Is forever for R.E.A.L?

Chapter 4- The After School Punishment

Chapter 4
 
The After School Punishment
Weeks had passed. School can be fun if you have a true friend. A friend who is with you not only for notes and assignments but who laughs at your lame jokes and will have their lunch with you.
 Being an introvert, I never had friends. I used to sit alone in the canteen munching on French fries and looking around at other people chatting and talking with their friends. It’s not that I never tried to make friends but no one wanted a boring nerd friend. I was nothing but a geek whose jokes are also related to studies. Is it my fault that I found more solace in reading Harry Potter rather than watching Avengers?
“Should we go to the library?” I asked Rehan.
“Why library?” he asked me.
“Just like that.” I shrugged.
“I have a better place for you. Follow me.”
“Umm...where?”
“Just follow me.”
 
I followed Rehan to the terrace. It was the last period and we had bunked it. Even though I was a little anxious about breaking rules, I  had started caring less about such things. My dad was afraid and excited at the same time. Afraid that I would be distracted from studies and excited about the fact that I was starting to enjoy life. He was so glad to see that smile on my face that he extended the time I had to get home.
 
“It’s such a beautiful scenery. We should come here often!” I exclaimed.
“I don’t know how you didn’t ever came up here. You are in this school since a decade. I have just joined since this semester and I have already roamed the whole school.” Rehan said.
“I have alrea-" I started but Rehan interrupted me.
“Look those nasty students are troubling those little pups. We should save them. Let’s go.”
“But...I can’t fight. I am too weak.”
“Just follow me.”
 
I followed Rehan down the ground towards the stray pups who were harassed by some kids near their age.
“STOP!” Rehan shouted loudly.
I knew Rehan could be frightening when angry though I didn’t knew it would shook me too. If I were the one he was shouting on, I would have already peed in my pants. But then, I get frightened by least of things, so this was no surprise.
 
Those who were playing had the same reaction and fled from there in a minute. Rehan went forward and took the puppies in his hands. I, as usual was quite afraid that they would bite me(Don’t ask).
 
As we were caressing the pup, Ashish Desai came behind us. I thought he was going to ask about the pups but he suddenly charged towards Rehan. He pushed Rehan away and punched him. Even though I didn’t knew Ashish properly, I knew he wouldn’t hit somebody without any reason so I was quite shocked. Rehan didn’t picked up fights but he wouldn’t even get beaten up without any reason. Suddenly there were punches and blows exchanged. I ran up to bring someone and stop the fight and I came across the principal. I knew  Rehan could get in a load of trouble but I had to tell the principal or they both would kill each other. Their male egos were hurt. And these male egos are too big for our own good.
 
Minutes later we were standing in the principal’s cabin. Knowing that we didn’t had a history with misbehaviour, the principal didn’t call our parents. He was giving us another chance but he wanted to know the reason behind their such actions.
“I saw them harassing a little puppy and I went to save her. I pushed Rehan away but also I accidentally punched him. He punched me back and in no time we were hitting each other without any care of the world. I am sorry for my behaviour and I promise something like this won’t repeat again.” Ashish said finally after a long silence.
“Rehan, can I know your purpose for harassing those harmless creatures.” The principal asked.
“I didn’t harm them. Instead I saved them from some other students who were hitting them with sticks. I saw them and ran for their rescue. You can ask Larry, he was with me.”
“Yes sir.” I agreed.
“Okay Rehan. I believe you. But what were you doing out of your class at that hour with Larry. Also the windows of your classroom were in other direction, so you couldn’t have witnessed that from your class.”
This was it. We were busted.
“Sir we were on the terrace.” Rehan confessed in a low tone.
“By the concerned teachers permission I assume.” The principal smiled at us
“No. We bunked it.” We both looked down.
“Though I appreciate your honesty,  bunking class is not allowed and of course you will be punished. As Ashish was not bunking class and Larry was not involved in the fight, they both will be get lesser punishment than you Rehan. I expect better from you all. The staff are facing a little issue of scarcity of maids. Ashish and Larry will wait after school for 2 weeks and help in cleaning the school and Rehan will do the same for 3 weeks. You all are dismissed.” The principal said. 
We left the school, quite angry at each other.