Brotherhood

Crazy Pooja

[Inside Prince's Classroom]

(The classroom buzzed with the low chatter of students as Shantanu sir entered, holding a stack of papers and a marker in his hand. He adjusted his spectacles, gave a quick glance at the restless group, and cleared his throat loudly.)

Shantanu (firmly): "Okay, good morning students. To jese ki ab aapke project work ka kaam shuru hoga ab..."

(He paused, letting the words sink in.)

"Usually, we allow you to make pairs with your own friends, but iss baar Principal sir ne kaha hai ki pairs hum banayenge."

(The moment those words fell from his mouth, the entire class groaned in unison. Some slammed their books shut, others sighed dramatically, and a few even dropped their heads onto the desk in protest.)

Prince :(frowning, leaning toward Pratham): "Damn!"

Pratham (shaking his head with fake despair): "Ho gaya kaam ab toh."

Prince raised his hand quickly.
Prince (politely but firmly): "Sir!"

Shantanu (noticing him): "Haan, Prince?"

(Prince stood a little straighter, his voice carrying confidence.)

Prince: "Sir, but agar hum khud pair banate hain, toh woh jyada comfortable hota hai... Mutual understanding hoti hai. Trust hota hai."

(His words stirred the students like fuel to fire. The whole class erupted in support, banging on desks, whistling, and loudly agreeing.)

Shantanu (sternly): "Shhh!"
(
He tapped the marker sharply on the wooden table-tak tak tak! The echo silenced everyone at once. He narrowed his eyes at Prince.)

Shantanu (calm but serious): "Prince, har kaam apne comfort zone mein hi karna zaroori nahi hai. Agar kuch extraordinary karna hai, toh apne comfort zone se bahar aana hi hoga. Aur waise bhi..."
(His gaze shifted toward Pratham, who was caught mid-yawn, jaw stretched wide.)

Shantanu (smirking slightly): "...tumhara comfort zone toh abhi se hi ubasiyya le raha hai."

(The class burst into giggles. Pratham's ears turned red as he quickly sat upright.)

Pratham (sheepishly): "Sorry, sir."

Shantanu (softening): "That's okay. Drink some water. Chalo, ab main roll numbers bulata hoon. Jis jis ka naam lunga, woh apni jagah se khade ho jana."

The students chorused an obedient "Okay, sir!"

(The pairing process began. Prince leaned on his desk, his leg bouncing under the table out of nervousness. His eyes darted toward Shantanu each time a number was called, hoping, dreading, and wondering who his partner would be.)

Shantanu: "Roll number thirty-three?"

Prince (nudging Pratham hard): "Hey! Idiot, get up."

Pratham (blinking): "Oh! Thanks, bro. Me, sir."

Shantanu: "And... roll number fifty-seven?"

(From the back row, a lanky boy with messy hair stood, adjusting his spectacles.)

Pratham (groaning, muttering under his breath): "What the... This question mark? Damn, itni kharaab kismat kaise ho sakti hai meri..."

(The class chuckled, knowing exactly whom he meant. Vaibhav, the boy standing, was infamous for questioning everything. Professors had nicknamed him "question mark.")

Prince (snickering, whispering): "Good luck, brother."

(Pratham shot him a glare )

Shantanu: "Sit down, guys."
He resumed calling names. Prince held his breath. And then-