The University of Ataraxy

Part 12

"My dears," said Professor Soly, Salverntine. She was sitting in her armchair in front of the class and peering around at them all with her gigantic eyes. A month had already passed. "We have finished with blackholes-right? Eh- Yeah, today will be a discussion about Mars, especially its effects on our planet. It is making wonderful angles with other planets, and this is Earth. The planet each of you belong from, and eh- this is Neptune. This is our planet, right here, invisible. That was all for the board, now, If you will all look this way, I will dim the lights...." She waved her wand, and the lights went out. There was complete darkness. The Professor clicked her fingers, and a miniature model of the solar system contained within a glass dome appeared.

Amanda bent further to catch a better sight of it. The furious sun glowed, and all the nine planets revolved around it, glimmering. Respective Moons followed their planets. It was a miracle to watch.

Yutika, however, yawned. She was tired from all the training last night. She watched the professor lazily as only a few words seemed to reach her ears. "This angle you see- it relates to the exotic- and the use of Neptune is quite despicable-yes Larla?-Not absolutely- The Neptune and the JuPier, over here, have a bit of connection- the same angle- with-". The wind from the open window played with her hair.

"This position is called the Organizer-." And her eyelids began to drop. Her body felt as though it was sinking deeper into the warmth of the peaceful breeze. Before she had the strength to open her eyes, exhaustion had carried her to sleep.

And suddenly, there was light. The world had been so real a moment before. "Psss," she heard Nyle's voice. It took only seconds for her to realize that her eyes were watering. And that she was sweating deadly.

"Deshpande!"

That long shout was enough for Yutika to come into consciousness again. Yutika found her hand shivering. Her throat was stiff. The dreadful dream was still keeping her on her toes. The pain seemed so real. "I repeat, could you answer that, Miss Deshpande?"

"Ay, you 'kay?" Whispered Amanda, looking quite terrified after Yutika hadn't responded. "Of course she is," said Professor Solly, deeply agitated. "What did you see, Deshpande?".

"Nothing," Yutika lied. She stood up. She could practically feel herself shaking. It wasn't because the professor was humiliating her in front of the whole class, it was because of the dream.

"The Answer, perhaps?".

"I'm sorry... I don't know..."

"Ofcourse, you don't know. Nor were you paying any attention, and neither were you reading the textbooks. I want all your notes ready. Is that clear? By our next lecture!". Yutika nodded.

"Great! What a stupid batch. Class dismissed!".

"Hey, it's alright. Next lecturer's not until next Monday." Said Nyle as the professor had disappeared. Everyone started packing their bags Immediately. Yutika shook her head, smiling slightly. "I can't believe you fell asleep," laughed Amanda. "Right, speak more loudly."

"And her luck, look at him, guys-Farad never gets caught." Lucas pointed to a boy fast asleep on the last bench. Amanda shrieked with laughter. 

Yutika and Lucas looked at her with amazement. 

"Now you okay?" Said Nyle. 

"Uh-huh!".