CHAPTER 2 RENDEZVOUS

I took a deep breath and entered the Principal's room,even as my jiji thumped me on the back and mouthed all the best!

The Prinacipal's room was sprawling and beautiful,befitting for the head of one of the top notch schools of India.The wall-sized glass french window looked down upon the  spacious lawns of the school.

The west walls were entirely dedicated to a huge bookshelf which housed several autobiographies of great men and women and finest of literature.Plush carpet covered the floor and heavy fabric hung from the wall which also had several beautiful,antique-looking paintings!A light colored, leather sofa occupied the right side along with several tables whence proudly kept were gleaming shields and trophies.A sweet musky smell hung in the air that had nothing to do with air fresheners.

I stared around at the impressive decor until my father's polite voice made me focus on the woman that sat behind the massive claw-legged table and in the process I found the source of the smell that made the air redolent.

''Good morning ma'am.''

''Good morning Sir,ma'am.Please have a seat.''The women greeted.

I looked at my new Principal and immediately got the impression that she wasn't someone to be trifled with.Mrs. Evelyn Williams,as the name on her denomination plate,kept on her table read, was clad in a simple peach,chiffon saree with her hair tied in a tight bun.Spectacles were placed on her sharp nose and she wore the sternest expression that I had ever seen on anyone's face.

Her desk was covered with wads of paper,all pretty neatly arranged and there was no scope for purfunctoriness.A beautiful crystal vase contained a grouping of multi-hued local blooms which was the reason of the cloyish smell.

''Ma'am this is my daughter Khushi kumari Gupta.''My dad introduced me and I gulped to greet her.

''Good morning ma'am.''I chocked out nervously,feeling all fluttery.

The Principal's sharp eyes seemed to give me a queer feeling,as if she saw through me,sort of like in X-ray.

''Good morning dear.I welcome you to St.Marcus' Boarding School.We're glad to have you as our student.I went through your educational record and I must say they are quite impressive.You seem like a brainy child!''She complemented approvingly and I flushed.

I could see my dad's chest swelling several inch.

''Thank you ma'am.''I muttered shyly.

''You're welcome.Now,since you're joining our school,so being the Principal its my responsibility to get you acquainted with the rules and regulations of this school.Ours is one of the best school in India and hence at no  pint we can possibly let our hair down.There's no scope for frivolous tomfoolery and rule-breaking id dealt in strictest manner possible.Of course we'll  lean you our full support and cooperation and ergo we accept the same from you.I hope I've made myself clear my dear?''Mrs.Williams queried and I simply nodded,too stupified.

She seemed like a ringmaster to me,mechanical and absolutely staid.

''Good,then you may go and get yourself settled in the hostel.'' She said and after the necessary courtesy,we  came out.

''What do you think?''Dad asked.

''Well,she seems like and autocratic sort of woman.''I complained,raising my eye-brow.

''No,she's the woman of finest disposition.But,your doubts about her will clear with time.''My dad assured while my mum patted me encouragingly.

We found my jiji engaged in conversation with a guy and as soon as we drew level with them,he greeted my parents.

''Good morning Uncle,Aunty!''

''Good morning dear.''My mum replied and my dad shook hands with him.

He was tall and fairly handsome.His wheaty complexion and deep set brown eyes had me lost and I gazed at him like an utter moron.His jet-black hair was neatly kept and he was already dressed in the school uniform with the exception of blue blazer.I frowned.As far as I remembered,the school had green blazer.

''Why are you wearing this blue blazer?''I blurted and then blushed.

You really don't ask questions to a stranger that straight-forward!

He looked at me and I realized how deep his eyes were,as if storing unfathomable mysteries in their great depths.

''Uh,I forgot to introduce you.Khushi,this is Arnav Singh Raizada,one off my friends and Arnaz,this is my little sister khushi.''My jiji acquainted us.

''Hi!''I chirped,smiling at him.

''Hello!''He said quitely,smiling a lop-sided smile and I noticed how husky his voice was.So desirable!

''And he's wearing that blazer because that's Scholar blazer that is awarded to the prodigious students by this school.''My dad informed me.

''Oh wow congrats!You must feel so good and proud and so must your parents.''I jumped excitedly.I was awed,but to my immense surprise his face got warped in ,what was unmistakably pain.

''I should go.I've an appointment with Principal ma'am.''Arnav tried to pull up a smile,but the anguish in his eyes was unconcealed.

My jij stomped hard on my foot,lightly smacking my head.

''What did I say?''I asked bewildered by the looks my family was suddenly giving me,as if I had committed a felony.

''He's an orphan.He lives with his maternal relatives.''My dad explained.

''Poor child.As if he needed to be reminded of that hideous incident at the beginning of the session.Khushi you're really mad!''My mum chided me.

But that was nothing to what I felt.His grief stirred the chords of my heart and I couldn't recall any other time I had felt so crappy and so,so terrible.I seriously wanted to give myself a good,well-deserved kick.

''Let's go and get you two in the hostel.''My dad sighed.

''Dad,do you mind if I stay here for a while?I need to...you know um..apologize.''I pleaded my dad.

''Ok,but come back soon.Just follow the pavement down the front and come to the rear of the building.We'll wait for you!'' My dad ruffled my hair slightly and went out with mum and jiji.

I waited for Arnav to come out,feeling terribly sorry for him and at last he came.

''Excuse me.''I called as he made his way to the staircase without so much as glancing at me.

He stopped with his back towards me and I hurried over to him.

''What do you want?''He demanded,a bit rudely and I knew I more than deserved it.

Though he kept a poker face,I could see the intense hurt smouldering  in his deep brown eyes.My tear ducts started to work seeing his agony.

''I'm so sorry.I didn't know that you..that you...''I chocked, holding my ears.Tears spilled over my cheek.

''No,please don't cry.You aren't at fault,you didn't know!That's ok!''Arnav assured,looking appalled.

He smiled at me and before I could so much as open my mouth,he turned on his heel and walked away.