My dream shattered like glass the moment that alarm screamed in my ear the very alarm that was gifted to me by my mom's beloved son.
Good morning, Vaani. Uthna padega."
[Good morning, Vaani. You have to get up.]
I groaned under the blanket. Every bone in my body begged for just five more minutes. But no mercy. The alarm kept going like it was possessed. Thanks a lot, "gift" brother.
Dragging myself out of bed like a zombie, I freshened up, threw on my uniform, tied my hair into braids, and grabbed my bag.
After a lazy but eventually successful attempt at getting ready, I walked toward the dining table. The familiar smell of parathas filled the air. There sat Mumma and... her son, already halfway through breakfast .
I pulled out a chair and joined them, my hair still a little damp, eyes still protesting.
"Kya baat hai? Itni jaldi uth gayi aap?" Mumma asked, amused.
[What's the matter? You woke up so early today?]
"Haan... aapke bete ne itna accha gift jo diya tha," I grumbled.
[Yes... your son gave such a lovely gift, after all.]
Mumma raised an eyebrow, while that boy smirked.
"Aapko pata hai woh gift aur aapke bete mein ek cheez common hai?" I said dramatically.
[You know, that gift and your son have one thing in common?]
He jumped in before Mumma could guess. "Haan, pata hai... dono meri tarah hamesha time pe rehte hain."
[Yes, I know... just like me, they're always on time.]
I gave him my signature death glare. "Nahin. Dono hi irritate karte hain."
[No. They both irritate me.]
Mumma chuckled and added her own jab:
"Tujhme aur us pilow mein pata hai kya difference hai?"
[You know what the difference between you and that yellow alarm clock is?]
I blinked, confused then it clicked. "Dono hi ghar ki shaan badhate hai "
"nhi, Woh kabhi kabhi kaam aa jaata hai. Tu toh kabhi bhi nahi aati."
[No,That one is useful sometimes. You? Never.]
Before I could even feel the insult, her son added fuel:
"Sahi kaha. Voh pillow kabhi kabhi kisi kaam ka hota hai. Ye toh bas pada rehta hai."
[Exactly. That alarm is sometimes useful. She just lies around uselessly.]
I gasped dramatically and stuck my tongue out at him.
"Waise itni dheere-dheere kyun kha rahi hai? School nahin jaana?" Mumma asked, sipping chai.
[By the way, why are you eating so slowly? Don't you have to go to school?]
My spoon froze mid-air.
"OHHH! Han main toh bhool gayi thi!"
[OH NO! I completely forgot!]
I jumped up like I was on fire, grabbed my bag, and started running toward the door.
"Byeeeeee!" I shouted mid-sprint.
Near Tara's House
Panting slightly, I reached Tara's front gate and called,
"Tara!"
No response.
"TARA!"
Still silence. Confused, I opened the gate and walked inside. Aunty was coming out of the hallway, fixing her coat.
"Aunty, Tara kahaan hai? School nahi jaana?" I asked, already dreading the answer.
She gave me a soft smile. "Beta, kal raat ko project banane mein der ho gayi thi. Abhi tak so rahi hai. Tu jaa, vo nahi jaa rahi."
[She stayed up late working on her project last night. She's still sleeping. You go ahead, she's not going today.]
My face dropped.
What? A full day without Tara? WHO authorized this?
I just stood there blankly until Aunty waved her hand in front of my face.
"Vaani? Vaani!"
"Haan?" I blinked.
"School ke liye late ho jaayegi. Jaa."
[You'll be late for school. Go now.]
"Haan... jaa rahi hoon." I said with a dramatic sigh and turned to leave, dragging my feet like a lost soldier.
As I walked toward school, a divine smell floated into my nose. My eyes widened. My heart skipped.
"MENDU VADA!"
A street-side stall was steaming with fresh, golden brown medu vadas. South Indian food is my weakness, and medu vada? That's pure love.
Without a second thought, I rushed to the stall and ordered. The crunch, the chutney, the sambhar... bliss.
Just as I licked the chutney off my finger, realization hit me like a truck.
"School, shitt! Vaani tu toh gyi Aaj " I nearly shouted, grabbed my bag, paid, and ran like my future depended on it which, it kind of did.
At the School Gate
I saw it happen that in slow motion the gate was closing.
"UNCLE! PLEASE band mat kijiye!" I shouted.
[Uncle, please don't close it!]
He stopped. But only just.
