Five Days Later
It was a quiet afternoon.
Soft sunlight filtered through the slats of the window into the girls' common room of Pratapnagar Girls' High School.
Post-lunch hours brought a mix of lethargy and restlessness.
A group of girls sat in a circle in one corner, chattering.
Their topic of discussion—of course, Anurag Sir.
Baishali started first, her voice carrying a subtle thrill, as if hiding a secret joy.
Baishali:
"Sir was writing something on the board in our class. I accidentally dropped my pen. Sir asked me to pick it up. As I bent forward, he said, 'Go further ahead.' I held the table like a bedpost and leaned in…"
Megha laughed and said:
"By then Sir had probably pulled out his weapon! Ha ha ha!"
Diya chimed in:
"Your skirt must've ridden way up your waist by then!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
The entire room buzzed with a strange excitement.
Around Anurag Sir, an aura of fantasy had formed—dark fantasies that weren't just dark, but something deeper, more intense, and more dangerous than the abyss itself.
Sneha had been sitting silently. But now she couldn't hold back.
Sneha:
"What are you all saying? How can you speak so horribly about a teacher? Anurag Sir is our mentor. Learn to show some respect!"
For the first time, the usually quiet Sneha was visibly angry. Everyone was stunned.
Baishali curled her lips:
"Oh please, don't act so innocent, Sneha. We all know nearly every girl in school fantasizes about Sir. They have very intense dark fantasies. Don't tell me you're different. Haven't you ever imagined something about Sir?"
Sneha's face flushed red with anger.
Sneha:
"No! I've never thought about such disgusting things. What you're doing is disgraceful. You're insulting a respected man under the excuse of fantasy."
Anwesha laughed:
"Oh dear! Such a little princess! Looks like she still lives in a fairy-tale world of princes and castles."
Diya grinned at Sneha with a mocking smile and said:
"Honestly, Sneha, with that body of yours, I bet your fantasies are way darker than ours.
Those huge, um, mountains of yours—just looking at them tells us there's a fire burning inside you.
They say people with bigger, you know, 'assets' have stronger sex drives!"
Sneha didn't reply.
She stared outside for a while, silent.
Inside, a strange battle was raging.
She felt disgusted, furious by their vulgar words.
Yes, it was true—Sneha did fantasize about Anurag Sir.
But not like this.
In her imagination, Anurag Sir was a prince—dressed in royal blue and gold, with a magical smile in his eyes.
Sneha herself was the princess of that fantasy.
Standing on the roof of a grand palace, her hair flying in the wind, eyes filled with a dreamy calm.
Suddenly, Anurag Sir would appear beside her, gently kiss her cheek.
Sneha would close her eyes.
Her heart would melt slowly at that tender touch.
So gentle, so pure—that imagination was the complete opposite of the filth these girls were spewing.
---
Seventh Period
A quiet corner on the second floor of the school's western building.
The old chemistry lab next to the unused teachers' room—deserted during off-time.
Anurag Sir sat inside, writing on some papers.
The curtain of the window was half drawn.
Oishika's throat was dry.
Her chest throbbed—fear and intense desire clashing within.
She knew no one would be around this time. That's why she had chosen this spot today.
She stood at the door, uncertain.
Inside, Sir was bent over his table. Through the open window, she could see the hair falling across his forehead.
Oishika thought—It has to be today.
Still, her lips were dry.
A whisper in her mind—
Who am I? Do I even deserve to stand before him?
But another voice roared from her heart—
If I don't say it today, I'll never have the courage again.
Her feet froze, but her hand moved on its own and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Sir's voice.
No harshness.
Just a calm invitation. A soft, cool breath.
Oishika entered.
The light was warm, not too bright.
Sir looked up, his eyes gentle.
Sir:
"Tell me, Oishika. What's the matter?"
Oishika couldn't stop her voice from trembling.
She clenched both fists tightly.
Oishika:
"Sir… I… I wanted to talk to you about something…"
Sir didn't get up.
Just looked at her, curious.
Suddenly, Oishika shut her eyes and blurted—
"Sir, I… I really love you…"
A moment of stunned silence.
Sir was shocked.
His gaze fixed on her face.
The pen in his hand dropped onto the table.
One second… two seconds… the whole world seemed to hold its breath.
