Settling herself in the uncomfortable seat of the car, she slammed the door shut with a little more force than necessary. For a moment, it was all quiet but as she looked around at the faces of the people that sat surrounding her, it didn't take her longer than a moment to realise what they, her juniors, had been planning.
Before she even had a chance to open her mouth, a chorus of cheerful voices erupted around her in a monotonous melody singing 'happy birthday to you' while clapping their hands on beat. Damn these kids were more talented than she gave them credit for. The smiles and the look of anticipation on their faces said everything Divangshi needed to hear. Atleast what she'd wanted to hear till last year. But little did they know, instead of making her day better, it had just gotten worse.
Regardless, she forced her lips to curve into a wide smile, thanking every kid for every present that was shoved into her arms. She kept smiling. Fake as it was, it was the least she could do. The last thing she wanted was to disappoint the innocent kids for something they had to part in.
As she set her first foot on the school campus, the first thing that caught her eye were two figures standing by the entrance of their building. Adil and Saysha. Adil stood with one of his other friends next to him, and the scene currently going behind him, made Divangshi crack a laugh for the first time that day.
Beside Adil, who was completely unaware of the war waging next to him (Well, it was no less than a war) stood Saysha tall with one of her hands shoved in her pocket. Next to her, Shahaan was seen desperately trying to hold her hand or get her to atleast look at him. But a tough bitch as she's always been, Saysha ignored his existence with unmatched grace. Shahaan must've fucked up again, Divangshi thought, cause there's no way Saysha is avoiding the very guy she's obsessed with.
Adil broke into a full blown grin as Divangshi approached him. "Told you I will be waiting see? I am . Now where's my treat " He wiggled his eyebrows in such a..wierd way that almost made her smile. Almost. She kept her nonchalant expression and intact and said, "In the recess" and started to walk towards her class.
It wasn't long before Saysha caught up with her, lacing one arm around her shoulder. "Can you walk a little slow, my ostrich ? I'm an old woman" Saysha said, her breaths coming out ragged from the running. Divangshi didn't so much as reply and kept walking.
Saysha stopped in her tracks, and so did Divangshi. She placed one hand under her chin to make her face her. Her voice was softer when she spoke, "Diva , I know how hard this must be for you . But you can't ruin this day because of an asshole and his assholic actions"
"I know Saysha di, and trust me I'm not doing that,"
"Yeah I can totally see that happening ." Sarcasm drips from Saysha's tone. She made a clicking sound with her tongue as she noticed Divangshi's emotionally constipated expression. "Come on now , give me a hug. A tight one."
And she did. She seemed to melt in her arms as she heard the words "Happy Birthday BBG" make it's way through her ears in Saysha's voice.
Pulling back, Saysha place her thumb under Divangshi's eyes to wipe a tear that she hadn't even realised had been there.
"Happy birthday bro." Divangshi looked up to see Shahaan walking their way, coming to stand next to Saysha, who was quick to take a step away from him. Shahaan let out a groan. "You can't avoid me forever, love." He said, as Saysha tried to focus her eyes on anywhere but him.
"Well, fuck you ." Saysha's voice held immense hardness that could make any guy run for his life. But Shahaan wasn't just any guy. And afterall, there was a reason they chose each other.
"Sure. When?" He just smiled as if he hadn't just made Saysha's eyes pop out of her sockets.
His reply got Divangshi choking on air, while she tried to contain a laugh and suddenly all of them were laughing, including Saysha.
They started walking towards their classes.
"So Divangshi...any particular reason for ignoring Adil " Shahaan asked as they reached the gate of their class.
Divangshi rolled her eyes. " He forced me to come to school."
She turned around to enter her class, glancing back to look at Shahaan and Saysha walking towards their class. Divangshi smile as she noticed Shahaan's fingers intertwined with Saysha's. Bro really does know how to melt a heart of stone.
She entered her class and as soon as she dropped her bag on her designated seat, she was engulfed in a pair of arms into the tightest hug known to humanity. She turned around to see a girl with her long black hair tied up in two ponytails, a pair of pink framed glasses resting on her nose with a sweet smile wishing her a happy birthday.
"Thanks diba" , Divangshi said as they sat down to chat.
Suddenly, Adil literally flew in out of nowhere and dropped his ass next to Divangshi. He made a silent gesture to Dibya to excuse them for a while as he settled in. After Dibya left, Adil cleared his throat and started, "Listen, I know you hate this day, I know you hate to interact with anyone on this day , I know you want to stay alone on this day. But trust me if you would have been alone, sitting back at home on this day, then it would have even more painful for you. Atleast in school your mind will stay diverted and I can be with you. Thats the only reason I forced you to come to school baba , I can't see u suffer, darllo. Now please don't be angry"
Divangshi wanted to roll her eyes and be mad all over again. But his face and the pure bechara look made it hard for her to control her laugh.
He patted her head and they laugh as they made their way to the ground for the morning assembly.