"Beta, jaldi aana chahiye tha. Ab entry band ho gayi hai. Rules yahi hain."
[You should've come earlier. Entry's closed now. That's the rule.]
"Please, uncle! Pehli baar hua hai. Aage se time pe aaungi, promise!"
[Please, uncle! It's my first time. I'll be on time from now, promise!]
"Nahi beta. Jaao."
[No, dear. Go back.]
I panicked... then an idea struck. A terrible, brilliant, typical me idea.
I pointed up. "UNCLE, WOH DEKHO! UPPAR!"
[Uncle, look up! There!]
He actually looked. And in that second, I slipped past the gate.
"Kya hai?" he asked, confused.
"Hehehe... baadal hai. THANK YOU, UNCLE! BYEEEE!"
[Hehehe... it's just clouds. Thank you, Uncle! Byeee!]
From the gate to the building, I sprinted. My shoes slapped the floor, my bag bounced, my hair flew wild. I zig-zagged past juniors, leaped over a backpack, and nearly crashed into the water cooler.
Finally, I reached my classroom breathless, red-faced, half-dead.
I fixed my collar, wiped my forehead, and stepped inside.
"Can I come in, Ma'am?" I asked sweetly.
Our teacher looked up, clearly unimpressed.
"Aaj Maharani ji late kaise ho gayi?"
[How come Her Majesty is late today?]
I panicked. Blurted the first thing I could think of.
"Vo... vo Tara ke leg fracture ho gaya tha! Isliye usko dekhne gayi thi!"
[Umm... Tara's leg got fractured! I went to see her!]
And just then... the universe betrayed me.
"Can I come in, Ma'am? Sorry I'm late. I promise it won't happen again!" came the voice. Tara. The REAL Tara .
I gulped. I could feel all eyes shifting from her... to me.
"Vaani, you were saying something about tara, right?" Teacher asked, narrowing her eyes.
Tara looked at me and in one second, she knew.
She knew I had made up a story.
I smiled sheepishly, trying to silently beg her for backup.
And like the true friend she is...
"Yes ma'am! That's why we're late. We both visited the hospital this morning... for a friend. Her name is also Tara!" I added quickly.
"Is that true, Tara?" Teacher asked, skeptical.
Tara nodded. "Yes ma'am. Exactly like that."
I placed a hand on my heart. "Ma'am, don't you trust me? I never lie."
[Ma'am, please... I never lie.]
She raised an eyebrow. "Haan haan... tum kabhi nahi jhoot bolti."
[Right, right... you never lie.]
"Sorry ma'am," we both said in perfect sync.
"Okay. Sit on your place."
As I walked to my seat, I whispered to Tara, "You saved my life."
She smirked. "You owe me now."
The classroom, moments ago filled with the soft murmur of pages turning and sleepy eyes adjusting to the morning, suddenly froze at the teacher's announcement:
"Aaj tumlog ke 4 lecture mai lene wali hu... that means recess tak mere hi lectures hai."
("I'll be taking all four lectures today... that means until recess, only my classes.")
A unified sigh of horror escaped the class.
Of course. Maths. Four periods in a row. That was enough to drive even the most studious soul to the edge. Heads hit the desks. Pens dropped like weapons of surrender. And as if to rub salt on their wounds, the teacher added:
"Okay students, I forgot my register in the safe room. Take out your projects, I'll be back. And yes, those who haven't completed it, stand up and come here ."
And with that, she walked out.
The moment she left, panic rippled through the air.
"Oh shit!" Tara's voice sliced through the silence as she clutched her head like she'd just remembered she left the gas stove on at home.
"Kya hua?" Vaani, sensing the drama, turned to her. (What happened?)
"Main apna project ghar par hi bhool gayi!" Tara said, her eyes wide with horror.
("I left my project at home!")
"Ruk, main kuch karti hoon." Vaani replied, already standing up, brain gears spinning.
("Wait, I'll do something.")
"Kya karegi?" Tara asked, confused but hopeful. (What are you going to do?)
Vaani, with full confidence, walked to Ahaan's desk. Her expression was like a general entering a war room.
"Tune project kiya hai?" she asked. (Did you do the project?)
"Haan, kyun? Tune nahi kiya kya?" Ahaan raised an eyebrow. (Yeah, why? Didn't you?)
"Rudra aur Yuvraj ne bhi kiya hai?" (Did Rudra and Yuvraj do it too?)
