`We should get some sleep,' he suggested.
`What's the use? We'll have to wake up in less than an hour to get ready for school.'
`Point. Let's bunk school today!'
`No way! I'm going.'
`Why? To grab all the attention you're getting?'
`Maybe...'
'Ananya...' he said.
`What? I went to such efforts to look good. Now that it's all being appreciated, why waste it?' Ananya said naughtily.
`You said you didn't do this for attention,' he said.
`But I'm getting it anyway. So, it's an added bonus!'
`You mean you like it now?'
'Well...I don't hate it...'
`You're so full of yourself.'
`What? Are you supposed to hate it when guys look at you when you walk by and-'
`I'm hanging up. I've to sleep,' he said suddenly.
`Aww! You're jealous.'
Whatever.'
`Chill, I was just kidding! I'm happy lying on my bed talking to you,' she said sweetly. As Ananya said all this, she couldn't believe she was saying this. This bordered on flirting. She had never done that before!
`Really?'
`Yes, I'd gladly bunk school for you,' she said. She still couldn't believe herself. She was ready to bunk school. That had not happened in the last thirteen years of school!
`Great! So no school for the both of us today, then!'
She laughed as good sense found its' way into her head, `you don't always have to take what I say at face value!'
`Meaning?'
`I'm going to sleep! I don't want to be caught sleeping at Mr. Sharma's class.'
`You're so mean!'
`Whatever. Good night!'
`Good morning,' he said and disconnected the call.
But after they kept down the phone, they regretted doing so. They already missed each other. Even though they knew they would see each other in another two hours.
Yuvraj had to make an effort to keep his eyes open as he drove to Natasha's place that morning.
`Hi,' she said, getting into the car.
`Good morning,' he replied groggily.
`You seem... different? Didn't sleep last night or what?'
`Not much. Was studying.'
`Yeah? So why was your phone busy? I called you so many times! Who were you talking to?'
`Naman. We were discussing the paper. I wanted to call you but by the time I got free it was already very late,' he lied easily.
'Aww, baby!' she said and put her hand on his thigh. Usually this gesture would have been enough to make his day, but today, he barely even noticed.
`By the way,' she said, `...do you know what's happening between Ananya and Rishab? What's cooking there?'
`Umm... I don't know. Maybe he likes her. You know how he is. He flirts with every pretty girl.'
`Pretty?'
`Umm...'
'Anyway, what about her? Does she like him?'
`I don't know.' he said, irritably.
She stayed quiet for a minute before saying, `I was thinking something. Why don't Ananya and I go to The Bishop Boys competition?'
`Umm...but what about Radhica? We had decided that she would go with you, right?'
Ahh...leave her!'
`But why suddenly Ananya?'
`You wouldn't understand. Just tell her that I want her in the team.'
He drove on. He wished he could tell her that he wanted her out of the team. He wanted Radhica and Ananya to represent The Presidency Convent. There was a time that Natasha used to be the school's champion debater, but those days were long gone now.
As she'd progressed from one grade to another, she'd also started to realize the kind of demand she was in amongst guys. And she'd liked it. Soon, she'd started to invest most of her time in maintaining her good looks. And her debating skills had suffered. In another fifteen minutes, they reached school. As they were getting down from the car, Natasha nudged Yuvraj, who was fishing out his bag from the backseat of his car.
`What?' he asked.
`Look!' she said and pointed out in a direction.
And Yuvraj looked in the direction that she was pointing to. At some twenty meters from them, he saw Ananya getting down from Rishab's car. It was a Mercedes convertible, E200 that day. It still had The Bishop Boys parking sticker on top of it! Such a snob, Yuvraj thought to himself.
`You see? That's why I want her on the team. We would look better!'
`I don't know what you mean...'
`It's good to be with people that mean something, Yuvraj! When will you grow out of your physics books and learn something about the real world?'
