𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑹𝒊𝒅𝒆

PART-55

Outside the college's closed gate, the May morning buzzed with restless energy. A sea of students in casual attires stretched across the road - some clutching admit cards, others chatting nervously, their voices blending into a single hum of anxiety and excitement.

In one corner, Ira stood quietly - a small island of calm amid the chaos. A rolled admit card was clenched in one hand, a pen in the other, her gaze following the movement around her with detached patience.

She wore an olive-green kurti patterned with white prints, a pair of light-blue jeans, and a soft white stole that looped neatly around her neck. Her armpit-length hair was braided simply against her back, the loose strands brushing lightly against her face whenever a breeze passed.

From the road nearby came the sharp symphony of honks and loud beeps. A few men, sweating beneath the sun, steered their bikes through the dense crowd, their wives perched behind them in vibrant sarees and glittering jewellery that caught the light like scattered glass.

These women have come to attend exams or for fashion shows?

Rolling her eyes inwardly, Ira turned her head the other way. Her shoulders drooped slightly, as she exhaled a tired breath that dissolved into the noise around her.

Where is Navya? This girl is going to get us both late.

She pivoted toward the stationary shop behind her, scanning for a clock among the cluttered display of pens and notebooks hanging from strings.

Fifteen minutes left.

"Ira!"

Ira's eyes widened as she turned toward the familiar voice, her face brightening instantly. She lifted a hand, waving high before weaving through the crowd toward the sound, her steps quick and eager.

"Where were you?" she whispered as she reached her friend, a hint of irritation buried beneath relief.

Navya appeared slightly flushed, strands of hair sticking to her forehead. She was dressed in a simple pink salwar suit, her pink dupatta hanging loosely over one shoulder, swaying with her hurried movements. Without warning, she clamped her fingers around Ira's wrist, tugging her forward so fast that Ira nearly stumbled onto the road. "C'mon, first take the entry!"

"Oh my-girl, calm down." Ira steadied herself, brushing back a few loose strands from her face. Her eyes darted toward the entrance, where a throng of students pushed and jostled like ants around a piece of jaggery. "Let them get inside first. We need to find our assigned classrooms and bench numbers first."

She made her way toward the college boundary, where sheets of paper fluttered slightly against the notice board. A cluster of students leaned close, their fingers tracing lines of names and roll numbers in frustration.

Navya trailed after her, puffing lightly, her nose wrinkled and lips pushed into a pout.

Ira turned around, forehead still furrowed. "Yours is 17, mine's 15."

"And bench number?" Navya squinted, shielding her eyes with her hand as a harsh beam of sunlight hit her directly.

Ira mimicked her squint, her lips quivering slightly. "That we'll find outside the room."

Navya nodded quickly, brushing her dupatta aside with a flick. "Okay, done. Come."

The two girls melted back into the crowd, their voices swallowed by the steady rhythm of chatter, footsteps, and the dull hum of another exam day in full swing.

💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫

"Hehehe-oh my god!" Navya burst into laughter as they climbed the marbled stairs, the polished surface smooth and cold beneath their footwear. "I didn't expect the teacher to just ask and let go."