing”, Avni said. “How did she steal it?”

Sachin went back to attacking his lunch. I watched him poke into the noodles and then stop. He looked at me.

“The biology session,” he said.

It all came back to me in flashes. How we went there. Her grandmother’s spicy bajjis. Sachin rushing out to get curd. Meeting Dhruv. My heart rose.

The blood drained from my face. “I left her with the laptop alone.”

I looked between Sachin and Avni. “I wanted to go see if Sachin was alright. I didn’t think she’ll steal the project.”

“She tried to kill her classmate,” Avni said. “Stealing is nothing to her.”

“So she copied the files into her pendrive?” Amarra asked.

“Maybe.” Sachin nodded.

“Copied,” Avni said and sat up straight. “If she copied it we should be able to prove it.”

* * *

It had been two days since Avni told us what to do. We first went to Nirmala. Sachin let Avni do the talking. Knowing her love for rules, Nirmala agreed to the whole thing.

We finally gathered in the staff room of the Computer Science department.

“Amarra? Niharika?” Nirmala said. “What are you both here for? It’s after school. I need to speak with Sachin, Avni, Tara and Rishav. You both can come tomorrow.”

“We are here to support them,” Ami said, and I nodded.

Nirmala looked at the four of us and shook her head.

After a few minutes, Tara walked in with a laptop. Right behind her was Rishav. He scanned us and frowned.

“Open the project on your laptop, Tara,” Nirmala said. “Wherever you first started this project.”

Tara opened her laptop.

“It’s your laptop.” Nirmala looked at her, and she nodded.

“Rishav, you didn’t work on it?”

“Ma’am, I was sick so I couldn’t do my part,” He said. “Tara said she’ll show her part of the code, and mine will be complete before the final submission. There are two more weeks. I’ll finish it and show the combined final one then.”

Nirmala nodded and looked at the folder Tara opened for her. She went to the file information and opened it up to see the creation date.

“That’s yesterday’s date, ma’am,” Avni said.

“Where’s the pendrive, Tara?” Nirmala’s voice grew stern.

She shuffled through her bag and pulled out a pendrive. Nirmala inserted it and checked the date. The created date was a day before the submission. The day we went to her house.

Nirmala looked at Rishav and Tara. Rishav’s eyes widened. His mouth slacked. Tara looked down at her feet and pulled at her loose strands.

“You made this whole project in a day, Tara?” Sarcasm laced Nirmala’s words.

“Ma’am-” Tara said.

“Rishav? What is this?” Nirmala turned to him.

Happiness bubbled in me. Finally, one more strike. Too many, and they have to kick him out.

“Ma’am.” Rishav had his hands with one palm over the other. “I don’t know.”

Tara's head snapped up to look at him.

“I was sick ma’am, like I said,“ Rishav said. “This is not even the pendrive I gave her. I was working on my part of a supermarket system with gift cards and the food court ordering. We both agreed that she’ll do the basic grocery store ordering and combine it with a game menu in the beginning.”

Nirmala, who looked at Tara who was still staring at Rishav. He looked at her and wrinkled his brow. “Why did you have to steal? I thought you did your part?”

Nirmala sighed and rubbed her forehead. I felt a pit in my stomach.

“Rishav,” Nirmala said. “I cannot extend deadlines. I need the final project. Your project.”

Rishav nodded while Tara stayed frozen.

“And Tara,” Nirmala said. “I’ll be deducting marks from one of your individual submissions for this.”

“Ma-am-”

“No use, Tara. Just don’t repeat it. This time I am only cutting ten marks. Next time it’ll be worse. Don’t let there be a next time.”

Nirmala dismissed us. Rishav was the first one to disappear. I was sure I saw a smirk. Amarra looped her arm in mine and led me out.

“Well, that’s done,” Avni said. “We get to present our project in the next lab period.”

Sachin grinned and he high-fived Amarra. I smiled but the pit in my stomach hadn’t gone. This didn’t feel right.

I look back to see Tara drag herself out of the staff room. Her shoulder was slumped and she was staring at the floor. She looked at her laptop and then at me. I don’t know if it was sadness or rage on her face.

* * *

The next few days were not important. Same old classes. Some other subject’s submission. Our English teacher told us to pick roles for ‘As You Like It’. I am not going to memorize all those Shakespearean lines. I don’t want to be in the play. I want Rishav caught. He did it. It had to be him.

I headed to my basketball practice as usual. This time, I spotted messy curly hair flying in the wind. Tara sat at a corner on the bleachers, buried in her phone. I sprint up to her. She didn’t look up.

“Tara?” I said, and her head shot up. The indifference in her face was replaced by flaring nostrils.

“What?” she spat.

“About the project-”

“Happy you got me caught?”

“Actually-”

“Look, Niharika. I’ll be honest. I never really liked you or your friends, but what you did was really low, even for you.”

“I just want to know what really happened.”

Tara stood up and stepped down to the front of the bleachers, a foot from me. “Really?! Is it to rejoice or something? Kinda sadistic.”

“No, I-”

“Tara.” The voice came from behind. Firm and loud.

Tara’s face lit up. I turned around to see Dhruv in his orange T-shirt and blue jeans. He had a bag hung over one shoulder and a key dangling from one finger.

“Tara, you should go wait near my bike,” he said. “I’ll be right there.”

“Not practicing?” Tara asked.

Dhruv glared at me. “Not today.”

Tara skipped away. Dhruv took a few steps towards me. My ears and cheeks felt warm but I kept my eyes locked on him.

“Dhruv-”

“Leave my sister alone.” His voice was low.

“I didn’t-”

“You and Sachin and some other people got her in trouble,” Dhruv said. “I thought you were chill.”

“It was Sachin’s project,” Niharika said. “She was the one who stole it.”

Dhruv took another step. I felt his breath on my forehead. “Don’t justify it. All of you ganged up on her.”

“Are you serious?!” I said. “She stole it. She got caught and now you’re mad at me?”

“As long as you get what you want, you don’t want to know anything else, do you?”

“I want-”

“I actually thought you’re cool enough to hang out and maybe even help my sister fit in.”

“I don’t want to be around Tara.” My heart was pounding but it was not for the same reason anymore. “I liked talking to you, not her.”

“Is that why you all screwed with her?”

“She is the one stealing,” I said. “She’s the one who tried to kill her classmate in her previous school. She got away-”

Dhruv slammed his fist onto the bleachers. I froze. His eyes were red, his nostrils flaring.

“Do-not-talk-about-Tara,” he said. “Ever.”

He stormed out to join Tara and I was left at the basketball court with no answers.

* * *

The next day, Amarra was in the art room painting early in the morning. I slipped into the room and sat next to her.

“Hi Niha.” She glanced at me and went back to the painting. She was adding detailed strokes to her trees. The painting was of a beautiful riverside cottage.

“Ami?” I said. “What if Tara didn’t steal it?”

“But she did.”

“What if she didn’t?”

Ami stopped painting and looked at me. “Why are you even thinking about it, Niha? It’s over. Look, I know you hate Rishav for what he did to me, but this time it wasn’t him.”

“What if-”

“What do you want now?” She turned to face me.

“Tara’s previous school,” I said. “I want someone from there to tell me what really happened there.”

“You mean when she tried to kill her classmate?”

“I want all the details.”

“Where was she before anyway?”

I looked around. We were alone. I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the pictures Tara shared from the last couple of years.

“That uniform,” I pointed to the white and green Tara was wearing in a selfie. “That’s the same school as Jai’s. Look at the logo on the sweater.”

“Jai Malhotra?”

I nodded. “Ami, can you ask him?”

“Look, Niha, this is over. You are chasing something that doesn’t exist.”

“Please, Ami?”

“I can’t, Niha. It’s for your own good. This obsession is not good.”

“Ami-”

“Let it go.”

She packed up. “Now, let’s go before we are late.”

We headed out to join everyone else for the morning assembly. We stood in line, and Tara was up front, right behind Ami. She glared at me as I passed her. I glanced away and caught Dhruv narrowing his eyes at me. He was so sure she didn’t do anything wrong. Maybe I just misjudged him at his house. I turned my head again and saw Rishav stare straight ahead. He had a smirk on his face as he watched Tara scowl at Ami. Knots built up in my stomach. He’s getting away with something but I can’t let that happen. He had done enough.

If Ami won’t go, I’ll have to talk to Jai myself, and I’ll have to make him talk to me.

I got the “Created Date” detail from personal experience. Something that saved me when someone stole my assignments for themselves. Did you ever get your assignment or project stolen?

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The security guard at Gowda’s mansion glared at me.

“Who are you?” he asked in Kannada.

“Niharika Talwar. I’m Tara’s classmate,” I said, but he narrowed his eyes at me.

I looked up at the tall iron gate and the even taller walls shielding the house behind. The two security guards on duty were busy scrutinizing the ID I handed them and calling someone inside.

I guess it makes sense to be so skeptical. It’s a politician’s house. I’m sure they got a lot of hate and threats when the news spread that Tara tried to kill her classmate. No wonder she changed schools.

The guard handed me the school badge. My name and photo were fading at this point. It’s the 10^th standard, and there are only two more years, so Devil convinced Papa that I don’t need anything new for my uniform. She even threatened that if I don’t get into a decent engineering college, she’ll ship me off to Kota. The hell hole where people end up losing their minds and even suiciding because of all the pressure. Just studying and exams. Last year, around forty-five students committed suicide.

“Where’s that boy?” The security guard on the phone demanded like I’m some criminal.

Now it made sense. They only know Sachin, and I need him to go inside. Poor guy is stuck tutoring this bitch. The teachers are more focused on making sure we all pass rather than on what they saw in the news. If I didn’t need Sachin’s help to learn and pass, I wouldn’t be here to join this group study.

As if on cue, an autorickshaw tutted to a stop in front of me. Sachin climbed out and paid the driver. He smiled at me.

“Hey,” I waved at Sachin and looked at the guards, who finally opened the heavy gates.

We head inside.

“Are you sure Tara’s is okay with me crashing today’s tuition?” I don’t want to be her next victim.

Sachin nodded. “She said she’ll pay me less for this session.”

The camera was angled at us for a scan before the guard let us in. Someone from the inside had approved.

“How much should I pay you?” I asked.

“Don’t be stupid, Niha,” he said. “I don’t want anyone’s money for this. Tara was just so stubborn. She said something like she didn’t want to owe me.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course, everything is a deal for her. I looked at the large mansion that was blocked by the tall gate this whole time. It was white and pristine. There were servants everywhere. The Malhotras’ house looked nothing against this.

Sachin closed my mouth; I didn’t realize it was hanging.

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “It’s huge.”

We stepped in, and all we’ve seen so far are maids and other servants. I think there are more maids than the actual people living in the house. A rhythmic click against the floor caught my attention. Tara Gowda walked into the hallway. She wore a yellow tank top and baby pink shorts. Her curly hair perfectly fell to her shoulders. She usually tied it up for school, but her curls were well-defined and uniform.

Tara took one look at us and headed upstairs. Sachin followed, and so did I. Not a single word until we reached her room.

“Since we have two days before the Math test, we’ll study Biology,” Tara said.

She pulled out her book. “Nothing makes sense to me.”

Me neither, but I’m not demanding anything as if Sachin owes me.

Sachin started with the botany section. The boring one. Tara was busy with her book. I was tuning out. After an hour, a maid walked in with some snacks. Tara grabbed it without even looking. I caught the maid’s eye and smiled. She smiled back. Sachin did the same.

Sachin resumed the class when Tara stopped him.

“I need a break. Let me read the notes in that PDF file before we go to the next chapter,” she said. “ Grab some snacks. My ajji made it.”

Sachin passed over his laptop with the notes. “You can take a copy.”

“Let me read first,” Tara said. “If I don’t understand, what’s the point?”

Sachin nodded.

I grabbed a muruku, it was hot and crickled as I bit into it.

“Your grandma cooks here?” I asked. I know that not even Devil bothers to cook, and compared to this mansion, we live in a tiny house.

“Well, she got the maids to follow her recipe.”

I nodded. Just as expected. Sachin grabbed the molaga bajji. I can never have chilli even if it’s dipped in oil like that. He ate it in a bite like it was nothing. He went on and grabbed one more, but this time he started hissing.

Tara looked up from Sachin’s laptop. “Oh, you must have grabbed a really spicy one.”

I grabbed the water from my bag, and Sachin dunked it. Tara called out for a maid, but no one turned up.

“That must all be downstairs,” Tara said. “I’ll have to go down and-”

Sachin raised his hand. “Not needed. I’ll go down there myself.”

“Ask for curd,” Tara said as Sachin walked out.

We sat in silence. It was as bad as sitting in the car with Devil when she forces me to go anywhere with her. After a few minutes, Tara was still learning from Sachin’s notes.

“I’ll go check on him.” I got up and grabbed my phone as I left the room.

* * *

I should have asked where the kitchen was. When I stepped out into the hallway, every direction looked the same. I can’t go back now and look like an idiot. I wandered the way we came, only to reach the living room again. There were too many exits, and the only one I know is to the main gate.