"Rudra ka ho gaya, lekin Yuvraj ne nahi kiya."
(Rudra's done, but Yuvraj hasn't.)
Before anyone could ask more, Yuvraj squinted at her, already suspicious.
"Vaani, tere dimaag mein kya chal raha hai?"
(What are you planning, Vaani?)
But she ignored him and called out in a whisper-shout,
"Tara, Nirma, Kriti! Jaldi yahan aao."
(Come here quickly!)
The three girls rushed toward her.
"Tujhe kya ho gaya?" Nirma asked. (What's wrong with you?)
"Jisne jisne project kiya hai, woh yahan rakh do." Vaani said calmly.
(Whoever did the project, place it here.)
They looked at each other, confused, but complied. One by one, the completed project books landed on the desk.
Without a second thought, Vaani bundled them into her bag like it was some secret treasure, zipped it up, and declared:
"Hum sab ye class attend nahi karenge."
(None of us are attending this class.)
"Sachi? Waise bhi mera mann nahi tha aaj." Nirma said, shrugging.
(Seriously? I wasn't in the mood anyway.)
"Matlab?" Rudra tilted his head. (What do you mean?)
"Matlab ki chalo, wahan jaake khade ho jaate hain."
(Meaning, let's just go stand over there.)
"Haan chal, waise aadhe yahan, aadhe wahan ache nahi lagenge." Ahaan added.
(Yeah, let's go. Half in, half out would look weird anyway.)
Like a squad ready for detention, they all walked over and stood near the teacher's desk.
Just as they were settling into their positions, the teacher walked in.
"What are you all doing here?" she asked, clearly not amused.
Vaani stepped forward, hand on heart.
"Actually ma'am, yesterday we all completed our project at my home... and we forgot it there only. But God swear, ma'am, we all did our project."
There was a long pause.
The teacher narrowed her eyes, but sighed.
"Okay then. I trust you, Vaani. And the rest of you can submit it tomorrow."
Everyone turned to look at Vaani like she was some undercover genius.
"Go and sit on your places," the teacher said, just as another teacher knocked on the door asking for her help.
The moment she stepped out, Tara leaned in, whispering.
"Kya zarurat thi teacher ko aisa bolne ki?"
(Why did you say all that to the teacher?)
"Sorry yaar, mujhe laga..." Vaani began.
But Tara cut her off,
"Itna acha plan tha, hum toh bahar chale gaye hote."
(It was such a good chance we could've left!)
"Kya!?" the whole group said in unison.
"Sahi kaha tha Ritvik bhaiya ne... gaya ek aur wicket." Ahaan mumbled.
(Ritvik bhaiya was right... another one bowled out.)
After some time the teacher started explaining some formulas abd wanted everyone to maintain pin drop silence. while she turned toward the board, Ahaan, Ayaan, and Rudra began playing a secret game of cricket using their hand.
(A/N:- idk if you've ever played this but we used to play it in school while recess)
Tara tried focusing, eyebrows furrowed in confusion as the teacher explained integration.
Meanwhile, Vaani acted as the umpire, whispering commentary with full dedication.
Suddenly, Vaani shouted,
"OUT HAI!"
(That's OUT!)
The classroom froze.
"Class, what's happening here?" the teacher turned around, stern as ever.
"Ma'am, they're playing cricket using hands." Jaya tattled, ever the loyal student.
"Ahaan, Rudra, Yuvraj, and Vaani get out of my class."
They all stood up dramatically like heroes in a Bollywood film.
The class went silent. Dead silent. Everyone was either trying not to laugh... or not to breathe.
Vaani turned her head ever so slightly the slow-motion types, you know - and locked eyes with Kriti, Nirma, and Tara.
That signature smirk curved on her lips.
She gave them a slow, mischievous wink.
One second. But deadly.
The girls looked at each other, trying (and failing) to stifle their grins.
Kriti muttered under her breath, "Yeh ladki na..."
(This girl, seriously...)
And Tara leaned in toward Nirma and whispered, "Ab hoga asli drama."
(Now the real drama will begin.)
And then she turned towards the teacher with a mischievous smile, and said, "Ma'am, Kriti was the umpire... and Nirma was taking charge of review."
The whole class gasped.
"Kriti and Nirma out!" the teacher added, her voice sharp.
As they all filed out of the class, Ahaan smirked and tossed one last ball.
"But ma'am, Tara was the one who told us to play."
