HOPE ; The Quiet Companion (Part 1)

It was an evening and the gradually sinking sun was indicating the dusk. Birds were flying towards their nest, ants were scattering over the surface of the wet ground and people were rushing towards their home after working for the whole day. Raghav was observing a few shiny stars up above the clear and red sky. Those city lights were increasing their intensity and all the chaose of sound made by people were slowly  decreasing.

During all those observations, he had different topic swimming in the form of certain feeling inside his brain, which was signalling fear and nervousness.

He had recently received the result of secondary education examination (SEE), which held at grade 10 as final examination. He was quite irritated with the existing classmates as he didn't find anyone who could be of similar natured like him. He was afraid because he didn't know which highschool to join. Also, he was quite nervous that what might his new mates look like.

It was the month of Shrawan. The sunlight was evaporating the water of those small potholes of the road which were filled up by the last night's heavy rainfall. It was mid afternoon and suddenly a phone call was heard throughout the flat where Raghav used to live. The call was from Sagefall Valley Academy to discuss about the admission of the student in the highschool. The phone was picked up by Raghav's father and the admission was confirmed.

After a week, Raghav made his first move towards the highschool. He was very nervous even though he was frank and friendly natured person. He took the bus and went to the highschool which literally took about half an hour. And again, a half an hour of walking to the college from the final bus stop. It was his first day in the highschool. Not only him, but for all other freshers it was their first day at highschool. There were many freshers infront of the gate, waiting for it to open and step inside the highschool for the first time.

Sagefall Valley Academy of Science and Management was beautiful in structure. The wide road infront of the college was pretty good and well pitched. The brown coloured gate was so attractive with multiple decoratives and designs to welcome all the members including staffs and students as well as guests. The red coloured building with light yellow strips was attracting each student's sight. It had a large ground which was sufficient to play football match between any two sections. Similarly, it was four stories tall and quite wider to accommodate about fourty sections. Its open environment gave it an elegant view of an international highschool.

There were enormous students. When the sun hit harder at 10:30 am, every student was allowed to enter inside the highschool as the high brown gate was opened by the security guards. Raghav went inside. He felt as if he was entering inside a special palace which he had seen in several movies. He looked at the name of students enlisted to various sections. At the bottom phase of section named 'Wing : Bleak', he saw his name. He matched his footsteps with other students towards his section. With each step he was carrying forward, his heartbeat was accelerating faster. With a lot of confusions and nervousness, he stepped inside the 'Wing: Bleak'.

The initial view of the classroom attracted his glance. The classroom was painted white on the ceiling and upperpart of the walls, while lower portion, starting from the middle downwards, was painted blue, creating a calm and balanced atmosphere. It was bighter and big classroom. He saw the second last bench was empty and sat on the wall side. After some time, another student sat on the side of it.

He leaned over with a friendly grin and asked Raghav, "Hey! what's your name bro?"

Raghav, calmly, raising one eyebrow, said, "It's better to introduce thyself first before demanding someone else's identity."

Actually, Raghav was the person who used to believe in moral principles, either read from book or taught by others. But, Ishan was not the person to move according to particular principle, but he was quite wise. He was calm person with matured ideologies with a little bit mischievous behaviour. His nature and attitude was a bit similar to that of Raghav's too.

He said in funny accent, "Oho! My apologies, your highness. I am humble Ishan, a common person in this grand kingdom of highschool. And what's the good name of his highness?"

Raghav, with a smirk on his serious face, said, "His royal awkwardness is named Raghav."

Ishan, leaning back dramatically, "Ah! So, we are graced by His Royal Awkwardness himself! Tell me, did thou ride here on a golden chariot or was there a parade held in your honour?"

Raghav, playing along, "Neither. The chariot broke down and the elephants were on strike. Had to walk like a normal human being."

Ishan, with a gentle laughter, " Unbelievable! And did His Highness have any trouble finding the school and classroom, or were the royal guards guiding him?"

Raghav said, " There was confusion, but thankfully, a noble peasant named Google Maps led the way."

Ishan, clappings, "Bravo! May our kingdom of Wing : Bleak prosper under such great leadership."

The conversation was going on between various students of the section Bleak in curious, entertaining and a memorable way. Suddenly, the physics teacher, who used to teach thermodynamics entered inside the classroom. Every student greeted the teacher like how they used to greet in school. The teacher was teaching, meanwhile Raghav was observing all the students and the atmosphere of the classroom. He found the same method of teaching in whiteboard and same atmosphere of classroom like that of his previous school. But, he was quite excited from the bottom of the heart to see the mates from extremely eastern region to far western region of Nepal, all studying in same manner.

After a week, he got his highschool uniform which consisted of a coat as well. To wear coat was itself a rare and first time experience for him.

Another day, the sun was shining and scattering its joyful light rays in the pleasant ground of Kathmandu valley. Raghav went to college with new energy. He met one of his friends for the first time who was quite restless natured. She was the one with whom Raghav used to fight a lot.

Bishakha was innocent looking girl with restless nature. She had very big eyes with smiling face, fair skin toned and voice as familier to cuckoo bird. She was very frank and had a small friend circle.

On her very first day, when she was not in class, Raghav hung her bag on the top of the door. When she came inside the class with the walk similar to that of a lady duck, she didn't find her bag on her desk. Later, she saw it on the top of the door. Sulabha informed her that Raghav had kept it over there. As it was her first day, she just tolerated that incident and remained quiet like a softstorm.

Days went on like an instant. Raghav provided the notes of all subjects to Bishakha as she also had only Raghav and Sulabha to rely on for help in the highschool. After a week, they became very close friends. They used to help each other, tease and quarrel with each other. One day, while copying the notes of physics subject given by Raghav to Bishakha, 

she said, " Raghav, your handwriting looks like a chicken ran across the page."

Raghav wasn't the one to easily give up.

He countered her statement and said , " And your's looks like that chicken's poop."

They fought over pens, notes and even who should bought the pakauda during breaktime.

After a few days, during the academic hour, the highschool was looking silent from the viewpoint of general public outside from the road. The ground was touched by gentle breeze on 11:30 am. But there, inside the class, Raghav and his classmates were shouting and throwing paper ball upon each others. The first period was of SN sir and he was absent that day. Raghav made a paper ball and hit at Bishakha's head. She knew who might have hit her, but she was not in the mood of fighting at that time. Still, the boys were making noise.

Avinav said , " SN Sir full of grace, 

                       Last seen heading to outer space."

Also Pratik added, " SN Sir, the legend we fear,

   Teaches with a smile, disappears for an year!"

After a while, the DI heard the noise. He came near the door and badly scolded the whole class like how a shepherd scolds his sheep. The class remained silent. After a few minutes, Raghav started to sing, " shaam saa tu dhaltaa, tu subhaa saa hai nikaltaa,.....". 

When the song was completed, 

Bishakha said, " What was that? Did your throat just glitch?"

Ritu added, "That wasn't a note. That was a national warning alert."

Raghav said, "That was just the into warmup. Now listen carefully, 'tujhko main rakhlu waahaan, jahaan pe kahin, hai meraa yakin,..."

Halfway through, the ceiling fan started spinning slower. 

Pratik said, " I think even the fan is trying to escape."

Again, Bishakha added, " My ears just sent me a resignation letter."

"You people don't understand art.", said Raghav.

"Art? That sounded like fox screaming during winter.", immediately Bishakha replied.

"Jealousy seems to be more louder than my song.", said Raghav, looking towards Bishakha.

Sulabha added, "Even youtube said: skip Ad in 5 seconds when you sang."

With a firm smile, Raghav said, " Laugh all you want. I have got a golden voice." 

Bishakha replied, " There is difference between golden voice and golden chicken voice."

Everyone laughed.

Raghav, in a small voice, " There is no environment to sing songs."

Next day, during the chemistry class, GK Sir was explaining the ideal gas equation i.e. PV = nRT. He turned to Bishakha and asked, " Bishakha, in this equation, 'P' is directly proportional to 'T', keeping other things constant. Now, tell me what does 'T' represent if 'P' represents pressure?"

She said in full confident manner, " 'T' represents time."

The whole class burst into laughter. Raghav laughed so loudly that his laughter was dominating all other's laughs. 

He said, " Time? ha ha ha...! Bishakha's cooking gas runs by clock now!"

Bishakha turned red. But, before she could say anything, the teacher's eyebrows lifted.

GK Sir said," Raghav, since you're laughing like you have discovered oxygen. You tell me, what is the chemical formula of water?"

Raghav replied, " Simple! It's HO2."

Again, the whole class laughed.

Bishakha said," Oh my god. It's H2O, Einstein's twin!"

Raghav, with lower voice, " HO2 sounds cooler though." 

Then GK Sir shooked his head and returned to the whiteboard. After when the class ended,

Bishakha with a mocking voice, "HO2? what's that, Hydrogen Oxygen Oxygen or Help Others two times?"

Raghav with an angry voice, " Atleast I don't think gas law is about time travel!"

Bishakha in a furious manner, " You started it."

"No, your brain did.", replied Raghav.

Then suddenly, they both grabbed each other's hair and started to pull off. Ishan and Sulabha tried to stop them. 

Avinav said," Oy, Oy, Oy. Stop! You both will go bald."

After a few minutes of struggle, both let go each other's hair. There, Raghav took out a small comb and started maintaining his hair. The whole group laughed.

Ritu said, " You're carrying comb with you. Ha ha ha...!"

Pratik with a funny gesture, " These two are not friends. They are live action cartoons."

Days went on with a faster pace. Actually, in reality, if one divides 24 hours and live and work accordingly, then s/he won't get sufficient time for any extra activities. It's because the whole schedule is fixed. But, for Raghav it wasn't like that. He used to go to high school and after returning home, he used to complete all the notes and study for a few hours. After that, social media used to be the only choice for connecting with friends. Sometime, he used to get bored of scrolling youtube shorts and slept for a few hours. Again, waiting for the next day to met those close friends. Raghav never got such kind of friends since childhood like that in the highschool. He had somewhere considered his highschool friends closer to his heart.

It was a rainy day of the month of Bhadra. The sky was covered with large dark clouds, which were enjoying the season, making loud thunder sounds and lightnings. Those dark clouds were blocking the clear sun rays since morning, making the whole day very dark. It seemed like the darkness had not gone since last night. It was the starting time of day shift. Raghav along with all his close allies was standing on the wet floor of the inner passage of the building, looking at morning shift students' dispersal. He got a glimpse of a girl at a distance. Since the environment was dark, he couldn't see her properly. 

