"Bhula Dena mujhe,

Hai Alvida tujhe,

Tujhe jeena hai mere bina.

Safar yeh hai tera,

Yeh raasta tera,

Tujhe jeena hai mere bina."

"Forget me,

This is my goodbye to you,

You have to live without me.

This is your journey,

This is your path,

You have to live without me."

The exact meaning of the song Tariq was singing. Word by word.

I nearly ran to him to tell him he shouldn't do it, but seeing the whole population shocked and looking at them, him and the glee club, I just sat down and waited.

They were really into it with a few of them crying including Tariq, yet again. The song was too powerful. Anyone who had watched Aashiqui 2 the movie in which Shraddha Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur starred, would know what I meant. For Fuck's sake, Aditya's character, Rahul, sang that song as a goodbye to Shraddha's character, Aarohi, and then went on to kill himself.

After they finished singing, we all stood up to clap for them. And that's when I noticed that my father was crying as well. Why was he crying? Did he know Tariq? But after thinking back to the song, I knew why he was crying. He looked burned out. It must have brought back painful memories for him.

"Let us go. Go on your own ventures. Show the world how strong you are. Conquer it all. We will always be here; the school will always be here. But you have our support, our prayers, and our promise. We will meet where the grass is greener."

Tariq then left the stage and came to hug me. He whispered to me that he loved me and I told him, I loved him more. He then went to Disha and did the same, before he went back to his seat.

It was a moment that left the atmosphere in sorrow. It sure felt like a send-off. I then had a glimpse of why brides cry when they were having their send-offs. Too many memories with the people you love to hang in the air. Things were clearly never gonna be the same.

"Umm, thank you for this opportunity. I can't tell you how much I feel honored to be here today on this wonderful occasion for Gandhi School. As an agent of education, I feel the power of education in this place and I couldn't be more grateful." I was in my own world till the MP spoke.

"The fact that students here don't only learn, but also practice the knowledge they get, it's something very rare. I have never seen this anywhere else." She looked honest. "I have been to different schools, colleges, and universities, but what I saw here today, is new to me.

"I might have a lot to say but all I'm going to say have been spoken before. There's nothing new I can add there, maybe ask you to study hard and become great people in our society which had also been said by that student who came to sing Bhula Dena. I'm out of words today after a very long time." She laughed with us.

"Okay, before I go, maybe here's something only I can say that hasn't been said before." She scanned the crowd and her eyes were set on the teacher's table. "Mr. Intern, after you finish your studies, come back to Uttar. You'll work at Gandhi School as an official teacher, I'm sending your details to the Minister of work and public services myself."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and I was happy for him. Mr. Beckham Kapur was so talented and had the brains that would allow him to do anything, but he chose us. He chose education as his getaway. He wanted to help people learn and unleash their full potential. It was the ultimate sacred job. He was a real guru.

Next up was the last performance of the Class of 2020. We had done a lot during the Prom, and so, we thought why not do something simple and fun? We had the last dance. Jessica, Cansu, and Bala were chosen to lead us after I rejected a million times to do. I was tired of being the face of the class. People already knew I was; the least I could do was let other students take the stage.

We danced with our teachers for five minutes while they sang Galti Se Mistake, Su Cche, and Doori. It was fun having the last dance with the teacher. But Mrs. Madhvi Arora took the mic and gave it to me, telling me to sing anything. I hadn't planned anything so I just did what my mind thought was right.

"Take my hand, take a breath

Pull me close and take one step

Keep your eyes locked on mine

And let the music be our guide.

Won't you promise me, that you'll never forget

We'll keep dancing, wherever we go next.

It's like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you

It's one in a million, the chances of feeling the way we do

And with every step together, we just keep on getting better

So can I have this dance

Can I have this dance?"

After I finished and gave back the mic, Mrs. Arora forced me to dance with her for about thirty seconds and it was divine. She was like a mother to me, she made sure she took every chance she got to make me feel comfortable since the day she registered me twelve years back.

Next came the certificates of completion which were made earlier before the results, at the request of the MP. We all went to take ours from the MP and were asked to stay on stage for pictures. After they finished giving us the certificates, the MP asked if there weren't any other awards for best students whatsoever. I knew there was because I helped plan the timetable, but I didn't know when it was gonna come up.

Mr. Nagpal then, took to the stage to start reading the awards they had prepared.

"In the light of the ceremony, I would like to start by mentioning the awards prepared by the school. When your name is mentioned, you can go forward to receive your award from the guest of honor, Kadambari Ma'am." She looked excited to see who was going to get the awards. I, on the other hand, wasn't that excited because I knew they would try to find a category to fit me in and give me an award that I wasn't even keen on.

"There is an award for the best teacher of 2020 class, the teacher who is the students' favorite is Kedi Gil, Science student's class master." That was totally true. Everybody loved him.

"Next up, is an award for the guardian of the class of 2020, and that goes to Sakshi Bhatt." It also went to the right person. She was friendly with all students and everyone went to her with their problems or whatever they had. She was the one who managed to persuade Jessica to tell them about me back when I had the fallout with my father.