I walked back through the hallway, this time in long and fast strides. I slammed right into what felt like a pillar. I slipped backwards to have a hand pull me up. His eyes were black like Tara’s and matched his curly hair.

“Sorry,” he said. “Are you okay?”

He wore a jersey with our school logo. More importantly, it flapped against his body, giving glimpses of the well-defined lines on his body. A basketball rested on his hips.

“You play for my school?” I asked.

“So you’re okay,” he said.

“Um.. Yea.. Sorry.” I couldn’t find the words for a real sentence.

He chuckled. “I am Dhruv. I just joined the school this year for 11^th. I wanted the science stream, but my school filled all their seats.”

That makes no sense. It’s harder for outsiders to get seats in our school, especially in the science stream. That’s why we have to work our ass off this year. 11^th standard is going to be worse than 10^th. Must be the perks of political influence.

“Oh,” I said. “I play for the team.”

“Oh yeah, I’ve seen you practice. Niharika?”

I felt heat radiating from my ears. I’d better leave before I embarrass myself.

“We should play one-on-one sometime,” he said.

I nodded, my hair hitting my cheeks.

“Maybe tomorrow,” he said. I think he scanned me and smiled.

Footsteps dragged through the floor. Sachin was back with a bowl of curd.

“I had one bowl.” Sachin gobbled his curd. “It didn’t help. They gave me one more.”

“I’ll ask them to make some milkshake,” Dhruv said. “With ice and everything. What’s your favourite flavour, Sachin?”

Sachin’s eyes widened. “Uh… chocolate.”

“That’s Tara’s too.” Dhruv looked at me.

“I like chocolate.”

“Great, I’ll tell the cook,” Dhruv said. “You guys get back to studying. Tara needs to pass this year.”

Sachin and I stared after Dhruv.

“He’s just not like her,” Sachin said, what I was thinking.

“Siblings are opposites, right?” I shrugged, and we headed back to studying.

* * *

The next day was a new headache. We had to show our progress in the computer science lab. We had two weeks to the final submission. It’s surprisingly caring that Nirmala decided to check on all our projects, so our final project looks good.

Sachin and Avni were paired up again. Sachin finished his part, and now Avni was doing her part of the code. Amarra and I were stuck. Our stupid code won’t work. Who teaches Java before college? This language makes no sense. Sachin was with us, trying to fix our code. We didn’t have much time. Nirmala was looking at a project in the row right in front of us.

Sachin’s fingers ran over the keys. He erased some lines here, added them elsewhere, and then some more. He finally pressed enter with a satisfied smile. Amarra and I held our breath as the code compiled. The first line asking for our input popped up. It’s fixed.

Ami and I looked at each other and high-fived. We looked up at Sachin, whose face was frozen. He was staring at the row ahead. We both got up. Ami tapped on his shoulder. He pointed at the computer in front of us.

Tara’s curly ponytail was blocking the screen, but then we saw it. I didn’t know what I was looking at. A bunch of lines of code and a screen where the output was perfectly shown. Perfectly aligned in a table in a console. That kind of formatting is beyond Ami and me. Sachin’s usually the one who spends time on that kind of organization.

I look at Sachin and back at the output in front of us. That’s what he does.

“That’s our project,” Sachin said. “Mine and Avni’s.”

What the fuck?!

“She stole our project.”

So what did you think of Tara?

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Amarra’s ninth standard starts smoothly until her best friend, Sachin, and another guy, Rishav, stand up to the twelfth-standard seniors at high school.

When the teacher questions them, Rishav spills the truth: the seniors have been bullying them.

“He’s lying, Ma’am,” one of the seniors scoffs. “How are we to blame if they don’t do their homework? Just lame excuses!”

With their parents’ influence ruling the school, the teacher believes the seniors.

Rishav points out a witness—Amarra.

Amarra looks between the seniors and Sachin. She then glances at Rishav and tilts her head, her eyes rounding with a soft, helpless concern.

“I didn’t see anyone bullying them,” she says. “Nobody tore anyone’s homework.”

Rishav stares at her, baffled by the lie.

Later that week, the seniors are having an after-school party in an empty classroom. Amarra joins them with her Diet Coke. They recognize her from a few days back and let her in.

She toggles her phone’s flash off and drops it into the netted pocket of her bag, letting the lens stick out above the net. She watches and smiles as the others drink and joke around.

Two days later, Amarra approaches the leader of the senior gang with a video of the after-party. “If you don’t back off with all that bullying, I’ll have to publish this somewhere.” She shrugs, cocking an eyebrow. “Maybe an anonymous confession.”

When Sachin tells her that the seniors finally apologized to him, she leans in to whisper about how she blackmailed them.

In the dark shadows around the corner, Rishav heard it all. He watched as her lips moved in a whisper. She saved him.

She likes me. Now, she’s mine.

So this is a sneak peek into what started Rishav’s obsession with Amarra. I need to fix the next few chapters and then share.

Share your thoughts on this microfiction. Would you like to see more of these snippets? Let me know in the comments or on any of the socials.

Until next time, keep your secrets close.

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We looked around. Where could she have gone in the two seconds we looked away? I turned back to where we had seen her dad; there was just a random crowd now—a blur of faces I had never seen before.

The three of us looked at each other. Amarra picked up Avni’s notebook and backpack.

“Where did she go?” Sachin asked. “And where’s her dad or whoever that was?”

“It was her dad,” I said. “He showed me a family photo and everything.”

That earned two stares. This couldn’t be happening. I was so careful.

“We need to find her,” Amarra concluded. “That’s the first thing. We have 2 more hours before we report back to the meeting point. If we don’t have Avni with us, we might all get into trouble.”

“If we find her, we text on the group,” I said. “With all this crowd, no one’s going to know we got our phones with us. It should be easier.”

The next half an hour was spent scouring every labelled spot on the garden’s map. My phone vibrated at random as Amarra and Sachin texted that they had covered. Amarra at the rose garden, Sachin at the glass house, and me at the lake. Nothing. It couldn’t have been because of that man. He seemed so fragile and apologetic.

As I walked around yet another garden, I thought back to meeting Avni’s dad. He had looked helpless and desperate for a chance. Maybe she’s just an estranged dad who is back to fix things. Papa and I fought a lot, especially when he took Devil’s side, but we always made up.

My phone vibrated, and I looked at the notification. This time it wasn’t a text, it was a location. I open up, and Amarra had left a live location. Below was a message,

I found Avni. Niha, come to the location. Sach, sty where you are.

* * *

Sachin texted that he will be in the glass house. It’s best if there are no guys, at least until we know what’s going on with Avni.

It took me ten minutes to reach Amarra’s location. As I headed there, the crowd faded. There was a thick row of bushes. I spotted Amarra behind it, and as I got closer, Avni was there, in the dirt. She hugged her knees. Her cheeks were streaked with tears.

Fuck!

Amarra settled next to her and handed her a bottle of water. Avni gulped it and looked at me. I expected her to shout at me, but instead her eyes went soft.

“That’s not your dad, is he?” I said. “ I just-”

“That’s my father,” Avni said.

I settled down next to Avni. Amarra rubbed her arm. She stared at the dirt in front of us as she continued.

“I was four years old,” she said. “I just remember fire and screams.”

She looked at us then at her shoes. She dug furhter into the dirt with it.“My mom was…um…uh…burnt.”

What the fuck?!

Amarra and I looked at each other. The we placed a hand on each of her shoulder and squeezed it. She squeezed her eyes shut and dug her nails into her forearms.

“We don’t need to know everyhting,” I offered. This is so fucked up. Her therapy makes even more sense now.

Avni shook her head. “He saw you, and that means he would try and use you.”

I balled my fist. He fooled me easily.

“Everyone knows that her husband did it,” Avni continued, digging her hands into the dirt now. Tears continued to flow down her cheeks. “Sheila ma even gave her witness statement of multiple occasions where that man and her parents tormented her, but they got away.”

“So Sheila?” Amarra asked.

“My mother was a lawyer,” Avni said, finally looking at us. “She had all the papers ready so that Sheila Ma could become my legal guardian. Mom’s friends helped prove that…that man and his family are incapable of having my custody.”

Avni went back to staring at the dirt she was digging into.

Amarra hugged her from her side.

“Over the years, he had tried to talk to me so many times, “ Avni said. “When I was younger, he even kidnapped me. When I asked to go back to Sheila Ma, I remember him hitting me.”

Fresh tears rolled down her face. I wish I had never met that monster. He makes Devil look like a saint.

I entwined my arms with Avni’s. “We are getting out of here, and he’s not going anywhere near you.”

Avni managed a tiny smile. She wiped her face and nodded.

“You both stay here,” I continued. “I’ll take a look around and text you Ami.”

* * *

I stepped out and walked around. There was no sign of the monster, so I texted Ami and kept going. Far off the path, my eye caught another creep. Rishav. He knew about Avni’s father. I took long strides until I reached him. He was busy with some random plant when he looked at me.

“How’s Avni’s and Sachin’s project going?” He smirked.

I raised my hand, but he caught it. “Why can’t you keep your hands to yourself?”

“You got that man here.” I tried to fight his grip, but he was too strong.

“Avni’s father?” Rishav said. “You said he and Avni fought. He wanted to apologize. So I told him about this trip. If anything, I probably helped her.”

His lopsided smile grew wider. “Don’t you remember? You said he was at the back of the school. So I caught up with him. He said he wanted to talk to Avni but she won’t let him. So I walked with him and I talked to him. I finally said that he should come here, during our field trip. Perfect time for some father-daughter reconcialiation.

“You knew it wasn’t just some fight,” I said.

Rishav squeezed my wrist right over Devil’s latest lashes. I help back a flinch.

“All I wanted is for her to be distracted,” He dropped my hand. “And you helped.”

“You blackmailed me,” I said.

“You still helped Niharika. Good job. Just keep helping me like this, and your secret stays safe with me.”

Rishav gave one last creepy smile and walked away whistling. This was my fault.

My phone vibrated again. It was Sachin with his message that he got just one poisonous plant anyway, so they should do Avni’s idea for their project. Poor guy. It buzzed again and it was Amarra.

Niha, he’s still here.

* * *

I looked around but couldn’t spot a single familiar face. I looked at the phone again. Amarra’s live location was still active. I followed it until I saw them. As I sprinted closer, I saw the man too, Avni’s father.

I rushed to stand between Avni and the man.

“Look, girl,” he said. “I just want to talk to my daughter.”

“Or the police,” I said. “I can call them right now.”

I unlocked my phone, but he knocked it out of my hand.

“I just want to talk,” he said in a low voice.

The man was shoved back. I looked to my side and saw Sachin. The man shived him in return. Sachin’s bag fell to the ground, but he held his ground.

“Stay away from them,” Sachin said and stood between the crazy man and us.

Avni’s father looked down at the plastic cover, the velvet beans clearly shown.

“You shouldn’t be stealing from the garden like that,” the man said. “Do you school kids even have permission to get any plants from here?”

“None of your business,” Amarra snarled as she tried to cover a tall Avni with her short, petite form.

Avni dragged her as she ran. I followed, and Sachin was close behind. After a couple of minutes, we looked behind, and the man was still following us. Unfortunately, the crowd was disappearing too. A few people looked at us running, but then turned to their business.

Amarra slipped, and that stopped us. The man caught up with us. Sachin stood as a barrier again, but the man kept charging. Amarra dug the plastic cover from the bag.

“Sach!” she threw the velvet beans to him.

Sachin grabbed the beans and smashed them into the man’s face. He let out a growl and started scratching his face.

“Run!” Sachin said as he pressed the beans further into the man’s face.

Amarra hesitated, but seeing a frozen Avni, she changed her mind. We both dragged Avni out of there until we could see Chandra ma’am. She was within view but still far away. Her yellow saree swung with the wind like a flag, a finish line. She was collecting the sample requests from a few students. We slowed down and looked back. No more Avni’s dad.

* * *

The three of us collapsed on the grass. A family walked by and the kids stared at us. Their mother quickly dragged them away before they asked us anything. A few more people kept glancing our way. I stared down a couple of them but then gave up.

Our breath got back to normal. Amarra handed us water and then drank some herself. Avni pulled out her own bottle and washed her face.

“Thanks, Amarra,” she said.

She actually thanked someone. That’s new.

“For my bag and notebook,” Avni said.

Seriously, she needs to know better.

“And…” Avni said.

Ami pulled her into a hug. “You will always have my help.”

“And me,” I added, but I need to figure out this whole Rishav situation first.

Avni wiped her face and headed to Chandra. In less than two minutes, Sachin joined us. His hands were red, and he was taking in sharp breaths.

“Sach!” Amarra said and grabbed his arm.

She poured some water on it, but the redness remained, and Sachin pursed his lips.

“It’s the velvet beans,” he said.

“That poisonous thing you had in your bag? I thought you’d throw it directly from the cover.”

Sachin shook his head. “That wouldn’t have been enough.”

Amarra reached into her bag and pulled out a manicure set. She picked out the pincer and started plucking out the hair that was still on his palm. He squirmed. Amarra flinched at his every reaction.

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“For what?” Sachin asked. “You didn’t burn my hand. That ass hole did.”

I wish I could tell.

