Chapter 17: Chapter 17

After a week’s hiatus, Ankita trudged through the gates of her new school. She adjusted the weight of her bag on her shoulder, her cold, sweaty hand wringing its strap as she did. Her head and chest thumped alike as she ran her eyes around the strange surroundings. Though the school was pretty young, it was massive with a ground that could pass for a football stadium.

Unfamiliar places and situations always made her feel uncomfortable. The never-ending stretch of grounds with no proper direction didn’t help either. Small, comprehensible places were more her cup of tea.

She found herself going around in circles, hitting the wrong block at first (which was actually meant for kindergarten and primary students) then a boy’s room next. Great, just what I needed, embarrass myself on the very first day, she cursed herself as she shouldered past a bunch of goggling high school boys exiting the washroom. She wondered if the rest of her gang (Edwin, Bruno, Jyotsana) would join today itself. They said they would. Then where the hell were they? She was dying for their company! This entire fiasco would be less harrowing if they were there.

Thankfully, a girl with white ribbons on her pigtails was passing by. “Hi, I was wondering if you could direct me to the staff room?” She stopped her politely.

“Sure. See that gate over there?” The girl pointed at an iron gate across the vast school ground. It was so far across that it looked small.

“Yeah?” Ankita swallowed, feeling even more nervous.

“Head straight to that gate, take the stairs down, you’ll hit the upper primary cum high school block. The first room is what you’re looking for.”

“Thanks! Thank you so much! That was really helpful!”

“You’re welcome. Are you new here, by the way? I don’t think I’ve seen you before.”

“Yes, I am.”

“Cool. I’m Ritu. Class X-A" She put out her hand and Ankita took it.

“Ritu! Hi, I’m Ankita. I’m in X-A too!”

“Wow! That’s amazing! So, we’re classmates! Eh?”

“I guess we are. I’m glad we met.” She felt relieved to have made a new friend, someone who could show her around and put her at ease.

Though Ritu was headed in the opposite direction for some work, she offered to accompany Ankita to her new class. "There’s no need to show yourself in the staff room,” she suggested, “just find your place in class and get ready for the assembly. It starts in another twenty minutes.”

“Sure,” she replied.

In a while, Ankita walked into class X-A with Ritu on her side. The room was almost empty. Many were yet to come. Some were loitering about. And some chose to stay inside. “Look, guys, we have a new mate!” she announced.

“Hi!”

“Hi!”

“Hello!”

They introduced themselves, putting Ankita at ease. They all seemed friendly, at least for now.

“Anki!” A familiar voice rang from the door, making her whip around. It was her old gang: Edwin and Bruno.

“Hey! Where the hell were you guys?” she chirped happily.

“Next room. We’re in X-B,” said Edwin.

“Shit...” Ankita said, sounding very deflated.

“Jyotsana is in X-C,” said Edwin again, looking as deflated as her.

“Aw, don’t fret, look at the bright side. Punit is with you.” Bruno had a silly grin on his face as he said that, making her blush like hell. Though the duo never talked about their ‘relationship’ in another sense, it was pretty evident to their friends that something was going on between the two, even if they haven’t realized it yet.

“R-really...” she couldn’t find her voice. His very name made her heart skip a beat. Post the ruckus at her old school, she’d never felt the same about him.

“Uh-huh...” Bruno smirked.

Ritu and the others observed their new mates keenly, pretty much getting the picture about Punit and Ankita.

“Then where is he?” she managed to ask.

“From the looks of that bag, I’d say he’s already here.” Edwin eyed Punit’s familiar bag sitting on the last bench.

The first bell to the assembly sounded, freaking Ritu out. “Oh shit... I’m sorry, got to rush, I’ll catch up with you guys soon!” She bolted out of the classroom.

Ankita stepped out of the door with Edwin and Bruno, scanning the grounds, heart pounding, wondering where he could be.

_________