Shadows Of Darjeeling

Chapter 15

The sound of the alarm broke the early morning stillness, and Amira stirred, groaning as the cold air greeted her. Today was Monday-her first official day at Loreto Convent. Nervous energy coursed through her as she sat up, glancing at her school uniform neatly hung on the chair.

The crisp white shirt, navy skirt, and blazer gave off an air of formality, a constant reminder of the school's reputation. Amira dressed slowly, brushing out her long hair and tying it into a neat ponytail. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the school tie.

Her mind raced with thoughts. Would the teachers be kind? Would her classmates accept her? What if she couldn't keep up with the rigorous syllabus? Her father's words echoed in her mind: You're a Khan. You don't crumble under pressure.

But she wasn't sure she believed that.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her bag and headed downstairs, where Alana and Rachel were already waiting at the breakfast table.

"Morning, newbie," Alana greeted with a teasing smile as she buttered her toast.

"Morning," Amira mumbled, sitting down and reaching for the tea.

"Nervous?" Alana asked, raising an eyebrow.

Amira nodded. "A little. What if I mess up?"

Rachel chuckled softly. "You won't. The teachers are strict but fair, and we've got your back. Besides, no one expects you to be perfect on your first day."

Amira managed a small smile. "Thanks. I needed to hear that."

Alana reached over to pat her hand. "Just stick with us. You'll be fine."

They finished breakfast quickly and walked to school together, the chilly morning air helping to shake off the remnants of sleep.

At School

Amira was introduced to her teachers and classmates in each class, her nerves settling slightly with each interaction. The girls in her class seemed polite, though many cast curious glances at her, whispering about the "new girl."

By the time the lunch bell rang, Amira felt emotionally drained but relieved to have made it through the morning without any major mishaps.

At Lunch

Rachel pulled out her notebook as they sat at their usual spot in the canteen. "Alright, so here's the syllabus for the term," she said, sliding the notebook toward Amira.

Amira's eyes widened as she scanned the dense list of topics. "This looks... intense."

"It is," Rachel admitted, "but once you get into the flow, it's manageable. You've just got to stay on top of it."

Alana grinned. "And don't forget to breathe. We're not robots, no matter what some of the teachers think."

Amira laughed lightly. "Thanks for the pep talk."

After finishing their lunch, Alana stretched her arms and looked outside. "The weather's amazing today. How about we walk back instead of taking a cab? It'll be a nice change."

Amira nodded, welcoming the idea. "That sounds nice. A little fresh air would be good."

Rachel agreed, and they decided to head back on foot, their conversation light as they strolled through the bustling streets of Darjeeling.

On the Road

As they walked, a familiar SUV caught Amira's eye, parked by the roadside. She recognized the logo of St. Joseph's school on the side.

"Looks like St. Joseph's let out early," Rachel said, nodding toward the group of boys standing near the car. Among them, Amira spotted Aarnav Rawat.

He wasn't driving, but he leaned against the SUV, his hands in his pockets and his expression cold and distant. Beside him stood two other boys, laughing at something. One of them seemed particularly animated, gesturing wildly as he spoke.

"Who are they?" Amira asked curiously, her gaze lingering on the trio.

Rachel squinted. "I'm not sure about the taller one, but the guy with the glasses is Aadi Pandey. He's... well, he's Aarnav Rawat's best friend."

"Wait, Aarnav has friends?" Alana joked, raising an eyebrow.

Rachel smirked. "Hard to believe, I know. But yeah, Aadi's his closest friend. And the other guy is Naman Singhania. They're all part of this... elite circle at St. Joseph's."

Amira tilted her head slightly, observing the group. Aarnav's cold demeanor contrasted sharply with Aadi's animated energy and Naman's casual confidence. She couldn't quite place why, but something about Aarnav intrigued her.

At St. Joseph's School

Aarnav stood silently as Aadi rambled on, his mind elsewhere. The weight of his father's expectations, his mother's absence, and his brother's departure were all tangled in his thoughts. He hated this feeling of being stuck, of being unable to move forward.

"Are you even listening to me?" Aadi asked, exasperated.

"No," Aarnav replied bluntly, his tone clipped.

Aadi groaned. "Man, you're impossible sometimes." He leaned closer, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "Listen, I've got a plan. I'm throwing a party this weekend-biggest one Darjeeling's ever seen. Everyone's coming. You've got to be there."

Aarnav arched an eyebrow. "I'm not interested."

Aadi sighed dramatically. "Of course you're not. But think about it-people need to know who runs this town. It's us, Aarnav. You can't just keep to yourself all the time. You're a Rawat. Show them what that means."

Aarnav's jaw tightened. He hated being dragged into Aadi's schemes, but there was truth in his words. After a long pause, he muttered, "Fine. I'll come. But don't expect me to stay long."

Aadi grinned, clapping him on the back. "That's the spirit!"

Back at the Hostel

That evening, Amira sat at her desk, her phone in hand. She opened her messages and typed a quick text to Rhea.

Amira: Hey, you free for a call?

Rhea's reply came almost instantly.

Rhea: Always. What's up?

Amira dialed her number, and Rhea picked up after the first ring.

"Amira Khan," Rhea began teasingly. "How's the queen of Darjeeling?"

Amira laughed softly. "Far from it. It's... different here, Rhea. The school's beautiful, but the pressure's intense. Everyone's watching me, like I'm some kind of exhibit."

Rhea's tone softened. "That's because you're you. People are curious. But don't let it get to you. You'll win them over in no time."

"I don't know," Amira admitted. "I feel like I'm constantly walking on eggshells. And then there's the syllabus-it's so much more demanding than what we had back home."

"You'll adjust," Rhea said confidently. "You're tougher than you think."

"Thanks, Rhea. I miss you, though. It's not the same without you."

"I miss you too," Rhea said. "But hey, you've got to tell me more. How's Alana? And what's Darjeeling like?"

Amira smiled, leaning back in her chair. "Alana's great-she's been really welcoming. And Darjeeling... it's stunning. The mountains, the fresh air, the sunsets-it's like living in a postcard."

They talked for a while longer, their laughter easing Amira's nerves. By the time the call ended, she felt lighter, ready to face whatever the next day would bring.