As they were wrapping up lunch, Appa leaned back in his chair, wiping his hands with a tissue. "So… last chance. Do you want to sneak in anything?" he asked, his voice low but playful, eyes glinting with mischief. "You know, some chicken pickle? Or dry fry in a ziplock?"
Nila laughed, shaking her head. "Not on the first day, Appa. I need to get into the good books of the teachers first. Maybe after a few weeks. When I come back to school after the pickup, we can plan some smuggling."
Everyone chuckled. The waiter brought their ice creams—vanilla for Amma, chocolate for Santhosh, and strawberry for Nila. They savored the cool sweetness, letting the moment linger a little longer before heading back.
By the time they returned to the car, the sun was gentle, and the clock was inching towards 3. As Appa opened the boot, Nila noticed two badminton rackets and a tube of shuttlecocks tucked neatly into a side compartment.
She smiled. "You kept these?"
"Of course," Appa said. "You never know when we'll stop on a hilltop or near a lake and want to play a game."
It brought back a rush of memories—impromptu stops during long drives, her and Santhosh batting the shuttle back and forth on muddy paths, Amma shouting at them to stay on the road. Nila ran her fingers over the racket handle for a moment before stepping back. The car's familiar chaos comforted her in this new phase.
Nila's eyes lit up when she spotted the open badminton court near the FITJEE admission block. The court was empty at the moment, its freshly painted lines gleaming under the afternoon sun. She made a mental note to return here later with the rackets from the car. A quick game with Santhosh or even with a future friend might be the perfect way to unwind after long study hours.
FITJEE—Forum for Indian Institute of Technology Joint Entrance Examination—is a premier coaching institute in India, well-known for its rigorous training and success in competitive exams. Students enroll from as early as Class 6, aiming to crack IIT-JEE, NEET, NTSE, and various Olympiads. The institute is famous for its structured programs, frequent mock tests, and advanced-level academic preparation.
Their school, Maharishi Vidya Mandir, had gained a strong reputation because of its exclusive tie-up with FITJEE. The school offered integrated coaching, meaning that students didn't have to juggle between external tuition centers and school curriculum. Everything from NCERT syllabus to competitive exam preparation happened under one roof. Parents from all over the state—and even outside—chose this hostel school for that very reason. It was a one-stop solution for academic excellence.
The campus layout was just as ambitious as its academic reputation. The school gate opened directly from the highway, marked by large stone pillars and tight security checks. From there, the FITJEE admission block was the first major building, just 500 metres in. It was sleek and modern, filled with glass panels and wall posters showcasing toppers and their ranks. Adjacent to it was a small badminton court and a sand-based volleyball setup. This zone often buzzed with parents and students during admission season.
Beyond the FITJEE block, a sprawling stretch of playgrounds began—football fields, running tracks, and open green areas for evening walks. Another kilometre in stood the heart of the academic zone: the main school block. A three-storey building with wide corridors, rows of classrooms, science labs, computer rooms, and administrative offices. The school building always seemed busy, with students hurrying between classes and teachers patrolling in sarees and formal wear.
A kilometre past the academic block stood the twin hostel buildings—one for boys and the other for girls. Identical in structure, the ground floor of both buildings served as the boys' hostel, while the upper floors in the second block were reserved for girls. These hostels were far enough from the school to offer a peaceful stay, yet close enough to walk to class.
Another kilometre down was the sports complex. The swimming pool glistened like a blue gem in the distance. It was Olympic-sized, with changing rooms, lockers, and shaded spectator stands. Surrounding it were tennis courts and basketball hoops, often packed in the evenings.
The entire campus spanned over five kilometres end to end. Most students couldn't even see the compound walls from their blocks—it almost felt like living in a self-contained town. The scale and discipline of the campus made everything feel larger than life, and for Nila, it was just the beginning.
As they reached the badminton court near the FITJEE block, Nila turned to her dad with a sudden spark in her eyes. "Appa, why not a quick game?" she said, already reaching for the rackets from the car.
Her dad smiled. "One last match before hostel life begins, ah?"
Santhosh immediately jumped in excitement, grabbing the second racket. "I'm with Appa! Amma, you and Akka play against us!"
And just like that, they paired up on the court. The family, who had spent the morning unpacking and organizing, now laughed and played freely under the shade of neem trees around the court. Amma didn't know the rules but still tried her best, missing a few easy shots and laughing at herself. Appa's old college skills showed up with some powerful smashes, while Santhosh ran around making dramatic dives and calling himself the "badminton champion of South India." Nila just soaked in the moment — the light breeze, the giggles, and the closeness. Her Tshirt fluttered as she moved, and for the first time that day, her mind felt light.
After about thirty minutes of playing, they all collapsed on a shaded bench, sweaty and content. Water bottles were passed around, and the rackets were packed back into the car. What followed was the harder part — the goodbyes.
Unlike her last life, where the farewell was heavy and tearful, especially with Appa and Santhosh breaking down in the car after dropping her off, Nila wanted this to be different. This time, she didn't want anyone to cry. She hugged Amma tightly, whispered a thank you for all the help, and gave a cheerful wave to Santhosh after teasing him that she'd beat him next time. When she turned to Appa, she simply said, "I'll call you tomorrow on my phone chance. Don't miss me too much."
Appa chuckled, pulling her into a side hug. "Only if you promise not to miss us too much either."
As they walked her back towards the hostel block, their voices were still light and cheerful. Nila didn't look back — not because it didn't matter, but because she knew, this time, she was leaving with peace in her heart.