The Kailashanath Diamond

Chapter 1

It is not every day that you confront a great five feet long snake in the principal's office. But, there we go, all that would definitely happen to Gaurav. It all started with the school organising a field trip to the Marina Beach for swimming practice. Gaurav was sick of listening to the same words from the principal, Mr.Nagraj, stating the terrible state of the school in sports and athletics. He was really desperate; to send off a whole terrible lot to the Marina is no small feat, of course.

Once they reached the Beach Road, the students at the back seat howled and hooted with glee. Gaurav got down with his best friend, Kamal and then came another bus. This bus had 'The PSBBMS' on the side. Down came two girls, chatting away their time and laughing. Behind came another two girls, who looked like they were amidst a deep discussion. Then a set of boys poured out, with one of them reading a paperback novel.

'Hey, Ashwin, can't you ever leave your novel alone?' asked a boy in front.

He did not reply, much too engrossed to talk.

'Um, Gaurav, would you please follow the line, or risk staying back, dear?' asked Mrs. Mehta, their Geography teacher. She did not leave any opportunity to show the class how the beach was formed and explain about the waves and tides and the breeze and whatnot.

Kamal dragged him along so that they'd not leave their class. Gaurav hated the sea. How much ever the teachers forced him, he could not help being hydrophobic. So, the swimming teacher told us to change, and once we came back, we headed out to a safe part of the coast.

'Students, we have to understand the proper techniques of swimming. It is essential that you hold yourself properly and make sure that you don't forget the posture. So let us practice the most essential...' said the swimming teacher, but Gaurav's mind had already drifted off. He saw the PSBBMS group heading towards the lighthouse. He had no control over himself. He slipped away.

He saw that the boy, Ashwin, had finally stuffed his novel away. He now had a notepad and a pencil in his hands and intently, he was making notes. The other girls, the chatting ones had stopped chatting but they were discussing something and giggling. He heard a few words, 'Nandita!!'; 'Hey, it's not my fault, Swati!'

The shorter one was gazing at the southern horizon, and she looked at the sea lovingly like it was her life force. The taller one poked her.

'What, Nandita?' asked the shorter one.

'To remind you that we are here for half an hour not a lifetime.' said Nandita.

'Swati and Nandita, will you ever stop chatting?' asked Ashwin from behind. 'And don't you guess that you're being watched?' he said, gazing exactly where Gaurav stood.

'What?' asked Swati. She looked behind to find Gaurav looking at them. He felt himself pressing the urge to run away. Ashwin seemed to have spotted that.

'Hey, don't worry. I do hate spies, but you don't look like one. I just thought you were purposefully observing these two.' He said.

Gaurav must have been taken aback, but he said nothing.

'My name is Gaurav, and I am from Class 7,'he said.

'O' course you are!' said a voice behind them. Gaurav turned back to see Kamal in his favourite pink shirt and gentle smile.

'So now you are another character from the Redwood School?' asked Ashwin.

Yet again, this reasoning ability shocked Gaurav and Kamal.

'How did you find out? I mean, are we wearing our uniform?' asked Kamal.

'Big surprise. I saw another school bus standing next to ours. I noticed the name, that's all,' said Ashwin.

'Think we have to go,' said Kamal.

Both Gaurav and Kamal rushed off to see their school leaving. They got onto their bus at the last second.

After the trip, there were a few more lessons to endure. There was Mathematics, which did not go well. Especially when Gaurav messed up the value of pi and somehow got the answer in Greek letters, like around alpha and scribbled stuff all over the notebook.

End of the day was Value Education, and Gaurav forgot his textbook.

'That is the tenth time you have not brought your book, Gaurav! Go to the principal's office, now!' roared Mr.Gupta.

One thing about Nagraj's office was that it always smelled wet and evil, the kind of principal personality you don't wish for.

So, as Gaurav entered the room he confronted his principal storming over a rat.

Yes, it was a dead rat.

'Hello, Gaurav. I have been waiting for your entransss. I hope you parentsss will believe me that you are dead indeed. Sorry for being your teacher, child! I have been waiting for too LONG!' With the last word, he turned into a huge five feet long snake in a sickly shade of mauve with a huge rasping voice.

He lunged.

Gaurav just had one thing. He wanted to call out for help, but his moment of shook overpowered him. Suddenly, Nagraj turned into a huge wisp of purple smoke. 'Tum hisaab chukaoge, Gaurav!' said the same voice before disappearing.