| Kismet |

05

Madhu

10 years ago.

"There are four people who got more than 90 percent in this cycle of tests. And proud to say that one of them is from our class" Sushma ma'am smiled eidely. She looked at me and gestured to stand up. "Congratulations Madhurima. And I expect this to continue okay?" She said waving around her index. I nodded my head and sat down after she told me to. My cheeks were red by this time.

"Tujhe kya hua?" Akshu asked me after she saw that I was trying to hide my face.

"It is so embarassing yaar." I complained.

"Isme kya embarassing? I would love that. But I only got 80 percente."

***

It was now sports period. And on Saturdays we always had sports with 12B.

Akshu and I were sitting on the bleachers at the far end under a big tree. I was busy reading a novel and Akshu was completing her notes since she had taken leave for three days because of her stomach problems.

Laya, a girl from our class came towards us running holding a volleyball in her hands. "Akshara, Madhurima come play with us. We are having a match with seniors." She grinned at us.

"Really? Wow!" Akshara said. Her face was glowing with joy.

"Thank you Laya but I can't. I don't know how to play. Me and sports means someone will definitely die." I laughed.

"I would've come Laya but I have to complete my notes." Akshara frowned all the joy washing away from her face. I felt bad for her. Poor girl hasn't had proper fun in three days.

"Akshu. I am khaali anyways right? I'll write your notes." I smiled at her.

"Really?" She grinned as if I gave her Taj Mahal. Then the smile wadhed away and a frown replaced it. "But Divya ma'am will get to know yaar." She frowned.

"Don't worry I am an expert in copying handwriting." I confessed proudly.

"I love you." She squealed and hugged me. She then ran away with Laya.

***

Was she absent for 3 days or 3 weeks?

I felt a presence beside me which made me look up. My breath caught in my throat when I saw Tanmay there. He was sitting next to me and taking a perk at the notebook. I pulled at the book closer to me as a reflex action making him look at me.

"Why are you writing her notes?" He asked me confused.

"She wanted to play so..." I tried explaining.

"You shouldn't let her bully you into making you do her work." He frowned and looked at me disappointed. I burst out laughing which made him look at me confused.

"I wanted to. I like writing." I shrugged.

"Really? Will you write my essays too?" He smirked almost making me blush.

"Maybe then you'll get full marks on those essays." I nodded playing along with him.

"Achcha ji? Who got good marks because of my tutoring skills?" He asked tugging at his collar in arrogance. But it was cute.

"Akshara did. I was already smart enough." I smiled at him.

"Achcha madam? Then why did you attend the study session? To stare at me?" He asked playfully but I blushed furiously. Because mostly that's what I did.

"I was just giving company to Akshu." I shrugged.

"But I remember you struggling to understand maths. You almost made me forget maths."