“Okay. I'll do it... I think I should go, Thank you.”

He nodded, and I turned back, walking away from there. I don’t know, but I felt like walking was always the best way to avoid awkwardness. Yet, as I stepped forward, I sensed his presence trailing behind.

Pausing momentarily, I stole a glance back at him.

“Why are you following me?”

“I'm not following you; I’m simply walking with you,” he said flatly.

Isn’t it the same thing?

“I can go by myself.” I narrowed my eyes, to which gave me a tight smile.

“I know,”

“Stop babying me!” I snapped at him.

“I'm guarding you.”

“No need!” I insisted.

“But I kind of want to?” He said it so calmly, which only made me more annoyed.

Did he suddenly forget what he lectured in the library? Yeah, I appreciated his pep talk a minute ago, but does he think I have a memory wipe or something?

“Shut up.”

“Okay.”

I blinked.

Seriously?

“Now let’s go?” he said casually, starting to walk ahead. I shot a glare at his back and rolled my eyes so hard that they nearly got stuck.

As I walked by the park exit, I glanced over and spotted an old salesperson near the park exit. My steps automatically slowed when I caught sight of this adorable green dinosaur plushie nestled among the white duck plushies.

They were seriously cute. As much as I wanted to buy one, I restrained myself, knowing I didn't bring my wallet.

"Do you want it?" Advik asked, noticing my fixed gaze on them.

"Um, no." I cleared my throat, trying to act all grown-up. "I'm not a kid."

"Fine," he said, pulling out his wallet. “Uncle wo green wala de do.” He paid the seller, and I just stood there, raising an eyebrow at him.
(Uncle, give me the green one.)

I folded my hands on my chest, hoping he’d give me that, but he didn’t. Instead, he showed me that plushie like one of those second-grader kids who show off his fragranced erasers in school.

I frowned, walking beside him as I said, “Aren't you a bit old to be playing with that?”

He chuckled. “Actually, you’re right.” And then he shoved it in my hands.

“I don’t want it.”

“Then throw it,” he shrugged.

I look at him incredulously. “Never mind. This Dino is far too adorable to end up in the trash.”

 “It's an alligator, Anika,” Advik told me.

I shot him a fleeting glance before returning my gaze to the plushie cradled in my hands, my brows knitting together in disagreement.

“no, it’s a dinosaur,” I told him, showing it's spikes.

“Alligator.” He shook his head in disapproval.

“bhudape ki wajah se aakhon me asar pad rha hai, dhyan se dekhiye Dinosaur hai ye!” I held it in front of Advik’s face and he snatched it from me.

(Due to your agedness, your eyesight must be failing you. Look closely, this is clearly a dinosaur,)

“ye dekho,” he flipped it around to reveal a tag: 'Crochet Alligator-Green', it displayed, making my face etched into a frown as Advik gave it back to me.

(look at this.)

I held it in front of me, giving it my fiercest glare, “Dino, from now on, I'm your owner. So if I say you're a dinosaur, you're a dinosaur, not an alligator, got it?”

I grinned, “See? He said yes.” I told Advik, making the dino bob its head in agreement. Advik tilted his head as his gaze set on me.

"What?" I raised an eyebrow in response.

A small smile played on his lips as he chuckled. "Oh, nothing," he said, shaking his head before continuing to walk.

I again glared at Advik's back before flashing back to Dino, mumbling, "See? he is not funny either. I'm glad you have a cool mom, unlike someone rude like him.

I rolled my eyes again, playfully. Who knew toy dinosaurs could be so convincing?

After a couple of minutes of walking, we reached the hostel. 'We' means Advik and me because he insisted on walking me back to the hostel. I guess he was worried I might run off with my imaginary boyfriend or something.

Pausing briefly, I glanced at Advik as he handed me the ice cream bag he had brought earlier.

I didn’t feel like accepting it, but why take out my irritation on food, right?