That was strange to him because at that point in time, all he thought he needed to know was the Mechanics of Solids formulae. That was his life. Natasha had made his life only more complicated. Ananya's words rung in head - I am a misfit. He tried not to look at the direction where he could see Ananya walking into the school compound with Rishab. She was laughing at something he had said. Yuvraj looked away.
He walked past scores of students, some of them studying, some of them flirting, some of them hardly managing to keep hands off each other. He spotted the place where he and his buddies from his coaching institute used to sit every morning and discuss double integration problems. It seemed like a long time ago, even though it had been just a few months. When Natasha had come into his life, she brought a great deal of distraction.
Parties. Friends. Sometimes, a little alcohol too.
Yuvraj never did all this before and was sucked into it. Not that he enjoyed any part of it, but he didn't hate it either. He loved the attention he was showered with. Seriously, who wouldn't?
But then, slowly and steadily, he had started to feel a little disconnected. His results were dipping, although nothing to be alarmed of, because he was still most certainly going to IIT. But he didn't like the idea of not scoring as much as he should. His relationship with Natasha was becoming a little heavy for him.
And he still wasn't getting anything. One lousy peck. Just one lousy peck! And this was his last year in school. Going to IIT anyway meant four years of hairy, geeky men all around. And girls. Some super-dorky and really, really boring girls. Thick lens specs and hair oil...you get the idea! The scenario was pretty scary for him at that point!
Things were going downhill for him. Be it his mind which was messed up in every way. Be it the thoughts of Ananya and Natasha...or be it the wrong equations of stochiometry. Nothing was going right.
adhica was distracted as she sat in the class. She couldn't concentrate. She was distraught. She knew she was better than Natasha. There was no way that Natasha could be going to The Bishop Boys in the team. She was there when Ananya had given her audition and she knew that Ananya was better than her. She had stayed up nights to prepare for the debate and she couldn't accept the fact that she was kicked out of the team. She couldn't wait for the class to end and talk to Yuvraj about it. She had always had anger management issues. Of late she had tried to control her temper and her tendency to abuse, but she knew she wouldn't that day.
`Yuvraj!' she called out loud as Yuvraj talked to Ananya at a distance.
`Yes?' he turned back.
'Ananya? Can I have a word with him alone? No...As a matter of fact, you can stay.'
`Okay,' Ananya said. She didn't know how to react.
`Yuvraj, I heard that I am no longer in the Bishop Boys team. Why the hell is that?'
`You are not?' Ananya asked her.
`Yes Ananya. His girlfriend and you are. I agree that you might be better than me, but not Natasha!'
`See Radhica, I know you are good. We all know that. But Natasha has more experience,' Yuvraj said.
`More experience? Of what? Kissing guys?' She almost shouted. She was really pissed now.
`Look, Radhica...'
`What look? Screw you, Yuvraj! If you have the balls, you will go and tell her that she sucks and I deserve to go! Not her! Stop being such a wimp, man!
'
She stormed off. Radhica was a wrong person to mess up with. She was very short and very fair. And although she looked like an extremely cute kid, she had a big mouth. Whether it came to debating, or taking someone's case, she could screw up anybody. That day it was Yuvraj,
Yuvraj was left standing there red-faced as the class watched on. No one knew what was going on but almost everyone agreed with what Radhica had said. He, really, was a wimp when it came to his girlfriend.
`We should go,' Naman walked up to the two of them and led them out of the class. They headed over to the canteen and no one said a thing.
`What was the deal with her?' Naman asked him.
`He kicked her out of the debating team that is selected to go to the Bishop Boys,' Ananya said. `Natasha and I are going, instead.'
'So...she is pissed that he is letting the hot one go? Or that he is letting his girlfriend go?' Naman said and smiled cheekily at her. Ananya blushed.
`Girlfriend,' Yuvraj said.
`But, isn't that what boyfriends do? Stand up for their girls?' Naman said.
`...but not when they aren't good enough,' Ananya said.
'Ananya,' Yuvraj said, `You haven't even heard her!'
