Miss Shetty and Mr Gupta

~Chapter 1 ~

~Intro~

Isha's POV

I woke up quite early today, 5:30 am. " good job ," I muttered to myself, and patted my back and changed my pyjamas to a trackpants and a shirt before  leaving for a jog. As I was jogging, I couldn't believe my summer vacation had already ended. This was my last day of vacation. I also couldn't believe I was already in tenth grade. Just another year and I'd have to leave this school. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a nerd who loves school, but this place is special to me. I met the best and most loyal people in my life here. I was lost in memories of summer adventures with my best friends as I jogged back home.

 It was getting late. I was jogging my way back home, but it was already 7:15 am, and my mom had specifically told me to be home by 7:30 am. Here I was, 30 minutes away... just as I was mentally preparing myself for her lecture, I saw Rishi on his electric scooty.

I  yelled, "Hey Rishi!" He slammed on the brakes and turned, a wide grin spreading across his face as he replied, "Good morning, Ishaaa! . Then he asked sarcastically "What are you doing out this early? It's usually 12 pm when you wake up, right?" I glared at him and he raised his hands in mock surrender. "School starts tomorrow," I explained. "Where are you headed?" I asked  "Home" he replied. "Can you please give me a ride "I pleaded. "Hop on," he said.  "Really? Thanks, Rishi! You're a lifesaver. If I'm not home in ten minutes, my mom's gonna kill me." He chuckled. "Hey, Aunty isn't that bad." "Look," I pressed, "are you going to drop me off or should I call an auto or call Ravi uncle (the driver) this early ?" With a laugh, he started the bike, and in ten minutes, I was standing on my doorstep. "Thanks a ton, Rishi!" I called after him as he sped away.

7:29 am, I muttered, pushing open the door. The sweet aroma of Gulab jamun hit me, and my stomach lurched with anticipation. There was my mom in the kitchen, expertly shaping the dough with some househelp. "Mom, can I have some please?" I asked, already reaching for a plate. Mom glanced at me, sweat dripping down my forehead. "Shameless girl! Go freshen up first, you idiot!" she laughed, shooing me away.

I raced upstairs, brushed my teeth in record time, and jumped in the shower. Back in my room, I threw open my closet doors, searching for the perfect outfit. Finally, I settled on a comfy pair of sweatpants and an oversized shirt.

Descending the stairs, I was met with the sight of my brother, Yuvraj, shamelessly devouring my Gulab jamun! And of course, he hadn't even bothered to bathe. "How dare you? Those were for me!" I shrieked. Yuvraj, unfazed, simply shrugged. "You're not the only one in the house, Ish." He had a point. Sighing, I slunk away, finding Mom in the garden, lost in prayer .She was praying to Tulasi Devi . 

"Mummy," I said pointedly, "you told me to freshen up before eating, but I don't think you mentioned it to Yuvraj." Mom calmly finished her prayer before turning to me. "What's he doing now?" she asked in Telugu . "He hasn't bathed, and he's eating everything!" I exclaimed. Mom's eyes widened in horror. "That good-for-nothing! " she sputtered, marching towards the house in a fury. I knew then that Yuvraj was in for a world of trouble. 

My mom marched over to Yuvraj, grabbed his ear, and sternly said, "Once more, young man, once more I see you eating without bathing, and there will be grave consequences!" She looked furious. Yuvraj gulped visibly, mumbled a quick apology, and slunk away to his room. I thought to myself, "Meek mice indeed," and retreated from the dining area

I was sprawled on the sofa, scrolling through Netflix, desperately searching for something good to watch. I was so engrossed in a trailer that I didn't even hear Rishi enter the house and settle down next to me. My mom's affectionate greeting snapped me out of it. "Rishi Kanna," she called out, "nuvvu epudu vachav Ra ?"(How come you came, my darling Rishi?) She was talking to him as if she saw him after decades. I mean he just lives 1 min away i.e. literally my neighbour.