PART-5

I hurried to the hostel,my mind preoccupied.There were so many nagging worries that I had to tend to,but all those vanished in a puff of smoke as soon as I saw the clock in my dorm and realized it was already 6:50!Lost as I was I hadn't realized that it had taken me so long to reach my room from the grounds.

I hurried through my daily routine,not wanting to be late on the first day of the session and more so,if I were being frank I was eager to see khushi again.I wondered how she would look in the uniform and the though got me rushing. 

I dressed and got ready,pulling on my sweater and blazer to ward off the constant cold that seems to grip Dehradun all year round and rushed to join others for breakfast,almost colliding head first with my dorm mates.

The cafeteria was packed and a noisy affair as the-first-day-of-the-new session excitement gripped the place so much so that it was almost tangible,a frenzy.I quickly spotted Payal and Akash ensconced in a corner,side-by-side and sauntered to them.

"Hey guys,what's up?"I pretended to be cheerful,though I realized from their sullen expressions that the two of them weren't quite engaged in a friendly conversation,still mulling over the morning row.I sighed at their pretentious greetings.What a mess!

But,I didn't get much time to muse over the grey mood of my brother and best friend as soon khushi came bounding with such gaiety that it dispelled the overcast like the bright sun emerging out of the grey clouds dispelling bleakness!

I stared at her unabashedly as she prattled on about how nervous and excited she was to attend her new class.I just couldn't care because her beauty enraptured me. I had always though of our School uniform in most tasteless a fashion,but looking at her clad in bottle green and dark grey of the school,I realized how very mistaken I was.Obviously it depended on who wore the dress.With her long hair pulled up in a pony with few tresses caressing her breathtaking face,she looked no less than a diva,straight out of some fashion magazine,not that there was anything provocative about the way she dressed!

I could feel Payal's eyes probing my face,but I couldn't care less.I was having a moment now!So,my reverie wasm't broken,until the subject of my fascination decided to impediment it.

"Arnav,all of us are wearing green blazers but you are sporting a blue one,why?" Khushi asked sweetly.

"Because this one is Scholar Blazer.You get this if you win Scholar badge for three consecutive years."I replied promptly.

"Scholar blazer!Wow!I mean...that must feel so great!You must be so proud!" Khushi said awestruck and for the first time in my life I felt proud of my academic excellence!

Since childhood,my dexterity and prodigious skills in academics and sports had shone.In fact,I had stacks and stacks of medals,shields and certificates,but I had never given them a thought.Maybe I was haughty but those things came naturally to me,but seeing khushi's awe gave me a huge sense of accomplishment...and a queer feeling of contentment.

 

"Thanks!"I said and blushed,making her laugh.

 

Soon food was placed in humongous piles in front of us and the enticing aroma had our mouth water to no end.Pakodas,Kachoris,dabeli,chocolate sandwich,Pasta,noodles,everything ranging from Indian to continental made us famished.My stomach growled and I realized how hungry I was...almost ravenous!

 

So,we laden our plates with as much food as it can hold and started.Food was one of the best facilities provided to the students in our school.Suddenly khushi started coughing after taking a bite of 'Pyaaz ka pakoda',and tears came out of her eyes.

"Khushi what's wrong?"I was alarmed to see her delicate face turn red.

"It..s so spicy!I think I ate chilly!"She gasped,groping around for water.

I immediately took a glass of water and helped her drink,rubbing her back soothingly,absolutely unaware of the stunned gaze and slack jaws of my friends who were seated around me!