𝐓𝐔𝐌 𝐊𝐘𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄

𝐭𝐞𝐧

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

chapter ten

the trip fever

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

Anjali's POV

"I hope all of you remember that the submission date for the trip form is tomorrow," Mr. Tripathi announced, settling his books on the table. The class murmured with subtle nods from a few tables, a blend of excitement and apathy filling the room. I sucked a breath in, knowing I wasn't subject to this announcement.

My Baba never saw the point in school trips. He never let Akshu Tai go, though I did recall her lying about going for sleepovers and faking Baba's signature on the form just to join these trips. I wasn't as crafty as her when it came to things like this, so I let go of the thought. The little hope I had because of Aai faded away as I remembered the abysmal grade I received on my physics paper.

"I swear if your old man doesn't let you go, I will kidnap you and take you to the trip," Tarini mumbled from beside me, making me chuckle humorlessly. They'd blame me for that too.

The trip was a three-day, two-night camp near the Krishna river. Like a real camp; tents, sleeping bags, bonfires. All I could do was daydream about it, surrendering myself to the hopes of only watching this life through Instagram. Additionally, it was going to be a road trip—four hours of students messing around in buses, laughing, singing, and creating memories I could only imagine.

The trip sounded like pure magic to me, but showing any kind of excitement towards it would've only made my friends pity me more. I lived through Tarini vicariously, as I watched her pull the form out of her bag. "If you're not going, I'm not going either," she promised, waving the form before tucking it into her desk.

I sighed, shaking my head. "No, you're not missing this just because my parents aren't cooperative."

"Well, what do you think I'll do then? Roam around with Veer's group? It'll only make me want to jump in the river going about with all those boys. They're so—"

"Okay, okay. We'll see," I whispered, trying to stop her from ranting as I noticed Mr. Tripathi shoot us a look. Specifically me, considering how well I was doing in his subject.

She grunted, rolling her eyes as the only response to my blatant promise. There was nothing to see. I wasn't going, and that was final. In my father's words.

The bell rang, and the classroom erupted in the familiar chaos of students gathering their belongings, exchanging quick gossip, and planning the afternoon. I stuffed my books into my bag, the weight of unfulfilled desires pressing down on my shoulders.

I looked around the classroom as I waited for Tarini to finish packing, my gaze briefly catching on another pair of eyes staring back at me. He stood across the room, his friend engrossed in organizing his belongings beside him. I couldn't quite decipher who his friend was, but it didn't occupy my thoughts for long.

Dhruv sent me a small, almost imperceptible smile, the corner of his lip twitching in a gesture that seemed both friendly and awkward. I blinked and turned away, focusing my attention on Tarini.

This doesn't make us friends.

Never said it does.

I let out a breath, tapping my foot impatiently as I watched Tarini hurry up. "Okay, done. Chalo."

On the way home, Tarini kept coming up with plans for how I could convince my parents, though both of us knew it was futile. So I silently listened, nodding along whenever I found the plan remotely plausible. She dropped me off at my colony, waving goodbye as I turned away, murmuring a small "bye" loud enough for her to hear.