"And going to the students, I would like to start with the leadership award." I released my breath knowing I never was anything apart from the class monitor. Others qualified for that more than I could ever. "This class has the third most number of leaders in the last twenty years and they had slim differences and that's why we opted on gifting a student who is a natural leader. I hope everyone will agree with me if I say that student is Aarush Solanki."

I was surprised. I was still on stage with all the other students, but I couldn't move. Well, I couldn't until the crowd erupted in cheers, and I managed to move forward to receive my award. The MP smiled widely at me as if she knew me all along, and she had expected me to get that award. I had to smile back.

"Next up is the best performance of the 2020 class. This girl did wonders when she shifted from the worst student to the top ten of her class in a single exam, and she has managed to stay there ever since. You all know who I'm talking about." In fact, we did. It was Harleen. She was having problems in her early years, but things got better all too sudden and she had been on a streak since then. "It's Harleen Side."

I could see Priya in tears and clapping so hard. It was the best moment to ever witness. I had to clap with her as did the rest of the class. Another award went to the right person.

"Despite all the influences this class had, there was one man who stood about them all. He is the best motivator in the 2020 class. And he is Zac Rao." It also was true. He knew how to lure people into whatever he wanted. The influence he had was over the roof. He sure deserved that as well.

"All the talents have been on display, but this one boy, he is the most talented of all. The award for most talented student goes to Juan Carlos." Another bull's eye aiming. I could sing, dance, and do other few things like most students in class, but Juan did all. He was great in everything. Even in things he had never tried before.

"We have three fields for classes 11 and 12. Science, business, and arts. Some super women topped each of those fields. Starting with the science field, the best science student is Disha Agarwal." I was finally happy that she was recognized for what she did best. She also was good at writing scripts. She had one of her scripts win an online competition in Germany.

"Another superwoman who conquered the arts field is named Azra Ali. My personal favorite." It also was true. Azra was the best in her class and the best overall. I knew she was going to get the valedictorian since long ago when there was a very fierce competition between her, Disha, a student who moved named Aman, Kavya, Sid, and me.

"And the last superwoman who means business, is the best business student, Kavya Agnee." It was kind of obvious. Even though she was having a bad influence, her social profile was the only thing damaged, in class, she still was the apathetic fire she had always been.

"Okay, okay. With knowledge comes creativity. Creativity is the ability to create something. We all know the student who has created ways to cheat in exams without a trail to pick on. We also know the student who has created his own persona and is now breaking news in the whole Uttar." I knew where he was going with that. "The most creative student of the class of 2020 is Aarush Solanki."

There it was. I said earlier, that they would try to find a category to fit me in, and I wasn't wrong. I kind of deserved it at some point but it was still too obvious. I didn't even have a competition on that, they could just do it as a special award or something.

"The whole Uttar knows this class after they won the Uttar Youth Football League. It was all under the leadership of their best sportsman. The award for the sportsmanship of the 2020 class goes to Phil Quinn." A very deserved awarding I could say. He didn't mention the part where they won the final with only nine players. The first one was sent off at the 12th minute, and the keeper, Irfan, at the 40th minute already down by two goals.

"Discipline shaped this class. They are all well-disciplined, but most of them are the most disciplined student who could have been Aarush, but he was disqualified last minute after he stood up against a teacher who worked against the school rules. Let's say there were emotions all over, and now the only student who remained to contend on this award is Rahul Bajaj." I didn't know why he had to say that. Rahul deserved it. He wasn't more disciplined than me, but he knew his limits and that's what made him the best than I could ever be.

"There is a face that represents the class in everything. This class has the most trending styles than any other. With that, we would love to acknowledge the female face first. The award for Miss Class of 2020 goes to Jessica Alarton. Miss Newbie." That was completely on point. No comment on that.

"And the award for Mr. Class of 2020 goes to Sid Hassanandani." They were again right. Sid had the ultimate playboy fashion which was thee fashion of the decade. And with his 6'2" height that many Indians didn't have, plus the model athletic body, he was our fashion icon.

"There is something called Valedictorian. This award goes to none other than my personal favorite, Azra Ali." Damn right! Just like I had manifested. She sure deserved that. I mean you don't hustle other students into doing their level best and still be the best if you are not valedictorian material. She even had that American valedictorian sense. She was the president of the student government for three years in a row.

"And the last award before I welcome the principal to say anything is the best student award. A valedictorian is the best student in academics. But the best student overall in everything is none other than Aarush Solanki. That's three awards if I'm counting the same as everyone else."

I was again shocked. I looked at my family at the table, and I saw my father with a weak smile. He also had cloudy eyes. I took it as him trying not to feel guilty for whatever happened between us. He clapped for me though, and I dared to go and receive the award with the MP telling me to meet her after the ceremony.

"Thank you, Mr. Nagpal. That was a wonderful delivery from your side. I also want to thank our guest of honor for doing us the favor of awarding the students, but before I welcome her again to congratulate our students, I would like to say something. I also have my award that I want to give. It's called The Principal's Award. This was famous back in England when I was studying there some numerous years ago.

