The Trinity High School was crowded, more than usual. The big entrance gate was embellished with balloons and ribbons, and near it stood many street food vans and carts.
It felt like a festival and to some extent, it was, the day of the results. Students entering the school campus for the final time are getting their graduation certificates, while others have happily moved on to the next grade. The school celebrated the results day like no other with music, dance, various performances, food stalls and whatnot.
But, inside the seemingly joyful atmosphere, one guy stood in sheer embarrassment.
Rakesh Agarwal, a first-year student, was here to see his results for the finals with his father.
The results of Trinity High School students were showcased on a massive digital board near the main stage of the auditorium. Rakesh wasn't only dead last, but even worse, he wasn't even able to pass the exams. His father bitterly read the screen again, hoping maybe the first time his eyes were playing games with him, maybe the reality would change.
Class 10-E Rakesh Agarwal- 25% ( Failed )
The information on the screen didn't change, and the cruel reality hit Rakesh's father like a thunderbolt. Rakesh's father, Mr. Santosh Agarwal, shifted his angry gaze to Rakesh, who was looking like his soul had been extracted from him.
"RAKESH!!". His father shouted. Rakesh was afraid of what was coming, yet he looked up to make eye contact with his father, and as soon as he lifted his head up fearfully, the entire auditorium was echoed with the noise of a slap.
Rakesh (internal):
"I tried my hardest right?"
Everyone present in the auditorium at that moment gathered near the father-son duo.
"What happened?". Someone asked, while a few came near Rakesh asking if he was alright
With the intervention of other parents and a few teachers, the situation was calmed down
"Mister Agarwal you shouldn't hit your kids publicly". A teacher politely approached Rakesh's father.
"That's how you teach worthless children like him to grow.". Rakesh's father replied without a second thought.
Child protection laws weren't so strict in the city of Lavander, and hitting your kids wasn't seen as a "taboo"; still, the liberals unanimously condemned the act and demanded laws be enacted once in a while.
[Scene: few days later]
A new session was set to begin at Trinity High School Today.
Every classroom was in anticipation about who would be their home-room teacher. Students were taking pictures of the timetable on their phones.
Class 10-E was no different, a group of students playing rock-paper-scissors near the entrance while some were eating their lunch boxes in the back benches, making all sorts of noises, just having the time of their lives.
Though their fun came to a halt as one guy came running in from the corridor.
"Be quiet the teacher is coming.". The guy announced in an urgent tone.
Everyone rushed to their respective seats, the open lunch boxes were shut closed and the noises were turned silent.
The home room teacher, an old man in his early 50s, with a thick white beard, entered the classroom.
One girl murmured. "This year an old man too. Can't we get a handsome hunk as our teacher for once?"
"I don't think the entire school has a teacher like that.". A girl sitting next to her murmured back
After the teacher another figure entered the classroom.
But before the teacher could introduce him, whispers already started among the students.
"Is he the one who got slapped by his father in the school auditorium for failing?"
"He is getting held back, right?"
"What a loser."
"Quiet.". The teacher stated.
Then he pointed towards Rakesh Agarwal, the figure who entered after him, inside the classroom.
"This right here is Rakesh Agarwal. He will join your class as a fellow classmate be kind and friendly to him."
[Scene: After three classes, the lunch period]
Rakesh cleaned up his desk, but as soon as he stood up to depart for the canteen, he saw a guy approaching.
"You need anything?". He asked gently.
Rakesh (internal):
"He looks kind enough. I don't detect
any malice."
"I' 'm Samir. Are you doing well? Settling in the class, I mean, heard you were held back or something."
Rakesh (internal)
"Held back dude? You don't have to be that blunt."
After Samir saw Rakesh squinting his eyes he realised his words might've come out wrong
"Wait, I didn't mean it in a mocking or demeaning way.". He said, waving his hands left and right, hoping it would help validate his point.
"Ya, I haven't been bullied yet, so the class is fine, I guess."
Samir nodded.
"Wanna go have lunch together in the canteen?"
"As long as you pay for yours I can adjust," Rakesh replied sarcastically.
"Do I look like a con-man to you?'. Samir asked with a laugh.
Rakesh (internal)
"With that spiky hair, tugged out shirt and wrist watches on both hands, you do look like one."
Rakesh (out-loud)
'Nah, man, I was joking." He replied with a fake chuckle.