Removing the hair didn’t do much. Sachin squirmed as his hand stayed red. I sensed someone walk past me. It was Avni with a small bottle in hand. She held it out to Sachin and Amarra.

“Calamine lotion,” she said. “I thought we might need it if we picked your topic.”

Avni looked at Sachin. His eyes went wide. He looked at Amarra and then Avni again.

“You’re talking to me?” Sachin asked.

Avni looked to the ground and then back at him before nodding.

“Thank you,” Avni murmured.

Wow! She actually thanked him.

Sachin smiled. “It’s what friends do.”

Avni managed a sligth smile. She wouldn’t be the boy-hater anymore, I guess.

* * *

Chandra scolded us for handling poisonous plants on our own. Sachin took the whole blame as expected. He left me out of it. Fortunately, we found an ice pack to help with his swelling on the bus. Amarra sat by him, and Avni actually sat next to her, on the same row as a guy.

We reached school, and Sachin’s parents picked him up to go straight to the hospital. Amarra and I went up to Chandra to request an extension. Before we could open our mouth Chandra said,

“Grass is a good choice of plant class,” she said.

What grass? Ami and I look at each other. Chandra waved a piece of paper at us. I looked over her shoulder to see Avni smile at us. So that’s why she gave Chandra two papers. I smiled back.

The next few days, we were busy with the report. After getting the samples, we all got together at Ami’s house to complete both projects. It would have been done a little sooner if ami didn’t kept fussing over Sachin’s injured hand. They are cute, but Avni and I had to make some excuse to get out of the room sometimes.

With Sachin’s research and Avni’s notes, all we needed were Amarra’s sketches. One more project done. Too many more to go.

Avni sat with us now for lunch. She would sit and listen to us three go on about things. An occasional comment here and there, but she mostly laughed and smiled with us. I often catch Rishav glaring at us. My palms would sweat. I wonder what his next plan would be.

The next chapters would introduce the final girl. If so, tap the like button, share it with your friends and consider leaving your thoughts in the comments below, or on my socials.

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The next day, I reached school early. I rushed to the washroom and splashed some water on my face. I still ended up yawning and drinking some of the splashed water. Ugh!

The classroom was almost empty. I noticed a couple of bags, but none were Amarra’s. They were discussing the field trip for the next day. Field trip. As if. It’s to complete our botany project. The stupid project and that fucker Rishav.

I buried my head in my hands. This was supposed to be the last easy year.

“Niharika.” A firm, quiet voice said.

I looked up to see Avni hover over me. She was holding a notebook, and her tight grip showed a light trace of her forearm muscle.

“Ami should come soon,” I said.

She looked around, maybe searching for Amarra and then turned back to me.

“Maybe later,” Avni said. “But I need to ask Sachin about this topic.”

She extended the notebook towards me and continued. “Just ask him to start researching this.”

I opened my mouth to make an excuse, but my brain is stuck somewhere else.

“Please,” Avni said. “We need to be prepared for tomorrow’s trip to Lalbagh.”

A pair of shoes was dragged into the glass. Rishav was hunched over his phone as he made his way to the bench at the back. My hand felt sweaty, and I kept my eyes on Avni.

“If Amarra were here, I wouldn’t ask you,” Avni said. “Just a small help.”

“Listen Avni. You need to learn to talk to him without a messenger. I can come with you if that helps.”

Avni twisted the notebook. Whatever is bothering her must be so harsh that she can’t even bother to talk to any guy, not even Sachin.

“Fine,” I said, and she placed the book in front of me after smoothening the creases she just caused.

“Thank you.” I think I saw a small smile on her face, or my sleep deprivation is making me hallucinate.

Avni stepped out of the class, and I looked down at the notebook. I guess I am a delivery girl now. The shoes drag on the floor again, and this time closer.

“Perfect,” Rishav drawled and reached out for the book.

I slammed my hand on the creased notebook. “I am giving it to Sachin. It’s a silly topic.”

Rishav turned and sat in the chair next to me.

“All you need to do is not give it,” Rishav said. “They mix up the topic and do half the work for different things. You tell Amarra you took care of this. Avni and Sachin have an incomplete project. Simple.”

I still don’t get it. What will some projects and marks do anyway? We need to take entrance exams for almost everything before college. Well, maybe it’s a nerd thing.

“I’m giving it to Sachin,” I announced. “You do realize Avni is doing all the work for you, right?”

Rishav stood up. “No! They might end up with 2 complete projects if they don’t talk at all. They need to miscommunicate. You need to do something, or the teachers can finally meet your real mom.”

Fucking blackmail. I can’t do this to Sachin.

“Or you find me another way,” Rishav said. “Any other weakness of Avni that can help ruin this whole thing?”

He walked out of the class as a few guys came in laughing. This shit isn’t going to end well.

* * *

I waited till lunch to give the book to Sachin. He thanked me and started working on it right away. Amarra smiled. She was happy I was bonding with Sachin and helping Avni.

“See,” she said. “You are making more friends.”

Or enemies. My bet is on the latter.

The day crawled by like an eight-hour-long punishment. Who decided it’s smart to have school for eight hours, and especially maths after lunch? I drooled over my notebook until Amarra poked me from the back with a pen.

After the last bell, Amarra said she is heading home to work on her painting and told me to come over after practice. Prerna auntie made chicken biriyani. I suddenly felt hungry, or it’s just cravings. Devil would die if she knew I was having anything that’s not pure vegetarian food.

I headed down to the basketball court looking for the coach. The court was empty. Most of the casual players were gone. It was just some of the teammates, and weirdly, Avni, who was sitting in the corner, buried in her books.

The main gate was tempting. Maybe bunking one class should be fine. I need something to get my mind off this whole blackmail thing, and Prerna auntie is perfect for that. As I reached the gate, two voices overlapped in aggression.

“No, no sir,” The security guard blocked a man in his forties.

“I just need to see my daughter,” the man said.

I kept my head down and walked forward.

“Please.” The man said, and I couldn’t help but turn around.

The guard won’t budge. The man walked away from the gate and looked at me. Hope sparked in his eyes.

“You might be in my daughter’s class.” He pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket.

Why should I believe this stranger?

“Avni Reddy,” he continued and showed me a picture. It was Avni, alright. Much younger though.

“I know my girl is angry with me,” he said. “She’s also right. I travel so much for my business but I shouldn’t have missed her birthday.”

Just like Papa. I hate it when work and business ruin everything, especially when you just want your dad.

He pulled out something else from his pocket. A small packet of Ferrero Rocher.

“I know that she can get this here now, but it’s our ritual. I always get her this no matter where I travel. Can you please give this to her? I’ll wait for her behind the school in the car if she’ll just give me a chance to say sorry.”

“What are you doing sir?” The security guard stood between the man and me.

“I am her father,” the man said.

“I know,” the guard said. “But no parents are allowed inside unless teachers have requested. You can see your daughter at home.”

After one hopeful look at me, the man left.

So maybe it was her dad. Anyways, I’m just the messenger… again!

Heading back to the court, I noticed Avni moved further away from the basket since my teammates started a small match. They called out to me to join. Great! Now I can’t bunk. I placed the chocolate on Avni’s book.

“A guy outside gave that,” I said.

Avni stared at the chocolate.

“He said he’s your dad,” I said. “Curly hair, stubble, average height. He had glasses with a weird green frame.”

Avni’s head shot up and she glared at me. “You talked to him?”

I shrugged. “More like he talked to me. He said he’s sorry he missed your birthday.”

The chocolate fell and rolled onto the court. Avni kept her head down. She must be really upset with her dad.

“Hey, I have a dad who is not around much too,” I said. “I hate that he has to travel a lot. I miss him a lot. I would rather not fight with him when he’s around.”

Avni didn’t look at me. It’s up to her now.

* * *

I headed to the washroom to change. I remembered when Papa came home late on my ninth birthday. Devil was a nightmare as always, and I was so pissed at him that I didn’t talk to Papa for a month. I wish I hadn’t though. He was genuinely busy. I get it. It sucked but I get it now. With Devil hogging up all the wealth, my dad is stuck working overtime.

A hand slammed the wall next to me and I jumped.

“So,” Rishav dragged his voice. “What did you decide?”

Fuck! I need to get rid of him.

“I didn’t give the notebook until the end of the day.

Rishav breathed audibly. “Ugh! What is that going to do? They aren’t like you. Tight deadlines don’t matter. They’ll stay up all night if that’s what they need. I need something else… NOW!”

I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds. I need to come up with some crap or it’s all over for me. Rishav on one side and Avni’s dad on the other, she has too much tension around her.

“Oh, her dad,” I said.

“What about him?” Rishan shrugged.

“She is upset because she’s fighting with her dad. I brought it up to her and it distracted her from whatever she was doing.”

Rishav stared at me.

“If she stays distracted long enough, she will mess up the project herself,” I continued. “And it won’t even track back to us.”

I sound like a vamp from one of Devil’s serials.

Rishav dropped his arm. “And where’s her dad?”

“He’s waiting for her behind the school.”

Rishav narrowed his eyes at me. “This better be good.”

I watched him trudge away before running to the washroom to change.

* * *

The next day we headed to the botanical garden, Lalbagh. Ami sat between Avni and me and asked her about the topic.

“Sachin said that poisonous plants is a better topic,” Ami said.

“How?” Avni asked. “I literally got Tulsi from my neighbour. Medicinal plants is easier to get.”

“But those white wild flowers grow everywhere,” Ami said.

“Does it matter since we are heading to the botanical garden?” I asked.

We reached there after all the traffic. I was already exhausted.

“Can we just pick some random category?” I asked Ami, and she nodded.

“You haven’t even picked your category yet?” Sachin said. “What will you even be looking for here?”

“Whatever looks good.” I shrugged.

“Whatever I can draw,” Ami said. “I’m hoping the project looks good to them based on that.”

Ami might not be the topper but she does have her tactics. Nice handwriting. Pretty drawings. Obviously, we’ll get decent marks.

Avni stood behind Ami. “So medicinal plants, right?”

She spoke to no one but Sachin heard her.

“Poisonous plants,” Sachin said. “Everyone does medicinal.”

“Poisonous is hard.” Avni looked at me. I need to charge her for being her messenger every time.

“I’ll come with you,” Ami offered. “And Niharika can go with Sachin. You both can gather samples and whoever has more samples decides.”

Avni looked at her notebook and nodded. I dragged Sachin away before he said anything but I doubt lover boy would go against Ami.

“So where do we go?”

“I know the way to the poisonous plants,” he said. “We’ll get the names and give them in the request for samples.”

It took a few minutes as we walked through the garden. I saw many pine trees.

“Maybe pine can be the category,” I said. “For Ami and me.”

“You guys seriously need to decide,” Sachin said. “I feel guilty that Avni and I are getting in your way.”

“Nah.” I waved my hand. “We just need to pass anyway. Anything decent should work.”

We headed to the poisonous plant section and started looking around. Sachin was jotting down a couple of names when I noticed a plant with small violet flowers. It looked so harmless.

“What are you both doing?” A staff member asked as he noticed Akhil jotting down the plant names in his notebook.”

“We wanted names of plants to request a sample,” Sachin explained.

“No,” the staff said and shook his head. “No poisonous plants for you school kids.”

“What?! But-”

“It’s for your safety,” the man interrupted Sachin. “You need to be in college at least. Else, no.”

Sachin’s shoulders slumped. I wanted him to win this topic argument.

“So you can look around but no samples.” The staff walked out.

Sachin looked at me and I waved for him to come over. He raised his eyebrows but walked up to me.

“This plant looks pretty.” I pointed at the violet flowers.

“It’s when they turn into beans that’s the problem,” he said. “They are called mucuna pruriens. The bean pod has hair that makes it itchy and burns the skin. Don’t touch it.”

“Do you have a plastic cover?”

“For what? We can’t get samples from here today or ever.”

“Do you have a cover?”

Sachin pulled out a small plastic cover. “I thought I’ll get something from here.”

“Gloves?” I asked and he pulled out those.

I put on the gloves and looked around. The place was empty.

“What are you going to-”

Crack.

I snapped a bunch of the beans. We looked towards the entrance as I dropped them into the cover. The cover crinkled, making us freeze.

“Niha-”

“Shhh.” I removed the golves and dumped them with the beans, tied the cover and stuffed it into the bag. “That’s one. We’ll figure out the rest.”

We heard footsteps and ran out the back before the staff came to chase us away.

* * *

I called Ami who told us to meet them at the arch leading to the medicinal plants.

“Niharika, I think Avni won. What can we do with just 2 plants?” Sachin said. “I have just this and the wild plant that grows everywhere in the city.

“Come on, there will be more,” I said. “If not here, maybe in other empty sites somewhere else in the city.”

“I was hoping to make this project a caution for the city to clean up these plants.”

Wow! He wanted to do something to bring awareness? Well, now I really want them to do this topic.

We met up with Amarra, and Avni who was still going through her notebook.

“Got any samples?” I asked.

“I requested four samples,” Avni announced. “I can collect it by 3 pm. Now for your project. We need a category.”

I looked around for something to catch my eye. Any category that’s easy is my choice. I scanned and noticed a familiar face. Peppered hair. Stubble.