"There is a student who is doing more than what the teachers do. He has a lot of traits that I will use for a whole hour just to talk about. What drove me into awarding that student is the school spirit that he has. He started doing the school good when he was in class 2. He started the tree planting program that year. He also won the school our first young scientist cup when he was in class 4. He secured grants from investors for the football team that went on to win the Uttar Youth Football League when in class 10. And helped the school more than three times in his last year which means his most important year, which turned out to be his busiest after what happened to his family." I knew that was me again. Just the way, he avoided looking at me proved it was me, and not to say that I was the only student who did all that.

"You know what's funny, even after all those that happened, he managed to pick himself up and continue doing his best. The school had planned to award the best students with certificates, but he gave us the money to get extra gifts. He sure has been called an angel before, and I would like to call him an angel again. The Angel of Gandhi School. Aarush Vinod Solanki."

The crowd erupted in cheers, and it was deafening. I had to step forward for yet another time, and receive my award from Principal Chaudhary. I looked at Roy and Tatiana who were the happiest that evening, they were in their element.

I didn't know I was crying until when Principal Chaudhary used his thumb to wipe away my cheeks. He even told me that wasn't the night to cry, it was the night to celebrate. I just cried more and hugged him again before I went back to where I was standing with Jeep X, Disha, Jessica, and Harleen.

The Principal then welcomed the MP for another time to congratulate us, and we were all allowed to go back to our seats.

"Thank you again, Principal Chaudhary." She all smiled. "I couldn't just sit down after what had happened. I just said I witnessed education, but it isn't just education. I witnessed equality in education. Equality is a subject that will never have Harvard qualifications. But you sure made Cambridge qualifications so far."

The crowd once again erupted in cheers. "And I have to say ... I have to say that; I will write college recommendation letters for all of you and mail them to your principal before Tuesday for your applications."

There it was again. The crowd went into a frenzy cheering while shouting Miss Kadambari's name. I would have been excited as well, but I already had other plans in my mind. I didn't see myself as college material. But I hadn't told anyone till that time.

"I think I have spoken too much for the day." She came eye to eye with me while she was scanning the crowd. "But before I go, I have a request. I've heard Aarush sing already, can I hear him speak as well? On behalf of students?"

I couldn't sit still. Everyone was singing my name. I was requested by the guest of honor herself, the least I could do after what she offered us was to stand up and take the stage. I wasn't even going to talk much, just how grateful we were and we loved her and wished her all the best in her life. I told myself I got that.

"Umm Hello everyone! Hello MP Ma'am!" I chuckled. "I am blown away by the fact that you agreed to the invitation, and you are here with us in the flesh. I think this is where I say Thank you so much, Ma'am. I am here to speak on behalf of my class, but I don't know if they agree with me on this, so let's just say, it's me Aarush speaking. Not the class."

I turned to look at the crowd and I saw my dad looking down. I thought he was trying to listen carefully to what I was saying, so I didn't think much of it.

"I know many people look at us and form a lot of expectations in their minds, but I want to tell you, don't get disappointed when we have different opinions on things. We might have been accepting early on, but we grow up and realize what's best for us. Don't feel disappointed when I studied science and go to study journalism. We are our own people, not a cluster of your imaginations.

"Either way, we love you Ma'am, and wish you all the best in your life and your career. Trust me, being a leader, you need all you can get." I made the thankful sign. "And to my friends-"

I turned to the crowd and found my dad still looking down alarmingly. I suddenly got suspicious and started to call him.

"Dad!" Everyone was confused. "Dad, are you okay? Roy, is dad okay?"

After Roy tried to see if he was alright, maybe just fell asleep, he dropped to the ground.

"Dad! No!"

I threw the microphone away and ran to where he was. People had started to form a circle around him and I pushed them.

"Everybody, leave him to get some air! Somebody call an ambulance! Move aside! Give space!" I was shouting at the top of my lungs.

I went where he was and kneeled to help Tatiana who was trying to see if there was something wrong with him apart from what we already knew.

"He's still breathing, but his pulse is weak. We need to get him to the hospital ASAP! We can't risk waiting for the ambulance!" Tatiana said in a panic. I knew there was something seriously wrong.

"You can use my car! It has a siren, it'll help. Bhavani, get them to the nearest hospital." Ms. Kadambari ordered her driver.

"Okay, help him up. Try to keep him level. Hoist him from the legs, the waist, and the upper part." Tatiana ordered.

I was going to help them get him up, but Roy said I should step aside.

"Aarush, we've got this under control. He'll be fine. Just finish your graduation." Roy said to me.

"My graduation? Are you serious right now? I'm not staying behind; I'm coming with you!" I half-shouted at him.

"But Aarush -"

"Yes, but. But what? But he is my father, and wherever he goes, I'll follow him. Even if I have to follow him to hell! Now hurry up! We are wasting time here!"

I went with them to the car, and we left together for the hospital. On our way, two police motorcycles came to help us in that traffic, and we reached the hospital with my father still breathing.

It was God's turn to do his job.

¶

I was at the airport restaurant with Harleen, Disha, Jessica, Roshni, and Jeep X.

"I can't believe we are all going and leaving you two behind!" Rahul said to us.

"Three. I'm not going either." Roshni added.

"Yeah, sometimes it's better to follow your heart. You know like