He asked Ishan, " Bro! who's that girl?"

Ishan looked over to that direction and asked, " which one?"

Raghav with a bit panicked voice, pointing to that direction, " That. That one. The one who is walking in slow motion. Look, there she goes inside the hall. I just missed the sight of her."

Bishakha heard the conversation.

She asked, "Which girl? The one with colorful hair?"

"Nope. The one who is more beautiful than you.", replied Raghav, looking at Bishakha.

Raghav, Ishan as well as Sulabha laughed at that joke.

Ishan said, " You nailed it, bro."

Bishakha, raising her eyebrows, said, " Oho! She is gorgeous! And you? Have you seen yourself at mirror? You look like you just lost a fight with your comb this morning." 

The whole group laughed.

Again, Raghav said, " wha-- what? excuse me?"

Again, Bishakha added, " She looked like a disney princess. And you? You look like the guy who sells popcorn outside the movie hall."

"Oh no! That was brutal.", said Ritu.

Raghav couldn't match up with the reply of Bishakha. He was quiet. He couldn't say anything after that because his mind, heart and brain were captured by somebody else a few moments ago.

After that incident, Raghav's attitude changed a little bit. He couldn't fight with the words of Bishakha anymore. He was just lost inside the waves of feelings which he couldn't figure out. He stopped all the funny behaviour and frequent talks. Ishan had noticed Raghav's behaviour and so did Bishakha. Bishakha again tried to crack various funny jokes and other offensive phrases against Raghav, thinking that he might again fight back and turn back to normal. But, Raghav didn't fight back, instead he just heard all her shoutings from one ear and blew it away from another. He was just lost within the deep ocean of unknown and first love feeling. He used to behave normally with a serious attitude, but not in frank manner.

It was a sunny day. Raghav was on his way to the class. His friends had already entered inside the class. He was thinking that he might again get the chance to see that girl whom he had encountered a few days ago. He was looking at the path with head down and walking like a lazy snail with those thoughts. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he got a feeling which compelled him to look straight forward. He saw someone exiting the highschool building. There were a lot of students, but his eyes were getting the glimpse of only one person. That was her, the girl who had captured the empty space of Raghav's heart.

She was wearing the highschool uniform. It was dark blue tie, white shirt with folded sleeves, dark blue pants and black shoes. The bright and warm sun rays were slipping off her beautiful fair face and small drops of sweat on her forehead were adding some sort of prettiness on her. The gentle breeze was fluttering the side fringe of her black curly hair. The bow shaped curvy eyebrows were indicating her of a royal princess. Those beautiful big eyes like that of a doe ( a female deer) with long eyelashes were reflecting her as a goddess and those slower blinks of eye lids were representing her innocence. The golden nose ring was shining on her long smooth nose which delicate like a sesame bud. Those golden earrings were dancing with every breeze which were hanging on her fresh lotus petals shaped ears. Her cheeks were glowing like petals were kissed by the rising sun. When she was laughing at her friend's joke, her big teeth and red lips were attracting the views of the spectators. Her neck was like conch shell which was smooth and graceful. Her shoulders were softly sloped like golden hills, strong yet delicate to behold. Her chest was firm and high, which was adorned like golden pitchers, shining with the charm of youth. Her stomach was smooth and slightly curved inward like a gentle river bank. Her waist was softly curved like a golden creeper and was slender as that of a lion's. Those thighs were like the trunk of a young elephant and legs were sculpted like ivory pillars. She was walking like a grandeur elephant's walk where her left shoulder was boring a bag hued in blue, pink and white, like a fragment of a spring sky resting upon a golden slope. As her delicate bamboo like hands with buds like fingers clasped its strap, her form revealed the harmony of curves, slender as the lion's waist, adorned with the grace of a celestial maiden.

Raghav remained stunned for a few minutes when she passed him, her footsteps fading to his left. That was a different kind of feeling. It was a feeling of love which Raghav tried to hide from all of his close friends. After a while, his mood became normal and with a bit smile on his face, he moved towards his class. The class started and it was the mathematics class of NS Sir. Since Raghav was quite interested in mathematics, he took out his notecopy to solve mathematical problems. But, there was not the same energy. From that time, he couldn't establish proper interest in mathematics. His interest, energy, knowledge and analytical skills were already captured away by the girl who he had beheld a few minutes ago at the ground. With her memories and instant glimpses, Raghav was swimming inside the feeling of one sided attraction, moreover, the first love. He was hoping to meet her and speak to her, yet the nervousness and strange fear were preventing him from doing so.

It was the month of Ashoj and the first terminal examination was about to begin. He just got out from the bus at Aadhyamelanam bus stop. He arrived quite earlier compared to other days as it was the examination day. At a distance, he saw someone looking quite anxious and worried. His heart suddenly started to beat faster. With each new step he was taking towards that person, his heartbeat was accelerating very fast like how one student's heartbeat rose while moving forward to receive the examination result. That person was none other than the girl who had captured the space of Raghav's heart. At first, Raghav was unsure what to ask because the one whom he used to remember all the time and hoping to meet was just infront of him. He still grabbed the courage to ask her.

Raghav asked, " Hey! You look worried. What happened to you just one and a half hour before the examination?"

He was so anxious and curious about her replies.

She said in hopeless voice, " Actually, I have lost my admit card on my way to here. I think I dropped it inside the bus from which I reached here. Now, I don't know what to do. Those DIs won't let even a single insect to enter inside without admit card."

Raghav was standing quietly, listening to each word spoken by her.

She looked at him with some rays of hope in her eyes and asked, " Could you help me?"

The whole surrounding disappeared as the arrows of words directly pierced his consciousness exactly at the moment she asked for help. He was unsure of what should be done.

He thought, " She is the one who is my crush. Now, she is asking for help in our first conversation. If I am unable to help her, then I don't think if I could even speak to her after this."

Again, he thought, " But this isn't some small trouble and I don't have the capability to help her. So, even if I can't help her, it won't stop our meetings further."

He just took a long breath and again thought, "Idiot. What are you thinking? She is asking for help and you are thinking about further friendship. Is this your moral principle? You should be ashamed of yourself for thinking this."

He said to her, "Wait. I will do something as much as my brain could process."

She was keeping patience and looking at his further move. Raghav took out his cellphone and called Ishan. Ishan picked up the call. 

Raghav asked, " Bro, where are you?"

"At home.", replied Ishan.

"Could you do one thing?"

"what?"

"I need your brother to hack our highschool's computer system.", said Raghav in very small voice.

"Wha...what? Are you serious? You had said you wouldn't look even a single question before exam. And now you are asking me to hack the computers.", said Ishan in shocking voice.

"Yaar. Please speak slowly. It's for a different purpose.", said Raghav.

"You said it was against your moral principle to look over the questions before exam. And now, you are changing your words!", said Ishan.

"No. Its not about the questions of exam, but the admit card, which I require immediately.", Raghav assured Ishan in calm voice.

Ishan asked, "Why do you need admit card?"

"Actually, its her's admit card that I am talking about. She lost it on her way and now she is worried.", Raghav replied.

"Then why don't you suggest her to negotiate with the DI and administration?", asked Ishan.

"Bro,do you still think that negotiation would work infront of those stone hearted DIs? There are 2000 students studying in this highschool. The administration won't care if any student forgets the required admit card. They don't care about the sentiments and emotions. Those demons are there just for money and rules.", replied Raghav, trying to illustrate the reality.

"Then what will happen to your moral principles? This activity is against it, isn't it?", asked Ishan.

"Look. She has paid the examination fee. She got the admit card but lost it. Now, without admit card, those stone hearted DIs won't let her in, no matter how much negotiation you do over there. They are just the heartless robots of our highschool who are like programmed bots and don't know anything except programmed codes. So, in this situation we need to act accordingly.", Raghav lectured a short philosophy.

" I don't understand the intention of your words. You keep it yourself. I will just take out the admit card.", said Ishan.

Again, Ishan asked, " By the way, what is her name and student's code number?"

Raghav, looking at the girl, asked, " Hey, Doe Eyed girl?"

She was looking at the other side of the road with total concentration on Raghav's conversation in phone call. After when he said Doe Eyed girl, she turned slowly towards the direction where he was standing. Gradually, she lifted up her anxious yet charming face and connected her expressive Doe Eyed sight with that of Raghav's lotus eyed sight. For a moment, Raghav's heart paused while looking at her. He just drowned inside the ocean of feelings that were expressed through Doe Eyed girl's big eyes. She waved at him with a cute gesture and clicked her fresh bud like fingers infront of his face. After a while, Raghav's consciousness came back.

"Where were you lost?", she asked with a beautiful smile on her red lips.

"Well! Just leave it. Actually, where was I?", said Raghav with confusion.

"You were on the phone.", she said, indicating towards his cellphone.

"Oh! Now I remember it. What is your name and student's code number?", asked Raghav.

"My name is Aaramyaa and my student's code is 7283528-BM.", said Aaramyaa with her sweet voice and also with a little bit of confusion.

"It's Aaramyaa and the code is 7283528-BM. Now, send that to my email soon.", said Raghav on the phone.

"Okay. Copied that, Your Highness.", replied Ishan.

Aaramyaa asked, " Why do you need my name and student's code?"

"Because with this we are going to reprint your admit card.", Raghav replied with a smile.

"What? I don't get it. Could you explain it?," asked Aaramyaa with more confused voice.

"Actually, Nope. I can't explain it. Let's go to that stationery and reprint your admit card.", said Raghav, pointing at a stationery infront of them.

Aaramyaa was unknown about the situation, but still she had guessed some outcomes when she had heard Raghav's conversation on the phonecall. They sat on a bench infront of the stationery shop.

Aaramyaa asked, " What did you do? And how is the admit card coming?"

Raghav said with smile, " Well, don't worry about it. If the door is locked, then obviously there would be some windows to enter inside."

For a moment, Aaramyaa didn't understand what Raghav just said. She was already in confusion. Then, Raghav's replies just spun her head round and round. 

Aaramyaa said, " Have you prepared for today's exam?"

"Which exam is today?", asked Raghav to extend conversation with Aaramyaa, although he knew it.

With a shocking voice, Aaramyaa said, " What?  You don't even know which subject's exam is today! And you are here to give exam?"

"Exam will frequently come and go. So, why to be worried in these terminal exams!", said Raghav.

"Oh my god. You're unbelievable. By the way, its mathematics today. Guess you need to prepare for re-exam. Ha ha ha...Oh! I forgot to ask, what's your good name?", said Aaramyaa.