“Isn’t that your dad?” I turned to Avni.

Avni stood frozen, the notebook dropped from her hands. She took a few steps backward.

“Avni?” I said. Is she still upset?

“Dad?” Ami asked. I pointed in the direction of the man. Amarra and Sachin followed my finger but Avni’s dad saw us too. He waved and smiled. Then he dropped his arm, and the smile disappeared.

We looked back to see Avni but she wasn’t there. Her notebook lay on the floor next to her bag.

All of us twirled around to look for her, but there was no sign. Even her dad was gone now. Why will Avni just leave her bag?

Where did Avni disappear to?

The next chapter would reveal the story behind Avni. Hope you liked this episode. If so, tap the like button, share it with your friends and consider leaving your thoughts in the comments below, or on my socials.

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This story is told in short Parts. Each Part follows one girl through a specific chaos, and the consequences spill into the future parts, so it’s best read in chapter order. Each part has a name and you can see the same in the index below. In the index below, you’ll see these Parts as section headings.

Microfiction

Plans, Project & Proof

Mothers, Marks & Masks

Field Trips, Fathers and Flowers

Rivals, Rumours and Revenge

More chapters coming every Friday

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This is Avni’s arc. She’s been in the background so far, but is a core character. Read on to see why she's the way she is.

For this arc(Chapters 8-10), the story is told from Niharika’s POV. As all four girls are introduced, the POVs will shift for each arc.

Warning: Light cursing

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“No!” Avni’s voice cut through everyone’s chatter.

I looked up at her staring at the paper on the teacher’s table. Chandra, our biology teacher, had just left a copy of our project partner there. Avni must have gotten someone who does no work.

I snickered. Oh shit! What if it was me?

“Niharika.” Amarra nudged me. “Why do you look scared?”

I glanced at her. “I might be Avni’s partner.”

I rushed to the table and searched for my name, Niharika Talwar. I traced the line with my finger and read my partner’s name, Amarra Matthews. My shoulders relaxed. Amarra was trying to look over my shoulder.

I grabbed the paper and handed it to her and everyone around me groaned. How long does it take to just find your own name?

“Who’s my partner?” Sachin asked, draping an arm casually around Amarra.

She was turning so red. Sachin’s shoulder slumped and Amarra furrowed her eyebrows at him.

I grabbed the paper back and scanned for his name. Right next to that was ‘Avni Reddy’. That explained why she shouted like a fire alarm.

I left the paper on the table and turned to see Amarra talking to Avni.

“This is perfectly fine,” Amarra assured. “Sachin would do his part of the project anyways.”

“That’s not the problem,” Avni said. “Amarra, you can be my partner, right?”

Amarra nodded. When does she not want to help?

I could sense Sachin walk towards us. Avni retreated a few steps.

“I need to talk to my mom.” She sprinted out of class.

“She won’t work with me,” Sachin said.

“Of course she will,” Amarra said. “I’ll talk to her. I’m glad at least Rishav isn’t any of our partners.”

That creep. I rolled my eyes.

“If he is ever your project partner, I’ll handle him.” Sachin balled his fist. “I would love to practice punching on him.”

Amarra turned red again. It makes no sense that they aren’t dating already. She skipped out of class in search of Avni. Sachin watched her go and smiled.

“Sachin,” I said and placed my elbow on his shoulder. “I didn’t want to burst your bubble in front of your little crush.”

Sachin tilted his head and raised his eyebrows.

“But you’re not built for punching,” I continued. “Leave that to Avni… or even me.”

I pat him on his shoulder and went after Amarra before he could respond.

***

It was the middle of lunch break and it was hard finding her. After walking up a couple of floors I noticed Amarra outside the counsellor’s office. Sheila ma’am’s office. I ran up to her and opened my mouth to ask but she grabbed my wrist and pulled me next to her.

“Avni, you can’t keep fighting this,” Sheila’s voice came from inside. The door was open a crack, making every word audible.

“Ma, I’m giving you a solution,” Avni said. “I already know Amarra is paired with Niharika. I can work with Amarra and-”

“No,” Sheila was firm but her voice was losing its patience. That was rare.

“Avni,” the counsellor continued. She shifted to the voice she used with the rest of us. “You can’t live in this world avoiding boys and men. The doctor said that since you are comfortable now in a co-ed school, this is the natural next step.”

Amarra and I look at each other.

Doctor? Therapist?

Well, it makes sense. She’s so weird around boys.

“I need you to work with Sachin on this project,” Sheila continued. “Invite him home so I will be there. You won’t be alone. Won’t that work?”

No response.

“Sachin is a sweet and responsible boy,” Sheila said. “I told Chandra to pair you up with him.”

Silence.

“So now go and talk to him,” Sheila said. “ All you have to do is talk about your project. You need not make small talk or anything.”

We heard footsteps come towards the door. I yanked Amarra to the nearest staircase just in time to turn around and see Avni walk away. If she had seen us we would have been her punching bag of the day. I turn to Amarra who was watching Avni retreat. Oh, no.

“You want to help her, huh?” I asked.

Amarra tilted her head and her eyes went round and hopeful. I sighed.

“Fine, I’ll help,” said.

Her face lit up and I laughed. The warning bell rang and we headed back to class. My stomach was growling.

***

Amarra didn’t have her lunch. She volunteered as a mediator between Avni and Sachin and promised she’ll always be around. Avni’s frown relaxed. The only problem is that Amarra volunteered me too. Well, I was just going to sit in silence. Ami could take care of the rest.

Classes after lunch were a snooze fest. Who puts math at the end of the day? I can’t even calculate the missing angle of the triangle when it’s the first thing in the morning.

After the last bell, everyone filed out. I had half an hour before I had to change into my jersey for basketball practice. Perfect time for me to catch up with all the reels. I connected my earphones and scrolled through.

After a few minutes, I could only hear the music through one ear. I looked up to see the lopsided smile of Rishav. What did this creep want? I tried to grab my earphone back from his hand but he moved it out of reach.

“I just need a minute,” he said and settled on the table in front of me. A strong waft of perfume hit me.

I curled my lip. “Take a bath, will you? Then you won’t have to drown in perfume.”

His smile fell. “I have a job for you.”

“I’m not for hire.”

“I need you to tell me what’s going on with Avni,” he said. “She seemed disturbed by the biology project.”

“Why do you care?”

“I just want to make sure she and Sachin don’t submit their project,” he said. “That’s two people and I’ll finally be in top 5 in school.”

“Who cares?”

His face grew solemn. “I do. I need that medal.”

“Your problem.”

“And yours?”

I sat up straight. “Maybe you can’t catch the vibe but we aren’t friends.”

“We don’t have to be.”

“And I don’t want to help you.”

I grabbed my earphone back and started scrolling again. Another black screen slid into my view. Rishav’s phone. There was a video playing. The one of me and our maid. The day I paid her near the school.

“That wasn’t your mom,” Rishav said.

Fuck!

“I won’t tell anyone,” Rishav said. “You just found a way around to get what you want and now you help me with the same.”

I stared at him. Damn it! What could I do? I just got one friend barely a month back. Amarra.

“I need something on Avni by tomorrow,” he said. “Anything that could distract her from completing this project.”

I pursed my lip. If he didn’t have that video, I would have thrown something at him.

“Bye.” Rishav waved and smirked.

Fuck! I’m Rishav’s spy now?

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I stepped through the door and involuntarily straightened my posture. I waltzed gracefully into the well-decorated living room. The granite floor complemented the light mustard walls. The cook scrambled across the huge room to the kitchen. I noticed a family photo above the television. A young couple on their wedding day and a little girl that they had wrapped themselves around. I took a closer look and noticed the dimples on either of the girl’s cheeks.

Niharika?

The young man had a dark complexion and I have seen him a few times around school especially when parents were called over.

Niharika’s dad?

My gaze shifted to the smiling woman on the other side. Devi was smiling just like the little girl in next to her. I headed to the painting by Ravi Varma which hung right above the couch. The neat strokes and the perfect colour choice-

“Amma!” the cook’s high-pitched voice distracted me. I looked in her direction. She had a door open and waved me to come over. I walked to her as my heels clicked against the red granite.

“You wait here” she stuttered. After a pause “I cook.”

“I’ll wait in the hall,” I replied in broken Kannada. Her shoulders relaxed momentarily till I said ‘hall’.

She shook her head and nudged me into the room. “Please ma.”

I felt the pit in my stomach grow deeper. What’s with all this sneaking? She closed the door as she left and I turned around and another family photo caught my attention. It was Niharika and her dad of course but the woman was different. She looked more ... peaceful? happy?... I guess she just looked more...nice. Why was Niharika’s mom such a big confusion?

I heard the front door click and I rushed to the door. I peeped out to see Niharika step in. She flopped her gym bag next to the shoe rack and Devi was on the couch now. She must have come in after I slipped into Niharika’s room. She curled her nose in disgust.

“Go take a shower,” Devi said in Hindi.

Niharika noticed the disgust and stepped closer making the woman retreat further into the couch. Niharika grinned.

“Niharika!” Devi said. “Take a shower. Why do you keep wearing that sweatshirt all the time?”

Niharika took a step back. “Oh, So you don’t want me to, huh?”

Niharika let the sweatshirt drop onto her shoes and I saw it. The mark from her neck. But that wasn’t the only scar. Her lower arm had red lines like a notebook so bright against her wheat complexion. There was a purple blotch on her upper arm.

“Sports injury,” Devi said.

“Yeah of course,” Niharika threw her arms around and moved away. “Sport injury from you hitting me like I’m your punching bag.”

“You won’t listen to me,” she defended.

“Yeah, I won’t.” Niharika’s words oozed with sarcasm. “When you decided to take over my mom’s wardrobe and dress up like her I’m supposed to what?... enjoy the show?”

“Your father said that it is okay. He said it might even help you see me-”

“Mom never hit me. She loved me,” Niharika shouted. “And you… gold digging b-”

“Niharika!”

“Getting rid of me is all you care about,” she said. “And you hit me and make up some stories to papa.”

Niharika walked towards the room and I panicked. I looked around for a place to hide but there were none. Finally I went to the balcony to find a spot but it was too late. I heard the door slam and turned around. Niharika stared at me with her eyes wide.

“What… How…. Get out,” she hissed.

“Look,” I started. “I didn’t mean to-”

“Get out.” She snarled through her whisper.

“I’m so sorry,” I said and moved towards the door but then I stopped.

I needed to fix this.

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“Actually, no,” I said.

“Are you trying to get me killed?”

“Niharika, about the room.”

“You got it. Congratulations!”

“But that cook-”

“What do you want now?” Niharika crossed her arms across her chest. “Money? Don’t you have plenty of that too?”

The room grew silent. Devi’s heels clicked outside but they soon faded away. She was gone.

“How much?” Niharika said.

“What?”

“Money. I might need time to get it but this is the last time.”

She got it all wrong. Did I look like a villain?

“Niharika stop,” I said. “Don’t you have friends?”

She glared at me.

“Sorry, I…uh…” Where am I supposed to start?

“Did Jai tell something about me? Is that your next problem?”

“Well, he did say something about stealing-”

“That wasn’t me,” Niharika hissed and I took a few steps back and plopped on her bed.

Her features relaxed. “It’s just. I hate when he brings it up.”

“So then what happened?”

“Why do you want to know?”

I actually didn’t know. Nothing felt right. I got exactly what I wanted and it still hurt.

“I don’t like it Niharika,” I said. “You being alone. I’m sorry I saw your fight outside but your mother isn’t supposed to hit you-”

“Step-mother,” she corrected.

That answered a lot of questions I didn’t ask.

“You deserve better,” I said. “And if that means getting a fake mom then next time I’ll come up and talk to her in front of the teachers if that helps make it more believable.”

Niharika sat next to me. “You… are… being … nice.”

I shrugged. “It’s my default.”

Niharika smiled. Somewhere inside that child in the photo was still alive.

“Devil won’t let you stay. She always separates me from my friends.”

“Like Jai,” I assumed.

Niharika sighed and laid on her bed. “He was my best friend. My dad is still very close with his parents. When Devi came into my life, they didn’t like it. Rukmini auntie sensed something was wrong. Even Jai would speak up for me and he was just ten.”

“Then one day something went missing from Rukmini auntie’s jewellery box. It was nowhere in their house. They were looking to make a police complaint. Jai had come home that day for us to go out and play. I was in the shower or something so Devil made him wait in my room. He found the necklace in my cupboard.”

“Devil,” I said.

Niharika nodded. “Jai asked me if I stole it. I said no but Devil was all about apologizing and saying she would take care of it and not to get me into trouble. All an act like a desperate mother. Jai believed her. He thought I was lying.”

“You didn’t try to talk to him after that?”

“He wouldn’t listen,” Niharika said. “I went up to him at the next party our parents usually attend. Some of our other friends were also there. He turned me into a liar in front of them all. I got so pissed.”

“That’s actually what hurt him? The lie.”

“How do you know?” Niharika looked at me.

“Just something he said the other day.”

There was a pause. “He and I never talked after that really. Just fought.”

I told Niharika the entire Rishav story.

