Madhuri didn't show up to class the next day. Her seat was empty when I reached school, and she was someone who would reach class the earliest. The polarity of my emotions had reached a critical crescendo. Why had she skipped school? I was mean to her, for sure... But wasn't she cold to me as well? A part of me felt it was justifiable to give her a cold shoulder. But the other, arguably the rational side, was vehemently questioning the logical validity of my actions.

There could have been so many reasons why she had been silent that night. Hadn't I seen her dabbing her eyes? That must have been her crying, and if she indeed was crying, something was definitely amiss between her and Naveen. The sharp ringing of the bell pulled me down to the harsh reality that she wasn't around.

I am sure school has taught me a lot, but the most important life lesson I received from the professors at the senior secondary section of our school was to proficiently identify when your job is at stake, and if it is, how to show that you are putting genuine effort. The professors who would generally be at least 10 minutes late to class, were now starting them on the dot. It was unilaterally decided by the faculty that in response to the underwhelming performance of our batch of SSS scholars, the complexity and frequency of class tests would be significantly increased. Additionally, it was decided that daily practice papers related to the topics discussed in class would be distributed, which had to be submitted the next day! Trust professors to put their 4000% when their job is at stake!

The first two classes of Physical Education and English were survivable, but we knew we were being dragged into hell when we learned that our Physics faculty was being changed. The sweet and likable Prof. Mukesh was now being replaced by the narcissistic and cold-hearted Prof. Shantanu. Previous batches of DB High had given us a single piece of advice - 'Pray that Shantanu doesn't get your classes.' But here he was, grumpy and pissed. He held a thick bunch of DPPs in one hand and the guidebook on Physics by S. L. Arora in the other.

After our courteous greetings, Shantanu sir went about asking the names and marks of the students. When he reached our bench at last, he saw the empty seat where Madhuri would have been seated, and grumbled under his breath, 'Classless state board students! Why does Fr. Thomas give these useless people the SSS Scholarship, just for them to skip classes?' Then he walked up to me.

"Shekhar Sharma, sir.", I said promptly. "Class Representative of Standard XI, Section SSS. I scored a 100% in Physics in this half-yearly exam. Hope to have a great academic session with you."

"Ah, so you are the one, isn't it?", he asked.

"Didn't get you sir", I responded.

"It is you.", he continued. "I have heard a lot of things about you in the staff recess room. A feisty leader of the students, one who wouldn't yield to the toughest faculties of our school. Am I correct?"

That was some information he had! I mean, I was a people's leader. If that means being feisty to narcissistic faculty members, so be it. "I am not sure if everything you said is correct, sir.", I said. "But yes, if being a people's leader makes me feisty, I think the name suits me."

"I see. I am sure you have heard things about me too. But if you haven't, I am not Mukesh. Mukesh is a soft faculty. He has no aggression and no zeal to push students. Hence this batch suffered. But I am Shantanu Chakravarty. I am the HoD of Physics in this part of the school, and arguably the best teacher here."

He continued - "I do not care what you learn, how you learn. Pay attention in class, as the HoD has no time to solve your silly questions. Plus, I am more than happy to fail you if you don't perform my way. It's Shantanu's promise."

God! How I hated this man. He had simply spent two minutes with us, and the hate we had for this man was so pungent that we would sell our souls to have him kicked out. I had this gut feeling that my 11th Standard would be a nightmare with Shantanu sir around.

But aside from his narcissistic angle, Shantanu sir was an exceptional teacher. I guess his claim that he was the best teacher at this institute wasn't as far-fetched as his act of intimidation. This guy had all the skills needed to tame a group of wild and intelligent hooligans. He had just started explaining about the First Law of Thermodynamics when Ms. Malabika interjected into the class.

"Shantanu Sir, could I have a word with you?", she questioned.

"For sure, Malabika Ma'am", the professor responded.

They had huddled outside the classroom door, discussing something significantly serious - their concerned faces were dead giveaways of the urgency and importance of the discussion The only person who seemed to be enjoying the ongoing debacle was none other than our superstar Shantanu sir. About 5 minutes later, he returned and announced: 

"Class, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that one of the erstwhile top performers of the batch, Ms. Madhuri Saikia, has been pulled out of the SSS program due to her horrible performance in the half-yearly exams."