"Well, the good name is Raghav.", replied Raghav with a blushing expression.

The conversation was pleasently going on between two new friends. The vehicles were producing loud noise as well as air pollution on the ring road of Kathmandu valley. The sun was spreading warm rays as usual. Gentle clouds were sometime blocking the sunrays, providing some sort of relief from extreme heat to general citizens who were walking on the street. In the mean time,

Aaramyaa asked, " Well ! which section are you from?"

"Wing : Bleak", replied Raghav.

"So, you are from that section. Our teacher had said that was the worst section he had ever taught till then.", said Aaramyaa with an exciting voice.

Again, she asked, " Which group are you?"

"Well, I am physical group. And you?", replied Raghav.

"I am physical group too. Wing : Hope.", said Aaramyaa.

Raghav, with a curiosity, asked, " Actually, where are you from?"

" Shantikunj. Quite far from here.", said Aaramyaa.

"No. I mean your home town.", said Raghav.

"Oh! I am from Inaruwa. Actually, I forgot to ask where are you.....?"

She couldn't even complete her question and immediately,

Raghav said, " Isn't it at Sunsari? So, you're from the east."

Aaramyaa said, " Yes. But I was asking...."

Again, Raghav got distracted from the message notification. He took out the phone and saw the message from Ishan.

"Here it came. Your admit card.", said Raghav with an energetic voice. 

They went to the stationery and took out the print of her admit card.

"Here it is. Take it.", said Raghav, handing the admit card to Aaramyaa.

"Thankyou. I don't know how to repay for this help.", said Aaramyaa in confusing tone.

"Well, it's only rupees 5", said Raghav.

"What?", said Aaramyaa in a confusing manner.

"No. Just joking. I will pay the printing cost.", said Raghav in funny manner.

Raghav looked at his wrist watch, " Oh no! It's getting late. Let's go fast."

"Why are you worried? You didn't even know today's exam. Ha ha ha...and you are worried about getting late for exam.", said Aaramyaa with a teasing accent.

"But still exam is exam. Also, I am bound by my principles.", said Raghav.

They rushed up to the college, gave the exam, but they couldn't meet each other for the whole exam as they were not pretty close friends till then. The exam was over and dashain vacation took place. It was literally a month long holiday. But Raghav was missing Aaramyaa. He was praying for the holidays to get over soon and again get the chance to meet her. During the holiday time, each day seemed like an year for him. He was connected with his close friends through social media, but deep inside his heart, he was just hoping for a single connection with Aaramyaa. Some of his classmates were fighting at messenger. He knew the reason of fight but still he enjoyed it as he thought it was normal for them to fight when their ego got hurt even a little bit. Those distraction couldn't hold Raghav for longer time to not think about her. He was only waiting for the holidays to end. Before that year, he used to hope for holidays not to end, but that year, it was different. Finally, the holiday was over. The excitement level of Raghav was out of control. He had polished his dirty shoes and ironed all his highschool's uniform the day before highschool resumed. It was Mangsir 4 and he hadn't got the sleep because of the excitement of going to highschool. The next day, he went early, with a hope to meet Aaramyaa, as she was from morning shift. Sadly, he didn't discover her anywhere.

Raghav, with an off mood on the very first day of highschool reopening, walked slowly towards his section with his head facing down to the earth. He saw nothing but the blooming ache of broken hope rooted deep in his heart. As usual, he sat on the corner of the second last bench.

Ishan, with a charming voice, "Hey, what's up, Your Highness? Why are you looking so sad in the first day?"

"It's nothing bro. I am just a little bit tired as I coundn't get proper sleep last night.", said Raghav in a low pitch.

It was SN Sir's class. Out of all teachers, he was quite friendly and funny too. He was known for mixing jokes with physics concepts. He noticed Raghav.

"Arre Raghav!", SN Sir said with a grin, "You look like a discharged battery today- no current, no potential ! " 

The whole class burst into laughter. Before Raghav could even react, 

SN sir added, " Don't worry class! If we connect Raghav to a positive charge, maybe he'll start glowing like a lightbulb!"

The class laughed even harder.

Again, Ishan added, " Sir, may be Raghav's battery will charge if we connect him to the positive terminal from the Hope section."

The class went silent, blinking at Ishan, completely confused.

SN sir trying not to laugh, replied, "Class, some circuits are too advanced for everyone to understand!"

The class still didn't get it, but sir and Ishan shared a mischievous smile while Raghav sat there, red-faced.

The first period ended and still Raghav was sad, hoping for Aaramyaa to appear in his sight. He just stared at the door for about five minutes, but didn't see her.

"Why would she appear at the door? As she is from morning shift and may be she is absent today." , thought Raghav.

When CR Avinav bought the news about the absence of JRB sir, an English teacher, everyone started to shout and some of them started making Tiktok contents. Ishan got busy playing ludo with Avinav, Bishakha and Sulabha. Raghav was not in the mood of talking to anyone. He simply bowed down his head on the desk and started remembering the first meeting and all those conversations with Aaramyaa.

Maybe 15 minutes had passed and Raghav heard someone slowly singing, 

                       "kab tak chup beithe,

                        ab toh kuch hai bolnaa,

                       Kuch tum bolo, kuch hum bolein,

                      Oh dholnaa"

Raghav used to love 90s bollywood songs. When he heard it, he just happily turned up his head and looked beside him where the sound was coming from. At first, he was completely shocked and stunned. To his surprise, Aaramyaa was just sitting right beside him. He didn't know what was happening. He was confused whether it was dream or reality. His heartbeat started to beat with louder sound. The surrounding which had been faded away infront of Raghav's eyes, was regaining its colours. He couldn't think of anything as his mind was completely void. He was just staring at Aaramyaa with a total surprising look over his face.

Aaramyaa, with a gentle smile, sang,

         " Do chaar kadam pe tum the,

          do chaar kadam pe hum the."

She clicked her fingers infront of Raghav's eyes.

Raghav sang, " do chaar kadam ye lekin,

                           sau milon se kyaa kam the?"

Aaramyaa with more energetic and sweet voice,

      " phir uspe kadam kadam pe dil kaa dolnaa,

          Haaye dolnaa"

"Oh dholnaa", song completed by Raghav.

Raghav asked, " Why are you in our class? Why didn't you go home?" 

"This is day shift, right?", asked Aaramyaa.

"Yes, it is.", replied Raghav.

"Then why would a day shift student go home during the study hour?", said Aaramyaa.

"Yes, they can't go. But, I was asking.... wait! Have you to changed your shift?", said Raghav in a confused manner.

Aaramyaa waved her head up and down with a great smile. After that, the happiness on Raghav's face was out of control. He didn't know to whom to say what. His condition at that instant was like someone with full of thirst at desert unexpectedly got the oasis.

Ishan came there and said, "What happened, Your Highness? You look totally charged right now."

Raghav, looking at Ishan, said, " You traitor. Why didn't you inform me earlier?"

"Actually, I wanted to, but she stopped all of our mates to inform you, was planning to give you a surprise", replied Ishan.

"But why are you in the day shift after first term?" asked Raghav, looking at Aaramyaa.

" Actually, I was planning to change it earlier, but couldn't do so due to lack of trustworthy friends. Now, I think I have found one." said Aaramyaa, looking at Raghav's eyes with a blushing expression in her face.

The third period was mathematics, taught by DC sir. Aaramyaa and Raghav were sitting next to each other. DC Sir was some sort of funny too.

He said," Class, we had studied the concept of differentiation before dashain, right?"

"Yes, sir." said the whole class.

"So, differentiation means to separate in simple terms. Today, we are going to study integration.", said DC Sir," Does anybody know what is integration?"

"Nope. But today is the first day. Why don't you start from tomorrow?!", said Pratik.

"It seems some students might need its concept. So, I am starting it from today. So, class, integration simply means to combine.", said DC Sir with a smile, looking at Raghav.

Again, Raghav's face got red. After the third period, it was break time. A new member was added to Raghav's group. They all went to the canteen. Everybody bought the meal and sat on the bench.

" Where is your lunch? Aren't you going to eat?", asked Aaramyaa, looking at Raghav.

"No, he doesn't eat.", said Ishan.

"Why?", asked Aaramyaa.

"Actually his stomach fills up looking others eating.", replied Avinav.

"Oh! But you will still remain hungry. Why don't you share my lunch?", said Aaramyaa, passing her lunch box near to Raghav.

"Oh, thank you so much. You are my only true friend. Otherwise, do you know one thing? There is no shortage of snakes in our highschool.", said Raghav, looking at his mates.

Raghav started eating Aaramya's lunch. Aaramyaa was looking at his eating so passionately that she even forgot her hunger and food.

Meanwhile, Ritu asked her," Why did you give your food to him?"

" Why are you asking like that?", asked Aaramyaa with curiosity.

Then, Bishakha lost her patience and revealed, " Because, you don't know who you have given your food to. Now, you will remain hungry for the whole day. You might have wondered why we haven't given him food. It's because this idiot will eat all of our food. He just grabs it and eats it immediately and instead of him, we remain hungry for the whole day. Several time he has taken our food. That's why today I have covered my food with one hand and eaten it. But still he takes it.”

"Doesn't he bring his own lunch?", asked Aaramyaa with small laugh.

"Yes, he brings, but once in a blue moon.", replied Sulabha

The break time was over. Everybody went to the classroom. That moment was quite memorable for Aaramyaa. She felt a kind of entertainment and found companions whom she was hoping for.

The highschool class ended for the day. Raghav was waiting for the bus at Aadhyamelanam bus stop. With a slow and beautiful granduer elephant like walk, Aaramyaa reached at the same busstop.

She asked," Where do you live?"

"Aanandpur. Just six stops away from Shantikunj.", replied Raghav with a smile.

The bus came. It was a big bus colored in moderate violet and blue. They went in. She sat on the side seat. Since other seats were occupied, Raghav didn't get seat, but stood throughout his whole journey. The bus was moving at medium acceleration with a beautiful song being played through its speaker, " Yeh aainaa hai yaa tu hai, jo roj mujhko sawaare....". Raghav was swimming along with the waves of pleasant melody of that song. Similarly, with the smooth waves of that melodious song, Aaramyaa got connected with her memories.

It was about 11 am. The phone rang at a typical eastern region house of Inaruwa. Mrs. Kirtida was hilling the kitchen garden. She heard the phone call and picked it up. She was so happy after the phone call because her daughter, Aaramyaa, had cracked the entrance exam at Sagefall Valley Academy with full scholorship. After that, all the family members got the news. They prepared all the necessities of her to send her to Kathmandu valley, the land of hope. She was sent to her maternal uncle's house for study of plus two.

