"The club isn't the best place to find a lover so the bar is where I go!"

"Me and my friends at the table doing shots drinking fast and then we talk slow!"

"Come over and start up a conve..."

"What are you both doing out?" Dev sir comes and stands in front of us. We get startled and miffed because the flow was going really good.

"Singing...?" Aryamann says unsure and I look at him nodding.

"Oh, wow. I didn't know!" Dev sir says sarcastically and I giggle lowly and he stares me. "Outside the class when the teacher is teaching?" Dev sir says raising his brows.

"Oh, that way. We didn't bring books." Aryamann says and I hit his hand lightly, stifling my giggle.

"So proud no? You both are in high school." Dev sir says with what-should-I-do-of-you-both expression.

"Exactly. Our boards will start next month. We need to prepare so we need holidays. We cannot come to school because nothing happens except for tests and solved paper that we have already done a thousand times. Sir, you are such a big personality. Do something. You are the smartest I know." Aryamann says. Only I know the sarcasm hidden beneath his words.

Dev sir has changed a bit when it comes to me since that 'eventful' day. He has turned a bit soft and doesn't scolds for no reason. I can easily talk to him, without getting scolded or smirks. HE doesn't blast like earlier. Once I was jumping out of the class from the back door because the front door felt really far, I jumped first and Isha fell upon me, later both of us on the floor while Dev sir stood in front of us folding his arms and looking at us. The smile he gave that day na was... haayyyyeeee!! Taking upon the chance (also a dare given by Cabir), I said a few lines of flirt to him, though I am still not clear whether he ignored or didn't understand.

"So, Ms. Murthy. How's your preparation going?"Dev sir asks so casually while I can totally see Aryamann's teasing smirk. Your crush doesn't daily come to you and ask about your whereabouts. How did I get so lucky? The havoc inside me is unseen. My all guts and courage died by jumping out the balcony in front of me and here I am looking at him with no words in my mouth.

"Nandini?" Dev sir calls again. I do zone out in front of him.

"Aryamann? Could you please come here?" Divya ma'am calls and Aryamann goes. As I am standing just next to the door and before I could say a word, Ishan the moron comes and pushes me slightly by his shoulder that I stumble and my fingers slightly get brushed with Dev sir's chest.

I am blank.

This is so wrong.

This is so embarrassing.

Inhaling a bit, I lose my last ounce of patience too. If I don't say anything that doesn't mean I'll keep tolerating shit. Stepping back, I close my eyes and that's it.

FUCK the regulations.

Ishan used the left staircase to go down because I saw him running with a filthy smirk. Stomping my feet I run to the right staircase, almost flying and each the ground. I surely ignored Dev sir's call because I cannot miss this chance to hit him. I have been tolerating all his talks because I didn't want to fight but today I won't leave him. I run towards Ishan who now stands in the middle of the ground facing my front because he thinks I'll follow him from that side. Idiot.

Dev sir is standing on the second floor looking keenly at me, Aryamann running down the staircase because of course Dev sir would've sent behind me. Also I have gathered a few audience.

I tap on Ishan's shoulder and he turns and

KNOCK!

Just to get punched right in the face. I hear a few gasps from the background.

"Don't you dare repeat the same or come in front of me else I swear! I swear I'll make sure you don't get up from the bed for next three weeks!" I shout loudly kicking him in the knee.

"Nandini! Nandini! Relax! Calm down buddy!" Aryamann says and pulls me by shoulder the grabs my wrist and drags me upstairs.

"Damn Dude! You were powerful! He deserved it. I am so proud of you!!" he beams. Best friends are blessings to be honest. I still don't want to register any praises because my mind is blank. Or shocked. I actually hit a boy, that too right in the face! Damn!! Manik would be so proud. I became monster again. Mini monster, like he called.

"Coordinator is calling you" Dev sir says shaking his head but to my shock, he didn't sound angry. He sounded... amazed. I follow him while Aryamann looks on worried.

.

"Nandini, I hope I don't find any such complains about you again." Tripti ma'am says and I come out of her office saying a sorry. I am myself shocked I could hit somebody that bad. Stepping out, much to my surprise, Dev sir is still outside standing with a simper.

"I never knew you were that strong." He says with an amused chuckle.

"I just lost my temper. I am sorry I didn't hear you calling." I say looking down. Why the hell is sir coming with me?

