THIRD WORLD PRINCESS

Chapter 04 : Band-aid

I couldn't stop thinking of what exactly Kshitij would do to Vedant. I had just told him to warn Vedant so that he wouldn't dare to harass me again. But what if Kshitij overdoes it? And how will Vedant react to it?

Whom are you concerned about? Vedant or Kshitij?

Both actually. Ufff, Mohini... What we are doing is it even right? I'm having second thoughts now.

Thought so, let's have a talk with Kshitij once the bell rings.

I waited eagerly for the bell to ring, unable to concentrate on the lecture. Snehal miss was trying her best to make us learn the phylum classification of animals, but most of us were just slacking off.

The boys at the back had different priorities - they were wooing at the teacher's slipping saree, as mentioned by Mohini. Vedant on the other hand managed to learn all the classifications by heart towards the end of the lecture itself.

This guy is going to get beat up if we don't do anything.

I know Mohini. I'm just waiting for the bell to-

RINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!

I stood up abruptly and lifted my bag, which apparently pissed off Snehal miss, as she gave me a death stare.

"Did I tell you to pack your bags and leave ???" she questioned. "Answer me, miss Amruta!"
"I'm- I'm sorry ma'am," I muttered.

Oh no!

"Can you repeat the whole classification which I made you all learn?" she asked the whole class.
"Yesss ma'am!!" they replied confidently.

"Yes ma'am," I repeated after them too. But she caught me off guard as she continued staring.
"Good then, explain it. Right here, right now," she said. "Rest of the class can leave. Also, write it down in your notebooks and get my sign on it tomorrow," she announced.

Seriously, now?

I looked down in disappointment as everyone left the class except me and Snehal miss. "So now, let's revise", she grinned.

***

Mohini? I don't want to be trapped here, especially when Kshitij is going to beat Vedant out there because of me.

Vedant... He's downstairs, waiting for you.

We have to get out of here Mohini...

I started to look around for some ideas as I scanned my surroundings. My gaze fixed on Snehal miss. Bingo!

Can you read her mind? She is the teacher, after all, she would know the entire classification right?

Woah. Nice idea. Let me see... Not this... Not that... Ohh!

What happened?

Looks like someone had a long night. Explains why she is in 'the mood' today.

Ewww... Can we just skip to the classification memory? We are getting late!

Here it is... Yup, go ahead!

"Snehal miss, I've learnt it!" I jumped up excitedly. I recited the classification as Mohini instructed as she peeped into Vedant's thoughts.

"...And that's it," I said proudly.
"Very good. You are a bright student Amruta. Just pay attention next time instead of daydreaming on the first bench," she remarked as we exited the classroom.

I can feel Vedant wincing in pain. Kshitij and his friends are beating him. Let's hurry!

I ran towards the main gate hurriedly but stopped as I noticed Vedant limping near the back gate. I got to him as soon as I could.
"Oh My God, Vedant!", I gasped as I noticed the wounds on his face and hands. "How... What... I'm so sorry..." I stuttered as I helped him stand upright.

"It's ok... Thank you," he said as he pulled away from me.
"You go to the bus stop, right? I'll help you get there," I told him as I grasped his hand more tightly.

You've messed up! Again!

Not my fault okay? I was starting to think maybe we weren't alone... Cursed with these weird powers...

"Amruta, it's okay. I can walk by myself," Vedant called out as he shrugged his shoulders.

He's clearly uncomfortable!

"I'm sorry..." I said as I let him walk on his own. He was feeling better now, it seemed. Even his wounds weren't looking as bad as they were when I first saw them.

No. Don't even think about it!

Fine!

We made our way to the bus stop via the back gate. I ordered him to wait till I fetched him a band-aid. He was reluctant at first, but I bought it anyway.

"Now, show me where the wound is," I instructed.
You are mimicking Sejal Di, aren't you? Hehehe

Huh? Is it?

"Uhhh... I can't find it," Vedant remarked as he investigated his hands. "I don't know how, but they are gone."

"What are you saying? Wait let me see!" I took a good look at his hands but there wasn't even a scratch.

Uhh... No comments.

HONK!!!! HONK!!!!!

NOT AGAIN!

I quickly withdrew my hands as I noticed Dad watching us through the windshield of our car as he continued to honk at us. "Amu beta!!" he shouted.

"Amu?? Is that what they call you at home?" Vedant giggled but stopped all of a sudden when he saw a bus. "That's my bus!" he announced.

"Oye Mr.100%, I'm not leaving you like this, without at least a paracetamol. Here take this, it's necessary," I handed him the tablet I had in my pocket.

The honking continued as Vedant quicked towards the bus in the opposite direction. I walked to the car and took a seat. "What's with the honking?" I complained.

"Look at the time. It's 2 pm! You weren't even at the college. I was worried about you Amu beta," he said as he made a puppy face.
"Ok dad, just don't call me Amu... especially in front of... My friends," I sighed as I took a look outside. The bus had left already.

"Who was that boy you were holding hands with? It wasn't Kshitij," Dad remarked.
"No, I wasn't holding his hands! I mean I was... but not in that way! You are misunderstanding-" I protested.

"Amu, I know what it is to be at your age. I'm just glad you are making friends at this point," he smiled as he turned towards the steering wheel again. "And I completely respect your privacy."

"Aww, dad. I'm so lucky to have you as my dad. But I assure you, it isn't what you are thinking," I gave him a nudge from behind. We reached the mansion within a few minutes.

Dad opened the door and started announcing again. I hate this part. I just hope Sejal di isn't-

"Hey Amruta, You are back! I was waiting for you," she said as she hurried downstairs. "Why late?"
"Your little sister was on a date it seems," dad laughed.

"WHAT?!", Sejal Di turned to me.
"I was just kidding. Never mind," dad winked at me as he pursed his lips to indicate that it was a secret.

I don't like where this is going.

"You think I won't notice it - you and dad exchanging some gestures before he went upstairs," she said sternly. "What are you hiding from your Di ?"

"Dad saw me holding hands with a boy and now thinks I'm dating someone," I blurted out as she stared into my eyes.

At this point, I honestly just wanna jump into a bucket and drown myself!