She was admitted in the highschool on the first day of opening. She found her name at the 'Wing: Hope'. With some sort of nervousness, she entered inside the class. Her first presence infront of the class seemed like a goddess had emerged from the divine place. Her aura was sufficient enough to attract everyone's view. Every girl was feeling inferior infront of her beauty. No one had the courage even to talk with her, except for one, Prekshya. Prekshya came infront and sat on the side of the first bench where Aaramyaa was sitting. For a few minutes, their introduction occured, the first class was that of SN Sir's, the physics teacher.

"So, you are the new sheep, goat, cow and buffaloes of this year. Good. So, let's hope all of you stick to the science for two years.", said SN sir by roosting all students.

The session was going well. But Aaramyaa was not feeling happy at morning shift. She was having the health problem and also, she couldn't get the classmates that she was expecting.

"So, you said you were from a middle class family and you choosed science. But it could have been more expensive for you if you hadn't got scholorship.", said Prekshya.

"Yes. That's true.", said Aaramyaa.

"It looks like you give value to the education more. Why's that so?", asked Prekshya out of curiosity.

"Because, it helps us to uplift our living standard. Also, it fulfills our financial necessities. And more importantly, it establishes ourselves in the society.", replied Aaramyaa.

"But as far as I know, only finance helps to uplift the living standard of people. I haven't seen the educated peoples' status has ever uplifted in the society. Look at scientists, they have knowledge, but still not rich enough.", said Prekshya to counter Aaramyaa's concept.

" Actually, education works differently for different class people. For lower middle class and working class people, it adds knowledges and upliftes their financial status through employment opportunities from their initial condition and establishes them well in the society. But in case of rich and upper middle class, they are already financially sound and employment opportunities won't increase their financial status. So, through education, if they engage in employment only, they will lose their status. So, they need to engage in entrepreneurship to increase their financial wealth and status in the society.", said Aaramyaa to clear Prekshya's inadequate understandings.

"But why are you so serious regarding this education and status?", asked Prekshya.

"I live in a society where most of the people belong to middle class. Here, the good image of a person is quite important. If you don't have it, you're like a dead person walking. So, to maintain image and status in the society, you must pursue the education.", replied Aaramyaa.

Again, looking at Prekshya, with a gentle smile, Aaramya said, "And yes, not everyone borns with a silver spoon like you."

In this world, different people have different goals. They establish a lot of wants and desires. They work accordingly. They do the hard works. They become happy when their wants are fulfilled and get sad when the results are contradictory to their expectations. So, the person who does his duty without having any kind of expectations, becomes happy.

A few days later, the morning shift classes ended. Aaramyaa and Prekshya were exiting from the corridor. A gentle cool breeze was spreading the sandalwood flavoured perfume throughout the whole direction. Aaramyaa sensed its smell and wondered where might the smell had come from. She looked around the surrounding. At a distance, she saw someone who was considered quite different than rest of other students by her heart. Her doe eyes got locked on that student and she couldn't move her eyesight anywhere else.

That student had a different kind of aura. He had dark blue curly and smooth hair. He had big and smooth forehead. His ears were soft and tender. The tip of straight and elegant jasmine bud like nose was glowing with natural beauty. His lips, like soft bimba fruit, was glowing like the beauty of dawn. His smile, gentle, was spreading peace like the moonlight on a calm river. His eyes like blossomed blue lotuses, were radiating calmness and infinite compassion. Just one glance from his lotus like eyes felt like a cool breeze washing away sorrow. Around his smooth, conch-shaped neck, rested a blue coloured tie, adding attraction on that white shirt. His chest was broad and stomach was smooth and proportionate, looking like the shape of Peepal leaf. His waist slender and strong like a blooming lotus. His arms were strong and muscular and the wrist was adorned with a shining watch. His legs were like strong pillars, steady and graceful, moving with the agility of the wind, carrying the weight of righteousness wherever he went. His walking steps echoed like the roar of a lion, each stride steady and powerful like a mighty bull, yet soft and graceful as lotus feet touching the earth, carrying the weight of bag on his lion like broad shoulders.

Looking at him, Aaramyaa got stunned and speechless. She couldn't turn anywhere else except to that student as his aura was strongly attracting her sight.

Prekshya said, "Did you see him?"

"Who?", replied Aaramyaa.

"That boy with sandalwood perfume. I guess, I found someone for me.", said Prekshya with an excited look.

It was the first time that Aaramyaa didn't like Prekshya's intention. Also, she couldn't say anything to Prekshya. Aaramyaa thought that Prekshya was rich and beautiful as well. So, that boy might definitely choose Prekshya. After a while,

Aaramyaa thought again, " But, why am I thinking like this. That boy is a complete stranger for me. Plus, I don't know if he suits according to my principles or not. Also, he might have his own love. And, its not nice to fall for a stranger."

Aaramyaa had various thoughts arised inside her mind, but she was unable to get him out from her memory. After a week, the morning shift was over.

Prekshya said to Aaramyaa, " Today you wait and see. I am definitely going to propose him. You stay at a distance and just wait for my call."

"You are so reckless. Why don't you have patience? What if he has his own love?", said Aaramyaa in a sad tone.

"If he has, he will reject. And if not, then there will be the acceptance.", said Prekshya in an exciting voice.

She started to move towards him. There, Aaramyaa was quite sad and hoping for that proposal to get rejected. When Prekshya was approaching nearer to the boy, her confident was being reduced by the boy's aura. She felt under confident and couldn't speak at first. She stood beside him, completely silent with no energy to speak. The boy turned beside.

" Why are you standing here, looking hopeless? Do you need any help?", asked the boy in a calm and serious look in his face.

"It...it...it's nothing. I was waiting for my friend to go home.", replied Prekshya.

She ran away from there, out of gate. Aaramyaa was looking at them, but couldn't figure out what had exactly happened. She went out of gate too. There, she saw Prekshya in a confused state.

She asked," What happened? Did he accepted your proposal?"

"Leave the proposal. I couldn't even talk to him. I am never ever going even near to him from now.",said Prekshya in a scared yet confused voice.

Then, Aaramyaa was confused too. She thought what might had ben the reason of that. And, at one corner of her heart, a ray of hope emerged out. Everyday Aaramyaa saw him. She wanted to talk to him but was unable due to nervousness. Like that, the days went on and first term exam approached. It was mathematics exam on the first day. When she reached at Aadhyamelanam bus stop, she didn't find her admit card. She got scared as she had lost it. She was sad and had no clue about what might happen next. She was looking at the buses, thinking about returning home. In the mean time, she heard a voice indicating towards her.

"Hey, you look worried. What happened to you just one and a half hour before the examination?"

When she looked beside, she saw the same boy whom she was thinking of since last month. She was speechless for half a minute as she unexpectedly saw the same boy whom she used to look at after when morning shift was over. There, she knew his name was Raghav.

Throughout the whole examination, she was desperately looking for Raghav but didn't find him. Sadly, the exam ended and dashain vacation started. She searched Raghav's profile in social media, but didn't find him there either. The next day, she went for the shopping with her siblings and aunt at a popular market of Kathmandu valley. Eventually, over there, she saw Bishakha. She knew Bishakha was Raghav's friend as had seen Raghav along with Bishakha, Ishan, Sulabha and Pratik several times before. She felt very happy like if she had found someone closer in a crowd of strangers. She, then rushed quickly towards Bishakha. With some awkwardness, 

she asked, " Excuse me! Aren't you from Sagefall Academy?"

Bishakha, with strange and confused accent, replied, " Ye...s. But, how do you know?"

"Actually, I study in the same highschool too. I had seen you in the college. So, thought about meeting you. By the way, what's your name?", said Aaramyaa.

"Oh, I see. Actually, I am Bishakha and you?", said Bishakha with an energetic voice.

"I am Aaramyaa. Also, I want to ask you one thing.", said Aaramyaa with some nervousness.

"And what might that thing be?", asked Bishakha.

"Aren't you a friend of Raghav?", asked Aaramyaa with a lot of calculations of probability inside her brain.

"Yes, I am. But why are you asking so?", asked Bishakha with emerging curiosity.

"Actually, he had helped me get my admit card right before the exam. So, I wanted to thank him, but couldn't found him.", said Aaramyaa in order to find Raghav's information.

"So, Raghav had helped you. This idiot never tells me anything. Such a mysterious fellow.", said Bishakha.

"Also, I want to ask another thing.", added Aaramyaa.

"Yes, ask it without any hesitation.", said Bishakha in a calm and friendly voice.

"I am from morning shift and I don't like the environment over there. Also, I am frequently getting ill due to unsuitable time. So, I am planning to change the shift after dashain vacation. I want to know how is the environment of day shift?", said Aaramyaa.

"Well! Our shift is quite nice and all students are friendly too but extremely troublemakers. You know, the student of this age are more energetic and mischievous. They tend to disturb the class, but still it is quite nice.", replied Bishakha.

"Wait. If you want to change the shift, then why don't you join our class?", asked Bishakha with an exciting look in her face.

After thinking for a while, Aaramyaa said," I think, I might choose your section."

Meanwhile, they shared their social media account and got connected through it. During the vacation period, Aaramyaa became friend with all of Raghav's group friend. She found out that Raghav used to love her from the replies of Ishan. So, she planned to surprise Raghav without informing him anything about her shift change. After the vacation, she went to the 'Wing: Bleak', sat on the corner of the fifth bench, right infront of Raghav's seat. She was desperately looking at the door to see him. She saw him, but he had an off mood, looking down to ground with a sad attitude. She got the feeling that he might be sad as he didn't find her anywhere. She waited for the right moment to surprise him. Suddenly, Raghav came beside her and clicked his finger infront of her face and said, "Aaramyaa, Aaramyaa,....wake up...Aaramyaa..."

Suddenly, Aaramyaa woke up from a short nap and found herself in the bus where Raghav was trying to wake her up as her bus stop was approaching near.

It was their first day, totally unbelievable for one another to meet in the same class whom they were desperately trying to meet since four months. The happiness that was emerging inside their heart was like a glowing lotus, completely fresh and pure. Like how a lotus emerges out from the muddy water and remains detached from it, in similar manner, a bright happiness was emerging inside their heart with no certainty about their future. They were so excited that they couldn't get the proper sleep that day as they were lost in the memories and were excited for the next day meetings. That day, despite of the distance, two hearts were very close and beating at the same pace.

