Who Cares When I Cry?

New School. New Life.

The bus came to a halt. Rahul was still staring outside the window, admiring the surroundings. Though there was nothing to admire except the jostling of people and cars honking from behind making a tedious atmosphere. Yet, you can't complain because it's Monday, the very day when the "Mangla Haat" comes to life only once a week. He got off the bus, and made his way to the main gate.

The bell rang.

The door was closing in front of him. He knew he can't be late. It's his very first day. In the hustle and bustle, he found himself lost. He felt like he was slowing down. Slowing down to a point that he will lose the race. The race of life. He was pushed inside like a leaf on a wave.

Phew, a sense of relief. He somehow made it inside. As he was about to enter the corridor, he felt a cold touch on his shoulder. Shiver ran down his spine. He was sure that he was caught for being late. He turned around to find Nikhil smiling at him.

"You frightened me", Rahul said.
"Did I?", Nikhil replied laughing.

This behavior of Nikhil pisses off Rahul every time, yet he cannot complain because he was there new neighbour's son and the only person he knew in the entire school for the time being.

Rahul gave a pale smile on his face and went up the stairs with him to the third floor, where his class was ought to be. Class XII-A. The classroom, the benches, the white board, everything felt so odd to him. Nevertheless, he had only one hope in mind that everything will be fine in a few days and he will enjoy school again like before. Both of them entered the class and took a seat on the second row beside the window and behind the girls on the first row. Rahul was too shy to sit behind the girls but Nikhil made him do so rather forcefully. This is his first time in a co-ed school.

The view from the window was blissful. Just opposite to the senior building, there was a massive football ground and also a church which was known to be one of the biggest in the city. The school also had a Basketball ground and a swimming pool beside the Junior Building and a cafeteria far to the north of the Senior building. A light breeze blew about. It was April, the beginning of the session. Though it was early summer but still had that vibe of Spring.

Rahul was still staring out of the window when everyone stood up to greet the teacher. Rahul stood up hastily.

"Good Morning Ma'am!", the class echoed.
"A very Good Morning. Please sit down and make yourself comfortable.", she replied, in quite a soothing tone.

Everybody sat down quietly and so did Rahul and was ready for the teachers instruction.

"So, let's begin!", she exclaimed. Her tone made Rahul nervous.
"I'm Mrs. Ruplekha Chatterjee", she continued. "From today onwards, I'm your Class teacher, and as most of you know, I will be teaching Chemistry." She stopped and looked around the class for once and then continued.
"How many of you like Chemistry? Raise your hands", she asked.

Most of the hands rose up in a fraction of second. Among the few who didn't raised their hands, Rahul was one.

Pointing at him, Mrs. Ruplekha asked, "So, you are Rahul right?"
"Yes ma'am", he stood up and answered nervously.
"Which school are you from?"
"I'm from Augustine's Public School"
"Great. But why don't you like Chemistry?"

Rahul was afraid of this. He knew that she will definitely ask him that question. He don't know what to say. And everybody staring at him made him more nervous. Rahul kept his sight down.

Feeling the sense of fear in him, Mrs. Chatterjee told, "I won't eat you. Don't worry", with a smile on her face.

Rahul in a fast and nervous tone answered, "Chemistry is like a nightmare to me. The periodic table is a puzzle for me. In my dreams, I see chemical bonds tying me up and alcohol, phenol, ether dancing on my grave."

No sooner did he stopped, the class burst out in laughter. Even the teacher couldn't help it.

"Okay, I can understand how much you hate chemistry", she replied smiling. "But don't worry, I'm always there to help you out."

The first period was over. The next few classed went by quite nicely with students introduction themselves to the teachers. Rahul became the Funny-Dude of the class.

It was a half day. School will be over at Eleven. Only half an hour left for the last bell. And the last subject teacher was absent. So basically it was an off period.

Rahul was talking with Aayush who was sitting just behind him, when a girl approached to him. As he turned towards her, she told quite abruptly with a smile on her face.
"Hi, nice to meet you! By the way, you are funny",she smiled again and suddenly left as fast as she came giving Rahul no chance to speak. He was taken aback. He have never seen someone so beautiful as she is. Being dumb for almost a minute, he asked Aayush,"Who was she!"
"I don't know man. She's a new admission."

Rahul kept staring at that direction and murmured,"She's beautiful. She's amazing."