“That fucker!” the cuss flowed effortlessly from her lips. “One month! He should be kicked out.”

“You know how people are.”

We then went on to talk about other things. Niharika told me about her mother. Her real mother. How her dad is now her only comfort but he’s always busy with the business.

We talked for hours until I got a ring from my mother asking me where I was. I gave Niharika a hug and slipped out the main door after making sure Devil wasn’t around. I didn’t know why I met Niharika but I couldn’t be happier.

***

The fashion room is back on! It’s the one thing Niharika loved apart from basketball. Devil won’t let her do it. We would love to see her face if she bothered to visit the exhibition.

The rainbow theme remained. The only change was that the end of the rainbow had Niharika’s fashion pieces. Various designs stitched into aesthetic outfits and blend into the theme. One month was a close call. I had Niharika stay over at my house a few times to finish things up. The gallery owner, Ms. Savitha, was so impressed with the diversity. She even said she knows some people who are looking for new designers and Niharika is a promising candidate but she’ll need to learn more.

Devil came by to save face. She looked at the fashion display and then at Niharika.

“Nice hobby,” Devil said.

“Niha, this looks wonderful,” Niharika’s dad said. “You should do more of these.”

“Come on Ajay,” Devil intervened. “You saw her marks. Let her get better grades and we can think about it.”

Ajay uncle nodded and moved along. Devil looked at us and smiled. The same smile she always had. The one with no heart.

“Well, auntie,” I said. “Niharika is promising. Who knows, one day, she might even become famous. It won’t be nice if she had to go around telling that you, her own mother, didn’t support her.”

Devil’s smile fell and mine grew. Niharika snickered.

“Bye,” I said with the smile still plastered.

There was a transient curling of the nose before Devil plastered her dead smile and strode away.

I giggled and turned to Niharika. She looked at me and tried to smile but the lines on her forehead said otherwise. I looked down and saw her pull at her nails. I cupped her hand in mine.

“What?” I said.

She shook her head. A sudden flash of her back at the mansion hit me.

“No one has really spoken to her for me after Jai and I broke up,” she said.

My heart rate relaxed.“Well, now you have me and you know I always get my way.”

We giggled and then the next parent stepped forward to see our art and expression. Everything is perfect. Everyone is happy. But as Niharika laughed, I saw her glance at the exit one last time.

The knot in my stomach returned. This isn’t over.

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I took long strides to the kitchen but being short has its disadvantages. I could hear Niharika’s voice and I walk into the kitchen. Niharika had her back towards me. She was so tall, she was hovering over the cook as she tried to grab the tray of tea from her.

“No no. I give.”

“Who is Devi auntie again?” I said.

Niharika snapped around and stared at me. The cook pushed past her but froze when she saw me. She recognized me from the PTA meeting. Her eyes widened and she scurried away.

I kept my eyes on Niharika. Her shoulders drooped.

“Well, yes,” she shrugged. “I paid my cook to be my mom for a day.”

I didn’t say anything.

“What are you going to do? Complain? Tell Reena?”

“Or tell your mom,” I said.

Niharika gulped. She retreated and leaned against the wall. Her head down.

“You can have the additional room,” she murmured.

I felt a pit in my stomach and I didn’t understand why.

“You win,” she said. “No fashion exhibit. Just don’t tell anyone okay.”

Niharika walked past me and out of the kitchen. She’s right. I won. I should be happy. I should feel happy. The aroma of chai filled my nose but the knot in my stomach only grew tighter.

***

I shook it off and stepped out into the corridor but Niharika was trudging along towards the living room when she ran slam into Jai. She slipped and his reflexes acted. Must be those biceps because it didn’t look like he strained a muscle when he caught her.When she looked up and saw him she she pushed herself up and away. Tension filled the space. I decided to stay put.

“I thought you were swimming,” Niharika said. “Never mind. I’m leaving anyways.”

“Good,” Jai said. “Next time try not to use someone like Amarra. She seems nice and got all awkward.”

“Next time, try to put on more clothes when meeting someone new,” Niharika said.

He stiffened and stared at her. She glared back.

“It’s my house,” Jai said.

“That’s why I’m leaving,” she said. “If Devil didn’t drag me in here, I would have just stayed home.”

Niharika turned to leave but he pulled her back.

“Not that you’ll tell the truth but…”

“I didn’t steal anything Jai,” Niharika replied as if she read his mind.

So she steals too?

Jai pulled her closer and used his eyes like a lie detector. Then he let go. She yanked her hand from his loose grip and stormed off.

Jai turned and looked right at me. I was stupid enough not to hide. Anyways, I took a few steps until he could hear me.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“You didn’t interrupt anything,” Jai said. “I have known her for years.”

“So she steals?” I asked.

He shrugged. “She lied about it to me. That’s worse.”

“And she calls her mom Devil. I mean, it’s her mom after all.”

He shrugged again. “I let it go a long time ago.”

Jai’s eyes drooped. Wrinkles formed on his forehead. “See you later.”

He turned and walked away but this time there’s no energy in his gait. The damp towel gripped his neck like a chokehold.

So she’s also a thief. I was right to get that room from her… right? I got what I wanted.

Why do I feel like I am losing?

***

Since then I played the two moments in my head over and over again. One where Niharika gave up the fight. She let me win. Another was her fight with Jai and what he said after.

For the next few days the other artists and I got together after school and decided on a design. We decided on a rainbow theme. The first room has the first half of the rainbow which carry on to the second room. There’s a concrete wall but we need to adjust. Starting with watercolour paintings and moving to oil. Then glass, embroidery and then clay. We stick to the color themes to give an overall rainbow. We planned to use either side of the wall for continuation.

Niharika was nowhere near the room. She was in class though. She kept her head down or was in the basketball court. Wherever she was, she would be alone. She had some players practice with her but then they left. It didn’t hit be how alone she was until I saw her face wilt at the mansion the other day.

I told Sachin of course and he said it doesn’t matter. I didn’t outright blackmail Niharika. She just gave up the room. I keep playing his words in my head for comfort but it’s a temporary fix.

***

One evening after we finalized on our exhibit I was waiting for my regular bus. Niharika’s face popped up in my head again. I stepped out of the crowd and caught a rickshaw. It took me straight to the Malhotra’s house. I didn’t go in. I looked through my phone and scrolled until I saw the cook walk out. She wrapped her pallu over her shoulder and gripped the small plastic weaved bag. She kept walking. Luckily she didn’t take any bus which meant Niharika was nearby.

After about twenty minutes of walking she finally stopped at an apartment. The security stood at the gate, prompting everyone to sign the register and calling up the residents after. I couldn’t get in without a reason. I pulled out a random book from my bag and ran up to the cook.

“Hi aunty, I need to ask Niharika about a project we have together,” I said to her in Kannada.

She looked at me and then the guards.

“Devi madam,” she said.

“Won’t know,” I promise, continuing in Kannada. “Just take me with you. It’s for Niharika.”

Her face relaxed and she smiled. I wonder how she could like someone like Niharika or if she has the same annoying feeling I’ve had all week.

She explained to the guards that I’m with her and scurried through the gate. I followed. She didn’t say anything till we reached the house. She fidgeted with the house keys, placed it in the lock and turned to me.

“Are you Niharika putta’s friend?” she said in fluent Kannada as she turned the key

I nod and smile. So that’s why she helped me get past the guards.

“Even Jai putta’s friend?”

She must have worked for both families for years to call Niharika and Jai like they are kids she watched grow up.

“So you won’t complain about me meeting the teacher?” she asks, continuing in her native language.

She gulped and looked at me. I shook my head slowly and watched her shoulders relax. There was more at stake than I knew.

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For the next few days I stared at my sketchbook. I couldn’t figure out how to plan for just one room. I wanted two rooms with related themes so the entire thing looked like one big display. Something like one room being the caterpillar and the other one a grand finale like a butterfly.

I set the pencil aside as the image of Niharika and her mother slipped back into my mind. That family is weird. Niharika probably stole some money from the house and getting her mom to cover for her. Poor auntie.

I let the wind blow on my face once mom drove out of traffic and into a gated community. I missed the natural Bangalore air. The one before all the pollution made it impossible to drive with the windows rolled down. Mom had to visit a client she was doing a personal piece for. Turned out that this client bought her painting and was now willing to pay double the market price for a personal portrait. That was the kind of demand I wanted when someone visited my gallery in future. For that I needed to two rooms I promised Ms. Savitha at next month’s exhibition.

We pulled into the driveway and I looked up at the Malhotra Mansion. I twirled to get a view of the whole place. The fountain up front was trickling water. I heard my mother’s footsteps retreat and snapped back to reality. I gathered a calm composure and emulate my mother’s gait as I followed her. Light steps with grace. I slipped. How does mummy do it?

The gardener had told us where the living room was and we ended up in the largest room. The floor was covered in white marble. The large white pillars held up the ornate ceiling. A long red divan dominated the centre of the room. The client sat at the centre as her saree’s pallu flowed up to an armrest. She sat with one leg over another and looked at us. We smiled and she returned it.

“Hello ma’am,” my mom said. “ This is my daughter Amarra. She is my apprentice. I was hoping she can shadow me as I work on your project.”

“Rukmini is fine,” she said with a warm smile. “And of course. It’s great that she wants to follow your footsteps.”

Rukmini turned to the guest on the couch next to her. “Devi, this is Prerna Nair.”

The other woman was also draped in an expensive saree like Rukmini but her necklace was tacky and her earrings framed her cheekbones.

“Of course,” Devi said and smiled but it didn’t wrinkle the corner of her eyes. “Rukmini told me all about you.”

A screech made me look behind the couch to a corner table and a chair. My eyes widened when I noticed the chair wasn’t empty. Baggy sweatshirts. Short hair. Oh God no!

“Oh,” Devi followed my gaze and I think Mummy’s too. “That’s my-”

“Niharika,” she sprung up from the chair.

“Hi Niharika,” Mummy said. “That uniform.”

“Same school,” Niharika chirped. “I was just… studying.”

Ugh! Why did she have to be hear. Out of all the houses in Bangalore, my mom’s client was somehow close to Niharika. Every time I tried to get serious about my art, she was there to crumble it.

“Devi is an old friend,” Rukmini Malhotra said. “She comes by and brings Niharika with her all the time.”

“Well, someone has to make sure Niha actually studies for her next exams,” Devi said and let out a laugh. It was loud and hollow at the same time.

Rukmini forced a smile. I need to get used to being around people like Devi if I want to join the business. Something I should learn from Rukmini.

“Anyway, “ Rukmini said and gestured Mummy to join her on the divan. “I’ll ask the cook to make us some tea.”

Rukmini looked behind her to where I guess the kitchen is. I tried to take a seat next to Devi when Niharika rushed to stand next to me.

“I’ll tell her.” Niharika had a weird energy about her. Who gets so excited about tea?

Rukmini smiled.

“In that case,” Devi removed a small container from her bag. “Give this to Jai. His favourite jangri.”

Niharika curled her nose but took the box of sweets. She turned to me and her eyes lit up. This time for real.

“Amarra,” she said. “You should meet Jai.”

She dragged me out of there. My mom just smiled and shook her head as if Niharika was like Sachin and we were just going to hang out.

***

Niharika’s grip was strong. She tugged me along the long hallway until we reached the entrance to the kitchen which was on the right. Straight ahead was the backyard. The glass door was wide open letting the soothing breeze in with the curtains swaying to its rhythm. Beyond that was a swimming pool. I noticed a moving splash. Someone was swimming.

“So that’s Jai,” Niharika said and gave me the box. “Just tell him ‘Devi aunty’ got it made by the cook for him.”

“Devi aunty,” I said. “She’s your-”

“Aunt,” Niharika cut me off and stuffed her hands into her hoodie pocket. “She just gets so involved because my mom is a softie.”

I looked past Niharika at the kitchen door. “Don’t we have to tell the cook about tea?”

“I’ll take care of that,” Niharika said. “You just meet Jai.”

I looked at the splashes far away. My heartbeat rose. “On my own? Introduce us at least.”

“Trust me Amarra. It’s better if he doesn’t know you have anything to do with me.”

“Why?”

“Just meet him and give him those sweets. Don’t mention me if you can.” She nudged me forward and disappeared into the kitchen.

I walked to the pool. This is awkward but I was stuck thanks to Niharika… again. I was supposed to be sitting next to my mom and learn her process. Not be here seeing a half naked guy.

Jai just completed a lap and rose up a few feet away from me. His brow knitted and he looked around probably wondering where I came from.

“Hi, I’m Amarra.”

Jai pulled himself up from the pool. His biceps tightened, the water dripped at the edge of the pool. He stood up and grabbed his towel. Wiped his lean body which was ready to pop out some abs.

I looked to the ground. Can’t have my mom losing clients because I am surprised at how fit their sons are.

“You can look up now.” Jai grinned and wrapped the towel around his waist.

I turned red. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have just…”

“Jai.” He held out his still damp hand.

I shook it and handed him the sweets. “Devi… auntie actually got it made for you.”

Jai’s smile faded.

He opened the box and scrutinized the sweet. “Is she here?”

“Who? Devi aunty? She’s in the-”

“No.” Jai’s face tightened.