What!!? It felt like the world around me came crashing down. In a flash, every moment I spent with her came rolling back. Her perfect peacock blue and emerald green salwar kameez that caught my attention on the first day, our tiny disagreements, our coffee breaks, the library trips, and everything that I had done with her being around me, came back in a rush. This just can't be happening...

"Word is, she will be asked to opt for a voluntary transfer from here to another public school.", the professor continued. "You see, we do not enjoy destroying your lives. It's these underperforming state board students who think they know too much, join a national board school, and see what their real class is!" He had a hearty laugh at his supposed joke, and the guys and girls who were jealous or hurt by Madhuri and her attitude were visibly elated at her virtual rustication. Sick bastards!

"Has she already been removed, Sir?" I asked, raising my hand.

This made him stop laughing, and look sternly in my direction through his thin-rimmed bi-focal spectacles. "You seem a bit too interested, eh?", He jeered. The guys whose proposals Madhuri had refused joined him in a sneering laughter.

'Keep calm, Shekhar.' I whispered under my breath as I continued - "Actually, unlike the 'sharp' minds who qualified for the SSS program by being spoonfed by their expensive tutors, I have qualified based on my merit. This brings with it responsibilities, something that spoonfed babies and their spoonfeeding tutors won't understand."

"As the Prefect of Student Affairs, it is my responsibility to know minute details of every student in this school, and the last time I checked, Ms. Saikia was still a student. Hence, I need to know the status."

The class turned silent. Prof. Shantanu was notorious for providing tuition to students at exorbitantly high hourly rates, and by the looks of it, the arrow of accusation had found its mark.

"She is in the principal's office." said the professor in a gruff voice.

"Thank you Sir.", I responded. "If that's okay with you, I will have to leave for some administrative work. Thank you for the class." I said as I stood up and walked off to the principal's office.

●●●

The Principal's office was the largest office space in the entire administrative block of our school. If you had seen the office as a standalone feature, I doubt if you would have connected it to a convent school. Expensive Italian marble adorned the floors, and plush leather couches complimenting the earthy hues of the marble were placed in front of a massive glass-topped oak table. Behind it sat Fr. Thomas, a stout man of medium height, and a pair of eyes that reflected his cunning genius.

From the corridor that led into his office, I could hear his heavy voice speaking - "No, but that isn't possible sir. Her marks have been absurdly low. I understand students getting in the range of 30s. But her marks are in the low 10s. That's unacceptable."

"May I come in sir?", I asked while knocking on his thick door.

"Who is it?", he asked. "I am in an urgent meeting."

"It's Shekhar, sir," I responded.

"Ah Shekhar", he said in a jovial voice that was evident through the thick layers of oak that constituted his door. "You are always welcome, son!", he said as he held it open for me.

The warm yellow lights were a stark contrast to the dimly lit corridor which led to the office. For a moment, my eyes stung as they adjusted to this rapid change of illumination. She was standing by the oak table, her head hung low. I couldn't see her face, but I knew it was her. Then, the familiar fragrance of burnt jasmine with cranberries hit my nostrils, and they flared. Oh, how they had missed her!

I had been lying to myself all along! Seeing her there, with her fragrance tingling my sensations, with her presence amping up my heartbeats, I knew this wasn't what dead feelings felt like. My feelings for her were all very much alive.

"So what can I do for you, Shekhar?", Fr. Thomas asked.

"I... I was here to discuss the supposed voluntary transfer opted for by Ms. Madhuri Saikia of Standard XI Section SSS, bearing the ID number SSS/GR/1013.", I said.

"Ah! We were discussing the same." Fr. Thomas said, gesturing at her. I stole a glance as she raised her head to look at him. The same reddish eyes, the look of guilt and helplessness. 'I will do everything to ensure you stay, Madhuri', I whispered under my breath. I will have to do everything, even if it means putting my reputation at stake.

"So Mr. Saikia, which school would you prefer your ward be transferred to, because as it seems right now, we are not comfortable to even consider keeping her as a fully funded student.", Fr, Thomas said. "I don't see a scope of improvement where she could regain her place among the leaders."

"There is a way, Sir," I said, not realizing I interrupted him. Fr. Thomas looked up, and so did Madhuri. Our eyes locked as she raised her head. In the few seconds that they locked in, we shared a million thoughts between us.

-------------

'What are you doing here Shekar?'

'Just doing what I should have done before - apologize. I was a stupid bastard to not ask you about what you were going through.'