"Tara-you too." The teacher's finger pointed at the door.
Now the entire gang stood outside, leaning against the corridor wall like rebels.
"Main ne kab kaha ye game khelne?" Tara glared at Ahaan.
(When did I say to play this game?)
"Yaar, bhalai ka toh zamaana hi nahi raha..." Ahaan muttered.
(Goodness has no value these days.)
"Maine teri help bhi nahi maangi thi!" Tara snapped.
(I didn't even ask for your help!)
"Thik hai, sorry. Aaj ke baad help nahi karunga. Seedha gadhe mein giraunga." Ahaan raised his hands dramatically.
(Okay sorry. I won't help again. I'll throw you straight into a ditch.)
"Yaar, roko in dono ko." Yuvraj whispered to Vaani.
(Stop these two.)
"Chhod yaar, miyan-biwi hain. Hamesha ladte rehte hain." Vaani said casually.
(Leave it, they're like husband and wife. Always fighting.)
Suddenly the teacher popped her head out.
"QUIET! No talking! Stand silently for the next three lectures!"
She stepped back in.
"Ab kya karein?" Rudra asked.
(What do we do now?)
"Wahi toh, teen lectures tak yahan khade rahenge kya?" Kriti sighed.
(Exactly. Stand here for three whole lectures?)
Just then, the classroom door creaked open. The teacher stepped out again , adjusting her dupatta like a general inspecting her misbehaving troops.
She looked at them all once, clearly unimpressed, then pointed.
"You all think this is some picnic spot? Okay then, let's give you proper company."
Her eyes narrowed, and she began,
"Vaani and Kriti - stand over there, near the window."
"Ahaan and Rudra -move to the other side. No talking!"
Ahaan and Rudra looked at each other like doomed soldiers.
"Tara and Nirma - you both right here, under my supervision."
Tara groaned audibly. Nirma facepalmed.
"Yuvraj you, in the middle. Alone. I know you'll start plotting if I group you with anyone."
Yuvraj looked personally attacked.
"Ma'am, but-" he tried.
"No buts!"
Then came the idea.
"Miss, washroom jaana hai." Tara asked sweetly.
The teacher nodded without a second thought and moved inside the class.
"Mere peeche peeche aao." Vaani whispered. (Follow me.)
"Pagal hai kya? Girls washroom hai!" Ahaan panicked.
(Are you mad? That's the girls' washroom!)
"Ruk, miss ka rulebook toh leke aati hoon."
(Wait, I'll bring the teacher's rulebook.)
She disappeared for a second and came back, grabbed Tara by the collar and dragged her toward the ground.
Moments later, the entire gang was standing under a shady old tree near the school's back boundary.
"Yaar bhook lag gayi." Vaani, Tara, and Ahaan groaned together.
(Guys, we're hungry.)
They all looked around like prisoners planning an escape.
"Main ek idea doon?" Kriti asked.
(Shall I give you an idea?)
"De de! Hum mana nahi karenge." all of them said in unison.
(Give it! We won't say no.)
"Yeh ped ke peechhe se nikalke, school ke bahar wala dhaba hai na... wahan chalte hain."
(We'll sneak out from behind this tree and go to the food stall outside school.)
"Aur gaya dusra wicket." Ahaan mumbled again.
(There goes the second wicket.)
"Waise bhi aage ke do lectures maths ke hi hain." Rudra added.
"Teesra wicket bhi gaya."
(Third wicket gone.)
"Mere paas thoda cash bhi hai." Yuvraj said.
"Chautha wicket." (Fourth wicket.)
"Tu kab se kaun si wickets gin raha hai?" Nirma asked.
(Whose wickets are you even counting?)
"Ritvik bhaiya ne warning di thi Vaani se bach ke rehna. Humne nahi mani."
(Ritvik bhaiya warned us stay away from Vaani. We didn't listen.)
"Tu chup be." Vaani rolled her eyes.
(Shut up, you.)
They all stood near the wall.
"Hum is pe chadhenge kaise?" Nirma asked.
(How do we climb this?)
"Main chadh ke batati hoon." Vaani declared, tying her hair like a warrior going to war.

Night before school
I sat at the dining table, half-stirring my dal with the spoon, barely registering the taste. My eyes were heavy, and my body begged me to crash-but my brain was still tangled in charts, diagrams, and the never-ending to-do list.
