Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 14

Amira woke to the soft rays of sunlight slipping through the curtains, her mind instantly drifting back to the New Year's party. Aarnav Rawat. His imposing presence at the party, the way he carried himself so effortlessly-it had been impossible to ignore. He had stood like a pillar amidst the crowd, cold and detached. His eyes, void of emotion, had intrigued her more than she cared to admit. Everyone had warned her about him, how distant and unapproachable he was, but Amira couldn't help but feel drawn to the mystery that seemed to surround him.

Why was he like this? What was behind that cold façade? It bothered her more than she expected, and it seemed to follow her throughout the night, refusing to let her rest. Amira rolled over, staring at the ceiling, trying to shake the thoughts away, but they lingered.

Just as she was lost in these thoughts, a knock on the door interrupted her musings.

"Come in," Amira called out, her voice still heavy with sleep.

The door opened, and Alana stepped inside her usual upbeat self. She carried a neatly folded uniform in her hands, ready to help Amira prepare for school. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she greeted warmly. "I thought I'd bring you your uniform. You know, since school starts Monday, I figured you could use a little help."

Amira blinked, groggy but grateful. She hadn't realized how quickly Monday was approaching. "Oh, thanks. I wasn't sure when to start getting everything ready."

Alana set the uniform down on the desk beside Amira's bed. "No problem. I remember how overwhelming it was when I first came here. It feels like there's so much to figure out at once, but don't worry, you'll settle in. I'll be here to help."

Amira smiled, appreciating the comfort Alana offered. "I guess I'm still trying to find my footing. Everything's so different from what I'm used to."

Alana sat beside her, offering a sympathetic smile. "I get that. Trust me, it'll take a little time, but you're not alone in this. You've got me, Rachel, and the others to help you along the way."

Amira sighed, feeling a bit lighter. "Thanks. It's just a lot to take in."

Alana winked. "I know, but you'll do fine. And don't worry about the syllabus, Rachel will explain everything later. For now, how about we get some breakfast? You must be starving."

"Sounds good," Amira agreed, feeling her stomach rumble. "Let me get dressed first."

Alana stood up. "I'll meet you downstairs. Don't take too long!"

Once Alana left, Amira quickly changed into comfortable, warm attire-a cosy sweater and a pair of jeans, topped off with a scarf and boots for the chilly morning. She was excited for the day ahead, but a small part of her couldn't shake off thoughts of Aarnav, his cold demeanour, and the way his presence had lingered even after the party.

She brushed the thoughts away, deciding to focus on the day ahead. As she made her way downstairs, she saw someone she hadn't expected-Mihir.

He stood near the bottom of the stairs, looking slightly surprised to see her. His gaze lingered for a moment longer than usual before he smiled, albeit a little shyly. "Amira, good to see you awake this early," he said, his voice friendly, but there was a hint of something more in it.

Amira felt a flutter in her chest. She didn't know Mihir very well yet, but there was something undeniably genuine about him. "Yeah, I woke up early. I guess I had a lot on my mind," she said, her voice a little quieter than she intended.

Mihir raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Something troubling you?"

Amira paused, debating whether to share her thoughts. But something about Mihir made her feel like she could trust him, even if they were still getting to know each other. "It's just... the party last night. It was a lot to take in, and, well, some people are hard to figure out."

Mihir nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I get that. The crowd can be overwhelming. But hey, you seemed pretty composed compared to most."

Amira shrugged, feeling a little self-conscious. "I don't know. It's just... everything felt a bit out of place."

Mihir took a step closer, his tone softening. "You're new here, and it's always tough at first. But trust me, you'll fit in. You just need time."

She smiled, grateful for his words. "Thanks. I hope so."

There was a brief silence before Mihir spoke again, his voice a little hesitant. "If you ever want someone to talk to, I'm here. I know it's not easy being new."

Amira was caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice. She met his eyes, noticing the way his gaze lingered on her just a bit longer than normal. "I appreciate that, Mihir. I do."

Just then, Alana's voice called from the kitchen. "Amira! Breakfast is ready!"

Amira glanced back at Mihir, smiling at him. "I guess I should go. I'll see you around?"

Mihir gave a small, almost shy smile. "Yeah, see you."

Amira made her way to the kitchen, but not before she felt a slight weight in her chest. She couldn't quite place it, but something about Mihir's attention felt different. As if he was trying to get closer to her, more than just a friendly gesture. But Amira pushed the thought aside for now, knowing she had other things to focus on.

When Amira reached the kitchen, Alana was already seated at the table, sipping a cup of tea. The smell of fresh pancakes filled the air, making her stomach growl.

"Good morning," Amira greeted, taking the seat opposite Alana. "Thanks again for helping me with the uniform."

"No problem at all," Alana said, setting down a plate of pancakes in front of her. "You'll get used to it. But you might want to eat up quickly-Rachel's coming by soon to go over the syllabus for the year."

Amira nodded, her appetite kicking in. As she dug into the food, Alana continued, "And remember, don't stress about anything. We'll take it step by step. The first few weeks are always a blur, but we'll help you catch up."

Amira smiled at her reassuring words. "I know. I'm just trying to get into the routine."

Alana leaned back in her chair. "That's the spirit. We're all here for you."

They continued to chat, the conversation light but comforting. For the first time since arriving, Amira felt like maybe she could do this-adjust to the new life, the new school. But as she ate, the thought of Aarnav Rawat crept back into her mind, as if calling to her from the shadows of the night.