`I have. ..she has put all her debates on Youtube! And she stands nowhere near Radhica...'
`I don't think so,' Yuvraj defended her.
`Ohh yes, Ananya is right,' Naman said, `I have often wondered what she is doing there! Ohh yes, I know ..it's because she has to be in all the cool clubs!'
Whatever,' Yuvraj said, with head hung low. `...but what the hell can I do?'
Be a man and tell her that she is not good enough!' Naman said.
`Naman? You know her. I can't tell her that!'
`If not then stop feeling bad when the whole class calls you a pet boyfriend on a leash!' Naman said.
`What? Who said that?' Yuvraj asked.
`Umm...err...No one!' he said.
`I will drop out,' Ananya said. `I am new here anyway and I don't really need this. I don't even know why there is such hue and cry about The Bishop Boys debate.'
,...and you say that when you are already with one of their boys? Rishab?' Naman said.
`So? He is okay. He is not that special.'
`He is okay? He is okay? You did not just say that! Do you have any idea how many freaking times he has been caught kissing girls in the football field? Twice in the last three months! He is GOD!' Naman said.
Whatever,' Ananya said.
`You're impossible,' Naman shook his head in disbelief.
But before she could reply to that, Yuvraj interrupted her with a question, `Are you sure you'll drop out?'
`Yes,' Ananya said, dejected.
Why?' Naman asked. `For Natasha?'
`No, for Radhica,' she said.
`You're letting her do this?' Naman turned to Yuvraj.
`I don't have any other option, man.'
The conversation lingered on for a few more minutes and then died out. Naman asked Yuvraj a few questions about Radhica. Apparently, Radhica's outburst had somewhere struck a chord with Naman. He decided he will have a crush on the little pocket dynamite - Radhica.
They went back to their class. They shared the same seat. Ananya was a little disappointed. She wished Yuvraj had fought for her a little. Yuvraj knew that she was better than the both of them, but he still didn't say anything when she said she would back down. And then she thought that she was expecting too much out of him.
Anyway, they sat through the class and Naman and Ananya went along like a house on fire. By the time class ended, it was like they had been friends since years. The thing was - Naman wasn't a great looker. But despite that, he never stopped complimenting girls on their hair, or their eyes or something about their shoes. So a lot of girls thought of him to be a little creepy. But Ananya gave him time and an open mind.. .and hell, he was funny!
Ananya literally had to make him stop because her stomach hurt by the time the class ended. Seeing her laugh, there were a few people in the seats behind them and in front of them, who had joined in the laughter since Naman was quite loud in whatever he said.
`Hey, I need to go,' Yuvraj said and left the two of them.
`Fine,' they said.
`You are funny, Naman!' she said, as the class looked on. Usually they had just seen Naman digging deep into his books. But suddenly, he was talking to the new girl, the pretty new girl. Over the last few days, every guy had come up to Ananya with one pretext or the other. Suddenly, she was like the star of the class. But she barely showed interest in anyone. And now she was seen talking to Naman. It added a lot of value to his net social worth.
`By the way, you have changed a lot, Ananya. And I don't want to sound like an asshole, but I thought you were... not pretty. But you so are! Okay, I am an asshole! But you look great now.'
`Thank you,' she said. Her phone was buzzing. It was Rishab. `Hey Naman, I will catch you later?'
`Sure,'
She left.
`Hi Rishab!'
`Hi Ananya. You are looking nice!'
He put his hand across her waist and hugged her. She felt a little uncomfortable. Rishab had been sweet, but his hands and his eyes were becoming a problem. Though it wasn't anything unmanageable as it was basically what every person did at The Presidency, but she was still to get used to it.
She found Rishab a little dumb and self-obsessed, but he was still sweet to her, so she didn't mind.
`Thank you.'
`Don't you notice anything different in me?' he asked.
`Ummm...no...Why? New hairstyle?'
