OUR LITTLE INFINITY

CHAPTER 8

1 WEEK LATER

'Good morning class! sit down.' Mr. batra said. everyone's got butterflies in their stomach because today mid term results were to be out. but today, i was not scared at all. i don't know why, there was a genuine happiness seen on my face unlike every other time.

'so are you all tensed about your results?' Mr. batra got up and cleaned his spectacles. 

'yes' the class said

'you know during our times,' he began like any other teacher 'we used to run to our school notice board. there was no such announcements of results, we had to make our way through the hustle of the crowd and see our ranks on the piece of paper stuck on the board. you are lucky enough to even see your papers, we didn't even get that privilege.' he said 

he saw that the class was least interested so he said 'anyways, moving on...' and he took the bundle of papers in his hands.

'okay so the first rank goes to.........' he paused. LITERALLY PAUSED. he looked at me. whole class was looking at me. it was my everytime thing.

'so the first rank goes to.....karan agarwaal!' he clapped. 

there was a confusion and doubt in his voice as he said. karan got up and jumped. whole class looked at me. anuja kept her hand at my shoulder. everyone was expecting a good cry from me but i instead didn't change my facial expressions. it was like, i was happy.

'congratulations karan!' mr batra said 'and the second rank goes to aarushi nandi!' nobody clapped. everybody was shocked. 

'sorry aarushi.' mr batra said.

instead of crying i said 'why are you sorry sir? i am not at all unhappy. instead i am happy for karan. 2nd is not a bad rank at all.' 

mr. batra's jaw fell open at once. whole class was shocked. a girl who used to cry for even half-a-mark is happy even after scoring the 2nd rank in class. 

'uh....what should i say? i like this change aarushi. keep it up.' he said 

recess bell rang.

anuja and i sat at our usual place and she hit me on my thigh and asked 'HOW COME AARUSHI?? WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?!?!? you shocked the whole class babe! did you see taanya and shafak's expressions?' she laughed

i smiled and said ' this has come from that guy, varun. i told you about him na?' 

'ohhhhh......' she mourned 

'anuja honestly, life has been so much better after i met him. i have learnt to appreciate my life and live it freely.' I said

'are you falling for him?' she asked

'yeah.....' i murmured and blushed.

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'2nd? seriously?' mumma shouted for the third  time. 'and that too, you lost from that karan?' 

i looked down in disapproval and pretended to stay unhappy. 

'mr. batra said you were happy. is it true?' she asked. i sighed and held my head.

'how can you be satisfied aarushi? HOW COMEEE?!!!' she said it for the third time.

'mumma, please! 2nd is not a bad rank.' i said

'what did you just say?' she turned towards me '2nd is NOT a bad rank? aarushi people get pinched away from AIIMS just for the sake of one or two ranks. and that regret will stay with you forever that had i worked a little more, i would've got my dream college. does this go into your stupid brain?' she shouted