The SUN - One shot

Smiles

"Are we a bit lost here Miss?" the Teacher roared. 

Apparently, I have never been good at hiding my expressions. You could literally write a book just by reading my facial contortions. As I hurried to arrange my muscles from the befuddled look which they wore to a more somber delusion of innocent nonchalance, I could hear a few snickers behind me. I realized the class was still waiting for me.

"I no understand fast English" I blurted. The snickers could now definitely fit into the category of snorts.

"I guess we will have to work more on it then"

"Yes teacher" I quickly agreed which was greeted with definite bursts of laugh. My big eyes implored around the crowd of students. What was the matter with them? 

Confused and wary, I let time take charge as I silently swore to be silent and invisible henceforth. But of course, I had to be tested.

***

'When you are happy and you know it... Clap your hands!' 

When you're happy and you know and you really want to show it... When you're happy and you know it.. Clap your hands!' 

We were in the long foyer, arranged vertically across the place and apparently clapping our happiness away as the music teacher bubbled with enthusiasm ahead of us.  

"Juhi come here.. Go running to the staff room and inform Miss Jaitley that I am going to cover her next session for her" she commissioned to me.

'' Yes Tea.. yes Miss" I squeaked quickly. 

Apparently much of the mindless mirth on my coming here was on the way I addressed all the teachers here as- 'Teacher' (*rolling my eyes*)! That, was just so out of fashion and sounded like I was trying to be a teacher's pet- according to the monopolistic mindset in this place! Coming from small town does apparently make you a kind of 'misfit' element and try as I might I could not ignore the way everyone seemed to exude superiority and arrogance, even if it was simply in the way they avoided my gaze when I reached out for small help.

Lost in my thoughts thus, I removed myself from the foyer. But hey! Today was only my second day at school... How was I supposed to run to whatever place that she had mentioned and find the Jaitley gem there... Now I was tensed.

Running around I tried to stop a few people to ask for directions. But as always they either avoided my gaze or sped away before I could actually start saying any number of words more than 'Severus Snape'.

When I was almost panicking with the delay and annoyance of not being able to do a single thing straight, I suddenly became aware of a presence watching patiently for me from behind.

  "Are we a bit lost here Miss?" a playful voice interrupted me.

Lost!! You say lost.. Like I have been freaking not conveying the same for the last 10 mins. To hell with this fake concern in this fake place. 

As I heard the same lines for the second time in the day, I turned around to whoever it was to give them a piece of my mind, suddenly bolstered with anger infused confidence.

The slight grin tagging at the corners of his jaw should have only infuriated me further, but as soon as the grin transformed to a whole smile which met the depth of his brown eyes radiating with comfort and devoid of judgement, I could not help myself from smiling back. There as something faintly familiar about his smile.

"Umm.. You know the staff room?" I asked cautiously

"Of course.. let me show it to you." His smile brightened 

"Umm.. Thanks!"

"You know, people often hide theirmost treasured items. But I have found that more often than naught, they increase when you share them"

Treasure.. Increase on sharing.. Is he crazy?.. Me and treasure?

I was just rolling this strange comment in my head when he declared, "Here we are. See you around Juhi! Hope you recognize your treasure."

As I almost shouted to ask him what he meant.. He ran around the corner of the corridor as he shouted "Mirror to Juhi!"

Now I had heard 'Earth to blah blah' but what was this.. Really could anyone be more strange!

***

What was there with his smile? That nagging feeling, when you know something, which is like at the tip of your tongue but you just cant place it, had been constantly conversing with my over-talkative inner voice.

I have seen this smile before.. Of course I have.. But where? Not too long ago.. Not too long ago.. 

Of course you have seen it you idiot! (My inner voice came in dual roles)  You saw this same boy at the gates that day. 

No No No... Somewhere else... Not there.. Not today...

As I crossed the school gates at the end of the day, I waved back at Dada.

Dada was my first friendly face here in this place. This hearty man at the age of 50 was our School watchmen-cum-peon-cum-friend to all. His huge smile as he greeted us and the way he could make out each and every kid with his name and have that gentle understanding with all was something I loved instantly.

Turning back, I saw him smile and wave back to me. As I automatically returned his smile, I realized the second person who had made me smile this way and then it hit me.

***

A/N - This comes as a very late post but I hope it satisfies in length. I would really appreciate your comments on the detailing done here. Was it too much and felt unnecessary? 

What do you think he meant by treasure? Who is he? Who is Dada?

Hope you enjoy this direction.

P.S. - I just love Harry Potter ♥♥♥and cant stop myself from throwing it in. Bear with me!;)

***