Chapter 4: The School
Part 11:-
Veer, who awoke early as usual, felt a familiar pull to laziness. He skipped his exercise, instead letting his mind drift back to the world of his novel. He was so engrossed in the "noise-box"—his term for the laptop where his story lived—that he completely forgot about the very real business he had to attend to: school. Today was his first day.
Kesari (a voice or presence only in his mind): “Hey Veer, don’t you think you should get ready now? School opens at seven a.m.”
Veer stared at the clock and screamed in shock. He had been so lost in the flow of his novel that he had completely forgotten.
“Go to the bathroom and get ready in ten minutes!” the voice of Kesari urged him.
Veer's Mom: “Hey Veer, hurry up and take the first few bites and eat your breakfast!”
Veer: “Thanks, Mom.”
He wolfed down his breakfast, packed his tiffin box and his bag, and then ran for it. In just fifteen minutes, he reached his school; thankfully, it was close to his house.
He stood in front of the gate. His heartbeat pounded so hard and fast, he could feel the vibration of it deep in his chest. I can do this, Kesari motivated him from his mind. Taking a deep breath, he entered the school grounds.
He quickly found his classroom, 4C. He walked in and chose the first bench. Since both Veer and Kesari were introverted, they decided it would be the safest spot—close to the teacher, but away from the main cluster of students. He sat alone, staring at the blackboard. No one sat beside him, so he put his head down slightly and waited for the first lecture to begin.
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Part 12 :-
In the staff office, the teachers of Class 4C had gathered around a large wooden table. Papers rustled, teacups clinked, and the faint hum of the ceiling fan filled the morning quiet.
Principal Sharma adjusted his spectacles and tapped a pen lightly on the desk. “Good morning, everyone. I just received a call — Neha Ma’am won’t be coming today. She’s down with a fever. Since the first period is English, we’ll need to make some adjustments.”
A few murmurs spread through the room.
“For the first hour,” the Principal continued, “Class 4C will have a free period. After that, we’ll move Marathi to the second period, followed by an early recess from nine to ten.” He glanced at his watch. “Maths at ten, and Drawing at eleven.”
He paused, the pen still in his hand. “Any questions?”
Minakshi, the history teacher, raised her brow. “Sir, a few staff members are missing today — Piyush Sir for Marathi, and Anya for Drawing and Arts.”
“Yes, I know,” the Principal said, nodding. “That’s why…” He turned to a man sitting at the corner desk. “Mr. Ashok, you’ll have to pull a double shift today. Handle Maths — and maybe cover Drawing too, if you can manage.”
Ashok Sir smirked. “Double shift? That’s going to be fun.”
The Principal smiled faintly. “Good spirit, Mr. Ashok. I appreciate it.”
After a brief discussion of minor details, he looked around the room. “Everyone agrees with this temporary schedule?”
A low murmur of agreement followed. Papers shuffled again, and one by one, the teachers left the office to begin their day.
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Part 13:-
The door opened just as the free period ended. A man walked in with a bag slung over his shoulder and a pair of dark sunglasses on.
“Good morning, students. I’m Ashok, and I’m your Maths teacher,” he announced.
The class shifted, confused. Their next lecture was supposed to be Marathi.
Ashok Sir: “Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Marathi was scheduled next, but Piyush Sir is busy now. So, welcome to two straight hours of math! Enjoy, everyone.”
The class's collective face went pale with shock—except for Veer.
Kesari (in Veer's mind): What? Two hours of math? And you're sitting there looking so casual and normal!
The double lecture began.
A Draining Day
A few hours later, the school day was finally over. The students had endured not only the unexpected math marathon but also another scheduled disaster: Drawing had been replaced by History. The Arts teacher had been in a minor car accident, leaving the school with no choice.
Everyone poured out of the classroom, totally exhausted and drained. Students immediately formed groups, pairs, and trios, all buzzing about the disastrous schedule.
Veer, however, stayed on his bench alone, waiting for everyone to leave.
His Drawing teacher, Minakshi Ma'am, came up to him.
Minakshi Ma'am: “Hello. You’re Veer, right? I noticed everyone else is completely drained, but you seem fine. Why are you sitting alone?”
Veer: “I don’t know, Ma’am. I’m a very shy and introverted person, as you can probably tell. That's why I'm alone.”
He picked up his bag and turned to leave. His teacher simply watched his back as he walked away.
Veer (to himself, with a touch of arrogance): What a shame. Today’s generation can’t even survive simple school lectures. How are they ever going to survive college and university?
Kesari (in his mind, scoffing): Says the guy who skipped half his college lectures.
Veer: “Yeah, what do you think? That I’m just some crazy introvert who locks himself up to write scary stuff?”
He laughed out loud at his own joke and kept walking.
Other students nearby exchanged confused looks. What the hell is he talking to, and why is he laughing by himself? they wondered.
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Part 14:-
Veer: “I’m home, Mother.”
Silence. No one answered.
A voice, smooth and teasing, cut through the quiet. “Wow, you came earlier than the time came to stop.”
Veer turned to see his older sister, Shina. She was currently in the 12th standard, studying commerce, and was popular in college for her beauty and keen business mind.
Veer: “What do you mean by ‘time came to stop’? And what do you want now?”
Kesari (shouting in Veer's mind): Don't answer her! Say nothing! Run to your room and lock the door!
At that moment, Kesari knew he was too late.
Shina: “Come here, my little brother. And what are you whispering to yourself?”
Veer felt a sinking realization: he had messed up, and it was too late for any defense.
A few minutes later, Shina was circling him, humming happily.
“Wait, Veer, don’t move. I’m just doing some setup... Ahh, okay, like this, and this... and finally, all done!”
Shina: “Big brother Vyom, are you done?”
Vyom: “Yeah, I’m all done. And look at him! He’s really cute and adorable.”
Vyom, Veer’s older brother and Shina’s twin, was in the same college and department. He stepped back to admire his work.
Veer: “You know I don’t like this, big brother.”
Vyom: “Yeah, but what can I do? You look too cute with this, or even without, so I just can’t hold back.”
Veer was currently standing in a complete transformation: he was wearing a beautiful yellow top and a black short skirt with long tights, a cute cap on his head, and light make-up. He genuinely looked adorable, and in this getup, no one would ever recognize him as a boy.
With a look that was a mix of slight shyness, teasing, and a blush, Veer simply stood and looked at his two older siblings, accepting the situation as his fate.
To be continued...
