Chapter : 7

Rishav's POV

"Shakespeare had mentioned the natural fear of the mortal human to be..." I kept on mumbling to myself, trying hard to frame a proper summary of the poem. This assignment was eating my head away.

Sighing, I shut the notebook close and glanced up at the ceiling of my bedroom. It was 11:35 PM and Mom and Dad were already asleep in their room. Sameer was out with some work which isn't surprising considering that the guy is a downright workaholic.

I thought to get some fresh air and walked out of the room. Picking up the front door keys I tiptoed my way out of the house and locked the door. This wasn't the first time I was sneaking out so I managed fine. Walking down the stairs I started roaming over the silent and deserted streets under the clear sky.

The moon was nearly full, shining down, the moonbeams cascading down the indigo scape whic was dotted with those celestial stars, and illuminating the area. My ears caught the attention of a particular sound. I was quite accustomed to it.

"An Enfield?" I mumbled to myself as I listened to the roar of the bike nearing the turning at the far end of my street.

My doubts turned right when an Enfield showed up from the corner. I smiled a confused smile when I recognized the bike with the fancy headlight and stickers. It was Ravi's. But why was he out so late? The figure driving the bike had a helmet on and I naturally assumed it to be Ravi.

I stood where I was, expecting Ravi to stop by on spotting me but the bike just drove past me swiftly. My jaw hung open. No, not because I thought Ravi didn't notice me but because it wasn't Ravi at all! I looked at the number plate of the bike and it was indeed Ravi's bike. The figure riding the bike, however, was a girl! Her long hair flowing from under the helmet over her head. Her slim arms were holding onto the handle of the bike and she was clad in a black jacket and black jeans, almost merging with the darkness around.

The biker vanished as soon as she appeared, driving past me fluidly as I stood there with an open jaw.

***

"... If Y is twice of X then in the equation..." Mr. Tripathi went on explaining as he wrote the solution to the sum on the board.

I, too, was busy solving the calculations like everyone else. Of all, Maths and Physics seemed to be the most appealing subjects to me. Well, almost everyone was practicing the sum. Ravi was busy doodling over his notebook with his pencil, sitting in front of me, beside Kabir. I, on the other hand, was sitting alone. It was usual since I rarely talked to girls or had any other pal to accompany me. I wasn't complaining though; in fact I liked this arrangement. No need of acknowledging the seat mate everyday or letting him cheat away a few answers in tests no matter how pissed you feel and a lot more. Well, all of that was Kabir's problem to handle for he was with Ravi on sitting terms.

"Where's your sister? I thought she was joining today," Kabir asked Ravi once he had finished the sum.

The teacher and rest of the students, including me, were still a few steps away from getting the answer. Kabir indeed is a genius.

"She's in the Principal's office. A few discussions and then she'll be here," he responded to Kabir's query.

"I thought she was a year younger to you. Wouldn't she be a junior?" I asked, my eyes still focused on my notebook.

"She got double promotion in her second grade. That's why she and I are in the same class." Ravi shrugged.

Double Promotion? I guess the Impatient Princess has got some brains after all.

"There she is," Ravi said.

I didn't bother raising my head to look at her since I was already pissed at her for ruining my Sunday Chill Out.

"Students, meet your new classmate, Ms. Ananya Sharma," Mr. Tripathi said and resumed to solving the sum.

"Ananya, take the seat at the back," Mr. Tripathi told her.

I finally raised my eyes from the notebook to find who that poor student was to have to bear Ananya for the rest of the semester. But, soon enough, my eyes widened when I realized the Impatient Princess was striding towards me! Her long, dark brown hair was tied into a loose braid with a few tendrils escaping in the air and her baby blue kurti looked perfect on her flawless skin.

Wait... Did I say it looked perfect? Ugh.

My jaw dropped open as she settled down beside me with a lively smile. There seemed to be not a speck of tension between us. Has she forgot the fight we had at the Stadium? But it was only yesterday that it happened. Or has she forgot that it was me who had that face off with her?

"Stop staring. It's considered rude," she said, her eyes trained on her notebook and her voice deadly calm.

I closed my jaw shut but was still looking at her, confused.

"Do you not-" I was saying.

"And yes, I still remember you. No one can forget an arrogant jerk like you in a day. The only reason I am smiling is that I have to make a good impression in the eyes of the rest of the class." She said, not even sparing me a glance.

Okay, she does remember.

I shook my head at her words and returned my attention to the next sum. But her sharp words seemed to have an affect on me.

Arrogant jerk? No one dares to speak that way about me on my back, and here is this little brat who just spat the words on my face like it was no big deal!

I knew one thing for sure.

I. Hate. Ananya. Sharma.