Also, it really feels quite good to find a friend who also prefers you. During the age of 17, when student first enrol in a new highschool, leaving all those old school friends and the same old school, meeting all the new friends, it creates a separate best memory with such a feeling which can't be properly described. During this age, the hormonal changes occur inside an individual, making him/her more energetic and confident. Also, exactly at this age, the attraction between a boy and a girl starts. So, if someone finds a true mate, then what to say about their future journey? We could only say its emotionally beautiful, just emotionally beautiful and no any other words left to describe.

Here, Aaramyaa and Raghav also got their first and only love which will bring a lot of ups and downs in their further journey. The journey should be good without any worries of the destination. Because, no one knows the destination. And, they could only enjoy is the journey of the present. So, one should give priority to the enjoyment of journey rather than the worries and calculations of future destination. Only in this manner, s/he could remain happy.

After a week, the result was taken by all students. Aaramyaa was shocked to find Raghav's excellent results. She had thought he couldn't have got such good grades as his studies looked like that of an average student. But, Raghav's grades were the highest among the class.

It was lunch break, and the classroom was buzzing with chatter. Aaramyaa opened her tiffin box, expecting to see her maternal aunt's special aalu paratha and tomato pickle, but instead, found plain rice and lentils staring back at her.

"Whose sad looking diet food is this?", said Aaramyaa, raising an eyebrow.

At last bench, Raghav, who was already munching on something delicious, froze mid-bite.

Raghav, with mouth full, " Wait...why does this aalu paratha and pickle taste like heaven? Oh no...don't tell me___"

Aaramyaa marched over to him, pointing at the paratha on his hand,

"Excuse me, mister! That's my paratha! You robbed me!"

Raghav, grinning and said, " Robbed? Please, I call this divine exchange. You got my healthy rice and lentils, I got your happiness in the box. Win-win."

Aaramyaa, with hands on her hips, " Happiness? It is more like punishment. Even the rice looks like it's crying for help."

Raghav laughed, tearing off a piece of paratha and holding it out toward her, " Okay, peace treaty. Here, have a bite. I will even feed you if you say."

Aaramyaa, rolling her eyes but smiling, " Feed yourself first Raja babu. I am not begging for my own food!"

But when he insisted, she took the bite, and their fingers brushed for a moment- just enough to make them both feel a strang warmth. Their friends, watching from the corner, started teasing.

Ishan, with mocking attitude, Are waah! Lunch break or love break? Should we leave you two alone?"

Both Aaramyaa and Raghav glared at Ishan, but deep inside, neither wanted that silly tiffin moment to end.

The mischievous behaviour of all students used to continue as always like a flowing river, but not as disastrous as that of Wing : Bleak. Winter season was just waving the year along with cloudy days and impulsive natured boys of Wing : Bleak thought something which was out of the  mind of any other students. Ishan along with Avinav and Pratik planned to throw a bucket of water at Raghav and secretly hid at the corner of the fourth story. Aaramyaa had secretly listened to their conversation at canteen and didn't let Raghav to go to class immediately after break time was over. Soon after the break time, she asked Raghav to visit library with her as she needed some physics books of foreign authors. So, they went to the library.

There, at the corridor, coincidentally, the principal of the highschool, Narnath Acharya along with the head of DI, Ravindra Bahadur Karki, was approaching towards Wing : Bleak to provide some information related to institution's code of conduct and students' discipline. As it was not brighter environment at the corridor, Ishan thought that Raghav had approached nearer and signaled other boys to throw the water. They literally threw three small buckets of water on the Principal and DI. After that, the whole class was shocked and just shocked.

Bishakha thought in her mind, " Well, this was it for our journey. My dear friends, farewell."

Sulabha thought in her mind, looking at Bishakha, " Now, they will be expelled from here."

Raghav's group was quite panicked. DI Karki was about to take action, but the principal sir stopped him. Principal Acharya entered inside the classroom with his wet cloth and asked Ishan, Pratik and Avinav to settle down on their respective seat.

There, at the library, Aaramyaa and Raghav entered inside. It was quiet, the kind of silence where even a pen drop sounded like thunder. Surprisingly, they saw SN Sir over there.

Raghav asked, " Sir, aren't you coming to the class today? The break time is already over and it's your class now."

"Well, the class is currently occupied by the Principal sir's boring lecture. So, its better for me to at least invest this 20 minutes doing something better rather than listening that. You could look over those physics books of Indian Publishers. Actually, there are a lot of interesting topics to learn in those books which you can't find in our course.", replied SN Sir and started to solve physics olympiad questions.

Then Aaramyaa and Raghav moved towards bookshelves section. They were walking silently across various bookshelves, pretending to search the books. They were teasing each other, throwing paper balls at each other and following each other with an unbroken eyesight and romantic smile on their face. They were walking along with each other, holding each other's hand affectionately, in such a silent manner like how silently the graceful deer couple ; a doe and a stag; wandered through the forest, their steps light as whispers of wind. The romantic moment between them was about to get created but, suddenly, SN Sir coughed loudly, poured water in the glass and drank it. Aaramyaa and Raghav heard him and appeared with some books. They sat at different table and started to study.

At there, in the classroom, all the students were in complete fear. Their face looked like the dark clouds before rain.

Pratik thought in his mind, " Even if they expell me from here, I will go to a more decent high school because my father is rich."

Ishan thought, " Now, my father won't let me use computer."

Avinav thought, " I know my father very well. He will first grind me in mill, make the roti out of that powder and eat it. But where is Raghav in such situation where we are in grieve danger?"

The principal, Mr. Acharya looked at the whole class and looked at the scared face of all the students. With a gentle smile, he begun to give a brief lecture.

Mr. Acharya said, " Well, students! It's better to be in discipline. But, we are now at that phase of life where hormonal change occurs and energy level rises drastically. Now, let me ask you, do you know what happens at a water stored dam?"

Nirbhaya said, " Large volume of water is stored in it."

Mr. Acharya, excitingly pointing at Nirbhaya, said, " That's right. A very large volume of water is stored over there. When the water is used in proper amount, then a massive amount of electricity can be generated, a lot of agricultural fields can be irrigated and daily water requirements of a lot of people can be fulfilled. See! It's quite advantageous. But, there is another case too. If the dam outlets uncontrollable amount of water, then it just takes the form of flood, devastating and destructing everything on its way resulting only harm and loss. Now, connect this to your life. You could see the water stored at the dam as your energy level. If you could utilize it, then you will obtain a better output, but if you misutilize it, then it will only destroy your life. So, like the dam holds the water, in similar manner, what is required to hold your energy level?"

" May be our teacher.", replied Bitarka.

"Nope. They are just the guide for your path. Anyone else?", again asked by Mr. Acharya.

"I think discipline.", replied Satik.

"Yes, you're right. Discipline is the key factor to hold and utilize your energy like that of water dam. You need to hold on your reckless behaviour and turn yourself in something better. Every progress is tested by hindrances. The one who is aware of situation and goal, tackles those hindrances and moves forward. Remember, practice and persistent are the factors that act like the wheels of discipline. You can utilize your free time thinking about innovations and also, some of you might be interested in start up businesses. So, where your curiosity is, should be the first priority to give your maximum time. If you do so, then this practice makes you to realize the importance of time and productivity.", said the Principal, Mr. Acharya in  calm voice.

The principal and the DI left the class. After a while SN Sir along with Aaramyaa and Raghav, entered inside the class. Aaramyaa got the news of the incident from Bishakha.

She said to Raghav, " The principal sir motivated them instead of getting angry or punishing them. How is that even possible?"

Raghav, with a gentle smile, said, " Actually, every people are not the same. Especially, if you consider about their level, then those people who are at higher position or who are actually greater than anyone else, are much more generous than other. Generosity is the factor which describes the greatness of a person."

Days went on. Raghav used to consider his friends very close. He used to talk with them and was enjoying the highschool days, accumulating a lot of memories. But, with the progress of time, his study performance was decreasing. The day used to pass like waking up, doing exercise, eating breakfast, going to highschool, enjoying with friends and returning home. There was no room for study. The winter was at its peak and second terminal examination took place. It might be the impact of the Principal's lecture that all those students who were in the class that day, started to progress from second term. Aaramyaa, whose main target was to achieve educational success, got the GPA of 3.9, which was the highest not only in her section, but also in the whole Sagefall Valley Academy. Sadly, Raghav had drastically degraded his result that time. He got passed with average score only.

Raghav's mates were worried for him, but they didn't say anything to him as they thought he might get angry or sad from their counseling. Raghav was quite happy to see his friends in the class. He used to be in his frank and fresh mood inside the class. Everyone, except Aaramyaa had thought that he might progress in upcoming examinations. But, Aaramyaa was not happy. She was feeling very sad for Raghav. She wanted to talk to him about his study, but she also holded herself back because of her moral principles.

She thought, " I think his academic excellence has decreased because of me. Since when I have arrived in the day shift, he has stopped working hard in his study. I must ask him to study hard. But, I haven't fulfilled my responsibility towards him. I haven't paid his tution fees nor cared him in his daily life. So, if I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities, then how could I get the right to say him anything?"

And then she used to remain silent infront of him even if she wanted to say a lot of things. To satisfy her panicked mind, she also used to tell herself that he might progress from next term exam.

It was a cold winter and the day was cloudy. The visibility was poor because of the kingdom of dense fog all over the valley. Aaramyaa and Raghav were on their way to highschool. They were walking quite fast that day as the time was running out for the day shift to begun. On their way, they saw the burning splinters under a large tree. Aaramyaa, shivered from extreme cold, stopped walking and sat near the fire. Raghav warned her about the time but she was happy enjoying the burning splinters. Raghav also sat over there and started having sweet conversations. In the meantime, 

Aaramyaa thought, " May be I should tell him about his study, but what about the moral principles?  But, informing him what he couldn't see is my responsibility and especially regarding the study is even a greater responsibility. I need to fulfill it."

She thought and made decision to speak to him.

She said, " Raghav, have you ever considered about your study? I mean, are you preparing well for upcoming term?"

Raghav looked at her with a smile and said, " Do you know Aaramyaa? In this world, everyone is bound by their fate. They move here and there, face difficulties, degrade, progress, etc. according to what is written in their fate. You might see someone rich, poor, healthy, unhealthy, etc. Also, a tallent person becomes dumb and a dumb person becomes tallent in an instant. How are all these possible? You might also know those people who had worked a lot but couldn't get success and also, those people with not much smartness are born in rich family. Whenever a person is bound to get success, then his fate will compel him to work much harder without caring about any pain or surrounding. Also, when a person is bound to fall, no matter how carefully he walks, his fate will obviously compel him to fall down through various means. So, do not worry, my fate will take me to where it wants to."