Giving a half-hearted nod, I turned on my heels and headed towards the hostel entrance, offering no goodbye because I was still upset with him.

“Anika.”

I glanced back at Advik.

“Unblock kar dena.”

As I entered the classroom after submitting the complaint letter to the principal's office, the first thing I heard was an overdramatic, "Oh my God!"

I blinked in confusion and looked over to see Veer standing with wide-open eyes. "What?" I asked.

“Bade log aaye hain!” he whispered dramatically.

(Big people have arrived!)

I rolled my eyes at him before dropping into my seat. He stood before my desk and dropped a couple of notebooks onto it. As I frowned at him, he spoke, "Hurry up, you've got a lot to catch up on."

With that, he smacked my head lightly with his book and then took his seat in front of me.

Shrugging, I opened the notebook and looked at it. It was date-wise notes and lectures written in summarised form that I had missed during my fake sick leave.

Smiling to myself, I called him,

“Thank you,”

Veer frowned, “Ye, thank you kya hota hai? Ice cream khilaayegi tu mujhe ek maheene tak!”

(What is this thank you? You will treat me ice cream for a month!)

I chuckled before nodding. Veer then got up from his seat, waving at a classmate — I guess the one who asked for my Instagram from sports day — and he approached us.

"Oi Naman, Chal basketball practice par, class attend karne ka mann nhi ho rha,"

(Oi Naman, let's go for basketball practice. (I am not feeling like attending class today.)

Naman shot him a disapproving look. "Tu fir se class bunk kar rha?!"
(You're bunking class again?)

"Ketna darpok hai yaar tu, chal ab." Veer threw his arm around Naman's neck, "Aaj uss kohinoor ko dikha denge kon hai asli champion!" and dragged him outside.

(You're such a scaredy-cat, come on.) (Today we'll show who's the real champion to that Kohinoor (Kavya).)

I envy him. He has everything I lack.

Confidence, courage, and freedom.

He is always in a firm direction and never lacks confidence. That’s why, perhaps, he is special to me.

shortly thereafter, a teacher walked into our classroom clutching a stack of papers, and a collective groan rippled through the room.

My mind immediately leapt to the dreaded possibility of yet another surprise test. But to my relief, it turned out to be our new schedule.

"Seriously? Mid-semester?" I muttered under my breath as she began to address the class.

"Students," she announced, "due to unforeseen circumstances, Mr. Patel will no longer be your class teacher. We apologise for the sudden change, and Miss Shree will take over your economics classes starting tomorrow."

As soon as Madam finished speaking, the class broke out into whispers and chuckles throughout the room. I couldn't help but bite my lip to contain the bubbling happiness within me.

After a few classes, I was called to the principal's office. Patel sir was there, shooting me death glares, but I wasn't scared. I blurted everything to the principal before we got dismissed. I could not be more grateful because I didn't see him after that the whole day.

Once school ended, I rushed back to my hostel. After freshening up, I found myself staring at my phone. With a shaky hand, I unblocked Advik's number

I took a deep breath as I called him, and he answered.

“Hello?” I said, biting my lips but no one spoke from the other side.

“Hello? Advik?” I spoke again,

“Bhai!” I heard a male voice from the other side. And it was not Advik’s voice.

Bhai?

“ketni baar kaha hai mera phone mat use kiya kar!?” It was Advik.
(how many times do I have to tell you not to use my phone?)

Wait, he has a brother?

“Yes, hello?” Advik spoke, and I twitched up, forgetting whatever I was about to say.

Advik : “Anika?”

Me : “Umh, did you do something?”

Advik : “Hm? What did I do?”

Me : "About that teacher...”

There was absolute silence for a full two seconds. My mind raced with thoughts. He must have done something; I was sure of it.

How else could the school authority take action just ten minutes after I submitted a letter? It didn't make sense.

Advik : “He got expelled, what's the big deal with that?”

He said calmly while my jaw was practically hitting the floor.

