"What about this one?"
"Oh that one's a classic fantasy, the one on the corner it is",
Mr. Kinsley instructed lazily. He is a middle-aged man with more hair in his beard than on his head. He was filling the monthly activities report, but, just relaxing and enjoying life is something, way more favorable to him than spending his time keeping these teenage kids in check.
(I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS, I am stuck here, sorting these books as a punishment when it wasn't even my fault.) I'm done sir, was this the last bunch?
He looked around, "Yes it appears to be".
(YIPPEE) "Ok, I'll be leaving then"
She was ready to leave and started collecting her belongings, until she stopped, a voice came from behind.
"Hina, you're an exceptional student, I know you did not cheat". She turned, her face showed not a surprised, but a flustered expression.
"But that is not what I want to ask. What I'm curious to know is why you saved your friend?"
Back on the streets—
A drop of water falls on his forehead. "What in this world is happening?" He said.
the sudden drop in temperature has worried the crowds, and many people can be seen out on the streets, inspecting this strange spectacle. Our sources have confirmed that this is not one of those artificial rains conducted by the government, however the shift in star alignments that we mentioned yesterday seems concerning.
We'll be talking to famous astrologer and horoscope expert, Mr. T Sharma after a short ad break, so stay tuned! Bringing to you the latest...
"Star alignment? This is bullshit." Another television which played a different news channel reported terrorist conspiracy. The media never fails to engage public, even by showing unproven or even totally false theories.
The older population was rather unfazed. Even with the low morale and fatigue that comes with age, their experience allowed them to see through the fake news, yet the ominous feel in the atmosphere was something which could hardly be ignored.
Arata paced through the sidewalk, every step felt dragged. (Has she left? Did she reach home?) a storm raged within his head, he walked with eyes down on the road, unaffected by the people around him. Suddenly, he stops, and starts moving backwards
"Is this just a random cold wave? so sudden, or maybe the star align— No, that was clearly false, what am I even thinking. I'll quickly get Hina, drop her, and head home".
Unknown voice—"I suggest you should just leave something that is beyond your understanding"
He looked up, an old woman of about 70 stood before him, and he had been so lost in his thoughts that he ALMOST walked into her.
"I— am sorry, I didn't notice—"
"By the way.... why are you walking back boy?"
He was shook, not only was he interrupted but instantly thrown with a rude question.
"Well, yeah how do you even—"
"Saw you leaving school during dispersal a little bit ago", "Forgot something?" A smile came over her wrinkled face and stretched all the way through, yet her eyes remained the same.
"No, just decided to take a stroll, shake this feeling off"
"I see, today is rather a weird day. Not much you can say with this weather, I'd say head home as soon as possible, who knows what trouble you may get into",
"Yes, I'd be happy to do that."
"Good—", she stopped mid-sentence as if wanting to say something, then slowly moved to the side. Arata who had been caught up in this awkward conversation starts walking again, but is hit with something at the back of his neck as soon as he passes the lady.
"Ow- what was that—", "What is it dear?"
The old woman looked at him, confused, as if she did not remember him at all.
"Nothing." He walked away.
(what was that? the old woman, is she alright?)
"She looked the same, yet something had changed, the massive aura that her presence gave was gone, every last bit of it. The coldness in her eyes too, No- maybe she was right, it is truly just a weird day."
(Or is it not? Is there a far deeper reason behind all this)
"NO! there isn't! I should go back and get Hina."
*Bracket texts are inner thoughts of the characters* —from the Author
In the classroom—
"Arata was it? that boy's score has been going down since the start of the year, he doesn't pay any attention in class either.", she listened quietly.
"I know you two are friends, but still, you could have told me that it was him who was cheating, you would have still been punished, but he too would be here, not just you, alone.."
Then she finally broke the silence,
"With all due respect sir, I had no idea that you had this impression of me, but I would like to make it clear". She stares at him, not hostile, but in a proud and genuine manner and says.
"I do not find pleasure in punishing others by being a jerk".
Mr. Kinsley was shocked, but did not show it, (such noble sentiments).
"Sensei, Arata wasn't like this always. He was a top-student, a perfect scorer, both academically and emotionally, but for some time now, he's been struggling. When he got into high school, he found a new sense of identity, new thoughts new feelings, as I believe is quite common at that time. His ideals began clashing with the environment he lived in. His parents, told him to focus on his studies, the teachers scolded him for not being punctual, and his peers pressurized him to engage in the new activities that they found 'cool'.
It is not just about beliefs, his motivation slowly went away, yet he remained strong at his core. He knew what was truly important, of what everyone dumped at him. I know he needs refinement, which he can be stern or stubborn against, but still, that's how humans are."
Her tone softened, and her eyes glimmered with gentle light,
"As a friend, I'm proud of his gentle heart, which finds kindness for the smallest of beings, yet his scarred throat, which cannot find a word to say. He tries to be good enough, but fails miserably, I would say he is the perfect cog fit into the worst engine of this society. For me, just the effort to bring a change is enough to accept him."
"So, I do not regret at all helping him, and I'm willing to help him as long as he stays true to himself, because I know, people like him are rare, and are needed very much in this harsh world.
Please forgive me for my insolence."
She sat down. The old tutor, in his years of experience as an educator, for the first time found his throat dry.
"You understand your friend very well", he said, "child, you have convinced me, I was going to report this and get his marks deducted, but now my plans have changed".
He smiled lightly, "You have a good heart, be sure to keep it always. I had never thought my opinion of boy I thought of as lazy and spoiled brat would be changed in the span of less than a day, your words are just as precious as your friend's ways."
Saying this, he got up. "I wish there were more children like you two, just wait here, I have some books which Arata may find helpful, also tell him that he can text me if he ever feels troubled."
A smile came on Hina's face.
"Bless you both", he said before leaving.
In the corridor*
"Man, those kids were not what I thought they would be like, they think better and feel better than most adults do at their young age.. My son is almost 12, soon he'll be entering this phase, when I get home, I'll tell him about them."
He was walking when he noticed a tipped over bucket and pieces of cloth on the floor.
"Damn that janitor! never gets his job right. He must have left early too, I'll get him fired this time."
The dark corridor felt cold, he was cursing and walking until he saw a dirty spot of red on the ground. He knelt down and fixed his glasses, trying to get closer look at it. A chill ran down his spine when he realized what it was. The rain outside became louder and thunder flashed through the windows.
"B-blood?"
----------------------------------------End Of Chapter-------------------------------------------