As the new dawn arrived, a new day began, and with it, the school day also commenced. While some students arrived early, others barely managed to make it to their first class. The usual hum of chatter and laughter filled the air, students scattered across the classroom, their voices merging into a lively, chaotic symphony. But something was different today in class '12', section 'B'.
Nira was present, sitting with Riya at their usual bench. However, their friend Sristi was missing.
"Why didn't you come to school?" Riya asked, concern evident in her voice as she looked at Nira.
"I had a really bad fever," Nira replied with a faint smile. "I Went to the doctor, and let me tell you, he gave a lot of medicine. I got so weak I need to take a saline."
"You have a fever?" Riya frowned. "I called you multiple times, but you never answered, why?"
"Oh, my phone was broken too," Nira explained. "These past few days have been terrible for me."
"And what about Sristi? Why was she absent for so long?" Riya asked again. "After you both made the plan to do meet that singer, Abhinash, you both just disappeared on me for two weeks."
At the mention of the name, Abhinash, Nira stiffened slightly, as if caught off guard.
"Yeah… about that… we never got the chance to meet him?" Nira said. Thought she clenched her fists slightly, she masked her emotion with a casual smile.
"Oh…" Riya looked down, worry creeping into her expression. "So, you haven't heard anything from Sristi these past few days eighter?"
"No," Nira responded, but she also took a dry gulp, unnoticed to Riya.
"So… what happened to her?" Nira asked, quickly averting her gaze when Riya turned toward her.
"I don't know… she wasn't answering my calls either." Riya said, concern evident in her tone.
"Oh… I don't know why" Nira replied, still avoiding eye contact, as if troubled by something.
"She came to school yesterday, but—" Riya began.
"She came to school?!" Nira's eyes widened the moments she heard that.
"Did… Did… Did you ask why she was absent?" Nira asked, her voice slightly trembling.
"I did," Riya replied.
Nira turned her face to the side, her lips dry, as if something terrible had happened. She covered her trembling lips with her hand.
"She told me, she wasn't feeling well these past few days. She even fainted during the first class." Riya continued. "I am so worried about her."
Hearing those words, Nira let out a quiet sigh of relief, making sure Riya didn't notice.
"What do you think? Could something might have happened to her?" Riya asked again.
"I… I don't know, Riya," Nira replied, still avoiding her gaze.
"Hey, why don't we go her house today?" Riya suggested, "We should check on her."
"What? No!" Nira blurted out, desperation evident in her voice.
Riya frowned. why didn't Nira want to go to their friend's house.
"I mean… if she was still not feeling well and we show up unannounced, that might…" Nira hesitated, noticing Riya's confused expression.
"We'd just be bothering her and her family," Nira continued. "We should call her first. If she's feeling better, maybe then we can visit."
Riya nodded slowly. "Yeah… you're right. We should not cause any trouble for them." Her tone was a quiet, tinged with disappointment.
As their conversation continued, Nira turned toward the class room entrance. The door was open.
Slowly, with deliberate steppes, Akshay entered, supporting his every steps with his elbow crutch. The rhythmic tapping sound of his crutch tip against the floor was drowned by the chatter and loud noises filling the classroom.
But for Nira, it was unmistakable. She could hear it—clear as day. The steady tap of Akshay's crutch matched the pounding of her own heart.
Riya noticed Nira staring at the new transfer student. "He is a new transfer student," she said.
Nira flinched slightly as Riya's voice and turned back to her.
"His name…" Riya tried to recall, forcing her memory to cooperate.
"I don't remember," she admitted, shaking her head.
Just by then, Akshay reached the empty bench just behind Nira and Riya.
The sound of his bag slamming onto the desk echoed through the space. Both girls instinctively turned to look at him. A casual smile played on his lips. When his eyes met theirs, he gave a slight nod—a silent greeting.
With slowly and practice movements, he sat down on the bench, relying on his elbow crutch for support. Once seated, he placed the elbow crutch to the side, angling it sharply. The base rested on the floor while the top leaned against the corner of the desk, almost vertical.
Riya turning back looked at Akshay, called out him.
"Hey," her tone was casual and friendly, a smile was also present in his lips.
"Hey," Akshay responded, with a quite smile in his lips.
"So, sorry but… what is your name?" her tone was little apologetic.
Akshay, lips twisted, gave a friendly smile.
"I am Akshay," He responded warmly, extending his hand.
"I am Riya" she introduced herself, shaking his hand. "Sorry… I know the teacher mentioned your name yesterday… you know, I just forgot things a lot."
"It's okay…" Akshay reassured her. "What happened to your friend yesterday… It's no big deal that you didn't remember my name…" his tone was so gentle and polite.
Riya nodded, with a soft smile before turning to Nira. But Nira—She wasn't smiling. She sat there, staring at Akshay, dumbfounded—her eyes wide with shock.
"And she is Nira," Riya introduced.
Akshay then turned his gaze toward her. His dark eyes locked onto her—steady, unwavering. He extended his hand.
"Hi..." he greeted politely.
Nira instinctively pulled back slightly at his approach. Flashes of the previous night flooded her mind, and she suddenly found herself unable to react. But Akshay's gaze remained fixed on her, intense—almost as if warning her not to mess up.