"You also said the 'f' word in front of me." he tells and I stop in my tracks, looking at him horrified. I literally lost my temper.

"I.. a, sorry, sir." I say looking down, biting my lower lip.

"You don't have to be. I have seen so many girls quarrelling but the punch you gave to Ishan was something." He says impressed and I couldn't control my giggle. Mood seems to be fine but I still need to be alone to gather my mind. And Dev sir, he is always so busy in class and today he is talking to me like a friend. Seriously?

"Sir don't you have a class today?" I ask.

"No, it's my free period now. I thought you would be knowing." He says and I stiffen. So he knows I have a record of his lessons in all the classes. I put in a lot of hard to get his time table. Who the hell does tell him everything? I might sound like a creepy stalker but dude, its fun.

"And also, I thought why shouldn't I spend my time with the two most popular students- Aryamann Khurrana and Nandini Murthy. I should also join you both today outside." He says smirking and I chide.

"Sir yaar!" Fuck Nandini!! He is your teacher!! Where are your senses!!?

"A-haan! 'yaar' " Dev sir air quotes and I face palm. I have officially lost it.

"Waise, why are you standing alone in the balcony and having lunch? Since two weeks. All okay?" Dev sir asks and I mentally put a hand on my heart. Why is he suddenly so interested in me? He notices everything man! Somebody please dig a hole that I bury myself. I might get cardic-arrest-due-to-attention-by-your-crush now! Aiyyapaa!

"Uh... Like that only. I feel like doing so." I say meeky. "Finding escape."

"Escape?" he asks.

"Yeah escape." I sigh and Dev sir looks at me with kids-these-days sort of expression. "Go join your friend. He might die of heart failure" he says and I smile nodding.

Two weeks ago, the day after Mukti's night stay.

That night I had mixed feelings. I was happy that I talked to Manik after so long and shared a lot of things that somewhat weighted my heart like Aryamann, because Manik was clearly not happy with our friendship and then Dev sir. I don't know why but its that way no that until you don't tell a secret to your friend, its no secret (though my case is different; the whole school knows) but I still wanted to tell, and didn't want him to get known by someone else.

Next day at home was normal. I studied and in the evening told Ashi, my neighbor about my talk with Manik. Well she was the one who made me realize about my love for Manik. She is quiet special.

It was evening and I was studying. Daddy has come from office and we are in the drawing room with both my siblings who are busy playing COC. I still don't how to play.

"Nandu, we have to tell you something" Mom says with a grave voice. I don't feel good. Aiyyappa, stay with me.

"Yes Mom" I say with a heavy breath. I don't feel good, I mean it.

"Baby, your Nani misses you. She has wished this a long long ago that you will stay and study at Delhi. You have to pursue Astronomy after twelfth and you Nana can help you in that. We both have decided that next year you will go Delhi and study." Mom says and Daddy nods.

The ground beneath my feet vanishes. Why would they even do that? I have my friends here, my family. How can I simply go and study at Delhi?

A lot of arguing and fights later, Mom made me agree on going to Delhi. I have no choice. Mom made an imaginary deal that I went to Mukti's place so now also have to go to Delhi. That night, I spent crying. Next day when school re-opened and told everybody, I couldn't stop myself from crying. I'll miss these animals so much. I don't know why but I feel like to have lunch alone. Mukti insisted, but I didn't want to. Things won't be the same after a few months.

.

The last of school before boards.

When I got down the bus, my mind went to the first day of school when I came with Daddy. The uniform which was troubling that day now covered with a blazer. That day I was feeling hot and today the cold air is around me making me exhale white and nose red. I go upstairs and keep my bag with Mukti by my side.

A lot of things hit me. Manik- my first crush- love, the first when I came and he gave me chocolates then on second day he came to my rescue when I was lost. Meeting friends who are now an essential part of my life, the library and fun inside; my punishment to Manik after he hit Shikhar near the water station, and the last moment of practice behind the stage on Annual Days.

When I come on the assembly area, Alya smiles seeing me and I go and stand in between Mukti and Radhika.

Exactly this was the way we stood when Manik told about his cucumber recipe, when PT sir hit on Cabir's head because he was making Aviral wriggle by blowing air in his ear. I remember braiding Mukti's ponytail standing in the assembly and also clipping nails. Time passes so soon.