“Niharika?”

“Never mind.” Jai opened the box. “I don’t eat these now. Not with my diet.”

I opened my mouth but had no words. What do you say to that? Sorry? Take a cheat day?

“It’s fine,” he said. “So you know Devi auntie?”

“I’m actually here with my mom,” I said and introduced myself properly this time. I told him all about my mom’s gallery and how her paintings are in demand among collectors.

“Wow!” Jai said. “You must be talented too. You should paint me one day.”

“I’m not as good as her-”

“Maybe in this swimsuit of mine,” Jai pointed at himself. “Nothing you’ve not seen already.”

I let out a laugh. His face fell.

“Oh, sorry,” I said. “I didn’t mean it as an insult or something. I just…”

“Like someone else?”

“What? No.”

“It’s okay,” he said. “It was harmless flirting.”

“I should get back to my mom.” I turned around to look at the unfamiliar door into the house. How am I supposed to find my way back? Maybe I can find Niharika in the kitchen.

“I can take you there,” Jai’s deep voice came from behind.

“I uh…”

“Not all the way but I need to change too so I can just show you the way as we walk.”

I nodded and he turned into a tour guide in this maze of a house.

“I need to head straight for the bedrooms but you can go left from here. Just keep straight and you should reach the living room.”

“Thanks,” I said. “It was nice meeting you.”

“You too Amarra.” He winked.

He is charming. Can’t deny that.

“You actually swim well,” I said.

“Thanks. I am hoping that means I can get into the sports quota after 12^th.”

“You’re in 12^th standard?”

“11^th,” he said. “But it’s a nightmare. You’ll see. You’re in..?”

“9^th, like Niharika.”

He clenched his jaw. “Yea. Cool. Just don’t pick science stream if you can help it. Seems like art will save your life.”

I smile and nodded and we parted ways.

***

I turned left and kept walking until I heard the muffled talk of three women. I followed my mother’s sweet voice until I reached the living room. I quickly took a seat next to my mother who acknowledged my presence with a quick smile. She was talking about ideas to get Rukmini’s feedback. A portrait painting is hard.

“Amarra.” Devi’s voice pierced my ears. Her sweet tone had a drop of bitterness like biting into a grape thinking it’s seedless only to hear the crack of the tiny seed.

I turned to her with a smile.

“Where’s Niharika?”

“Oh, she’s probably still in the kitchen.”

“She was supposed to tell the cook,” Devi said. “Not make it herself.”

Mummy got a call and excused herself.

Rukmini turned to Devi. “What is it?”

“You know my daughter, Rukmini,” Devi said. “She tries to find a excuse not to study. I wonder when the school PTA is.”

“Your daughter?” I said.

“Yes, Niharika.” Devi looked at me like I’m dumb.

Niharika lied! Not only did she lie to me but she lied to the entire school. The teachers.

“I’ll find her.” I got up. “And bring her.”

And then she’s going to have to answer my questions. I finally know how to get my room back.

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I shoved the classroom door open. It slammed against the wall and bounced back on its hinges. My heart pounded against my ribs. This room was supposed to be ours, for the art department, and now we lost it.

I looked around to find her staring at me with her boring black eyes. Niharika Talwar, the basketball player. Her short brown hair stood straight against her neck. Her brows were knitted at me. I pursed my lips and glared back.

“I think with one more try. The door will come off the hinges. Go ahead.” Niharika folded her arms across her chest.

Sarcasm. Her audacity made me clench my fist.

“I am here for the room.” I took deep breaths. I can’t lose my cool. I need to convince her to give me this room.

“This is for the art department. Your sports exhibition can also be in the basketball court.”

Niharika raised her eyebrows. “Who said this is a sport exhibition? This is for the art department. A fashion exhibit.”

“What?” No one told me anything about a fashion exhibit when I met the others and our art teacher, Tarini ma’am two days ago.

“I talked to Tarini and she told me today morning about the second art room,” Niharika said.

“I didn’t know you were into fashion.” I looked at her baggy sweatshirt engulfing her.

She looked down at herself. “What? I don’t bother about it at school.”

She twitched and I looked away. “I need this room Niharika. Please.”

“Why?”

“Okay, at least run all your ideas by me and I can run-”

“You don’t know fashion,” Niharika said.

True, but mummy is bringing a gallery owner who often exhibits her paintings. If I don’t get this right I lose my chance to be represented and make my art my career. Being Prerna Nair’s daughter is a head start but if the gallery owner, Ms. Savitha, doesn’t like my work, all I’ll get is pity work and then I’ll disappear into nothing. I can’t let nepotism fuel my dream. I need to earn it.

“I am not a fashion expert but I need to make sure that both art department rooms are in sync with the same them-”

“Tarini said that doesn’t matter,” Niharika said.

“I just need the rooms to work, okay?” I can’t be bothered to explain to her about my career. She barely bothers about hers. She is barely passing in class, doesn’t focus on any talent or art form.

“I am just trying to make sure it all goes-” I started.

“Talk to Tarini ma’am,” she said. “She made the final decision. I get this room.”

I feel annoyance creep up my heart. “Why are you making this so difficult?”

“Well, Ms Da Vinci. You need to adjust. The world is not all about your paintings. Your mom might be famous and all that but you’re just another student who paints.”

My heart beat rose and I gritted my teeth. “Don’t question my talent.”

“Right back at you.”

“Niharika. I thought we can come to an agreement. A middle ground.”

“I got this one room after a lot of convincing and I’m not giving it up.”

“Or what?” she challenged me. “You’ll pay Tulsi aunty to call Tarini while you leave me blindfolded?”

I stared at her, my mouth slightly open. I knew someone was watching me that day but I wish it wasn’t her.

“Don’t worry. Your boyfriend didn’t tell me anything. Neither did that guy hater though I’m surprised she broke the rules she worships so much.” Niharika turned back to the room and looked around. I guess she scanning to come up with some ideas.

“I saw you that day,” she said. “Smart. He deserved it. Unfortunately, he’s back this week from that suspension.”

“Thanks. I wish I could have got him suspended for more than a month” My heartbeat slowed. At least she won’t tell on me.

“But it won’t work with me,” she said. “Now, I need some time alone to think.”

She walked past me and I tried to stop her. I tried to hold her arm but pulled at the hood of her sweatshirt. The collar shifted. A jagged red line snaked from her neck leading to… her shoulders. I paused. The wound was deep. Violent. Niharika caught my gaze and yanked the sweatshirt from my grip.

I felt a pit in my stomach. “That looks ba-”

“Basketball can do that to you,” she said and looked away. “Now leave me alone.”

I walked towards the door and looked back. Niharika was still adjusting her sweatshirt and pulled the hoodie over her head. That’s not a basketball injury but it’s none of my business.

***

Tarini ma’am was on sick leave that day which meant I had to wait for the next day. The PTA meeting day. I wanted to show Mummy my plan but now it has to wait.

Mummy pulled into parking and we headed straight to my class. Our class teacher, Reena ma’am, smiled at us and gestured to take a seat.

We reached my classroom and excused ourselves in. Reena ma’am looked at me and nodded but it was a haze to me compared to the student and parent sitting across from her. Niharika glanced at me before turning back to our class teacher. He had that same old sweatshirt on but she didn’t get my attention.

I walked in slowly and kept my eyes on Niharika’s mother. A short woman with a round, wholesome face. She kept her eyes down while twisting the end of her saree pallu. The saree was a simple peacock green with stones scarcely across it. The elegance of the saree was diminished in the way the woman wrapped it around her shoulder.

“Niharika needs to do better in her tests or we can’t let her sit for the board exams. She might have to repeat this year,” Reena said. “We don’t allow students to move on to 10^th standard unless they are confident they can at least pass.”

I sat next to my mother and watched Niharika’s mother keep her head low and give small nods.

“Why aren’t you saying anything Mrs. Talwar,” Reena asked.

Niharika clasped her hands on her mother shoulder. “My mom is a little shy. Sorry about that. I’ll improve. I’ll go better in the next test.”

She squeezed her mother arm and gave her a sideway hug. The woman fidgeted and gave a quick smile.

Did Niharika scare her mother?

“Please tell your husband to come and talk to me,” Reena said.

Niharika sat up. “Oh no. My dad is always traveling or busy. That’s why mom is here.”

“Yes,” the woman finally spoke. “I will make sure choti… does well.”

Reena’s worry lies stayed but she nodded.

They left and after another student was my turn. I don’t remember what Reena said but it’s nothing too bad. The same old thing about my grades and marks not being great and me spending all the time in the art room. Mom of course backed me up. I couldn’t get Niharika’s mom out of my head. A timid woman in a big household. People say Niharika is loaded.

We left and headed back to the parking. Outside the main gate I spotted the peacock blue saree again. They were standing in a far corner, on the main road’s footpath, surrounded by the morning crowd. Niharika’s mom was wrapping herself up as she wants to disappear. Niharika dug her hands in her pocket while looking around. She pulled out a wad of paper…money. Niharika shoved it into her mother’s hand.

They both scanned the crowd as the woman stuffed the money into her blouse. A secret they didn’t want anyone to notice but that’s not what bothered me the most. It looked like a payment. But payment for what? A nagging thought crept in.

Why did it look like hush money?

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I reached school early the next day and headed straight to class. Only a few bags. I passed by Sachin’s class. My luck, he wasn’t there. He would try to talk me out of this but I couldn’t waste my time convincing him.

I kept my pace steady as I went down to the computer lab, looked around and there he was. Rishav. He was in a corner working on some kind of electronic board or something.

“Rishav.” He looked up from his board and at me and a smile spread across his face. My skin crawled and I held back from wrinkling my nose.

“Hi Amarra,” he took a couple of steps towards me.

I didn’t move. I needed to do this.

He took a deep breath “Your perfume is…”

“Thanks,” I blurted and forced a smile. “About yesterday… at the bus stop.”

His smile faltered and he went back to the board.

“The boy hater is a pain as always.”

“Avni, she has a name,” I said.

“Before that, your boyfriend,” he continued, ignoring me. So protective! Why don’t you both just become exclusive?” he said, still looking down.

“He is not my boyfriend but yes, he’s my best friend,” I corrected him. “Can you please look up from that circuit board thing?”

“Raspberry Pi,” he said.

“No thanks,” I said. “I’m not hungry. Also, we aren’t allowed to eat in here.”

He held up the board thing. “This is a Raspberry Pi.”

My mouth formed an ‘Oh’. “Anyways, you asked to go on a date with me, right?”

He placed the pie thing down and looked at me.

“Dinner date,” he said. “I know the perfect place. Remember that pink dress? Wear that.”

He and his stupid dress. I had to save my eye roll for later.

“It’s one date. I’ll pay you for the dress after the date.” Rishav’s eyes lit up.

Great! He’s cheapening this further.

Well, if everything goes as planned, I would never have to wear it.

“What changed your mind?” Rishav asked.

Damn it!

“Well, you said you’re trying to help,” I said the first thing that I came up with. “So why should I be sour about it.”

He smirked. “Yea. So?”

“So now you can give me the password and clean up my laptop.”

“Amarra… come on. you know that I can’t do that. We haven’t even started our date.”

“Then no date.” I shrugged.

He sighed. “Fine. Date first, though. Then we’ll talk.”

I nodded. “When?”

Since he’s desperate I guess he’ll pick today.

“Why not today?” he said. “I’ll buy the dress during our break.”

“So at 3:30? After school.” I said and gulped. “Let’s meet at the back gate.”

He grinned. “Great! See you then.”

***

I rushed to class and drink half the water in my bottle. I’m glad I won’t have to actually go on this date or else I would lose my shit.

“I need my notes back.” Avni stood over me. “I haven’t been able to catch up on my studies the past couple of days.”

I wiped my face and nodded. I pulled out her notebook and handed it to her. She took it slowly but kept her eyes on me.

“Are you okay?”

“Yea.” I pulled out a random textbook and page. “I am just trying to study.”

“We aren’t even studying the reproductive system chapter this year.” Avni pointed out at my open page. “Is Rishav really bothering you?”

“Look Avni.”

“Maybe I can talk to Ma,” she said.

Counsellor Sheila. Of course.

“Your mom,” I hesitated. “Will she believe me?”

Avni nodded. I know Avni wanted to help but I didn’t have much hope.

“Maybe I’ll get a session after school,” I said.

If this plan doesn’t work, it’s my only option.

Avni patted me and left.

The bell rang for a break. My hands were sweaty. I went to the washroom with my perfume. Since Rishav got a sense of the smell I have one more step. I washed my face in the washroom and sprayed myself. I needed one more person. I waited outside the staff washroom right opposite to ours. A couple of teachers went in and out but no Nirmala. I turned to the corridor.

Avni ran up to me. “I talked to Ma. She said she has only one student today after school. So she can see you at 4:30pm.”

Right after the presentation. Actually, right after I get the password. Perfect timing.

I smiled. “Thanks Avni.”

“And I can accompany you to your bus stop if that helps.”

My smile grew and I nodded. The static in my head cleared. Even if this plan didn’t work I had some sort of backup plan to avoid the creep for life.

