FLORAISON

Chapter-4》

It takes me only a second to realise that its him. I turn around to face him and joy covers my cheeks. I flush out in happiness to see him, both a sensation of relief and joy rushes through my mind. Its Raghav Patel another WLECian. We are friends almost since Kindergarten, we practically grew up together. I am just so glad to find an already known person here.

"Ohhh Myy GOODD!! RAGHAV" I practically jump on him for a hug.

*He hugs me back*

"I am so glad to see you.. I was so worried about being alone" Raghav sighs in relief .

After placing our bikes properly walk together to the HS building while sharing our summer stories. He tells me that he has opted for Commerce and is planning to do CA in future which honestly I am really happy about. I like how cheerful he has become now. He went through a big breakup last year with a girl in WLEC. I am happy that he has changed now in a good way. The fact that he loves everything that he is doing makes me so happy for him.

"What about your designs? Did you go for arts? Please tell me you chose arts!" His curious questions pull me back from my thoughts.

"Um.. No.. uh.. I mean Mum felt, like there is no definite career in fashion designing and she wants me to do something less struggling and more definite. You know how it is. Not everyone becomes Manish Malhotra." I explain him as nicely as I could also trying to avoid the question.

I was always so much into fashion which my Mum felt like was a waste of time and being a middle class family we wouldn't evercbe able to afford schools like that. Eventually she made me quit drawing and sold all my designs to Ragmen after convincing me to concentrate only on my 10th boards. She indirectly manipulated me into opting for Science after a month long rant about my cousin Disha Di joining the IIT's. I wanted to tell Raghav at that moment that how much I missed drawing but now I couldn't even bring myself to look at pictures of my old designs because I was afraid of that feeling which would comes along with it. That feeling of failing to save that one thing which would always belong to you no matter where you go or who you become, it will always be my identity and I had to give it up.

"Bullshit! You know that is not true. You are no Manish Malhotra but you are YOU and you know that. Don't tell me you are that stupid. Did your mum even see your work?" He stops walking midway and holds my hand in concern. "Hey? Look I know it must be very difficult for you to move on from something like that. Always remember you have a brother in me. Okay?" He nudges me.

"I know BROTHER" I laugh as I nudge him back.

"This is it, I think.. Science is here. See you during the recess" he waves at me.

"Yeah.. byee" I wave him back and move to towards the science section. I enter my class and guess what its EMPTY.

Maybe I am just early. I should still go and check outside once, maybe I am in the wrong room..ughh this is so confusing. I slap myself on the head as I think about the worst possible scenarios. Am I even in the right room. Where is everyone? This is so weird.

"Hi! Are you in science too?" a sultry sweet female voice from behind startles me. I turn to face her and I feel I recognize her from somewhere. I think I have seen her at one of Jolene's birthdays or maybe in her year book pictures or whatever, I don't really remember but I feel like I know this girl.

She has a very magnetic mesmeric face with ivory toned skin and very delicate features. Her eyes shine bright golden, maybe because of the sun's reflection or maybe thats just the color of her iris. Her purple shaded hair is pulled up in a high bun. Her soft pink lips are open in a perfect and the most welcoming smile. I smile back at her and Introduce myself.

"Hi! I am Avya Rathore and I think so this is Science but where is everyone else?" I curiously ask her even though I just saw her entering the hall infront of me.(small talk I guess)

"Hi Avya!" She greets and moves for an handshake. "Soumya.. Soumya Sengupta, the rest of my friends are always late.. so don't worry about the class. No one in this school comes in time." She chuckles

"But you do" I remark.

"Oooh thats by mistake. My train left early this morning so.." she laughs and I laugh with her.

She continues..

"By the way.. You are Avya, Jolene's best friend. Well Avya I am her school best friend. We have met twice before..re..." She softly reminds me.

"Ohhhh Yesss.. thats what I was wondering continuously about.. oh my god! You are such a life saver. I thought I wouldn't know anyone in this class and it would be awkward as hell." I stop her in the mid sentence.

We met the first time at Jolene's birthday but for a very short time because of my curfew and then we met again at an interschool debate competition, where Jolene officially introduced us. Its been almost 3 years since that day but I remember now exactly how I felt when I saw her. Jolene had this one very bad practice that was bitching behind people's back even when I told her almost a million times to stop, but she did it anyway. According to her Soumya was trying to break her and Yug up. Her rantings never made sense to me, So when I first saw Soumya, I was in a doubt about her as a person and The thing about me is that I can't be FAKE. I can't keep pretending around people to like them when thats not true but when I met her in person-- She was actually like that. She had this very sweet charming voice that would literally bring peace to ears and in the few hours we spent together, I realized that she was nothing like Jolene described to me and today I am also kinda happy to see her here.

"HAHA..you remember me? How long has it been?"

"3 YEARS", I complete her sentence.

"Well since you are in my school I am gonna show you around and don't you worry at all sweety, You're gonna have a lot of fun" she sweetly nudges me.

"Well okay then..I won't worry!" I assure her

"I think its time for the school assembly. Come on.. Come with me!" She keeps our bags on one of the benches in the last and drags me out to the hall.

______________________________________

**Hi this is the writer Anshika and If you really really loved it then show your love by vote♡ and follow me to stay tuned on the chapters.