"Mumma, mujhe project complete karna hai aaj thoda late hojayega." I said quietly, looking up from my plate.
(I have to finish my project tonight.)
She gave me that calm, motherly nod. The one that says she already knew.
"Kar lo. Par zyada der tak jagna mat, thik hai?"
(Okay. But don't stay up too late, alright?)
I smiled softly. "Haan."
(Yeah.)
She didn't say much else. Just passed me another chapati and refilled my water. That's her way of saying I love you.
After dinner, I quietly walked toward my room, determined to finish what was left.
The fairy lights on my wall glowed gently, painting my room in soft pink and gold. My bed was a mess papers everywhere, glue stick uncapped, highlighters tossed like confetti. I sat cross-legged in the middle of it all, humming to the soft Bollywood music playing from my Bluetooth speaker.
I worked in silence writing, fixing, outlining. It was peaceful, in a weird way. Everyone else asleep, no distractions, just me and my project.
I glanced at the clock. Almost 2 AM. My eyes were beginning to burn.
"Just two more pages, Tara," I told myself.
I didn't know when I whispered "Sleep" out loud... maybe around 3:30?
But even after that, I kept scribbling, the pen dragging slower, my thoughts fogging.
Around 4:03 AM
I didn't even hear the door creak open. I only felt a warm hand on my shoulder, gentle fingers brushing my hair back.
"Tara," my mom whispered.
I jolted slightly, confused. For a second, I thought it was morning already.
"What time is it?" I croaked.
"4 baj gaye hain. Soyi kyun nahi ab tak?"
(It's 4. Why haven't you slept yet?)
I rubbed my eyes, blinking hard. "Bas project..." I mumbled.
She sat beside me, concern in her eyes. "Beta, rehne do. School mat jaana kal. Poora din rest lena. Tabiyat kharab ho jayegi."
(Sweetheart, leave it. Don't go to school tomorrow. You'll fall sick.)
And honestly? I didn't even argue. My body was already giving up.
I just nodded faintly.
She pulled the blanket over me and kissed my forehead before turning off the lights.
The last thing I saw before sleep swallowed me was my project... still open beside me.
Finished.
But for now... I let go.
Morning | Around 7:00 AM
I groaned and turned to the other side, burying my face into the pillow At first, I thought I was dreaming. A voice, Vaani's voice echoed in my head like she was calling from a far-off corridor.
"TARA!!"
I frowned, half-asleep, pulling the blanket over my face. But then something clicked.
Wait.
I pushed the blanket off, reached blindly for my phone, and squinted at the screen.
7:03 AM.
My breath caught.
Oh crap.
Oh crap oh crap oh crap.
I was supposed to wake up by 6:00. Project submission day.
I jolted out of bed like the mattress was on fire, my head still heavy, and my eyes blurry from just three hours of sleep. My heart was racing before my feet even touched the floor.
I stormed out of my room. "Mumma!!"
She was in the hall, calmly sipping tea and scrolling through her phone.
"Mumma! It's already 7 ! Why didn't you wake me up?" I blurted, voice caught somewhere between panic.
She looked up completely unbothered. "Beta, I told you na? Not to go today. You were up till almost 4. You were sleeping like a baby i couldn't wake you up."
Her voice was so soft, so normal.
I stared at her. "Mumma... I told you last night that today is submission. I have to go."
She sighed and stood up, gently brushing crumbs off her coat. "Tara. You looked pale. Your eyes were red. I thought, one day won't kill you. You'll submit it tomorrow just say you weren't well."
I looked away. That wasn't the point. I didn't want to miss it. Not just because of the grade or the deadline because I'd worked so hard. I hadn't done all that for nothing.
I pressed my hand to my forehead. I was already breaking into a sweat. "Please, Mumma, I'll be fine. I'll come back early. I'll even take a nap. But I have to go."
She watched me for a second, her expression softening with a slight sigh. "Okay. But you're not skipping breakfast."
"No time for proper breakfast. I'll eat something on the way," I muttered, already half inside my room again, grabbing clothes from the chair and pulling on my uniform with one hand while brushing my hair with the other.
There was a time when I used to iron my uniform properly, pack my bag the night before, and double-check everything. That version of me was probably weeping in a corner while this present version sprinted around like a lunatic in mismatched socks.
"Mumma, mera bag kaha hai?" I called out, and the toothbrush was still in my mouth.
She pointed to the table. I slung it over my shoulder, and shoved a paratha into a tissue.
