Under The Clear Summer Sky

14 | meeting once again

Now

All of the cardboard boxes were moved into the 1101 apartment. The movers were promptly paid in cash by Anuradha. After they left, Anuradha turned towards her house. 

It had been 8 years since she was last here. 

She swallowed. Rush of nostalgia swept over her mind. Her first boards, getting scolded for bringing a stranded puppy home, 11th grade and the disaster that academic year had been for her, 12th grade...and him.

Her eyes turned to the 1102 apartment. Her dark curls arranged around her face, emphasizing her facial features. 

She was informed by her parents that there was someone renting the apartment. They had told her nearly a million times to be careful. Her parents weren't able to ascertain who her neighbor was, however.

She made a mental note to buy sweets and introduce herself to her neighbor. She stepped into her house and shut the door.

A few minutes later, the elevator let out a 'ding!' sound. A tall, handsome man stepped out of it, carrying a box of chocolates. He glanced at 1101 apartment. 

Vineet hadn't had a neighbor in the 4 years he had lived in the 1102 apartment. He had learned in passing that a lady was moving into 1101. Wanting to make a good impression, he had bought a box of chocolates, on the way back from his parents house.

He glanced at the box of chocolates. A soft, sad smile graced his features. It was the brand of chocolates she would often give to him. He should probably give up on ever meeting the young, wavy-haired, happy teenager he had once tutored. He wondered how she was doing, as he opened the lock to his door and shut it.

The next day, Anuradha woke up early. There were certain days in everyone's life, in which they had a premonition that it was going to be a very good day. Anu had a similar thought as she got ready. Having a quick breakfast (sandwiches), she quickly left her apartment.

She received a call from her mother as she got into the elevator.

"Are you alive?"

"I'm very much alive, ma."

"Good, good....Keep it that way. I'll call later then."

Anuradha stared at her phone. Then, she laughed. She was already 27 and yet, her mother was still overprotective with her.

She walked out and caught a bus to the school. Her former school. Crysalis High. It felt like a full circle moment to Anuradha. The school she had studied in was now her workplace where she was going to teach English. 

There was a full blown grin on her face, as she thought about it.

She wondered if the students would call her a devil like she had called her English teacher. That thought induced a giggle. Oh, this was going to be very entertaining.

She reached her school and was escorted inside by the security guard. 

"You're the new teacher, yes? Our Crysalis High has been here for nearly 2 decades now. It's a very special school and all the teachers are very good. The teachers are very loyal to the school too-" The security guard went on about the school, acting as the tour guide she didn't need. 

She had tried to tell him that she knew all about the school she had studied in but he hadn't seemed to notice.

When they reached the coordinator's room, the security guard whirled around. "This is the office. Miss, I hope you stay in this school for along time like the other teachers. Loyalty is very much valued here."

Anu held back from laughing. "Of course, uncle. In fact, I think I am the icon of loyalty. After all, I studied in this school for 6 years. I am an alumni."

The look on the security guard's face was priceless. He quickly bid her goodbye and rushed away.

She laughed. Then, she entered the coordinator's office.

Sonali used to be the teacher that everyone was afraid of, when Anu was still in school. Now, she had transformed into the kind coordinator that all the students loved and did not think of as someone to be afraid of. Anu suspected that this transformation was because of Sonali marrying and having kids. 

"Hello ma'am. How are you doing?"

"Ah, Anu. Welcome, welcome. I'm doing good. How are you?"

"I'm doing good as well, ma'am."

"Ah, it's been a very long time since I last saw you. Has it been 9 years now?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Sonali used to be Anu's 11th grade English teacher. Once they had caught up with each other, Anu was escorted to the staff room, which had teachers bustling around with their tea cups and books.

"Everyone, attention please."

 The room grew quiet. Everyone plopped down in front of their respective cubicles. There were two empty cubicles of which one, Anu guessed, was for herself.

"This is Anuradha, here to replace Jyoti ma'am, who has left due to pregnancy. She's an alumni of this school. Please welcome her and take care of her."

Anu bowed slightly. "Hello, I'm Anuradha Anand."

Anu was a little surprised when one of the cubicles turned out to actually have a person sitting in it. The person's head slowly appeared as Sonali had been making the introductions. It then snapped up and she could see the full face when she introduced herself.

Her eyes met very familiar ones. The ones she'd had a crush on in 12th grade. The ones she had cried over when he had left.

Vineet?

Sonali tapped her shoulder and introduced her to every staff in the room, some of them her former teachers and some she hadn't seen before. Finally, Sonali escorted her to Vineet's cubicle. 

"I guess, we're somewhat lucky that two of our alumni are now teaching in our school." Sonali let out a small laugh.

"Anuradha, this is Vineet Gupta. Vineet, this is Anuradha."

They shook hands, staring at each other with wide eyes. Sonali motioned to the cubicle opposite to Vineet. "That's your place, Anu. I've placed your timetable and the details of the classes you're teaching this year on your desk. Reach out to me if you need help."

"Right."

Before she could turn back to Vineet, she was hounded by all her former teachers, who enquired after herself and her parents. By the time she had given satisfactory responses to all the queries of the teachers, Vineet had already left the staff room.

A little disappointed, Anu checked her time table. She had the first period in 10 B. She gathered the textbooks and made her way over to 10 B.

Vineet walked over to the washroom. He didn't have any first period in any class. As soon as he reached inside the washroom, he dropped into a crouch. His arms covering his head.

A boy with short, spiked hair had been trying to bunk classes inside the washroom. He was startled when he saw Vineet. Quietly, he tip-toed his way out. Vineet raised his head, once the boy was gone. There was an expression of inexplicable happiness on his face.

Waiting for the past 4 years...It hadn't been in vain.

✿

word count: 1196 words