Hesitantly, Nira reached for his hand, her finders slightly trembling unnoticed to everyone.
"Hi…." She responded, it was like a whisper, barely audible.
As they both withdraw their hands, Akshay turned his attention back to Riya.
"So, Riya…"
Riya looked at him, while Nira, though silent, was watching him intently.
"What actually happened to you friend yesterday?" he asked politely.
The faint smile on her lips slowly faded. "I told me, she was not feeling well these days. She was absent from class for quite some time," she said, concern lacing her voice.
"I want to visit her at home," Riya added, "But… Nira said that if she hasn't recovered yet, we might just end up troubling her."
Akshay nodded slowly, "did she now?"
He turned his gaze back to Nira, his eyes locked into her with unsettling intensity.
Nira instinctively stiffened. For a brief moment, she swore she saw it—his eyes flickering intensity.
But Riya didn't notice Akshay's eyes.
"I think…" Akshay begun, his voice smooth as his eyes returned to normal, "She is right. You should let her recover first."
Riya nodded in agreement.
*****
As the time for the first class approached, the students began to go back to their seats, though the chatter still linger that until....
The class teacher, Miss Ankita, entered the class room.
In an instant, the voice vanished, replaced by a disciplined silence.
Like always, she wore a saree, her demeanor radiating both wisdom and authority. As she walked in—neither too fast nor too slow, there was an air of confidence about her. A book and a register rested in her hands.
As she stepped inside, every student stood up from their seats, even Akshay, with the support of his crutch, rose to his feet.
"Good morning, ma'am," the students greed in unison.
"Good morning, everyone," Miss Ankita responded, placing her book and register on the table. She turned to the class and gestured with her hand. "Please, sit down."
Her voice was firm, yet polite.
The students settled back into their seats, flipping through their textbooks in preparation for the lesson.
As she scanned the room, her eyes fell on an empty bench at the front—where Maya, Arunika and Vani usually sat. Her gaze swept across the room. Manash, Suraj and Bikram were also missing.
And Sristi… she was absent too.
But then, she spotted Nira. A student who was absent for quite some time.
"Nira!" Miss Ankita called out.
Hearing her name, Nira immediately stood up.
"Yes, ma'am" she responded. Her voice soft as she looked at the teacher with an innocent expression.
Miss Ankita frowned slightly. "Why were you absent for the last two weeks?"
"Forgive me, ma'am," Nira apologised, Shifting her gaze away.
"I had a terrifying fever… The doctor advised me to stay in bed for several days," She explained.
Miss Ankita studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Are you feeling better now?"
"Yes ma'am. I have completely recovered." Nira assured her.
"You have missed a lot during these days of absent…" Miss Ankita said, her tone firm and commending. "Make sure to note down everything you missed as soon as possible… If you had any doubts, come to me, understood?"
"Yes, ma'am. I will" she replied.
"Good, now sit down."
As Nira took her seat, Miss Ankita settled into the teacher's chair, preparing to take attendance.
As she was about to called the first name—
Two students suddenly rushed to the class entrance.
It was Arunika and Vani,
Breathless from hurrying, they skidded to a halt at the doorway—only to freeze when they saw Miss Ankita inside.
"May we come in, ma'am?" Arunika and Vani asked in unison, their voice was quiet, Barely hearable.
"Why are you both late today?" Miss Ankita frowned.
"Sorry ma'am," they responded together.
"Something happened at the ashram we live in, that why—" Vani tried to explained, but Miss Ankita raised her hand, cutting her off.
"Is everything fine now?" She asked.
"Yes ma'am," They replied,
"Alright then, come in and take you seats," Miss Ankita instructed, her tone was firm and commending.
"Thank you, ma'am" They responded in unison, and hurried to the first bench.
With the attendance taken, Miss Ankita soon began ger lesson for the day.
The class proceeded as usual—she asked questions, some students answered with ease, while others struggled, unable to even form a respond, their minds was drifted to elsewhere, unaware of the topic being discussed.
However, Miss Ankita never insulted them for their lack of preparation. She would only reprimand them for not studying at home, yet always reminded them that they had the potential to improve.
"Try to answer next time," She encouraged, her words carrying both discipline and reassurance.
The class went on, Nira among the students also trying her best to focus, but her mind kept drifting. Every now and then, she felt an odd sensation—like someone was watching her.
She was acutely aware of Akshay's presence behind her. Stealing a quick glance over her shoulder, she saw him sitting still, his gaze fixed on Miss Ankita. Yet, something about him unsettled her. His fingers tapped lightly against the desk in a slow, steady rhythm—almost like a countdown.
Was she imagining things?
She shook her head and looked away, trying to calmed herself. But as she turned back to her notebook, she felt it again—a chill creeping up her spine.
She hesitated, then subtly turned her head to steal another glance at Akshay. And that's when she saw it.
His gaze wasn't on miss Ankita.
Akshay was staring straight at Riya, his gaze was locked on her with an expression Nira couldn't understand—dark, unreadable, and exuding something ominous.
The tapping stopped.
Nira turned her gaze back forward. As she swallowed hard, she slightly turned her eyes Riya.
Riya was completely unaware, remained focused on Miss Ankita and her lesson.
Nira's brows frowned, not knowing what Akshay was thinking.
Why was he looking at Riya like that?