WO/MAN (Arthanaareeshwaram)

Late

As the sun rays hit his face, Arjun rubbed his eyes and lazily got up. He could hear the sound of water running in the bathroom and groaned.

All these days, he had enjoyed being the sole inhabitant of the room. But now he had to share the room. "Here ends my peaceful life, with the entry of Mr. Jerk!" He buried his face in his palms.

The same instant, the bathroom door opened and entered the ‘jerk’ himself, with a just towel around his waist.

"What the hell!" Arjun muttered to himself.

"Bhaiyaa! Ready to school?" Rukmini barged into the room yet again.

"Dude! Does your sister always barge into the room of the boys in this way? Doesn't a teenage guy deserve some privacy?" Parthasarathy asked with an annoying smirk but his eyes never left Rukmini, who was gaping with an almost tomato like face.

Alarmed by the situation, Arjun placed himself between Rukmini and Parthasarathy. "I am no more alone in this room sister. So be careful before you barge in." He tried to block her view of Parthasarathy.

"Oh yes, young lady; learn to knock the door or enter at your own risk."

But Rukmini did not hear those words because Arjun was already pushing her towards the door.

She grabbed his arm "We are getting late Bhaiyya."

"Oh shit!" Arjun dashed to the bathroom leaving a puzzled Rukmini at the door.

"He just woke up." Parthasarathy clarified to her.

She stared at him for a moment and turned around to leave.

"Hey! Why are you ignoring me?"

No answer from her.

"You are so mean!"

But she was no more around to hear him praise her further.

"Stop flirting with her and dress up soon. We are getting late. Arjun entered the room in the same attire as Parthasarathy.

"You are quick." Parthasarathy smiled, while pulling on his trousers.

"That is because you took up all my time." Arjun replied dryly with his back facing Parthasarathy.

"Have you and your sister been dropped from the planet of Rude?" Parthasarathy asked, tapping his chin with a finger.

"Not at all funny dude. Try something better next time." Arjun rolled his eyes.

Glancing at his watch, he let out a gasp. "Oh God! We are late. No breakfast for us today buddy." He grabbed Parthasarathy's wrist and rushed to school.

In 5 mins, the duo was huffing and panting in front of their classroom.

"Excuse me Sir!" Arjun's voice made the teacher look up.

"Oh! Arjun. You have proved yet again that you are perfectly headed in the wrong direction. Yesterday that and today, for the first time you are late to class."

Arjun hung his head.

"Sorry to interrupt you sir, but Arjun was late because of me. Not his mistake." Parthasarathy stepped in front of Arjun and the whole class let out a gasp in union.

"And may I know who you are?"

"Parthasarathy, Sir."

"Oh ... Oh ... you are the transfer student right? Please come inside."
The teacher had a full smile on his face by now.

"Arjun, this time you are exempted from punishment. Don't be late to class again."

Arjun nodded and entered the class with his head still low. He was aware of the queer looks the whole class was giving him.

Parthasarathy followed him to the last bench at the corner of the class.

"You are not supposed to sit here. Go sit somewhere else." Arjun growled.

"Why are you abandoning your friend on his first class?"

"You are not my friend. Don't ever call me that. And get lost from here.” Arjun dumped his bag by the window and sat down with a thud.

"No! We just agreed yesterday, that we are friends." Parthasarathy crossed his arms across his chest.

Irritated by the amount of attention they are grabbing, Arjun sighed in defeat. Parthasarathy settled beside him with a victorious smirk.

"Since the SHOW is over, can I have the attention of the students please?" Sir’s tone was cold.

Arjun buried his face into his palms.