Coloured Me Grey (Book Two)

Chapter 32

Pramila Ma'am peered up from behind the stack of books piling up on her table. "I thought you weren't coming to the campus today? You even sent me a message."

I turned in the magazine that I had borrowed from her for the weekend. "There would be this summer program at Santiniketan, and you had to register in person for that today. So I had to come down anyway."

"Wow, I was the chaperone last year. Who is the teacher accompanying this time?"

"I think I saw Maity Sir's name on the list."

I had made sure the officials had enlisted my name and then came back to visit Pramila Ma’am in her office.

She blew a low whistle. "Good for you. He will make sure your schedules are packed for that one month, and in a good way. Outside the classroom, he is the coolest teacher you will meet."

"There are only five spots for so many first-years registering," I shrugged. "I doubt I can make it."

The professor squinted at me, "A summer art camp should be the least of your worries. Yes, it'd be fun if you get in, with all the rich culture and heritage that Santiniketan has, but it's not the only opportunity that will come your way. Keep working diligently and have fun along the way, that's it." She smiled, "Now off with you. I'll see you tomorrow then."

Yash was waiting for me outside. "We will make it amongst the five," he said with the faintest of smiles on his face.

What do I have to do to see you smile again?

Just tell me, and I'll do it.

"And what makes you say that?" I said as we walked towards our familiar haunt.

The Studio-8.

"I just know it."

It was the second time I was not entering the studio through its window. We slipped into the room without a sound, the picture of Ishan still looming ominously in the centre.

"Ah, well," Yash clicked his tongue and drew the cloth over the canvas and put it in one corner of the abandoned studio. The empty easel stared back at us.

He sat on the floor, cross-legged, and leant back against the wall with a sigh. The spot beside him looked inviting enough but I didn't think it would be wise of me to sit there.

You had your chances, you took them and now you've lost. It's okay.

I sat down right where I was standing in the middle of the room.

Yash looked at me expectantly. For someone with a similar physical frame as mine, he sure could look more intense and threatening if he wanted to. He slowly tilted his head to one side and I began to squirm under his gaze.

(A/N – at this point I really wanted to turn it into a horror story but oh well, HAVE IT YOUR WAY.)

"So I talked to Ishan –"

"Guess you spoke to Ishan –"

We said at the same time. I clamped my mouth shut but Yash smiled – a little wider this time. He broke off the staring contest and stretched his legs while I relaxed.

"You have changed now, haven't you?" the boy in front of me asked, with doubt and hope lingering at the same time in his voice.

"I'm trying my best."

"I need a definite answer. You already had one or two years to try your best. So I'll ask once again. You have changed now, haven't you?"

"Yes," I said, hoping my voice hadn't wavered.