The Way We Were

Chapter 3

(Opportunities)

Some ten minutes after the prayers ended, another teacher announced the school rules. No loitering. Lunch breaks. Usage of the sports room. Monitor badges. Khushi tried to keep up at the fast paced English. She would have to get used to it. Conversing with Payal, and moreover Lavanya, had helped a lot. But she couldn't stop just there. She need to continue her learning curve.

The principal came to the podium again. "As promised, the nominations for the head girl are. Ms Payal Sharma from Std XI C Arts. Ms Sanaya Thakur from Std XI B Commerce. Ms Khushi Kumari Gupta from Std XI A Science."

Khushi was surprised. Wasn't she a new student, just transferred to an English medium school? How could they consider her as a contender for head girl?

"For head boy. Mr Avinash Mehra from Std XI C Arts. Mr Mayank Malhotra from Std XI B Commerce. Mr Arnav Singh Raizada from Std XI A Science."

Khushi whipped her head a 180 to see an equally shocked Arnav. Arnav was on scholarship here?

"Within a week, the teachers will decide which one duo is the best fit to carry out our discipline and traditions and imbue them in the next batch, so as to determine the Head Boy and Head Girl from your batch. With that said, dismissed."

Khushi's eyes landed on Diya's who was looking shell shocked. "You're here on scholarship?"

The assembly broke and instead of filing out, the students formed small groups and started conversing.

Arnav immediately came to her.

"Did you know about this?" Khushi asked.

"No. Imagine me a head boy!"

"I pity this building if it comes to it." Khushi shook her head. "We need to find Payal."

Diya, having heard their conversation, asked again. "You know Payal Sharma?"

"She's my cousin." Khushi shrugged and left.

"Arnav, right?" Diya asked.

"Yeah." Arnav was uncomfortable around new people.

"I'm Diya."

He smiled and excused himself.

Diya stood annoyed. She had worked hard and gotten this scholarship to prove to her parents that girls were not just meant to be married off. She was hoping to be a contender for Head Girl. And here waltzed in Khushi, in her stream, as if she owned this space since her primary school.

And how the hell did she know that bitch Payal Sharma?

(Wagers)

Khushi found Aman and Lavanya first. They were standing right beside the staircase towards their classroom, having whispered conversations.

"Lavanya!"

Lavanya looked at her, smilingly. "Congrats Khushi. When Payal told me you were a topper, I didn't expect you would outstand Diya's scores."

"Leave that aside. Is this normal? How can I be considered? It's my first day in this school."

"Rules, my dear." Lavanya informed her. "You must be academically the topper of all girls in Science stream, and sponsered by the board. That's why Arnav got it as well."

"That's true. Behind that rebellious idiot, he's got an extra smart brain." Aman spoke for his friend.

"You don't need to butter me, Mathur." Arnav had found them. "We don't take the same subjects anymore, so I'm not your tutor."