Raghav, looking at his wrist watch, said, " Oh no! It's already late. Let's go quick."

They both carried their bags and rushed to the school. While they were running, they heard a song being played inside the saloon at the side of footpath,

" Ajib daastaan hai yeh, kahaan suru khaan khatam

yeh majilein hai kaun si, naa woh samajh sake naa hum..."

It was already too late and the brown gate was closed.

"Now, what are we going to do?", said Aaramyaa in panicked voice.

Raghav was the boss of all those reckless and mischievous behaviour students. He had the information of each secret place of the highschool. He took her to the back gate of the highschool. There, he knew one wall was smaller in height than other walls and DI used to rarely visit back gate area. Raghav climbed off the wall and lend his hand to Aaramyaa. She grabbed his hand and climbed off the wall too. Now, they both entered inside. Raghav knew where the CC TV were located and how much view each CC TV could capture as he had observed that while sneaking inside the DI cabin a few months ago. With a lot of awareness and silence in each step, they reached Wing : Bleak. Aaramyaa took a deep breath of relief as her mind was already panicked.

Unfortunately, a DI saw their activity of moving across the ground and informed the Principal.

Mr. Acharya laughed at first and said, " They are such a mischievous student with genius mind. I had already taught about the discipline in that section, but still. Even if I don't want to, I need to give them a punishment."

Then he ordered DI Karki to call them and made them stand on the ground for the first period. The DI called them and gave them the punishment. 

Both were standing on the ground. Aaramyaa was glaring at Raghav with wider eyes and serious look.

He looked at her with a smile and said, " Hey! Hey! Don't look at me like that. Your eyesight are piercing my innocent heart."

Still, Aaramyaa was glaring at him in same manner.

"What? You think it's my fault?", said Raghav.

"No. No. Actually, it's my fault.", replied Aaramyaa.

"No. No. It's my fault.", said Raghav.

"No dude. It's my fault.", said Aaramyaa in a little bit rising voice.

"No Doe eyed. It's my fault.", said Raghav in loud voice.

"No, no. Raja babu. It's my fault.", said Aaramyaa.

"Now, you two are quarreling with each other.", said DI from a far corner.

Aaramyaa, in a low voice, "You had said that the Principal was generous. Now, where is his generosity?"

" Well, you can't expect someone to be generous all the time, can you? If someone becomes generous all the time, then people are going to dance on his head.", replied Raghav.

The first period ended. They both entered inside the class where they were welcomed by their friends with a lot of applauses, laughings and hootings. With an embarrassing face, they both went and sat on the second last bench.

Ishan asked, " How was the punishment your highness?"

Raghav replied, "Well, you know, (looking at Aaramyaa, who was pretending to read book.) sometime, the punishment tastes very sweet when you are with someone closer to your heart."

Bishakha interrupted, " Oh ho! So, you might be wishing to get the same punishment again and again."

Raghav, with a blushing face, " Yup, but only with someone closer."

Aaramyaa was pretending to read book facing towards the wall, but her ears were on the flow of conversation. She was blushing by listening to Raghav's replies, as she had also got the punishment for the first time with someone closer to her heart. But, she was pretending to read books as if she had heard nothing.

Another day, when the break time started, Raghav went to the basketball court. After some minutes, Aaramyaa arrived over there with physics book and two note copies and called Raghav for practice in the library. When he didn't show any interest to study, then she scolded him and took him to the library. He saw the silent environment in the library where a lot of students were studying. He started to study, but he had no interest in it as he hadn't understood the concepts of physics, chemistry and mathematics. Still he was practicing, but there was no effectiveness in his study. Aaramyaa was quite happy to see him studying. Like that, they started to spend the breaktime in the library, studying the difficult portion of chapters. Aaramyaa used to teach Raghav the difficult questions but every explanations used to go above from his head.

It was a sleepy afternoon class, and the benches were already crammed with students. Aaramyaa walked in late and spotted Raghav sitting alone on the second last bench, his bag placed strategically on the other half like a Do Not Disturb sign.

Aaramyaa came near, smirking, " Wow! Is this seat reserved for some princess? or are you protecting it like your family treasure?"

Raghav, pretending to be serious, " Exactly. This is a VIP lounge. Entry fee : one aalu paratha from your tiffin."

Aaramyaa, rolling her eyes, " Oh ho! Now you want entry fees? What a businessman!"

She pushed his bag aside and sat down.

Raghav, leaning away, mocked dramatic, " Eh! Personal space, doe eyed. There is an invisible border here."

Aaramyaa picked up a pen and drew a line on the bench between them.

"Fine! This is the border. Don't cross or I will call the army!", said Aaramyaa.

" Ha ha! Wait, I'll just throw a smile visa and cross anytime I want.", said Raghav with a smile on his face.

Aaramyaa grinning, " Visa rejected lotus eyed. Your face isn't charming enough.

Their playful fight caught the attention of Bishakha and Pratik.

Bishakha, whispering loud, " Arre waah! Look at the new Romeo and Juliet building their own border story.

Aaramyaa threw a crumpled paper at Bishakha, but when she turned back, she noticed Raghav quietly moving his pen a little beyond the line, like testing her border.

Aaramyaa, softly with smile, " Someone's breaking the rule."

Raghav, smirking, " Rules are boring. Sitting next to you is better."

For a moment, she didn't know how to reply, and both of them smiled shyly- while their friends kept giggling at the background. The days used to pass like that where the closeness between Aaramyaa and Raghav was increasing like how the closeness between two clouds increases up above the sky.

After a month, the sun started to shine more brightly than usual. The wind used to blow the dust particles throughout the each corner of the city with it's pretty strong power. The students, then used to be seen only on shirt but not on sweater or coat. The spring season was spreading where the flowers and plants were blooming as they were completely frozen during during the winter. The environment of the valley was flourishing and blooming like a new sapling, with new excitement and joy. In the mean time, the third terminal examination was approaching near. Aaramyaa was quite worried, not for her as she had already prepared for herself, but for Raghav. As exam was approaching near, she became even more anxious whether he might get good results that time or not. She was consistently teaching Raghav many important questions during the break time and even after high school hours.

The exam took place. Every student got a slight decrement in their marks as the syllabus was even more that time. Sadly, Raghav got failed that time. Everyone in the class was surprised from his results. They couldn't believe that the student who was consistently studying, failed the exam. There, Aaramyaa was even more stressed from Raghav's result. She had got first that time too. But, Raghav's result was the thing that she was not able to take out from her head. The highschool reopened,

Aaramyaa went to the class with a sad face and asked Raghav, " What is this Raghav? How did the result get worse? Didn't you practice well? Didn't you write anything in the exam? Aren't you concerned about your academic career?"

Before Raghav was able to greet her, she poured the ocean of questions infront of him. He couldn't answer a single question. He remained silent infront of her fearful aura.

But Aaramyaa hadn't given up yet. She again taught Raghav many chapters and difficult questions. All those things were like complex puzzle for him to understand. He wasn't properly understanding anything about the physics, chemistry and mathematics. He was just enjoying highschool life and spending time talking with Aaramyaa. Everyday his study was getting worse and he was unaware of it. But it was the magic of Aaramyaa's efforts due to which he got passed mark in the final terminal examination of grade 11. Raghav was happy, his classmates were happy, SN Sir was happy too, but more importantly, the happiness of Aaramyaa was incomparable. Her happiness was like the infinite waves of an ocean.

The new session of grade 12 started. The first day, it was full of new energy and excitement. Every student of grade 12 were asked to gather on the ground. The principal, Mr. Acharya gave a wonderful speech on students' struggle and further journey. As the host for that short program was Bishakha, she called Raghav on the stage for a speech. Raghav, phobic of mass, yet with a lion like walk, he walked towards the stage. Calm and steadily, he begun his speech.

He said, " I wasn't planning to speak today. But then I realized....silence doesn't always mean you have nothing to say. Sometimes, it means you're just waiting for the right moment to say it."

The whole student went still.

He continued speaking about emotional strength, how people hid their struggles behind smiles and how true strength was not showing off.

"But being kind when you're getting hurt, calm when you're angry, hopeful when you're scared."

He added, " Hope is the invisible thread that holds us together when everything seems to be falling apart. It is not loud, not always seen - but it's always there, whispering, ' Don't give up'. In the darkest nights, it shines like a small candle, gentle yet enough to guide us forward. Hope gives us the courage to try again, even after failure, even after heart break. It is what makes people rise from pain, dream in silence and smile through tears. Sometimes, all we need is a little bit of hope - just enough to take one more step, to breathe through one more day. And when we carry that hope within us, no struggle is too big, no path too hard. Because hope doesn't promise an easy life, but it promises that we are never alone in the fight."

He even said, " Sometimes, the strongest person in the room.....is the one you least expect. May be she talks too much. May be laughs too loud. But inside - she is carrying her whole world, and still has room to care about others."

Aaramyaa stared at him stunned. She thought, " Is he talking about me?"

It was the month of Bhadra. Aaramyaa was scribbling notes quickly in the class one day, when the bell rang and students rushed out for lunch. In the rush, she unknowingly left her personal notebook, where she often scribbled thoughts, poems and even some half finished letters she never sent, on her desk. Raghav, who stayed back to talk with the teacher about the projectwork, noticed the notebook named 'Spark Of Memories' on Aaramyaa's desk which was quite attractive through it's designs. Curiously, he flipped it open just to see whose it was. He saw Aaramyaa's name and recognized her handwriting. He started to read it from the first page. Each day he was secretly reading that notebook during breaktime. After a week, he reached on the latest page. 

On it, Aaramyaa had written, " Sometimes, I feel there's more I want to say.....but I don't know if he'd understand. Or may be he would. May be he already knows...."

Raghav blushed. Instead of returning it immediately, he quietly added a note on the second last page, "May be he is just waiting for the right page to begin the story. Have patience. He will be waiting for you when you return. Just hope for that time, whenever you see this."

He slipped the notebook inside her bag.

Time went on and a few kites were seen up above the sky. Dashain was about to take place. But, before that, the first terminal examination took place. Every students gave the exam. That time too, Raghav just passed with very poor grades. It was their final year in plus two and everybody were working very hard to secure good grades. But, Raghav was not paying any attention to it. He was just enjoying the highschool life without giving any priority to grades and education. But, on the other side, Aaramyaa's anxiety and worries were increasing gradually.