Me: “What?”

Advik : “What? he didn't?”

Me : “You told me you wouldn't do anything since I didn’t tell you his name, so how did you...?”

Advik : “Anika, you told me you failed in economics. So, isn't it obvious?”

Oh. I almost forgot he had studied at the same school.

He is smart.

Advik : “Other than that, I didn't do anything.”

Me : “You are lying.”

 Advik : "No."

I pressed my lips before glancing at the phone screen and then again bringing it back to my ears. My brows knit in disapproval.

Advik : “Are you done investigating?”

Me : “No.”

Advik : “Okay, ma'am. Ab kya kiya maine?”

(Now what did I do?)

Me : “Why did you tell me to submit a complaint letter? I mean—you were going to complain anyway—”

Me : “I mean, my paper got wasted…”

I exhaled sharply.

Chup kar ja Anika, kya bhouke jaa rhi hai?

(shut up, Anika. what are you even barking?)

Advik : “Could've have used the pages of your old notebooks, you know?"

seriously?

Me : “See! You were lying and now I'm sure you did something!”

Me : “And why are you using my jokes on me?”

I heard him chuckle from the other side.

Advik : “Because they lack humour, obviously.”

I could've avoided that teacher in front of the principal. The way he was glaring at me was so uncomfortable.

And he is making fun of my top-notch humour. Bad, so bad

I shot a glare at the dinosaur plushie sitting innocently in front of me, "Adrak," I mutter under my breath.

Advik : "What?"

I gulped,

Me : “And why did you lie?”

Advik : "No, you called me what?"

Me : “Advik?”

Advik : "Hmm. . . So I did that to teach you I won’t be there for you every time. You gotta step up for yourself, get it?”

Me : “You are bad at it.”

Advik : “At what?”

Me : “Lying.”

Advik : “But you're good at it, aren't you?”

I frowned.

Me : “When did I lie?”

Advik : “You just did.”

Me : “hein?”

Advik: “Are you done?”

He’s back in his rude form again.

Me : “Yeah.”

I muttered before looking at the screen, and a pout formed on my face. Now he is going to disconnect the call, as always.

Advik : “Anika,”

Me : “haan?”
(yes?)

Advik : “I heard that Adrak.”

Advik : “Bye.”

And he disconnected the call.

I jumped on my bed, squishing the pillow and screaming every curse word I knew into it.

A cozy feeling hugged me, and a big smile curled up in the corners of my mouth as I shoved myself more onto the mattress.

I gave a brief look to Dino, “Good night, hihi.”

He is not that bad after all. Is he?

a week later, 

I flip through the pages, scanning all the questions and summaries as I turn them. It's an eco-test, and I've been preparing for a while. I suppose all that preparation paid off when we found out there was a test after lunch.

"Anika, calm down! at least eat something." Veer chirped, plopping his lunchbox beside my mountain of textbooks.

"Veer, not now," I muttered, trying to pry open my book again, only for him to slam it shut.

"You've been glued to this book since morning. Take a break it's just a test, don't worry, all right?"

He doesn't understand, doesn't he? I need to do my best and I am going to do my best no matter what everyone says. Nonetheless, the class eventually went silent, a sign that the teacher may have arrived and I closed my books.

"All right, class! go to your seats!"

I froze in my place when I heard a familiar male voice.

he is not supposed to be here, is he?

didn't Advik say that Mr Patel got expelled?

No, no, no. Why's he back?

"What'd you all thought?" he scoffed, my gaze still fixed on the empty desk. I was too nervous to look up.

"I am the head of the economics department; do you think a minor complaint will budge me?"

it was straight for me; I know it.

He kept the piles of question paper on the lecture stand with a loud thud. I flinched at the sudden sound as my gaze lifted.

He was directly staring into my soul.

my breath quickened, and I gulped nervously as he moved from his place, keeping every paper on and distributing the stacks of paper to each student.