A silk saree caught my eye. Nirmala. She was at the other end of the corridor. I pulled out my perfume but kept it hidden behind me. I march towards her. Avni was watching me. She saw the perfume but I don’t care. I close up the gap between me and the computer science teacher. She was right in front of me when I pressed the nozzle. The perfume spritzed heavily onto her saree.

“Amarra!” Nirmala said.

I pretended to freak out, acting as if the nozzle was jammed, the mist continuing to coat her. A thick cloud enveloped us until she grabbed the bottle.

“That’s it!” she looked at the perfume. “The things you girls bring to school. You are here to study and this bottle can now stay with me.”

“But ma’am-”

“No!” Nirmala walked away.

I smiled. Step two complete. I saw Avni still watching me, her arms across her chest. I better get to class.

***

The classes flew by period after period. Every bell made me jump. It’s getting closer to the ‘almost’ date. After the final bell, everyone rushed out of class leaving me… and Avni.I rushed out and increased my pace until I couldn’t hear her anymore.

I ran down to the back gate at the kindergarten playground. Rishav was sitting on a swing looking at his mobile.

“Hi,” I said and forced a smile. I could hear my heart beat fast. Hope he can’t sense it.

“Hello.” He looks at me from head to toe and smirked.

Don’t throw up. Don’t throw up.

He pulled out that tiny pink body-con dress and handed it to me. He was prepared. For a date. That’s all he needs to fix our project?

“Why did you do it? Lock our project. Plant the leak papers in my laptop,” I asked.

“Does it matter?”

“If it’s only a date with me you didn’t have to-”

“It’s not that,” Rishav said. “This was a bonus. I just… I need one less competition when we start 11^th standard. It’s already cutthroat. I’m going to make sure the path is clear. Sachin was the first target. Framed you as insurance.”

I don’t remember Rishav always coming second to Sachin. But it’s still second. Is being first that important?

“You need to be a rank holder,” I concluded.

Just like Sachin. More than half our school wants to get into science after 10^th boards and then an IIT or NIT after 12th. Rishav shrugged.

“Sachin always gets first. He’ll probably do even better in ‘commerce’ stream.”

“Enough small talk,” Rishav snapped.. “Don’t ruin the date before it starts or no password.”

I pulled myself together. “Right. Sorry.”

I looked at the pink rug in my hand. “I’ll change, I guess.”

Rishav smiled.

“But I want some suspense.”

He knitted his brows at me. I pulled out a black ribbon from my bag. “So I want you to stay blindfolded till I change and get back.”

He smirked. “Kinky.”

I held back a gag and managed a smile. “Now I will know if you remove it. If you do, the date is off. Give me a few minutes and I’ll be back. I will remove the blindfold myself.”

I winked before tying the blindfold. I need to retch.

***

I headed back into the building and shivered. This plan was harder than I thought. One more step.

I looked around the empty corridor and spotted Tulsi aunty on her usual rounds. She looked at me, absent-mindedly tapping the pocket where my five hundred rupees were sitting. She was ready. I slipped into the nearest classroom and waited. In a few minutes rapid footsteps echoed in the corridor. I peeked out just in time to see Nirmala marching toward the back gate.

Stepping out of the classroom, I followed the Computer teacher but stayed hidden. She stood in front of Rishav and glared at him.

“Are you going to give me a surprise kiss or something? Go on.” Rishav puckered his lips.

Nirmala’s face twisted in disgust. I almost giggled.

“Come on Amarra,” Rishav said. “I know you’re there. I can smell your perfume.”

Nirmala’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t interrupt. She planted her feet, crossed her arms, and waited for him to hang himself.

Rishav sniffed the air around them. “You said it yourself. You want to date me and I might actually give you the password to your project. It’s your fault I could easily lock it. Even easier to frame you for the paper leak. Don’t worry, I’ll clean your laptop of all evidence I planted. Promise. Now come on. One kiss.”

My mouth dropped in shock. This was better than I expected. The teacher’s eyes widened. She ripped off the blindfold.

“Ow! That hurt so-” He stopped talking. “Ma’am?!”

“You are coming with me to the principal’s office. NOW!”

“But….I…”

The teacher dragged him by the collar and the empty swing swayed by itself.

***

I ran back to the classroom as they both passed by. It worked!

“Call Sachin,” Nirmala told Tulsi. “He’s the one studying at the basketball court bleachers.”

Tulsi aunty disappeared. Nirmala pulled at Rishav’s ears now and climbed up the stairs. I ran up to the bottom of stairs in time for Rishav to get a glimpse of me. My face fell in helplessness. At least that’s what I wanted him to think.

“So that was all you?” Avni’s voice made me jump and turn around.

“Avni! What are you doing here? Following me?”

“You didn’t turn up for the counselling. Ma asked, so I came searching for you but you seem busy with your…plans.” She flailed her hands towards the stairs.

Great! With her rule following nonsense, I’m busted now.

“Perfect!” she smirked and stood upright. “Talk to Ma later though. It can help you. I’ll get her to the principal’s office now. Go!”

Avni ran to the counsellor but it took me a couple of seconds to accept that Avni was actually on my side. A chill crept up my spine. Someone else was around… watching me? I whipped around but the corridor was empty. My nerves must be getting to me.

I headed to the principal’s office. Sachin was already there. Nirmala was finishing her side of the story with the kiss Rishav had demanded. Andrew, our principal, sat behind the desk nodding periodically.

Sheila ma’am came up behind me. “Sir, may I come in?”

The principal nodded and looked at all of us. “Well, Rishav. You are definitely suspended. I won’t end it until your parents come and see me. Leaking papers is intolerable. Nirmala, you can give these two students a few more days and submit the grade by next week.”

Yes! Now for his creepiness.

“You can all go,” Andrew said.

That’s it?!

“Sir, he has been harassing girls just like Nirmala ma’am witnessed today,” I said.

I turned to Nirmala. “You saw it ma’am. This isn’t the first time. He’s been doing this for years.”

“Amarra,” Andrew said. “He is a teenage boy. He’ll ask such things. You say no. End of story.”

“Sir,” Sheila interjected. “I think maybe some sort of punishment for his inappropriate behaviour towards his classmate would be a good lesson.”

“Sheila,” he said. “You are a counsellor. It’s your job to take these boys and teach them how to behave. Punish him for what? For being a boy?”

“But sir-”

“Everyone, leave now,” he commanded. “I already made my decision.”

I opened my mouth but Sheila ma’am placed her hand on my shoulder and guided me out. Nirmala was already gone. Rishav stared at me. My insides were squirming.

Sachin stepped up between us, his voice dropped “You go anywhere near Ami again.”

My heart soared but in a new kind of way. A flutter.

Avni cleared her throat and Rishav looked at her. “I think I need to get to my boxing class.”

She tilted her head. “I think Rishav’s interest in Amarra is gone, right?”

She held her stare until Rishav looked away. He gritted his teeth and left.

Sachin turned around and hugged me. “I’m so glad Nirmala was there. He didn’t do anything to you, right?”

Avni smiled and walked away leaving us alone.

“No, he didn’t.” I buried my face in his chest. My body finally relaxed.

“Why was he even blindfolded? It’s so weird that Nirmala found him like that?”

I laughed and led him to the cafeteria and caught him up on everything.

“Ami! You could have gotten into serious shit.”

“I didn’t. That was the point.”

He ordered two plates of papdi chat1.

“But…”

“Just like mummy said. If they don’t listen. Make them.”

Now I have the date I wanted. Sachin, me and papdi chat. Not with my boyfriend. My best friend. Just best friend.

That’s the end of the first arc. Thank you for reading. What did you think? What are your thoughts on Amarra now?Feel free to leave a comment or DM me here, or on my socials with your thoughts.

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My heartbeat hammered against my ribs. The words ‘Zero Point’ stared at me. It was blurry on the zoomed in image but clear enough to read. How this even happened?! Rishav isn’t in our group. We aren’t even close to being friends with him. We barely talk.

I sat up straight on my bed. Yesterday. The cafeteria. I switched to my phone up and scrolled to when my mom called.

5:42pm

Next to the timestamp was the duration of the call. Two minutes. The time I took to find her waiting outside and came back to the cafeteria. I wasn’t there when the file was archived. Rishav was.

I speed-dialled Sachin but he didn’t answer. Later I got a text message.

I’m finishing up the project. See you tomorrow.

I sent him a screenshot of the photo and my call logs but my phone seemed to have retired for the day. Not buzz. No notification.

The next day I rushed to Sachin’s class instead of my own. He was sitting on the second row with his eyes on the laptop screen.

“Hey Sachin, did you see the screenshots I sent yesterday?” the images showed delivered but not seen.

Sachin shook his head. “I’ll see it later. I need to get at least one scenario working.”

I looked through the crowd to make sure no teacher or captain was around. I then pulled out my phone. I poked Sachin who yelped and looked at me. He opened his mouth to snap but I shoved the screen in front of him. He squinted and then his eyes widened.

“What the hell was Rishav doing with our pendrive?”

I looked down. “He might have got access to my computer.”

Sachin cocked his head at me and I looked up.

“I didn’t know he’ll do something like this.”

“What was he doing for him to get access to your laptop?”

“The usual creepy stuff. I was trying to get away from him.”

Sachin closed his eyes and exhaled. Then he opened it.

“I get that he’s a pervert. Just… don’t… leave your belongings like that. Now let me finish this.”

“Maybe you can ask him the password.”

“If he locked it he wants something for it.”

“Maybe-”

“There’s no point Ami. I am trying to get the project completed. Now I have to cram two weeks work into two days. My parents already know. They are right. It’s my fault. I should have never let the only copy be on a pendrive.”

Click.click.click.

Heels. A teacher. I shoved my phone into the bag’s net pocket which was facing away from the door in time for Nirmala to peep in and notice us.

“Oh good,” she said. “Your project is due tomorrow and the only slot I have is during short break. So come to the lab at 10:15am.”

“But ma’am. It was Rishav” I said. “He locked our project on purpose.”

“Amarra, unless you have some real proof, you shouldn’t be blaming it on a classmate. Especially a smart one.”

“But ma’am. He has been following me and asking me on… dates.”

“What nonsense. Rishav isn’t like that. Anyways, that’s not what I came for. Have you see Tulsi?”

The janitor who technically keep the school running. A broken pipe, a dirty floor. Everyone calls for Tulsi aunty.

“If you see her, tell her I asked for her.” Nirmala walked out.

“Ten is too early,” Sachin said and looked at me. He then ran out of class.

I got up but Rishav’s broad frame stepped up to the door. He took a few steps , blocking my exit.

I could see my phone from the corner of my eyes. After sitting I slipped my hand around my phone and press a video recording shortcut. My bag covered it all. I angled it to myself and pretended to shuffle through my books as a cover.

“What’s wrong Amarra?” He took the seat across me.

“We need to speak to Nirmala.” Do something creepy, damn it.

“Why? She graded you badly?”

“Our presentation is tomorrow,” I said, gritting my teeth. “We will be done on time.”

“Oh,I thought you might need my help. I can come home.”

So that was his plan.

“Sachin has it all under control.”

Rishav sighed and got up. Great! I recorded nothing. I couldn’t wait for him to leave to turn off the recording. Nirmala would need convincing. I tore out of the room after Sachin. He was just about done talking to Nirmala who walked away. He turned to me, relieved. “She said she can see it after school but four is the latest appointment. I would have something to demo tomorrow. Maybe one use case. Not the whole thing though. I hope she doesn’t ask too many questions.”

We might just pull this off.

***

Bell rang for lunch break sooner than I thought. I reached Sachin’s class but it was noisier than usual. I pushed through the crowd to my best friend. He was still busy on the laptop.

“What’s going on?” I asked. I heard random words from the chaos. “What paper?”

“The mid term papers.” Sachin stayed focused on the screen but pulled out a bunch of paper from under his desk.

I gawked at it. It was the exam papers for real.

“Someone left it under all our benches.”

“We didn’t see it in the morning.”

“Might be after that, during the assembly or something.”

I looked around and people were taking pics of the paper. I pulled out my phone for the same. I unlocked the phone and saw morning’s video.

“I’m going home,” Sachin said. “I need to finish this.”

I nodded. “Sachin I’m sorry. I should have locked my laptop.”

“Or maybe you shouldn’t have pissed of Rishav.”

“What?”

“You know how to handle people well but you messed this up.”

“Sachin, do you have any idea what he tried to do.”

“Avoid! But with soft words.”

“That’s what I did! ”

“You know what? Forget it,” he said.

“I can’t believe you’re making him my fault.”

“I’m not but I need this project fixed.” He pushed his laptop into the stuffed bag. “I know you don’t care but I need science stream after next year. Bye Amarra.”

He used my full name. Not Ami. Amarra. He slipped out of class. My heart sank. I looked down at my phone and distraction slipped in like a band-aid. I tapped on play. I watched for any creepiness from Rishav but nothing. There was still 3 minutes left. I fast forwarded through it and then stopped. Rishav was shoving some paper under every desk and running around. I looked at the leaked paper in front of me. I have proof. Now I’ll have the password.