She thought again, " This is grade 12 and in the first term his marks are very poor. How is he even going to pass? It's all because of me. I shouldn't have come to day shift in the first place. Now, he is not studying, but only talking with me and his friends."

She was continuously blaming herself for Raghav's failure. But Raghav was failing because of his uncontrolled mischievous behaviour and immaturity.

Aaramyaa asked Ishan, " Why don't you tell him to study hard?"

Ishan replied, " I don't think he will listen."

Aaramyaa asked again, " Why? Aren't you his bench mate?"

Ishan in serious tone, " In fact, I am his bench mate, but there are certain things we need to analyze. Look, this is the age where hormonal changes occur. The energy level rises and the joy of meeting new friends just erases the importance of anything else. Raghav is considering entertainment over education. Right now, his condition is like a cold iron. No matter how hard you hit a cold iron, it's shape cannot be changed, also, it provides only pain to those who hit it. So, whenever the iron is heated, then only a gentle struck could give very good shape to the iron. So, let him be own his own. When he reaches the ground and finds no more place to fall, he will become conscious and again rises."

Aaramyaa said, " But, as a friend, it's our responsibility to make him aware of the situation, isn't it?"

" Yes, you're right. But you cannot keep on insisting it, or else it will be harmful for you. Also, you've fulfilled your responsibilities. I don't think Raghav will ever get a partner like you. You could still do your best, but remember, sometime you need to make a cold decision with the heart of stone for the welfare of others.", replied Ishan with an impactful voice.

Aaramyaa was silent and Ishan walked away. She sat on the bench near the ground. The whole surrounding was quite gloomier for her. She had a lot of questions for the possible future outcomes. She stood up and walked towards her classroom. That day ended, but Aaramyaa had thought something else. May be not to give up. Another day, she brought past years questions and taught those questions' solutions to Raghav. As usual, everything used to go without touching his brain. All those topics like rotational dynamics, photo electric effects, magnetism, volumetric analysis, organic compounds, differential equations, plane, analytical geometry, programmings, Java scripts, etc. were like very huge mountains which he could never climb. Raghav's self confidence was not arising. With the flow of time, his confidence to solve the questions and pass the exam by himself was shrinking. He was just scared from the study and exams. Aaramyaa was not only teaching him the courses, but also noticing his activities.

One day, she called Raghav's sister and asked about his activities at his home. Raghav's sister was worried for his study. She provided the information that Raghav didn't study anything at home. In fact, he didn't even open his bag after returning from highschool. Aaramyaa was very sad to hear all those informations. She was trying her best to make Raghav passed with good grades.

The second term exam was approaching near. Also, the winter season was freezing the drops of water. Only three days before the exam, Raghav, along with his friends, bunked the highschool by escaping from back gate. They travelled to different parts of the city.

The next morning, Raghav entered the classroom with a faint smile, his hands tucked inside his pockets. He carried a small packet, wrapped clumsily in a shiny paper. Aaramyaa was sitting with her books infront, her eyes focused on revising formulae. Since morning, her face carried an unusual sternness.

Raghav slowly walked up to her desk. "Aaramyaa", he said almost in a whisper. " Here, this is for you.", he extended the packet toward her.

She frowned, glancing at the packet without touching it. " What is this?"

"Open it.", Raghav said with a hopeful smile.

Aaramyaa took it reluctantly, unwrapped the paper, and found a pair of delicate earrings. For a moment, her eyes softened, but then the memory of yesterday came rushing back. Her face hardened instantly. Without hesitation, she threw the earrings at the corner of the class.

The sharp clink of metal against the floor silenced the murmurs of the classroom. Everyone turned their eyes toward them.

Aaramyaa stood up, her voice trembling with anger, "You bunked the class yesterday, Raghav! Three days before the exam! When your condition in studies is already terrible!"

Raghav froze, taken aback. "I.... I just -"

"You just what?", she cut him off sharply. "You think this is the time to roam around the city? To waste your days when you can't even pass properly?" Her voice rose louder, filled with frustration. " Do you know how many hours I've spent bringing past question, preparing notes, teaching you again and again? And what do you do? Buy earrings?"

The class grew tense, the students exchanging uneasy glances. They had never seen Aaramyaa like that before, her face stern, her words cutting.

Raghav lowered his eyes, his smile gone. He shifted uncomfortably. " I just wanted to make you happy", he said quietly.

"Happy?", Aaramyaa's voice broke with both anger and disappointment. "If you really wanted to make me happy, you would have opened your books instead of wasting time! Do you even realize this is our last year? Our future depends on this!"

Her words echoed in the silent classroom. Raghav said nothing more. The earrings lay abandoned in the corner, a silent witness to the clash between her care and his carelessness.

That day, everyone saw a different side of Aaramyaa, a side that refused to give up, but also refused to tolerate Raghav's irresponsibility any longer.

During the break time, Bishakha picked those earrings and thought, " Well! Love could take the form of anything."

The exam took place and as expected by Aaramyaa, Raghav got failed that time. Aaramyaa was silent with a soft storm arising inside her. After two weeks, the environment wasn't as pleasant as it used to be on earlier days. It was break time. Aaramyaa was sitting on the bench near the ground. All of sudden, she started to walk towards her class. Something was making noise in her head.

"But, isn't that a wrong decision?", said Bishakha.

"I've already tried all the thing. Now, this is the only step that is left to take.", replied Aaramyaa.

In the mean time, Aaramyaa was walking like an angry lioness whose aura was scaring everyone on the way. Those conversations between her and Bishakha a few days ago were reappearing inside her mind.

"Will that even work? It could create a strong barrier between you two. I fear if it could last forever. Think properly.", said Bishakha.

"I think I have entered his life and made it worse. Now, I have decided to exit with a hope that it would be the same and progressive like previous.", said Aaramyaa.

"But you love him too much. Could you even break up with him?", asked Bishakha.

"I don't have any other options left except for this.", replied Aaramyaa, grabbing Bishakha's hands.

Aaramyaa entered the class. She gave a letter to Raghav and asked to study it alone. He went outside of the class and read it. The moment he read the entire letter, the ground on which was standing shaked. The sky above him was putting all the load on his head. For a moment, he was unconscious. He looked at the ground until the break time was over. Ishan called him inside the class. Raghav was completely silenced back then. He couldn't even matched his eyesight with that of Aaramyaa's.

The silence between Aaramyaa and Raghav was growing gradually. A week later, Ishan asked, " Are you angry at her?"

"Nope, not exactly.", replied Raghav.

"Then why are you sad and serious?", again, Ishan asked.

"Actually, I am sad because I couldn't become competitive enough. I couldn't value her perspectives. She is so tallent and matured one. And here, I am exactly the opposite. A failure and immatured one. I am not worthy for her. Also, I couldn't understand her. I am not worthy and yet I have got a lot of expectations.", said Raghav in a soft and sad voice.

"But she still loves you. Do you know that? She has done all this only for your progress. Otherwise, who would take risk to lose their beloved one?", Ishan tried to convince Raghav.

"Actually, I know this. I had already read her personal diary a few months ago. I know she loves me a lot. I am not angry at her nor blaming her. But I am unworthy and immature too. Now, I think I should focus on a matured behaviour where I could tackle the hardships and improve my behaviour. I must study hard no matter how hard it gets in the beginning. But, I need to stand on Aaramyaa's expectation. She has done a lot of support. Now, this is the last support she has given. I shouldn't let it go to vain." , said Raghav.

"Ishan, brother, even if I can't get pass this time, please tell her there is still hope that I might again bounce back in upcoming days. So, keep patience till then.", again Raghav replied with shiny eyes.

Raghav started to study by his own, but it seemed like it was too late for the upcoming exam. Practice makes habit and habit makes a person's future. In Raghav's case, he had no practice of studying for too long nor he had any clue about how to prepare from various chapters. But still, he was trying like taking small steps while climbing a high mountain.

It had been one month since Aaramyaa and Raghav parted ways. The highschool buzzed with rumors - some said it was a fight, others said it was love lost to ambition. But the truth? Aaramyaa had let go not out of anger but out of care. She thought her absence would push Raghav forward, help him focus, rise and shine. But fate, sly as always, had other plans.

Sagefall Valley Academy was hosting its 12th Model United Nations (MUN). And fate sat them down on the same stage, as rival delegates - not just with different countries, but with opposing ideologies. It wasn't just a debate. It was personal. It was war with diplomacy as the weapon, and heartbreak hidden beneath formal smiles.

The MUN debate begun. There was the committee of UNHRC and the topic was "Internet Surveillance v/s Privacy Rights."

The chairman spoke, "Delegates, you may now begin your rebuttals. Delegate of Germany, you have the floor."

Raghav as delegate of Germany said, " Madam Chair, distinguished delegates, Germany believes that national security cannot be compromised for the sake of idealistic privacy. We are not debating fiction here. We are debating facts. And the fact is- lives are lost when nations hesitate. Surveillance isn't a threat. It's a shield. And only those who have something to hide fear being seen."

He glanced towards Aaramyaa for a microsecond. His voice didn't shake, but his lotus like eyes said more than words.

Chairperson, " Thankyou, Delegate of Sweden, your rebuttal?"

Aaramyaa was calm, but a subtle fire was burning beneath.

Aaramyaa as delegate of Sweden said, " With all due respect to the Delegate of Germany - perhaps what's more dangerous than having something to hide is forgetting what we are trying to protect in the first place, freedom.

Surveillance without limits is not protection, it is a prison in disguise. Sweden believes that trust builds peace, not fear. We cannot chain the people in the name of saving them."

She didn't look at him, not even once. But Raghav felt the weight of every word.

Raghav replied, " Trust without accountability is naive Delegate. Germany believes in action, not sentiment. Peace is not gifted, it's earned, often through difficult decisions."

Again, Aaramyaa replied, " Sweden believes that humanity isn't built on difficulty alone, but on dignity. If our idea of safety requires constant watching, then we must ask- are we truly safe or silently scared?"

Her voice rose slightly firm and sharp, as though she was defending not just policy, but something personal.

The chairperson interrupted, " Delegates, please refrain from personal undertones."

Raghav quickly replied, " Noted, Madam Chair. But when principles become personal, one must wonder- is the delegate protecting her nation, or her own regrets?"

The hall went silent. A few gasped. Aaramyaa freezed for a split second, but responded without flinching.

Aaramyaa replied, " Regret is only a weakness when it stops us from doing what is right. And Sweden still chooses what is right - even when it hurts."