'You can't do this; you are just a waste of time.'

'I am willing to help you, dear,'

I felt a surge of hopelessness welling up inside me, an overwhelming desire to cry out in frustration.

"And those who are not interested may leave the class," he said, further walking past me.

As those words ran out his mouth, I felt this sudden anger gripping my veins. What does he think of himself? This is not how a teacher is supposed to be, is it?

I let out a deep sigh, my pen falling onto the desk with a clatter. Pushing my chair back, I rose to my feet and made my way towards the classroom door.

"Anika, do you even realise what you're doing?" His voice, tinged with frustration, stopped me in my tracks.

"I'll meet you in the principal's office, sir."

I replied, my heart was basically racing with nervousness.

The room erupted with gasps and whispers. Everyone seemed shocked because a student dared to stand up to one of the school's strictest, most respected senior teachers. But the truth was, he didn't deserve any of those titles.

I slipped out of the room and headed for the washroom. After turning on the tap, I cupped my hands under the cool water and splashed it onto my face, trying to wash away the tension.

I failed.

I failed my test.

Again.

"Anika, are you okay?"

I looked beside me, and Disha stepped towards me. I gulped the lump forming in my throat and nodded.

"You sure, you're trembling?" She questioned me further, and I nodded again, mumbling a small yes to her.

"What are you doing here?" I question her.

"After you left the class, a few more students did the same, including me," she said, and I looked at her face blankly.

"why?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Bhavik and Naman said they wanted to support you since you're the first one who stood against his misbehaviour towards students. And some got out because they were friends with them," she scoffed.

"what about you? why did you leave?" I asked her, and Disha pressed her lips tightly before answering me after a second.

"Because I did not study anything. . . and I saw this as an opportunity to escape?"

I raised an eyebrow, "you think you look good while lying?"

"Fine," she breathed. "I saw you splashing water on him that day."

she did what?

"I hate you, but I envy you, Anika. It takes a lot of courage to... go through all this shit and still stand brave. And I hate to admit it but I am jealous because I am not even one per cent like you."

I stare at her, taking her words slowly.

"And what if no one believed me? You saw Patel sir boasting about his position," I asked her, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "You understand, right? You all can get in trouble because of me."

"School authority can choose not to believe in one student, but not the whole class," she replied, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Our mutual feeling of hatred perplexes me. I don't understand why we despise each other so much. It all began when she started picking on me, so naturally, I reciprocated. But is that the whole story? Isn't it... a bit childish?

"Who's there?" The sudden female voice called out, and our eyes widened collectively. It seemed she had spotted me, so I quickly nudged Disha behind the washroom gate before the teacher could notice her.

I glanced awkwardly at the teacher as she asked, "What are you doing here? Hurry up to your class, dear," and then walked away.

After a bell went off, Disha and a few of those who collectively exited the classroom were called to the office, and it felt so odd because the one who was the root cause of this, aka me, was not called.

I walked down the empty corridor and paused before my class.

The final class was economics. What if he's still inside?

"Ishita Arya, 61 out of 100! Inferior performance!!!" His voice echoed in the empty hallways and I inhaled deeply out of fear.

Gathering my last few courage, I stepped in. "May I come in, sir—"

"Out of my class!" He shouted without looking at me. He was doing it on purpose, I knew it, I could feel the eyes of my classmates on me, followed by a few whispers.

"I SAID OUT!" He slammed his hands on the desk, and everyone in the class, including me, flinched.

Now, this is too much and it needs to be addressed.

I knew he wouldn't leave a chance to embarrass me in front of anyone, yet I couldn't care less. Instead, I walked into the office and saw Naman and a few of his friends standing by the door. They all had their heads down, each holding onto an A4-sized piece of paper.

I bit my lips before standing before them as Naman looked at me.

"why?" I questioned him. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly before showing me the piece of paper he held. My eyes instantly fell upon the document, absorbing the words written on it.

suspension letter.

