The inter-school fest was around the corner again. Practices were happening in full swing at St. Xaviers. Noor was busy practicing for English skit. The top floor of St. Xaviers is of many empty classrooms. Noor and the team spend the entire day these days at one of these rooms. They were having the best of their school life these days. Bunking classes, practicing, and having fun, completing the records in between. And of course, they designated a person to watch the frequent checking of principal to know whether they were practicing or bunking classes. The skit was based on the three monkeys, the deaf, the dumb, and the blind monkeys. Noor played the role of a deaf monkey. She was jumping around the desks like monkeys all day just to be perfect at her acting. The girls were having absolute fun.
"I need a break. I am tired running around", said Ann. Girls joined around and had some snacks. Alina's mom had been preparing snacks for the girls ever since the practice started.
"How is your dance practice, Riya?", Noor asked.
"We have finalized the whole dance steps. Now we have to perfect those. There are some issues with the timing. Otherwise all is good. I can't believe it's our fourth fest. We will write boards next year."
"Oh, shut up Riya". Everyone said in unison.
"Noor, what about your extempore? Preparing well?", Anjali asked.
"I am reading some article and all. Also, Rema Mam is helping me with articulation and vocabulary. So I guess I could perform well this time."
"Wohoo, so you are going to beat your Reyhan this time too." The girls started laughing.
"Ya Noor, how is your Reyhan?", teased Alina.
"My dears. He is just my rival. And how am I supposed to talk to him? I see him only for the competitions,", said Noor.
"So, you are sad about seeing him only for competitions. I dint know that," Riya didn't intend to leave Noor.
"I am done here. Give me your bottles. I will go and fill water. Give it".
Noor collected the bottles from everyone and walked to the water filter. But the thought about Reyhan still lingered in her mind. She couldn't stop smiling.
" In fact, Reyhan is good. Although I have hated him initially for being an excellent orator, he proved to be a good person. How good he was to me all these years. He cared well for me. He is definitely good. Wait, does he have a crush on me like the girls said? Oh my god. Does he like me? Is it why he behaves well with me? I do not want to be in a relation. But I kind of like him too".
Water soaked her socks, and suddenly Noor came to her conscience. The water was overflowing from the bottle. She suddenly switched off the filter.
"The thought itself is giving me trouble. I should stop it". Noor filled water in all the bottles and went back for practice.
Finally, the first day of fest had arrived. Noor had got skit on the first day. The team landed at the St. George school grounds. Noor couldn't stop her eyes from looking around for Reyhan from the second she got down from the bus.
"What has happened to me? Why am I looking for Reyhan?", Noor thought.
But her thoughts and actions remained extremely contradictory. From the ground to the green room, she searched every nook and corner her eyes could reach.
"Reyhan may not be expecting me today. He doesn't know that I am in for skit today. Is he absent? No way, how can someone not come for a fest? Is he participating for some other item? How will I find him?", Noor couldn't control her thoughts.