'You boys! Only thinking with your hormones. I care a damn about you. Just leave me alone. You cannot and would not help me. I am just another girl you couldn't win!'

'We will see about that, Madhuri.'

-------------

"What way are you suggesting, Shekhar?" Fr. Thomas asked.

"To qualify for the SSS program, a student needs to maintain at least 85% in every quarter. However, according to the 4th clause of the program inception minutes, it has been mentioned that the Prefect of Student Affairs can nominate a student from any cadre to join the SSS class, provided the prefect takes the entire responsibility of ensuring that the nominated student achieves the said performance. In most cases, the Prefects would use this nomination to save them if they falter - something like a lifeline. But here, I would like to nominate Ms. Madhuri Saikia."

"But you do realize that once used, we cannot revoke the nomination, and in case you slip, you might end up losing your nomination for the scholarship itself?", Fr. Thomas asked in a serious tone.

"I realize that sir.", I said. "I agree that in case I slip up, my scholarship will be revoked permanently as I will have no nominations left."

"If that is how it is, I am okay.", Fr. Thomas nodded in agreement. "But how do we apply this clause in the case of Ms. Saikia? She has barely managed to get 50% overall, and to be eligible for nomination, a student must have at least 75%."

"By invoking the 11th clause of the SSS program agreement, which claims that the final decision regarding the approval and allotment of SSS funds towards a nominated candidate lies with the Principal of DB High."

"I am listening", Fr. Thomas said, as he looked at me attentively. A couple of disobedient sweat droplets trickled down the back of my neck, as I gulped down a dry sheath of nervous saliva. 'It's your time to pull some strings, Shekhar!'

"Sir, you had asked me to reprise the role of the Prefect of Student Affairs primarily based on the rapport I share with the students. I have built this rapport among my peers and juniors over the last 6 years by being just, fair, and supportive of the causes of the students."

"Today I am putting this reputation at stake when I am nominating her, and there is a reason behind it. I happen to know the true capability of Ms. Saikia. Unlike what a lot of the faculty believe about students from state boards, Ms. Saikia is a committed student."

"I have always believed that one exam rarely defines the true mettle of a student. This is especially true for the case of Ms. Saikia here, as she is no ordinary rankholder. She is the 2nd best student from the state board of Assam, and letting her go would be missing out on a potential pre-graduation rank-holder to our competitor schools. We have already lost Ajan Phukan, the state topper, to Don Bosco Senior Secondary School, and if Madhuri ends up leaving us and joining them, we would end up losing vital investments from the Board."

There prevailed a moment of serene silence. It felt as if the unending river of time had frozen in the ideological winter. The low buzzing sound of the fluorescent baton lights that illuminated the room claimed otherwise. Fr. Thomas looked pensive as his face revealed the inner war of ideologies. On one hand, he had an underperforming student who could ruin the scot-free image of the SSS program, yet on the other, the possibility of letting an undiscovered gem slip into the lap of the other schools made him question his deduction.

"Well, if that's how you want to put it, I am convinced to give Madhuri a chance.", Fr. Thomas said. "She will be re-instated into the SSS program and will continue classes with you."

We nodded in agreement. We had done it! Out of all the odds, we managed to convince the Principal to retain Madhuri in the school. From the corner of my eye, I checked on her. She was weeping silently I hoped they were tears of joy, as I had already completed my quota of making her cry for all the wrong reasons.

"But there are some conditions, Shekhar." Fr. Thomas said, breaking the silence.

"I do not know Ms. Saikia as much as you do, but I know you quite well, and if you claim she is good, I will take your word for it. However, in a month, she will have to prepare and attempt the half-yearly papers again. If she can get through with the expected performance criteria, she stays in the school. Otherwise, I will be obliged to offer her a voluntary transfer. Is that understood?"

I nodded in agreement. "That would be acceptable to me, but as for Ms. Saikia, I think she should answer.", I said.

"I... I agree", Madhuri replied. Her voice seemed meek, broken, and burdened by the overflow of uncharted emotions. But it was hers nonetheless. It was meek, weak, and muffled, but it still made me skip a heartbeat.

"Sounds good to me.", Fr. Thomas responded. "Please compose yourself, Madhuri. You and Shekhar are dismissed. Please freshen up and get back to class."

●●●

"Coffee?", I asked Madhuri.