Before she could say anything else, I leaned down and hugged her quickly, mumbling, "Love you-bye!"
I ran like my life depended on it. Actually it did
By the time I reached the main gate it was 7.46, my lungs were burning and my backpack felt ten times heavier.
And there it was my worst nightmare the school gate slowly closing.
The gates were almost shut. My heart sank. "Uncle! Ruko!!!"
I ran like my life depended on it. The watchman looked at me, eyebrows raised. "Beta, itni late kaise ho gayi?"
"I was... up all night working on my project," I panted, leaning forward, hands on my knees. "Subah late ho gayi... please Uncle, jaane do..."
He looked at me for a moment, then smiled. "Theek hai. Par kisi ko batana mat. Waise bhi tum ne meri help ki thi uss din staff room ke baahar."
(Alright, but don't tell anyone. You helped me that day out of the staff room")
I grinned. "Pakka promise. Secret between us!"
He opened the gate just enough for me to squeeze in.
"Thank you, Uncle!" I called out as I sprinted toward my class.
He nodded and waved me through.
I took a few deep breaths before walking toward the building, trying to shake off the adrenaline.
I'd made it. Somehow.
I barely caught my breath as I ran down the corridor, my shoes squeaking against the floor with every step.
I reached the classroom door and paused for half a second. My palm pressed against the wooden frame as I exhaled.
I was late. I knew it. But I had to try.
I pushed the door open just enough.
"Can I come in, ma'am? Sorry I'm late. I promise it won't happen again!"
My voice was calm on the outside, but inside, I was holding my breath.
The entire class turned to look at me.
And then I saw her.
Vaani.
Already standing. Already speaking.
And already in trouble.
I blinked. Wait what? wasn't she was the one woke me? Then how did she came late?
"Vaani, you were saying the same thing, right?" the teacher said, turning sharply toward her.
My eyes met Vaani's, and in that moment, something silent passed between us.
Her sheepish smile was all I needed to know.
She made up something.
Something... involving me.
I stared at her for one whole second, feeling completely blank.
Then, just like that, the realization landed.
She lied.
And now I had to catch up mid-lie.
She looked at me, eyes pleading. Please go with it.
I didn't even blink.
"Yes, ma'am!" she said quickly, nodding with a confidence I could never fake. "That's why we're late. We both visited the hospital this morning... for a friend. Her name is also Tara!"
Really, Vaani? Hospital? And her name is also Tara?
I wanted to laugh and facepalm at the same time.
The teacher turned to me, skeptical. "Is that true, Tara?"
I nodded slowly. "Yes ma'am... exactly like that."
My voice sounded so strange in my own ears like I was floating outside myself.
Vaani placed a hand on her chest. "Ma'am, don't you trust me? I never lie."
The teacher raised one eyebrow. "Haan haan... tum kabhi nahi jhoot bolti."
The whole class chuckled under their breath.
Vaani and I shared a sideways glance, perfectly in sync when we both said, "Sorry ma'am."
She stared at us a moment longer. Then waved her hand. "Okay. Sit in your place."
We slipped past her and headed to our bench.
As soon as we sat, she leaned closer and whispered, "You saved my life."
Without even looking at her, i smirked. "You owe me now."
I smiled, shaking my head.
This girl, I swear.
And then asha miss announced that today she will be taking 4 lectures are you kidding me? How am I supposed to be even alive to attend 4 lectures of life with this headache ? I was already exhausted from the past few days and barely sleeping and this.... God!!
And then she announced to submit the project. Ohh yess!! That's why I came!
I started pulling my bag off my shoulder to submit the project. But my bag felt lighter than usual. Almost suspiciously light.
I paused.
No. No no no no.
The panic surged over me and yanked the zip open completely, sifting through notebooks, pens, my water bottle,everything
But not the project file.
It wasn't there.
I froze.
A cold chill crawled down my back.
I'd left it.
"Ohh shit"
My brain did a full rewind to me running around my room, brushing my hair, grabbing my bag, yelling bye to Mumma
And it hit me.
I never picked up the file from the bed. It was still lying there, next to the speaker, right where I left it after working all night.
How could I how could I forget it?
I wanted to cry.
Not because I was scared of the teacher, or the grade... but because I tried. I stayed up. I poured everything into it. And it still slipped away in the mess of rushing, forgetting, waking late...
I needed to tell this to vaani .
Write a comment ...