Oishika was shaking.
But neither she nor Sir knew—
Just below the back window, two eleventh-grade students, Tithi and Swarna, were standing.
They had come there to chat.
Now, they stood frozen—wide-eyed, hands over their mouths.
They had heard every word Oishika said.
Her voice, still trembling—
"Sir, I know I'm not beautiful. No one would ever like me. But I… I love you."
Sir stood up.
Straightened his shoulders.
His mind began to buzz.
What did she just say?! She loves me?
This girl? Oishika? The school's top student?! How did such a thought even enter her head?!
Sir:
"Oishika… do you realize what you're saying?"
Oishika looked down and softly whispered—
"I know I'm not worthy of you. I'm not pretty. Maybe I shouldn't have said it. But… I couldn't keep it inside anymore."
Silence again.
And then—a faint whisper from the window:
"Oh my god… seriously?"
Sir frowned and rushed to open the door.
Outside stood Tithi and Swarna, their faces pale.
They turned and ran down the corridor.
Sir closed the door.
After standing silently for a moment, he turned slowly to look at Oishika.
His eyes now carried the sadness of a guardian.
Sir:
"They heard everything. This will probably spread across the school."
Oishika panicked.
Her face turned pale.
Her heart pounded with fear—her years of reputation now at risk.
Sir:
"Don't worry. I'll try to ensure no rumors spread in school.
But yes—you need to get these foolish thoughts out of your head.
You're a good girl. You have a bright future ahead. I didn't expect this from you, Oishika."
It was as if Oishika's world collapsed inside her.
Overwhelmed with emotion and guilt, her voice broke.
She couldn't hold it in anymore and burst into tears.
Tears streamed down her face.
She hiccuped as she cried,
"Sir… I'm… I'm sorry… I've brought such a big mess… I don't know how it happened… I'm such a horrible person… I'm so sorry, Sir… You're so good… and I…"
She wiped her tears with her sleeve, hair disheveled, cheeks flushed.
Her voice trembled with helplessness—as if her entire existence was now filled with regret.
Her eyes held not just sorrow, but shame, fear, and that hidden love she had never fully shown before.
Oishika:
"Sir, please… forgive me… I don't want anything else… I just want your forgiveness…"
She was now just a broken girl, her only wish—a reassuring word from the one she loved.
Sir was at a loss.
What do I do now?! She's crying!
He tried to gently explain to her.
Sir:
"Listen, Oishika. Your parents have big dreams for you.
Fulfilling those dreams is your biggest responsibility right now.
You have an entire life ahead.
Don't waste your time over someone like me—a mere teacher."
Oishika stared at him in awe.
Sir was belittling himself just so she wouldn't feel worse.
Her respect and love for him grew even more.
Sir:
"Maybe you liked how I treated you. I understand that.
But this attraction—this admiration—it will change with time.
This is the time to focus on your studies.
If you let yourself get lost in such thoughts, it will only bring harm to you.
Your dreams, your future—that's what truly matters now."
His tone softened further.
Sir:
"If someone like me is the one you admire… even I, in your place, wouldn't admire myself. Do you understand?"
Oishika said nothing.
She had no words left.
Sir gently placed his hand on her shoulder.
Sir:
"Look, I'm not rejecting you because you did anything wrong.
You are incredible.
Anyone would be proud to have you.
But… there shouldn't be any chance of misunderstanding between us.
I'm your teacher, and I want you to see me with that respect.
If you ever need help with studies or your career—I'll always be there.
But let go of these feelings, alright?"
Oishika nodded slowly.
Sir smiled a little.
Sir:
"Now give me a nice smile—like the bright student I see in you.
Go back to class and focus on your studies.
You didn't do anything wrong, Oishika.
In fact, you showed great courage by expressing your feelings.
But now it's time to move forward. Understand?"
Oishika remained quiet.
Sir encouraged her again,
"Aren't you the topper of the class? Hmm? The smartest girl?
I know you'll get over this soon.
You'll ace the exams again and show everyone your true potential and worth."
He paused.
"Now give me a sweet smile."
Oishika wiped her tears.
Sir's calm and steady voice lit a soft glow inside her chest.
She nodded gently.
And a faint, fragile—but genuine smile appeared on her lips.
---
To be continued…