Chapter-3

A Chapter by Anushka

-Two years later-

Chapter- 3

“No Yash, that’s wrong! You are using the wrong identity for this equation.” Vani told me and hit me on my shoulder, real hard. “Ouch! Don’t be so harsh.” I complaint, rubbing my poor shoulder.

“Will you ever be serious? It isn’t a picnic, its homework for which you are left with only two days, you genius.”

So here we were doing our, sorry, my homework assignment of maths. I had a whole month for doing it but you see, I don’t fall in the good books of maths so I’m stuck here. As for Vani-the-topper, it was an easy job. She doesn’t show me her work as she wants me to face my problems and overcome them. And that I never do because I know it- in the end she’ll always help me.

I took a sip from my cold coffee and she continued to lecture me, “See? You are so not bothered! Put that down and concentrate, please Yash.”

“Sorry, Vani please, help me out a bit. This last time, promise!” I made a baby-face as to convince her.

“One thing- don’t you ever say the phrase ‘one last time’ because it never comes. Now let me see.” she said and shifted her chair towards me. She leaned forth on her elbow and looked at the questions. I looked at her and pictured how she used to look earlier. And now, just look at the change. Her dark-brownish hair cut into steps, her black shimmery eyes, everything was picture-perfect! Her beautiful hair dawned on her face and she flipped them back. She looks really cute when she does that. Actually, she’s cute all the time! This girl here had changed from ‘trouble’ to ‘happiness’ and my best friend as well. I remember every moment we’ve spent together and yes, she means a lot to me. But I’m scared to tell her. Her father is an Army Officer, Brigadier Ranjeet Malhotra.

They shifted from Colaba cantonment to one of the apartments opposite the Marine Drive the last year. Boy, he’s a rich man! I’ve been to her house many a times and it’s classy.

Back here, she started explaining to me the solution and I kept looking at her. The expressions she made, her hand movements, her voice- I loved them! If she’ll teach me then I’ll learn anything, even maths.

“Understood?” Vani asked, interrupting my thoughts.

“Huh? Yeah, absolutely. Now it seems easy, thank you.” I replied and came back to my senses. Damn! I didn’t even know what she had been explaining. I was so engrossed in gazing at her. Right then, my mother came in with an empty tray, “Done with the coffee?”

“No mom. Vani won’t let me.” I said.

“That’s because you’re not concentrating where you are supposed to.” she defended herself. Well, that was true.

“I support Vani. Yash, if you do not listen to what Vani says, I’ll send you for regular tuitions.”

God! I hate this threatening. Tuitions totally suck! So, I just agreed to do as per Vani’s instructions. Besides, I’ll do anything she says.

Mom took my coffee and Vani’s empty glass to the tray, “Once you’re done with the homework you’ll get this back. And Vani, thank you very much for this. Please help this child grow up.”

“It’s alright aunty, anytime.” Vani smiled. Mom left the room and I looked at the assignment with disgust.

“Chill Yash! It’s a matter of only two pages, alright? We’ll do it.” she patted my back as to encourage me. I liked her touch and it left me tingling. The ‘tharki’ me! But I had to do this real quick now. Anyhow, I’d like to see the shocked face of Anil sir, our maths teacher. It’s going to be worth it!

Can I have a huge round of applause for me and my sheer luck? Seriously, it’s required. I got late this morning because I ignored the alarm and hence missed the bus. Vani had helped me to complete the work and now it was on the verge of falling into the hands of failure! Here I was, sitting in my car and gritting my teeth in nervousness. I was already running late and all I wished for was a clear road, without traffic. But obviously, it was impossible in a city like Mumbai. Apart from the tourist spots, this is yet another factor which enhances this city’s fame.

By managing somehow, staying positive and calm, we reached school just in the nick of time. “Bye mom. Thanks!” I said as I closed the car door and ran before the gate would shut at my face.

“Take care!” mom shouted behind me. I entered the gate and heard the bell ring. The race wasn’t over yet. I sprinted to my class as fast as I could. I reached my class while the class teacher was taking the roll call.

“Ma’am! Yashvant is at the door.” Vani informed the teacher, practically jumping from her seat.

“Come in. Why are you late?” she asked.

“I had missed my school bus.”

“Alright, take your seat now.”

I quickly sat on my seat with Prateek. Vani’s seat was diagonal to me with Akriti. This helped me see her in a more convenient way. “Done with your assignment?” Prateek asked.

I nodded with a smile. “Wow! Who helped you out? Vani, right?” Akriti asked with her oh-so evil grin.

“Yeah, kind of.” I replied. But then Vani faked a cough and I had to admit, “Fine! She did most of it. Happy?”

“I so knew it!” Akriti smirked.

“Why are you so dependent on her? You could’ve done it on your own.” Prateek said. My best buddy here is a brainy dude so he won’t require any help. But I do.

“Vani Malhotra?” the teacher called out.

“Present!” Vani reacted. “Yashvant Singhania?”

“Yes Ma’am!” I answered to my roll call too. Our roll numbers fall together, isn’t it just perfect? Most of the boys do not give a damn about such small things but when they enter into the situation I am in, this is what messes up with the boyish system to a great extent. I came back to the topic thereafter,

“Prateek, you know I suck at maths! Besides, Vani is my best friend and she is always there to rescue me from a maths-attack unlike you. You never bother to help me out.”

“What if she’ll stop helping you?” Prateek asked blankly.

“What a stupid question!” I and Vani spoke in unison and then smiled at the co-occurrence. These moments are so awesome when you and your best buddy can say up a work together and crack up!

“Class, enough of your talks and all! I hope you enjoyed the vocation but now you’re back at school and there’s a fresh syllabus waiting.” the teacher announced. “There she goes…” Akriti hit her head against her hand. Nothing new, every teacher says so after the breaks.

“Now take out your books and we’ll start off with a new chapter.”

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