`No! I did biceps in the gym today. Can't see the pump? Okay, touch it here. Doesn't it feel bigger?' he said excitedly.
`Umm... I guess,' she said.
She found such things cute in him, even a little kiddish. But he often overdid it.
`Okay, listen, I have friends coming over after school at my place. From my old school. Want to join in?' he said.
`I will think about it?'
Now, even though Rishab had a really bad reputation in the school, he was always very nice to Ananya. She even wanted to go. Ever since she had come to Delhi, she had not been anywhere other than the school and her place. This could be something different.
`Fine, think and do tell me! No pressure!' he said.
Ananya was walking to her class when she came across Natasha.
`Hi!' Natasha said out loud to her.
`Hi Natasha,' she said. Immediately her voice dipped and she was no longer happy.
`I heard you have dropped out of the team for The Bishop Boys? Why? I had arranged for a practice session after school hours! I thought we could catch up.'
Ananya had no idea why Natasha was being so friendly to her. It was a little disturbing to note that Natasha was the same girl who talked to Ananya like she owned her a few days back.
`Umm...I am busy after school. So anyway, I wouldn't have made it to the practice.'
`Busy? With what?' Natasha said, in her imposing tone.
`I am going to Rishab's place. Some small party types.'
`Rishab's place?'
`Yes, some friends of his from his old school are coming over.
`Old school?'
`Yes. The Bishop Boys School.'
`I know which school he is from!' Natasha said. `So he invited you? Won't you feel a little odd alone there?'
`I guess, I will.:
`Awwt Natasha said, `You want me to come along?'
'Umm...okay,' she said, not knowing what to say to that.
Fine,' Natasha said, `Just give me a call. We are club mates after all! We can help each other, right?'
They exchanged numbers and went their own ways. Minutes later, she received a message from her.
Call me when we have to leave. XOXO
She didn't know how to react. At first, she didn't want to go. And then she wanted to. But now that Natasha wanted to tag along, which she definitely didn't want! Yes, she would be company, but she
wasn't sure she'd like having that kind of company. Spending more time than necessary with Natasha was a thought she didn't cherish.
There was just one more class left. And Yuvraj was nowhere to be seen. She sat with Naman and this time she didn't found his jokes funny. She was too occupied with the Rishab invitation!
`Is there something wrong?' Naman asked. `Is it me? I am sorry!'
`No! It's just something,' she said and shut up.
Rishab messaged her.
Are you coming?
She replied in the affirmative.
Yes, is it a problem if Iget a friend along?
Rishab replied. Is she hot?
She replied back. I think so.
Then why would it be a problem?
jerk.
Meet me outside after class.
Alright.
That was another first for Ananya. She had never texted in class before. But at this school, people had gone from eating lunches during class to texting years ago! The class ended and she had hardly stepped outside the class when Natasha called her up.
`Where are you?' Natasha asked her.
`I am just outside my class.'
`I will be there!'
Within a few seconds she was there and hugging Ananya. It seemed like she had drenched herself in some exquisite perfume. It also seemed like she had put on some extra make up!
`Let's go,' Ananya said.
`Yes,' Natasha said, And don't be nervous, I am with you...
`Okay.'
Ananya was a lot more bothered by the fact that she was with Natasha than the fact that she was going to Rishab's place. She spotted Rishab's car at a distance and they started walking towards it. He opened the door for the both of them as they got near.
`Hi,' Ananya said and Rishab hugged her.
`Hi,' Rishab looked at Natasha, `I have seen you! Ohh...head girl!'
`Thank God,' Natasha said and smiled.
`So, this is your friend?' Rishab said and pushed the pedal.
`Yes.'
`You are making friends with a lot of right people! Head girl and all that!' Rishab said and they all laughed. `Ohh, by the way, I am Rishab.' And he stretched his hand out to Natasha. And she shook it.
`Everyone knows,' she said.
Rishab smiled his best ever. What better than anyone pandering to whims of a narcissist!
The Backbenchers: The Extra Class Page 4