Dev sir is standing in front of me like always. Today he is wearing blue sweater with yellow shirt collars out and black jeans. He looks amazing with anything he wears. Today would be the last assembly I'll see... stare him.

I'll fucking miss everyone.

The whole day spent playing and teasing. Last period, I bunked alone to go and visit my first class, grade 6th which has now turned into a store room.

Luckily the room wasn't locked so I pushed and came in, shutting the door behind.

I can see us running inside the class behind each other.

Manik staring at me and then he comes and stands beside me. Hallucination? Let it be. I need it.

I can see us sitting at that particular corner near the window where our bench used to be. I can see us copying answers and fighting to read the lesson in front of teachers. I was always good at reading. I can see Radhika, Manik and me running to the white board to solve a math question and the class going hysterical. I remember the whole class standing up on the table with raised hands for a punishment. I can remember when I dragged Manik outside the class because I got to know that he gives chocolates only to me. A chuckle escapes from me and also from Manik, who is standing beside me. I feel his fingers entangled with mine and I smile.

I can see Alya and me talking on the last seat where now a big box is kept. I could see Mukti going out of the class and standing beside me when I got punished by Sanjay sir.

I look at Manik who has 'sorry' etched all over his face. Shaking my head I again look forward to see Yash screaming and hitting Cabir because he slapped Yash's hand very hard while playing Red hands. Classroom cricket, truth and dare, pen fight.

My eyes feels heavy. A tear escapes. Manik's hold on my hand gets tight.

This will get tough.

Passing through the corridor with Manik still beside me, I see a room where photographs get clicked. I recall the time when everyone was getting their ID card pictures clicked and we were making everyone laugh. I come to the spot where I met Aryamann and the place where I got my first proposal by Shikhar. Manik is getting possessive even when I am hallucinating about him, lol.

After Shikhar, that a lot of them came, but was handled by my savage friend, Aryamann. A lot of people ship us together but we are siblings. I laugh and cringe both at the same time seeing people ship us. Like EWW.

Finally the day came to end. And I hugged everyone, also cried. Boys took me into a side hug while Cabir had tears in his eyes.

Goodbyes are tough.

x-x-x-x

BOARDS!

Trust me, the statement that 'boards are tough' is a silly rumor. Boards are just like normal exams with different invigilators. When I came to school on the first exam day, I too was nervous. After the morning prayer, teachers wished us good luck and surprisingly Dev sir also came down. When I entered the hall (ICSE doesn't get exam centers outside. We give exam in our school only), the air was different. Everybody was nervous. We got seated and blinked each other good luck. When answer-sheets came, when hall tickets got examined and when we got the question paper, everything was new. Looking at the question paper and Damn! It is so easy. English Grammar was never tough. When the paper got over and we came out, the air felt relaxing.

Next day it was Maths. I was already nervous but Akshat, I don't know what shit was he writing in the paper that he attached three supplements! Like are you kidding me? THREE!? I can't even fill one. I hate it when people ask for supplements for no reason and make others nervous to the shit. Such people should be jailed.

Geography was easy. I was worried for topography but it still went okay, much to my relief. The rest of exams also went fine. Some days during prayer Dev sir joined and some day he didn't.

On the day of history exam Dev sir didn't come for morning prayer, I was scared to the core. Just when the exam was about to start, he came. Yes, Dev sir came (for me). He told and gave something to the examiner and then turned to us. Passing a smile to everyone, his eyes stopped at me. And then he did something that I received a few fake coughs and ahems. Dev sir assured me by blinking his drool-worthy eyes and also gave thumbs up to me. I couldn't stop smiling and blushing. History definitely went too good!

When my friends had Commerce exam, I called everyone in the morning and wished them good luck, also prayed to Aiyyappa about Manik's exam to go well. All the best Manik!

The last exam. I came out of the examination hall and hugged Alya so tight, my tears weren't ceasing to flow, later joined by my all friends.

The school was officially over.

Just how fast the night changes.

_______________________________

A/N: I am really sorry for being away for so long. Part 2 of this chapter will be updated soon. I cannot promise when.

I had a huge crush on one of teachers in 10th and I still have the paper where I wrote his time table. You guys want to see? 😂🙈

Edit: The time table is in the media box. You people can check. 11C/ 12C is my teacher's class schedule while the subject wriiten above are mine. I was such an ass in 10th😂😂🙈