Dorm Days

11

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As the Independence Day approached, the school seemed to enter a state of organized chaos reminiscent of a circus, but instead of clowns, they had teachers frantically waving tricolor flags while students practiced their best 'Saare jahan se achha' recital as if auditioning for a Bollywood musical.

It all began a week earlier when their principal decided that a "grand celebration" was necessary this year. He envisioned parades, cultural performances, and perhaps even a display featuring rare species of peacocks, if feasible. Consequently, he convened an emergency assembly, which served primarily as a pretext to remind the students to rein in their 'junglee' behavior and to keep it in check until the program concluded, as the Assistant Commissioner would be joining them to celebrate Independence Day this year.

Before they realized it, the music room erupted into a cacophony of sounds. Instruments that had collected more dust than been played suddenly became the focus of attention. The trumpets, competing with the blaring flutes, resembled a distressed duck.

In the vibrant world of creativity, the art room descended into chaos as students hurried to get ready for the celebration. Maher, Heer, and Dia stood to the side with colored sheets and scissors. As for Kashvi, she is now the new class representative and needed to direct her classmates for the skit they had prepared.

"Naach toh ye log rahe hai aur inka shringaar humse karva rhe hai.. Tch ye toh thik se cut bhi nahi horaha" Maher sighed. They were making paper caps for class 8th kids who were gonna dance wearing that.

(These people are dancing and they are getting their make-up done by us.. This isn't even getting cut properly)

"Wahi toh, dekh! In sab ke baad bhi agar kisine kal thik se dance nahi kiya, mai chappal phek ke maarungi-"

(Same thing, see! Even after all this, if anyone doesn't dance properly tomorrow, I will hit them with slippers.)

"Dishkiyaon!! Dishkiyaon.. Waana woom woom waana woom woom wanawoom" Viraj, Manav and Mayank swung the door open and barged in, humming the bg of Kabir Singh holding something which resembled a gun. They froze upon noticing the girls staring at them with parted lips. After greeting the girls with awkward smiles, they gathered around the table and laid a large sheet on it.

"Ye log kyu aaye ab!?" Dia muttered.
(Why are they here now!?)

"Aree kaam karne aaye hai" Heer started fidgeting with a nearby pen as a sudden wave of heat washed over her face and neck. She gently patted her cheeks to soothe herself and shifted slightly, causing Maher to turn to her dramatically with a look of disgust.

(They are here to work)

"Tu apna kaam kar!! Badi aayi bolne" Maher retorted. She sensed that something was off but chose to remain silent.
(You do your work!!)

"Aur koyi nahi hai kya..?" Mayank asked, making a conscious effort to appear lighthearted, and then turned his hopeful gaze toward the door, his eyes darting back and forth.
(Is there no one else?)

"Kyu bhai?... Koyi missing hai kya? Hmm mmmm" Manav smirked but quickly straightened up when Maher narrowed her eyes at him.
(Why brother?.. Is anyone missing?)

"Abey chup! Ab koyi nahi aaraha hai toh door lagayenge na isliye.." Mayank scratched his neck and offered a half-smile. He picked up a pencil from the pencil case and focused on tracing the outline of the sketch.

(Shut up! If no one is coming then we can close the door.. That's why)

"Nahi door lagane ki zarurat nhi. Abhi bohot kuch print bhi karvana hai naa" Heer replied, her voice unusually honeyed as she smiled looking at Viraj who nodded in agreement with her point.