***

The rest of the day was teachers telling us the new date of the exams. They postponed it after Duserra holidays which means it’s more like study holidays now. Each teacher spent few minutes explaining how this doesn’t mean we escaped and that now the papers will be tougher. Scare tactics.

In the evening, I headed to the bus stop. I couldn’t find Rishav but he’ll surely be there tomorrow and all I need in a few minutes with him. I retched. Even a second with him is nauseating.

I looked up at the gloomy sky. A drop fell splat on my nose. Then a few more on my head. It started pouring. I moved under the roof of the bust stop and others came huddling in. People stopped their two-wheelers and joined in. The road was clearing up and squeezed into the small bus stop. I pressed up next to a pole.

“Hey Amarra.” I recognize that drawl anywhere. It sent a chill up my spine.

“Hi Rishav,” I murmured. His breath on my neck made me flinch.

“Are you also waiting for 314B?” Rishav asked.

Why would we take the same bus? He didn’t stay near my house. How often did he watch me?

Rishav moved closer to a spot next to me. “You look anxious, Amarra. Is it that project? I heard you guys were... struggling..”

The bloody audacity. My breath grew sharp.

“You want some help. I can even come over to your house.”

“Or you can give me the password,” I lifted my head to meet his.

“Password?” Rishav said.

“You locked it. Just give me the password.”

More people push and Rishav used this excuse to hold on to the pole. One hand covering half of mine and the other close enough to brush my waist. I wanted to run but I needed answers first.

“I know you locked our project,” I said. “Zero Point.”

Rishav’s breath got closer. It smelt like rotten egg. What the hell does this guy eat?

He smirked. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I can still help. If not your house, mine? I can order some food. My parents are not in town. It’ll be just us. We’ll get some privacy. You can finally wear that cute pink dress. It would be sad to let it go to waste.”

I raised my eyebrows and cocked my head. Confidence rushed in. “Or I anonymously drop the video of you shoving the leaked papers in everyone’s desk today morning.”

I pulled out my phone and played the video. I watched his face fall and wrinkles grow on his forehead but it soon faded.

“Careful Amarra. They will investigate where the soft copy for the printouts came from. You’ve never been good at cleaning up your laptop. It would be bad if they found the source file on your laptop instead of mine.”

I looked up. His face too close to me. I gulped. “What?”

“You can check. Even if you delete, it can be retrieved unless you have a software to wipe it clean.”

What the… he planned this.

“All this just to go out with me?” I said.

“You’re making this complicated. I’m just trying to help you fix your mess.”

Thunder joined the rain. People huddle closer. Rishav’s hands grew firm around my waist. He grinned. I grimaced.

“The offer is still open,” he said. “Just one date. We’ll start with coffee, then dinner, then we’ll see where this goes.”

Bile rose in my through and my face twisted in disgust. He moved his face closer and I had nowhere else to go. I needed to get out.

A hand slammed onto the pole. It pinched my pinky but more importantly it crushed Rishav’s hand. He yelped and massaged his bruised hand with the other palm. My hip relaxed.

“Sorry,” Avni said. “I need some support.”

Her glared burnt into Rishav.

“You did that on purpose,” Rishav said.

Avni shrugged.

He looked at me. “Bye Amarra. See you later.”

Avni shoved him into the crowd and one by one everyone let out grunts at him and clicked their tongues. Rishav stumbled out into the rain and walked forward, his uniform drenching.

I let out a sigh. My eardrums were beating in rhythm with my heart.

“Are you okay?” Avni asked.

I looked up at her. “Yea. Thanks.”

“How long has he been bothering you?”

“Long time. It’s nothing. I just avoid him.”

“Amarra-”

“I need to go.” I push through the crowd, spread my umbrella and walk to the bus stop in a different intersection to take a different route home. I don’t want to tell Avni anything. Not now.

I thought I had him but the leak was his insurance. Just in case Sachin pulled off the project. All he wants is me. I don’t have an option to reject. I reached home and Mummy opened the door.

“Ammu. You’re drenched,” Mummy placed a hand on my wet hair. “Didn’t you take an umbrella?”

“I’m okay Ma. I have lots of homework.” I head to my room.

I open the laptop and look through files created recently. I notice a pdf named ‘Midterms 2014’. I clicked and the paper opened up. Rishav was right. Now I have no choice.

***

I changed and headed to the kitchen. The cook had mixed the dough for chapati and left it in the fridge. I grabbed it and started punching into it. We used to have clay for this but today there’s none. Mummy must have used it for her latest art class.

My knuckles dug into the dough making tiny craters. My muscles relaxed momentarily and I had another urge to punch, This went on for who knows how long.

I sensed my mom come and stand next to me. I stopped and looked at her.

“Better?” she asked.

Tears layered my vision. “Our project is locked and now Sachin won’t get the science stream because of me. What if this ruins our friendship? We’ll stop hanging out.”

She pulled me into a hug. My body gave away and I leaned in.

“Slowly Ammu,” Mummy said. “What happened?”

She made me sit on the couch and caressed my hair. It all came pouring out. The tears. The truth. The whole story.

Finally, mom broke the hug. “I’ll talk to your principal about the way Rishav behaves with you. This boy’s obsession is not safe.”

“Ma, it won’t work. Rishav planned this so well. I need proof.”

She bit her lips and looked at me. “Proof, right? There must be other girls he behaves like this with. You have never broke the rules. That should count for something.”

“The other girls avoid him. So did I. No one will complain about him now. This was all because of that stupid date I said no to.”

“So stay away from him,” mom said. “Don’t go anywhere near that boy.”

I nodded.

“I’m still going to call the school and see. Maybe I can tell you uncle is sick and that’s why thew project mess happened. Maybe that’ll buy you more time to finish?”

“They won’t do anything mummy. I’ll get blamed. They won’t listen.”

She sat next to me and made me look at her. “Then make them.”

She kissed my forehead and disappears into the kitchen. Something about butter chicken and parotta1. I think even she didn’t know what we can do now.

I went to my room and called Sachin but no answer. I need to save our friendship and this project. I think I know a way but I would have to give Rishav what he wants. But I would have to become the bait.

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Password Required.

The words blared on the projector screen. The AC hissed softly. Nirmala, our computer science teacher, was tapping her pen against the register. The pit in my stomach deepened. I wanted to disappear into it.

One thing was for sure. Neither of us set this.

“Amarra Mathews,” Nirmala said. “Enter the password and show me the project already. I have many more groups to evaluate too. Don’t you also want to go and have your lunch?”

Nirmala looked at her watch. It was 12:17pm on a Tuesday afternoon. We were the last group to show our project for the day.

I heard more clicks. Sachin, my best friend, was closing the dialogue box and trying to open it again repeatedly. He even unplugged the pendrive and jammed it back into the school computer. If this didn’t work Sachin might not qualify for the science stream after 10^th standard.

“Sachin just enter the password,” Nirmala said. “I have another class after lunch.”

“Ma’am, there’s no password,” he admitted.

“It got locked somehow,” I added.

“Somehow?” Nirmala folded her arms across her chest and cocked her head. “It’s your project. You should know.”

“Ma’am, maybe another day to submit? We’ll fix this by then,” I said.

“I am sacrificing my lunch to finish seeing your project and now you are irresponsible and want more time?”

“Ma’am just-”

“No!” Nirmala got up and adjusted the edge of her saree pallu.

“Ma’am, please,” Sachin said and moved towards her. His eyes drooped and his lips curved.

That look always get me.

“Fine,” Nirmala said. “I need to enter your marks for this project by Friday. That’s my deadline so if you can show me by Friday, I’ll see it.”

My heart rate fell. Sachin’s face lit up. More time.

“I am doing this just because I know you Sachin,” she said. “You will do well in the Science stream after 10^th finals. You have another year for that but this projects counts to that final %.”

Nirmala walked away and Sachin looked at me.

“What password?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I didn’t set any.”

He sat down at the nearest chair and I joined him, my chin on his shoulder. He right clicked and the last modified showed yesterday evening.

“This is when you opened it to make our presentation,” Sachin said.

“I didn’t change anything!”

“Ami!”

“Seriously Sachin! I was waiting for my mom to pick me up and working on the presentation on my laptop in the cafeteria. All I did was open it to take screenshots.”

Sachin unplugs the pendrive. “I’ll figure it out.”

He left with a grim look and it was just me and the hum of the projector.

***

The rest of the day was a drag. I glanced at the door hoping to get a glimpse of Sachin. I wasn’t even sure he got back to class. He can’t just bunk classes. He’s in enough trouble already. I sighed and looked around class.

I caught Rishav looking at me again and I turned away, though I could still see him staring from the corner of my eye. His curly hair straighter and set on his hair with what must be oil. Eew. His glasses covered half his pimpled face. A leering grin split his face. I felt my stomach churn.

Yesterday he came up to me in the cafeteria after school and started asking me random homework questions while I was working on the project presentation. I tried to move away as there was no other free table, but he moved closer to me and asked if I like the short pink dress in the boutique opposite to school and that I would look good in it. I hadn’t seen a shorter dress and I knew where he was going with it. Thankfully, my mom called and I excused myself. I ran to the cafeteria door and saw my mom waiting in her car and waving at me. It was a perfect opportunity to run from the creep.

I wish he wasn’t in my class. He stares at me all day. I have tried to confront him but he just stared more and said my hazel brown eyes keep him watching. Ugh! I hate my eyes. Another reason I ran to Sachin’s class the second the bell rings.

“Amarra.” The teacher’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. “ So you’ll present the next two pages.”

I nodded and look around wondering what’s going on.

I turn back to see Avni scribble some notes in her textbook, “As You Like It”.

She looked up at me. “What?”

“What two pages was she talking about?” I gave a meek smile.

Avni sighed and then turned back the pages and showed me what my assignment is.

I looked at her book filled with scribbles. “Can I borrow your book? I’ll copy the notes and give it back.”

She glares at me for a few seconds. “No damage.”

“No damage,” I repeat and nod.

She slowly hands it to me. “Don’t give it to anyone else.”

I nod again and take the book.

“Especially not guys. Not even Sachin.” She doesn’t let go of the book.

I sigh and nod and she breaks her grip on the book. “Not even Sachin. Fine?! He won’t do anything to the book though.”

“Not. even. Sachin.” Avni paused between each word.

I nodded. I was not in the mood to argue with Avni. I thanked her for the book and walked out of class.

I peeped into Sachin’s classroom after the last bell but it was empty. Computer lab. Not there. Cafeteria. Nothing. Finally, I rushed to the cycle stands and saw that Sachin’s was not there.

I took the bus to Sachin’s place. His mom opened the door. After a quick greeting I went straight to his room. I saw his mom watching with a worried look. I turn to her.

“Don’t close the door,” she said.

Oh great. She wasn’t even worried about Sachin. It was because I’m a girl. Ugh! This is why we hang out at my place every time.

I knock and no response.

“Maybe you can meet him in school tomorrow,” his mom said.

“Aunty!” I said and paused. Did he tell them about the fest? “The homework is due tomorrow. Sachin is done but I just can’t solve it.”

“Maybe you can go for tuitions. I’m sure there’s a tuition teacher-”

The door opened.

“Sachu!” his mom said. “Put on some clothes!”

Sachin looked down at his T shirt and shorts.

He shrugged and pulled me into the room, closed the door and and shouted. “We have homework!”

His mom’s response drowned.

The room looked almost neat. Everything was in its place except for the corner table, his study space. He rushed back to his laptop.

“What happened after lunch?”

“Nothing much,” his eyes still on the screen. “I’m trying to make a backup. The only final version was in that pendrive you encrypted.”

“It wasn’t me!”

He pulls at my hand and I sit next to him. He hand stays no mine as he right clicks on the zip file and opens up the details.

“It says 5:43pm yesterday.” Sachin highlights at the date with the mouse pointer.

“I gave you the pendrive yesterday before I left at 3:45. Come on. You must remember something?”

I didn’t do this. I don’t know the password.

“And what’s this comment, ‘Zero Point’?” he pointed at the comments section on the properties dialogue box. “Is that a hint? Do you remember something.”

I took deep breathes before I lose it. I looked at Sachin who was scanning my face for answers.

“I didn’t add any password.” I shook my head.

He got up and punched into the wall. I flinched. Sachin looked out the window.

“It took me 2 weeks to make the final copy from the version I have on my laptop,” he said. “You should go home.”

“These 9^th standard projects have lesser weightage. We still have 13 more of these mini projects. We just need a good score on 12 out of 14.” It’s not like we fail but I didn’t say that part out loud.”

“It’s this or no science stream.” He still wouldn’t look at me. “Go home!”

I ran out and didn’t even bother telling his mother a bye.

I reached home and slumped into a corner. I took my phone from my bag and went on social media. After the day I had, I need some distraction. I scrolled by until I saw Rishav holding what looks like his new laptop. Looks like MacBook from the login page.

My thumb move down to scroll up but I pause. I pinched the screen to cut his revolting face out and look at the username on his MacBook login screen.

Zero Point.

Thank you for reading. Every view, like, and share means more than you know. Feel free to leave a comment or DM me here, or on my socials with your thoughts. If you prefer one-time support, you can leave a tip on Ko‑fi. Until next time, keep your secrets close.