Typical. I felt a surge of annoyance mixed with anger. Why did I even bother expecting anything different?

I gently tapped on the door and stepped into the office when I heard a faint "come in." The principal's glare felt like daggers piercing through me as I stood before her.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Disha and a few other girls clutching what I guessed to be suspension letters. Their tear-filled eyes mirrored my own anxiety.

"Anika Kashyap, we didn't expect this kind of behaviour from you." she addressed me,

My heart raced, but I held my ground. "Pardon me, ma'am, but I didn't expect this flawed action from your side either, even after a written complaint."

"We've been informed that Mr. Patel is proven to be innocent and you falsely accused him."

"No ma'am that's not true! I saw him—"

"Disha, please don't interrupt our conversation!" she cut her off, her tone sharp.

As much as I wanted to retort, I refrained because she is the principal of this school and misbehaviour is not a solution to any problem.

"During our last conversation, I specifically asked you to check the CCTV cameras near Patel sir's office. I remember clearly how you assured me there was no need and that you believed in us to handle the matter.," I said.

I saw her purse her lips and then quickly looked away from me. After a moment, she regained her composure, glanced back at me, and said, "Anika, wait outside. We will discuss it in front of Patel sir."

It felt like I was standing at the edge of a cliff, the ground slipping beneath me. How could they not see the truth? And why was it so easy to dismiss our words?

"Ma'am, this needs to be addressed right in and here. And I am sure you are aware of it, you can't just ignore our requests like that?"

"Out of my office, Anika Kashyap!"

Either she's clearly sweet on some money from him or her school reputation, and the fun fact is, I don't care about any of it either.

"Yes, sure, ma'am. But I'd like my dad to discuss it with you on behalf of me." I hate to brag about being the daughter of a successful, well-known business tycoon, but now I am going to do it nonetheless.

"So, I request that you make a call to Mister Aman Kashyap, the owner of KYP Industries, and inform him about my complaint. Thank you."

Her expression soured, and her hand clenched in offence. At this point, I felt like I wouldn't mind if Dad bought her entire school and sold it off to his so-called investors.

Smiling bitterly at her, I took a step back and walked out of her office before standing opposite her chamber in the corridors.

I don't care if it was my last day at this school, but Patel Sir will not get away from this, and my classmates will not suffer because of me!

I kept my trembling hand on my chest, letting out a deep sigh.

Will Dad be disappointed in me? He never heard any complaints about Aditya Bhai from school, but now there's one about me.

I didn't do anything wrong; I just stood up against something that wasn't right. Dad won't be mad at me once he hears my side, right?

My gaze was fixed on the floor while teachers and juniors passed me a look while walking away.

"Ain't she Aditya's sister? He was so good at academics, but look at his sister."

I felt this hasty knot of anxiety in my belly upon hearing them. How did they know?

Did make him down because of this?

No, you have to calm down. You are overthinking again.

Think positively; you can't let yourself down so easily.

I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to block out the negative thoughts but all I could see was the disappointed face of my parents.

I suck a sharp breath, trying to remember all the good things.

'Whatever you choose, you'll find me supporting you no matter what,' Bhai's words echoed in my mind but why does his face look disappointed?

'Dreams are like stars...' shit I can't remember anything.

'You are...' His voice sounded distant, like it was coming from underwater. Everything was blurry, like looking through a foggy window.

'Agar aapke dil me mere liye jagah nhi hai to kidney me dedo,'

I strained my mind, trying to piece things together, but tears were already welling up and streaming down my face.

"You don't know? How can you be so irresponsible, hm? What if I was not there?" Advik's words pierced through the fog in my mind.

My chest tightened, and suddenly, it felt like the fog in my mind was lifting. His voice grew clearer, and memories flooded back, hitting me like a rollercoaster.

"You don't know, but my heart flutters whenever you laugh at my unfunny jokes."

"You don't know, but I think I like you."

What?