Those Bonafide Teens

4. Prancing Around

"Who is that hot guy you just brought in?" Zoya asked me ten minutes later, when we were sitting in class.

Everyone was craning their necks to look at the newcomer. Oh sorry, I mean the hot newcomer. In a few seconds, of entering the class, Reyansh had managed to grab a lot of attention. Of course, that could be just because he was new and not, you know.. because he was so good looking.

I had introduced him to Zoya and Mishti. I'd expected Zoya to be very interested in him, but to my surprise Mishti was more interested than Zoya! Reyansh had actually made her put down her Physics book and talk to him. A thing I and Zoya had failed at for six years.

But it was not just her anyway. By the end of that day, I realised a lot of people really did seemed to like him. And by a lot of people I mean girls.

Aaliyah was already starting to stalk Reyansh. Not just on Instagram but all over the place. But Maya didn't seem to share her interest. I wondered, why. Maya was usually the one behind all of Aaliyah's stupid mind games.

A week later, Reyansh told me he wanted to join the Fine Arts Club. And I thought it was great. Most of our class members were already members in the club, including Aaliyah and Maya. Mishti was an exception.

Reyansh and Mishti had become really good friends or at least that's what they told me! Personally, I felt Mishti was crushing on him.

Varun and Abeer had also befriended Reyansh now and the three of them hung out together these days.

Soon, the planning for the cultural show started. Our Principal, Samar Rajvansh informed us that a staff member would be appointed as the head of the Arts Club. We were asked to meet the teacher who was apparently new to the school, on a Wednesday morning.

All of the Arts Club gathered in the cafeteria during break on Wednesday. The new teacher was already there when we reached. He was middle aged, very ordinary looking with a beard.

"Let me introduce myself. I'm Suhrit Madan and I teach History. I know I'm new here but I've opted for the position of head of the Fine Arts Club because I love fine arts. I believe.." he then launched into a boring elucidation about the importance of Arts.

My mind was racing. This seemed good! Mr Madan seemed to be a bit of a duffer. Which meant students would be allowed to do a lot of work!

If I roped in my BFF'S and the three of us gave a good hand in the cultural festival, it would definitely shoot up our social reputations at school. Unfortunately, both my BFF'S had never shared my desire for social reputation! But they'd soon understand.

Mr Madan had finally finished his boring speech and only then seemed to realise that there was work to be done. "Okay, who's the student's Fine Arts Secretary?" he asked finally.

"Me sir!" I put my hand up, "I'm Riya Dixit" I said before he could ask.

"So Ms Dixit, have you and your team planned anything solid so far?"

"Err..no sir"

"Not to worry. Use the rest of the week and plan out the program of the show. I need your plan handed in by Friday" he said.

I couldn't believe it. He was giving me the job on his own. This was brilliant! I nodded eagerly.

Mishti's home was in the same apartment complex as mine. That day I was in incredibly high spirits as we went home. But it instantly came down when I saw Mishti 's mother coming down towards us.

Mishti had rich but conservative parents. And though Mrs Kanwal had known me for a long time now, she was personally convinced that I was reason enough to spoil her precious daughter.

"Why so late?" she snapped at Mishti. Hey we were supposed to come home at 5:00 and it was just 5:10 now. But I was used to this.

"We had a lab session", Mishti lied spontaneously.

"Right. Go upstairs now. I have some work in the office", she huffed and walked past me, like I was a leech on the garden lawn.

Both my parents were unusually at home. I knew what that meant.

My mom was an interior designer and many of my schoolmates were her clients. And dad had his business.

"Mom, Krish is still at school, playing basketball" I told her before she could ask.

My brother usually stayed up for almost two hours after school to play. Personally, I felt it was more to avoid the drama at home.

"Right", my mom said pointedly staring at her laptop. There had been drama. I knew it.

I walked into my room avoiding my dad's gaze and shut the door.

But after a few minutes, the door opened and my dad stood there.

"Asha is out of town. I need help in sorting out my files. I have a meeting tomorrow." Asha was my dad's assistant.

"I'll do it" I said.

So I sat in Dad's room for three hours that evening, sorting out his files. After we were done, I got up to go to my room.

Just as I opened the door I heard him say, "Riya thanks."

"No problem"

"What would you like in return? How about a bonus in your pocket money next month?"

I stared at him in disgust. How could he talk to me as if nothing was going on inside our house and everything was normal?

"No I want something else"

"What is it?"

"Can you and mom stop this divorce drama?"

Now it was his turn to stare.

"Or just do it quickly and leave me in peace".

"Riya.."

I shut the door with a bang and walked back to my room.

"Listen to me Riya, you're being too interfering in your parents' personal lives" Zoya told me the next day, as she took a bite of her sandwich. It was lunch break and we were in the cafeteria.

"What do you mean personal life? I am their daughter!"

"Zoya's right, Riya we are nobody to decide for our parents" said Mishti, from behind her French textbook.

Zoya nodded, "All this drama around the divorce business is actually pathetic. It happened to my parents too. But I am still normal. You're stressing over this unnecessarily."

I looked at her, "Never thought of it this way", I muttered.

"Then think now", Zoya said and smiled. Nobody could give me better advice in this area than Zoya. She had been through this after all. Maybe she was right.

A/N : Hey guys! This is the first family scenario and I really hope you liked it. Lot more of the Dixit family coming up!

Thank you for the reads. Please do leave your vote before moving forward. Lots of love!