Undelivered

Chapter 4

Akshara stood outside the entrance of the coaching center, her palms slightly sweaty from nervousness.
It was her first day at the new coaching class, a place her parents had enrolled her in to help her keep up with the fast-paced city curriculum. She took a deep breath and stepped inside, the quiet murmur of students already deep into their books filling the air.
She approached the reception desk, where a lady with glasses looked up and smiled.

"Hi, I’m Akshara Sharma. It’s my first day here,” she said, her voice slightly hesitant.
"Welcome, Akshara," the woman replied warmly.
"You'll be in Room 203. You can go right in; the teacher is just about to start. Don’t worry about being new—we’ve got someone to help you catch up."

Akshara thanked her and made her way down the corridor, feeling a flutter of nerves. She stopped in front of the door labeled "Room 203" and gently pushed it open. Inside, about a dozen students were already seated, their notebooks spread out in front of them.
As she scanned the room for an empty seat, her eyes landed on a familiar face.
It was Sanvik.
He was seated at a desk near the middle, flipping through his notes. His head was slightly bowed as he scribbled something on the page, completely engrossed in whatever he was writing.
Akshara felt a wave of relief wash over her. At least there was someone she knew.

The teacher, Mr. Gupta, noticed her standing near the door and smiled kindly. "Ah, you must be Akshara, the new student. Please, come in."

Akshara nodded and walked in, feeling all eyes on her as she approached the front of the room. Mr. Gupta gestured toward Sanvik.

“Sanvik, could you help Akshara get settled in? She’s new to the class, and I’d like her to catch up with what we've been working on."

Sanvik looked up, surprised to see Akshara. A warm smile spread across his face as he gave a slight nod. "Of course, sir."
Mr. Gupta motioned to the empty seat beside him.

"Akshara, why don't you sit next to Sanvik? He can help you out with anything you're unsure about."
Akshara, grateful for the familiar face, made her way over and sat down beside Sanvik. She smiled at him, feeling the tension in her shoulders ease just a little.

“Hey,” she greeted softly.

“Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Sanvik chuckled lightly. “Yeah, same. Small world, huh?”

She nodded, unpacking her books. “So... what’s today’s lesson about?”

"We’re just starting a new topic in math today," Sanvik explained, flipping through his notebook to show her where they were.
“But don’t worry, I’ll help you catch up with the previous stuff. It’s not too bad.”
Akshara felt a wave of relief. She had been worried about falling behind, especially being new to the city and its intense academics. But knowing that Sanvik was here to help her made everything feel a little more manageable.

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” she said, her tone genuinely grateful.
“No problem. It’s always good to have someone to study with,” Sanvik replied, giving her a reassuring smile.
As Mr. Gupta began the lesson, Akshara found herself focusing better than she had expected. Sanvik occasionally leaned over, whispering clarifications or showing her how to solve a problem. His calm and patient demeanor made it easy for her to understand the concepts she had missed.

By the time the session ended, Akshara felt more at ease with the material, thanks to Sanvik’s help.
“See? That wasn’t too bad,” Sanvik said as they packed up their things.
“Yeah, I guess it wasn’t,” Akshara admitted with a smile. “Thanks for helping me out. I’d probably have been lost without you.”
“You’re welcome,” Sanvik replied casually. “If you ever need help again, just let me know.”

As the coaching class came to an end, the room filled with the sounds of students packing their bags and chatting about the lesson.
Akshara felt a sense of accomplishment after making it through her first day. With Sanvik’s help, she managed to catch up on the topics and feel less out of place.

As she zipped up her bag, she noticed Sanvik glancing over at her.
"Hey, Akshara," he said, sliding his notebook into his backpack. "Where do you live? I could walk you home if you want."
Akshara blinked, a little taken aback by the offer, but she appreciated the gesture. "Oh, I live just a few blocks away, near the park."
"That's not far from where I live," Sanvik said with a small smile. "I could walk with you, if you don't mind."

Akshara hesitated for a moment but then nodded. It was nice to have someone to walk with, especially since she was still getting used to her new surroundings.
"Sure, that’d be nice. Thanks."

They left the coaching center together, stepping into the cool evening air. The sun had dipped below the horizon, and the sky was awash in shades of deep purple and orange. The streets were busy but calming in a way, the sounds of cars and distant conversations filling the air.

As they walked, the conversation between them flowed naturally. Akshara found herself opening up a bit more about her experience moving to the city.

"It’s been kind of overwhelming, you know? Moving here, starting at a new school, and now the coaching class. Everything feels so different," Akshara admitted, her voice quiet as they passed a small group of shops.

Sanvik nodded, his hands tucked into his pockets.
"Yeah, I get that. The city can be intense. But you’ll get used to it. You’ve already made it through your first day at school and coaching—it only gets easier from here."

Akshara smiled at his words, feeling comforted by his calm, easygoing nature. "Thanks. I guess having someone to help does make it a lot better."
"Well, you’re not alone," Sanvik said with a reassuring smile. "We all have to start somewhere."

They continued walking in companionable silence for a few minutes. The street lights flickered on as the sky darkened, casting a warm glow over the sidewalk.
"So," Akshara said, glancing over at him, "how long have you been coming to this coaching class?"

"A few months," Sanvik replied, looking thoughtful. "It’s pretty decent, and the teachers are good. It’s a bit intense sometimes, but it helps with schoolwork."

Akshara nodded. "Yeah, today wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I’m glad I ended up sitting next to you, though. It made things a lot easier."

Sanvik chuckled. "Well, I’m glad I could help. Anytime you need it, just let me know."
As they neared Akshara’s house, she pointed toward a building on the corner. "That’s my home"

Sanvik looked in the direction and nodded. "Alright, then. Guess this is where I leave you."

Akshara smiled warmly. "Thanks again for walking me home and for helping out in class. It really means a lot."

"No problem," Sanvik said, giving her a casual wave. "See you tomorrow at school?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow," Akshara replied, feeling a little lighter as she turned toward her house.

As she entered her home, the warmth and familiarity of it welcomed her. But this time, the day didn’t feel as overwhelming as it had before. She had found her footing, made a friend, and felt just a little more confident about facing the challenges ahead.