From the Principal's Desk: Due to the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, all in-person school activities are suspended until further notice. We understand this is a difficult time, but the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. Please prioritize your health and well-being during this time. We will continue to provide remote learning opportunities and keep you updated on any further developments. Stay safe!
A hush had fallen over the schoolyard, a stark contrast to the student chatter and laughter. A sense of unease hung heavy in the air, a shadow of something far larger than any schoolyard worry.
News reports crackled with updates about a new virus, COVID-19, and the world seemed to be holding its breath.
The needlepoint of Ayush's life started to unravel. The familiar routine of classes, cricket practice, and hanging out with friends was replaced by a strange, sterile silence.
Walls, once echoing with the sounds of life, became barriers confining everyone to their homes.
The school shifted online, a cold replacement for the warmth of shared experiences and the comfort of human connection.
Ayush felt adrift, a ship suddenly cut loose from its moorings. The once bustling canteen, where he'd shared stolen glances and nervous laughs with friends, was now a ghost town.
The banyan tree, their usual meeting spot under its shade, seemed to mock him with its empty branches, devoid of their usual chatter.
A gnawing anxiety gnawed at him. He missed the simple act of being around his friends, the easy solidarity that had become a lifeline.
But a deeper fear, colder and sharper, began to take root. Three days. Just three days separated him from the U19 cricket team selections - the finale of years of relentless practice, sweat, and unwavering dreams. And now, with a cruel twist of fate, those dreams hung precariously in the balance.
News broke - the U19 selections were cancelled.
The air whooshed out of Ayush's lungs, leaving him gasping for breath. His entire world, meticulously built brick by brick with dedication and sacrifice, felt like it was crumbling around him.