She nodded in agreement. She wasn't crying now, but her eyes still looked tired. Even when the eyeliner wasn't defining her beautifully sculpted eyes, even when they were reddish with all the crying, they looked so beautiful. Naveen was one lucky bastard!

"Two cappuccinos, please," I ordered at the coffee bar, while Madhuri stood at an arm's length.

"You okay?" I asked her.

"I don't know," she replied.

"You know I won't leave you alone with that answer. So what's up?", I countered.

"How did I get such low marks, Shekhar?", Madhuri asked, her eyes welling up again.

I went ahead to hug her. "Hey, it's alright!" I said. "Happens to the best of us."

She hugged me back, burying her head into my chest, snuggling for comfort. "Didn't happen with you, did it?" she asked.

"Maybe not this time, but next time I might slip.", I said. "It's just a matter of time. Besides, you are back into the SSS program, and we should celebrate that, don't you think?"

"Maybe...", she replied meekly. "But I don't know if I deserve it."

"Hey, don't overwork yourself by thinking about these things now, okay?" I countered. "Let's just have some coffee and relax. We have had a hard day." She nodded, as we picked up the coffee cups and made our way to the sports gallery.

We had Physical Education practicals, and it was the boys' turn to play badminton. No hate, it's a great sport, but I didn't enjoy playing it. Football was more in my lane, but we had to wait for another week before our football training would begin. So Madhuri and I decided to sit at the farthest corner of the gallery, away from the loud boys and girls.

"Madhuri", I said. "I am sorry for what I did yesterday. I was driven by the uncontrolled anger I have for Naveen, which I misfired against you."

"I knew that, Shekhar," said Madhuri. "If you ask me, I deserved that. I deserved to be kicked out of the school. Why did you nominate me?"

"No one's being kicked out Madhuri", I said. "I nominated you because I know you. Yes, you got distracted, but if we work together, we will get over it."

She put her hand on mine and looked deep into my soul. Her eyes never sparkled so bright. She felt different. "Thank you for everything Shekhar", she said as she leaned for and placed a tiny peck on my lips.

For the world, it happened in a moment, but for my eyes, it was an entire chapter from the Book of Genesis. As she came in, her eyes closed, hands clutching mine, and the identifiable jasmine perfume filled my lungs. Then it happened. Her lips touched mine, as sparks of passion short-circuited at the points our lips touched. The most beautiful girl in DB High kissed the most unattractive guy in the class. Life has its ways, Nature has its mysterious ways.

"Don't say a word about it now.", she warned. "I don't know why I did it!"

I put a finger on her lips. "I love you, Madhuri Saikia. I truly, deeply, unfathomably love you. I felt it the day I saw you, but I didn't want infatuation for you. Then Naveen came, and you went back to him. I let you go, even when I wanted to stand up, I let you go. Then I saw you today, and deep inside I realized if it wasn't today, it would be never."

"I don't care if you do love me, Madhuri", I continued. "It's a massive commitment, and if it's something you aren't ready for, I understand. But I wanted to tell you this so you understand... It was my love that urged me to nominate you. But this isn't all. I will be yours till I can breathe. I see your capabilities and your strengths. I want to be your partner, and if you feel I am capable and worthy, accept me, accept my insecurities and flaws. I am yours, and only yours shall I be."

She looked into my eyes, "You mean it when you say this, Shekhar?", she asked.

"Meant every word of it!", I replied.

"I love you too, Shekhar. I wouldn't lie that I always did, but over the time we spent together, I felt something for you. Naveen was someone I trusted, but he hasn't changed. Not even a bit! It was then that I could see what you were. You are a gem among men, and I love you for whatever you are."

"Then maybe we could snuggle?", I asked.

"With pleasure, my cute, protective boyfriend!", said Madhuri as she inched closer.

I wrapped my arms around her, as she lay her head on my shoulders. She adjusted her position to best suit her comfort, and in moments, she was snoring softly. Maybe it was a side-effect of falling in love, but even their snores sound so sweet. It was a reassurance that when the world turned hostile to my beautiful Madhuri, she could find a humble, warm shelter on my shoulder and my lap. This was as close to heaven as I could be.

Was it possible I had simply died last night, and this was just my soul imagining things? Maybe I did die, or maybe I jumped multiverses into one where Madhuri loved me. Whatever it was, I wasn't leaving this bliss. This was my paradise.