In a far corner of the class, Krishna sat with her head low, scribbling answers into her tution notebook with the concentration of a Zen monk. Tanvi dropped her bag with a thud next to her, slumped onto the bench and nudged Krishna with her elbow.
"Homework kar rahi hai kya?" Tanvi whispered.
"Nahi...kapde dho rahi hun!!," Krishna shot back in her signature quiet sass. Her voice was barely above a whisper, but her expression carried the weight of ten witty comebacks.
Asha and Chandni soon joined them, lunchboxes and chattering in hand. The classroom buzzed with the typical midday warmth, the scent of chalk, peanuts from someone's tiffin, and a barely functioning fan spinning above them.
It was then Krishna leaned in, mischievous spark lighting her usually calm eyes.
"Guys, I saw this reel: Try not to laugh challenge.. let's try it. Everyone keeps water in their mouth, and I'll try to make you laugh. If you spit the water out, you lose. Simple."
"Krishna, we're not clowns," Chandni protested while already uncapping her bottle.
"Come on yaar, life's dull without water fights in classrooms!" Tanvi grinned and filled her mouth, raising a brow dramatically.
All three girls sat with puffed cheeks and sparkly eyes as Krishna began. She danced dramatically, mimicked their teachers, imitated Asha's laugh, even threw in some random made-up dialogues. Tanvi and Chandni held strong, shoulders shaking silently.
But Asha? Asha was a different species.
One snort.
Then a giggle.
And then, Satyanashhhhh!
A fountain of water exploded right into Krishna's face. Direct hit. Her specs were fogged, hair stuck in wild directions, the tip of her nose dripping. For a full three seconds, everyone froze and then the class erupted.
"OH MY GOD, YOU LOOK LIKE A DROWNED GHOST!" Chandni cried.
Krishna wiped her face slowly, gave Asha a slow head-turning death stare and said, "I will remember this. For the rest of my life."
Even the teacher who entered right after, confused by the laughter and wet bench, shook her head and muttered, "Pagal ladkiyan."
The sun was mellow, slipping slowly behind the tiled rooftops as Tanvi reached home from school, her bag weighing slightly less than her thoughts today. She unlocked the gate with the usual rusted creak and was about to walk in when she paused, blinking twice.
Her father was in the veranda, crouched like a kid with his favorite toy, a wide grin stretching under his salt-and-pepper mustache. And right before him, shimmering under the golden light stood a brand-new red electric scooty. Still half-wrapped in showroom plastic, smelling of fresh leather and possibility.
"Papa?" she called, half-smiling, half-questioning.
He looked up, glowing with pride. " Aare yeh dekh teri scooty finally aa gayi. Tere result ke din gaye the na order karne.. aaj laake deke gaye. Chalo tere liye bhi acha hua..aaj se isko hi leke jana. Maine charge kar diya hai isko aur clean bhi. Jao jake jldi khana kha lo phir tution ke liye bhi nikalna hai. Aur Krishna ko bhi pick kar lena!"
Tanvi chuckled, eyes wide, heart fuller than she expected. "Papa! Yeh toh... itni sundar hai!" she couldn't speak more. She was very happy that she will no more travel in that bus.
Inside her room, as she freshened up, she tossed her bag aside and reached for her phone. Just then—ting!—a message popped up from the tuition group.
YOU ARE READING
Somewhere Between Almost and Always
Teen FictionThere's a boy- the kind who doesn't need to shout to be heard. He shows up in silences, in the little ways. He's intelligent, yes-a topper, someone who's naturally good at what he does. He never boasts, never makes others feel small. Instead, he car...
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