The Chairperson, " Order delegates. Passion is good. But please, remember the decorum of this assembly."

But everyone knew, that was more than a debate. It was a storm with hidden thunder. Some clapped for Germany's logic. Others for Sweden's grace. But, none could ignore the electricity between the two. That day, the MUN was no longer a normal debate. It became a battlefield of love, loss and silent longing, where every word struck like a memory and every pause was filled with everything they never said.

A few weeks later, the pre board examination took place. Every students appeared for the examination. Pratik, Ishan, Avinav, Sulabha and Ritu were quite excited for the examination. Aaramyaa was walking slowly right behind them along with Bishakha. Raghav had already entered inside the exam hall.

Bishakha asked looking at Aaramyaa, " Will he pass this time?"

Aaramyaa replied, " I hope he passes."

The exam days went on and there came the last day of pre board exam. One hour after when the exam was completed, every students attended the farewell ceremony except for Raghav. He went home right after the exam time was over, also, he had stopped meeting all his friends since the first day of the pre board exam. What was the reason for that, no one knew. May be, the dispassionate feeling started to rise inside him.

There, in the highschool, the farewell was going on. Students were writing various memorable quotes and emotions on each others shirts.

Pratik asked, " Boys, what will you do after plus two?"

Ishan replied," May be, I will join an IT College."

Sulabha replied, " I will study for IOE."

Ritu replied, " I think...."

Pratik interrupted, " Yeah, you just keep on thinking. Came a great philosopher. I think... I think..."

The whole group laughed.

"Others, what about you?", asked Ishan.

"May be, I will go to gulf countries. You know, there is money plant, and I will make a lot of money.", replied Avinav with a smile.

Bishakha replied, " I will first spend a long vacation on a tour. Then I will join a private engineering college. What about you Aaramyaa?"

"I will apply for the USA.", Aaramyaa replied, looking at the college building entrance gate with an expectation to meet and talk to Raghav.

Pratik said, " Well, then good luck everyone. May be our practical exam and viva will be conducted on different dates and we might only get to meet again at board exam."

All the students celebrated the farewell and went home. Aaramyaa was desperately waiting for Raghav to meet and talk with him. What she wanted to say to him remained inside her heart and no one knew it, not even her close friend Bishakha knew that. Unfortunately, she didn't find him that day. With a sad face she returned home too.

There was holiday for a month after pre board exam. Raghav was quite serious in his study. He was practicing and reading with every efforts he could apply. The days went on, he gave the practical exam and viva too, but his performance had increased only a little bit from that of last time. Still, he wasn't losing hope.

Raghav's preparation was going on. It was literally giving him stress. Since it was his last exam and he was not confident enough to pass. It was because he had failed in previous terms and with a poor study, his moral was not high enough. Still, he was practicing through early morning to late nights, making routine and sticking to it.

Suddenly, his mother fatigue's started to increase more rapidly. After a few days, she was admitted to the City Hospital. A part of her bone marrow was sent to India for the actual issue and report. The situation changed all of a sudden. Raghav was unsure whether to prepare for the board exam or to visit the hospital. Everyday, he used to get unpleasant feelings. He was completely stressed and disturbed mentally. On one side, his mother's health condition was decreasing rapidly and on the another side, his grade 12 board exam was approaching near for which he was not much prepared. He was helpless and hopeless too. The situation was like something which he couldn't even imagine. It came and crushed him, no matter how much wisdom and knowledge he had about the life and situations, he couldn't do anything in that situation, but to observe it with a helpless, hopeless and painful heart.

Twelve days before the board exam, the result of pre board exam was published. On the same day, Raghav carried the tiffin, contained with cooked vegetables to feed his mother in the hospital. When he saw her that day, he was very sad and unhappy from inside, but still he carried a gentle smile infront of his mother. She was very thin, lost all the charmness and looked totally weak due to the side effects of Chemotherapy. But, still she was talking with her son with a sweet smile on her face, hiding all the extreme pains of Chemotherapy.

After having a short conversation with his mother, Raghav came out from that room with tears in his eyes and a loudly crying heart which nobody heard except for him. He wiped off his tears and came back to the hall where his relatives had gathered. He thought his mother won't live anymore. His heart was crying for the whole day, but he tried his best not to show the tears in his eyes to anyone. He was stressed with a blank mind where the world's colour had completely faded up for him.

At highschool, with a lot of excitement, Aaramyaa was continuously trying to contact Raghav to inform him about his passed results which was in average category, but still it was very good and much more progressed than previous results. She was assured that Raghav could definitely pass the board exam with good scores by looking at the pre board results. She was trying to contact him, but was unable to do so because Raghav's phone number had got some technical issues back then and the call system was not working. Also, Raghav had already deleted all of his social media accounts a few months ago to concentrate only in his study without getting distracted. His friends hadn't got any other way to contact him. Aaramyaa even tried to contact Raghav's sister, but her phone was unreachable too. She asked Bishakha whether she might had his other contacts, but she too didn't have any other contact number of Raghav.

Raghav was in a gloomier situation. He couldn't think of any other thing not even his friends, pre board exam results, board exam admit cards, Aaramyaa, etc. His mind was occupied through his mother's health condition. Just a week before the board exam, his mother passed away due to blood cancer. There were cryings and tears in the hospital hall. But Raghav didn't cry nor a single drop of tear appeared in his eyes. May be the sapling of dispassion was growing inside him or may be he had no more tears left to cry. Whatever was the reason, one thing was sure that Raghav was not the same person like how he was before. Something changed inside him from that day. He decided to complete the funeral ritual and couldn't attend any board exam except the last one.

On the last day of board exam, it was raining quite heavily. Raghav took a bus to reach at the exam centre at Rainbow Rising High School. He had no clue that there were his friends waiting for and seeking him. He was lost in his memories and was unaware of other things except exam. There, infront of the exam centre, Aaramyaa was continuously searching Raghav. Not only in the last day, but she had been searching him since the first day of board exam. All of his close mates were desperately searching for him, but didn't find him. The exam started, Raghav reached the exam hall a bit late as he got stuck in the traffic jam. He attempted all the questions, written good answers and exited the exam centre after the exam was over.

Aaramyaa also completed her exam and stepped out of the exam hall, her mind still tangled in finding Raghav. She walked over to the second floor balcony, letting the quiet breeze touch her face. From where she stood, she could clearly see the large ground of exam centre and the road outside, where the small drops of rain were falling, making the environment more visible than earlier. That is when she saw Raghav.

Raghav had just walked out through the exam centre's main gate, his pace unhurried, his shoulders carrying something heavier in the form of emotion. He reached the gate, turned right without looking back and kept walking.

Aaramyaa's eyes followed him- every step, every slight sway of his figure, until a building at the corner gently swallowed his presence.

Aaramyaa rushed up quickly. She went after Raghav. The raindrops were hiding the tears that were falling off from her doe like eyes. She ran as fast as she could. The moment she reached the Birahasthanam bus stop, she saw a departing bus in which Raghav was sitting on the last window seat, bowing down his head, liberating an aura of sadness and seriousness.

Aaramyaa stood still, thinking she had missed the last chance to meet him. She had never thought that the situation might end up like that. She was standing at the bus stop with a blank mind, unaware of the surrounding. Meanwhile, Bishakha arrived over there.

"Why did you exit so early?", asked Bishakha.

"I had seen him, but missed him.", replied Aaramyaa in an emotional voice, staring continuously at the road without even looking at Bishakha.

There was an environment of silence. Bishakha was sad too. She didn't know what to say. A few minutes later, she grabbed the hands of Aaramyaa and handed over those earrings which were thrown away by Aaramyaa a few months ago when Raghav had given to her. Looking at those earrings, a lot of tears started to fall from Aaramyaa's eyes. She started to weep loudly.

Bishakha, with a best friend hug, " Now, stop crying. It's sad that the situation led you here. Let's hope you will find him again."

That day was gloomier, no sunlight and grumpy dark clouds were crying with small drops of tear.

The exam was over for other students, but not for Raghav. He stayed at home, preparing for the upcoming board exam of another year. The stress and anxiety resided inside his brain. Most of the time while studying, he used to think about what it would be if Aaramyaa taught him those difficult chapters. He still had a lot of love for Aaramyaa. It remained inside his heart. He was hoping to meet her again. Like Aaramyaa, he was desperate to see her too on that last day of board exam, but he let it on the fate to decide whether to meet her or not.

The whole year, he prepared for the board exam. Meanwhile, Aaramyaa was preparing for the SAT and TOEFL, as she was planning to go to the USA for her further study. The days went on and the board exam of grade 12 approached near. Aaramyaa also got the student visa of the USA and got a full scholarship in a famous university. It was the month of Baishakh where the environment was fresh and seemed new. The sun rays were touching the ground and every people were busy in their work.

The board exam started. Raghav went to give the exam. Finally, the last day of the board exam took place. Raghav gave the exam and caught a bus to return home. It was already 11:30 am. That day, he was quite sad, but he didn't know why he was sad. The bus was moving steadily and he was sitting on the last window seat of the door side. He was looking outside. There was a traffic jam infront of the Tribhuvan International Airport gate. Suddenly, his eyes got wet with tears, and again he didn't know the reason.

Inside the airport, in the departure lounge, there was Aaramyaa, being congratulated and given blessings by her family members and relatives for her further journey. It was her departing day from Nepal to the USA. She was smiling, but inside her heart, she was seeking for someone whom she had considered very close to her. It was already her departure time. She went through the checking and looked back once again. Her family and relatives were waving back at her. She saw a visual image of Raghav, and again turned back and walked through the boarding gate with her eyes filled with tears and a crying heart.

Outside the airport, the traffic started to move. Raghav's bus accelerated forward. He got the visual image of Aaramyaa infront of his sight. His heart was emotionally filled with the memories of Aaramyaa and his eyes filled with tears.

Both of them were moving forward on their respective path, recalling their past memories spent with each other. All those happiness, closeness, troubles, problems, fights, gossips, punishments, teasings, sadness, helpings, etc. which occured when they were in high school started to play inside their mind like a movie reel.

Meanwhile, both remembered the speech that was given by Raghav infront of the whole student in the beginning of grade 12.

"Hope is the invisible thread that holds us together when everything seems to be falling apart............

                Sometime, all we need is a little bit of hope - just enough to take one more step,......."

At the same time, Raghav heard the music played in the bus, 

            "Yeh aainaa hai yaa tu hai,

             Jo roj mujhko sawaare....."  which he felt as if Aaramyaa was singing it for him...