𝑹𝒂ñ𝒋𝒂𝒌

New Beginnings And Unexpected Encounters

Anahita adjusted the straps of her backpack and took a deep breath as she stood at the entrance of New Age High School.
The school gate loomed large, a blend of excitement and intimidation. This was her first day at a new school, and though she had been the top student at her previous boarding school, a sense of unease lingered.
She took a step forward, and the memories of the morning flashed vividly in her mind. Her mother’s voice, gentle yet firm, echoed as she reminded Anahita of the importance of her studies. Her father’s words, filled with expectations and dreams, added to the weight on her shoulders.“Anahita, you must make us proud,” her father had said at breakfast. “This is your chance to shine, to prove yourself.”
Her brother, Kshitij, sat across from her, silently eating his toast. The tension between them was palpable. Anahita hadn’t lived at home since she was sent to boarding school in the third grade. She and Kshitij were strangers living under the same roof, their sibling bond strained by years of separation.“Are you ready for your first day?” Kshitij asked, breaking the silence.Anahita nodded, unsure of how to bridge the gap between them. “Yes, I am. How’s the team doing?”
Kshitij, the school's sports captain, shrugged. “Same as always. You’ll see for yourself.” As the memories faded, Anahita walked through the gate, the morning sun casting long shadows on the courtyard. The school was abuzz with students, their laughter and chatter creating a symphony of youthful energy.
She navigated her way to the administration office, where she was handed her timetable and directed to her classroom. She made her way to the ninth-grade hallway, taking in the sights and sounds of her new environment. Posters for various clubs and activities lined the walls, and students gathered in clusters, animatedly discussing their plans for the day. Anahita felt a pang of longing for the familiarity of her old school but pushed it aside, determined to make the best of her new beginning.Entering her classroom, she was met with curious gazes. The teacher, Mrs. Rao, a stern-looking woman with sharp features, introduced her to the class. “Class, this is Anahita Mehra. She’s new to our school, so please make her feel welcome.”Anahita nodded and took a seat at the front, pulling out her notebook and preparing for the lesson. As Mrs. Rao began to explain the day’s topic, Anahita’s mind wandered back to the conversation with her parents. They had high expectations, and she felt the pressure to excel in every subject, to be the perfect daughter.
The morning passed in a blur of introductions and lessons. During lunch, Anahita found a quiet corner in the cafeteria and opened her tiffin box. The familiar aroma of homemade parathas brought a sense of comfort. She was just about to take a bite when a shadow fell across her table.“Mind if I join you?” a voice asked.
Anahita looked up to see a girl with a friendly smile and bright eyes. “Sure, please do.”
“I’m Ahana,” the girl said, sitting down. “I saw you in class this morning. How’s your first day going?”
“It’s been alright,” Anahita replied, grateful for the company. “Still getting used to everything.”
“You’ll fit in soon enough,” Ahana assured her. “Everyone’s pretty nice here. And if you need any help, just let me know.”Anahita smiled, feeling a bit more at ease. “Thanks, Ahana. I appreciate it.”
As they chatted, Anahita learned that Ahana was an introvert who enjoyed reading and was part of the school’s art club. They found common ground in their love for literature, and Anahita felt a spark of hope that she might make some good friends here.
The bell rang, signaling the end of lunch, and the students filed out of the cafeteria. Anahita checked her timetable and saw that her next class was physical education. She sighed, dreading the thought of sports, the one area where she felt completely out of her depth.In the locker room, she changed into her PE uniform and headed to the field. The PE teacher, Mr. Verma, a tall, muscular man with a no-nonsense attitude, gathered the students for roll call. Anahita stood at the back, hoping to blend in.“Alright, today we’re playing basketball,” Mr. Verma announced. “Let’s divide into teams.”Anahita’s heart sank. Basketball was one of her weakest sports, and she was nervous about making a fool of herself. As the teams were formed, she found herself on the same team as a tall, athletic boy with a commanding presence. Kshitij.
He glanced at her, his expression unreadable. Anahita braced herself for what was bound to be a challenging game. As the game began, she did her best to keep up, but it was clear she was outmatched. Kshitij, on the other hand, moved with ease, leading their team with skill and precision.
During a brief timeout, Kshitij approached her. “You need to move faster and anticipate the passes,” he said, his tone brisk but not unkind.Anahita nodded, feeling a mix of frustration and determination. “I’ll try.”The game resumed, and Anahita pushed herself harder, determined to improve. She managed a few decent passes, earning a nod of approval from Kshitij. By the end of the class, she was exhausted but proud that she had made some progress.
After PE, Anahita headed to her next class, her mind still buzzing from the game. As she turned a corner in the hallway, she was suddenly hit by a blur of motion. Papers flew, and she found herself on the floor, tangled with another student.“I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed, scrambling to gather her things.“Watch where you’re going,” the other student muttered, his voice filled with annoyance.
Anahita looked up and met the piercing blue eyes of a boy she recognized from earlier. Shivaay. He was infamous in school for his troublemaking ways and was the object of many crushes. He was also her new tutor, a fact that filled her with a sense of dread.“I didn’t see you,” Anahita said, trying to keep her composure.
Shivaay sighed and extended a hand to help her up. “It’s fine. I was in a hurry.”As they stood up, Anahita noticed a mischievous glint in Shivaay’s eyes. “Why were you running?” she asked.“Let’s just say I have a history of clashing with the history teacher,” he replied with a smirk.
Anahita couldn’t help but smile at his cheeky response. “Well, try not to run into me next time.”“I’ll keep that in mind,” Shivaay said, his expression softening. “By the way, I’m Shivaay. And you must be Anahita, the new academic star.”Anahita blushed slightly. “Yes, that’s me.”“Welcome to New Age High School,” Shivaay said, a hint of sincerity in his voice. “If you need any help, just let me know.”
“Thanks,” Anahita replied, feeling a mixture of apprehension and curiosity about her new tutor. As the day drew to a close, Anahita reflected on her first day at New Age High School. It had been a whirlwind of emotions and experiences, from the pressure of her parents’ expectations to the awkward encounter with Shivaay. She knew the road ahead would be challenging, but she was determined to face it head-on.Later that evening, Anahita sat at her desk, reviewing her notes from the day. Her thoughts drifted to her brother, Kshitij. Their relationship was strained, and she wondered if they would ever be able to bridge the gap between them. The memory of their argument that morning still stung.“Kshitij, why do you always have to be so hard on me?” she had asked, her voice trembling with frustration.“Because you need to toughen up,” Kshitij had replied, his tone harsh. “Life isn’t going to be easy just because you’re good at academics.”Anahita sighed, feeling a pang of sadness. She wished things were different between them, but she didn’t know how to change it. As she continued to study, she resolved to try harder, not just in her studies, but in mending her relationship with Kshitij.