**The Next Day – School**
The following morning.
A sweet fragrance of bakul flowers drifted through the open air at school.
Girls clustered near the gate, chatting—some busy with books, others lost in yesterday's gossip.
But in Class XI, there was an unusual buzz today.
Why?
Because of yesterday's scene in class.
"Did you see? Sir went and stood right in front of Sneha and said something…"
"I saw it! I was sitting right in front. Sir even said, 'Please come to my cabin'!"
"Does anyone care that much? There's definitely something going on!"
---
The sunlight was especially bright today.
Even while sitting in his cabin, Anurag Sir's eyes kept searching… only for Sneha.
**Class XI Science Section.**
Since the first-period teacher was absent today, Anurag Sir came in for the first class.
The moment he entered, his gaze fell on Sneha.
When she noticed him looking at her, Sneha gave a shy, bride-like smile—soft and fleeting.
Seeing her smile, Anurag Sir also smiled gently in return.
Megha and Baishali, watching from the side, just shook their heads back and forth.
Anurag Sir in front, Sneha behind—perfect chemistry!
Today, they both felt painfully single.
Anurag Sir (standing at the board):
"Alright, before we start today's class, a small announcement—our school is organizing an educational trip next week."
(The girls gasped, smiles spreading across their faces)
"Destination—Jaigaon. A small town right on the edge of Bhutan's gate, surrounded by hills, rivers, forests, and a peaceful beauty. We won't enter Bhutan itself, but we'll explore the border town.
Five days amid hills, rivers, and nature… Those interested should submit your names to Bonani Ma'am today. But no one will be allowed without a signed permission letter from your guardian. Understood?"
Anurag Sir's words made the entire class light up instantly.
"Jaigaon? Wow!" Megha shouted first.
Baishali immediately yelled, "Sir, I'm going! I'll tell my guardian today. I'm totally ready!"
Anushka, sitting in the front, clapped excitedly—
"Wow! Five days in the middle of hills, forests, and rivers! It feels like a whole movie!"
Tanwi suddenly raised her head and asked—
"Sir, will we stay in a hotel or camp in tents?"
Sir smiled.
"Good question. We'll stay in a hotel, but one day we'll go deep into the forest for camping and exploring. It'll be a real adventure!"
Sneha smiled shyly, but her eyes sparkled with dreams.
Though she had never been on a school trip before, she had always wanted to go.
And this time—if it meant spending time with Anurag Sir—it would be even more special.
Diya, sitting beside her, leaned close and whispered—
"This trip is perfect for romance, you know? If Anurag Sir stays nearby, there's definitely going to be a love story in the hills!"
Hearing Diya's words, Sneha's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.
From the back, Kakoli called out excitedly—
"We'll form a whole group, okay? Me, you, Megha, Baishali, and Tanwi—we'll share a room!"
Megha laughed and added—
"And Riya will sleep alone, because she always fights with everyone!"
But the moment those words reached Riya's ears, Megha's smile vanished.
The mere mention of the trip filled the class with laughter and excitement.
Anurag Sir smiled and restored order—
"Alright, alright—stop laughing now. Submit your names and don't forget the signed permission letters from your guardians."
Then the Chemistry class began.
---
A little while later.
The bell rang.
After class ended, as Anurag Sir was leaving, he glanced at Sneha and gave a small nod.
Sneha lowered her head slightly in response.
Megha nudged her elbow—
"Did you see? Did you see? Eye contact again!"
Baishali added—
"Something special is definitely going to happen on this trip—I'm telling you!"
Anticipation and excitement shone on every girl's face—eager for something new.
📌 A red-framed notice hung on the school notice board:
> 🚌 Educational Tour Notice
An educational tour of 5 days is being organized next week for students of Classes XI and XII.
Destination: Jaigaon (town adjacent to the Bhutan border)
Departure Date: Next Thursday morning
Day 1: Arrival in Jaigaon via Siliguri
Day 2: Sightseeing in Jaigaon, Torsa River, border view
Day 3: Day visit to Phuentsholing town (with school permission letter)
Day 4: Excursion to Chilapata Forest or Buxa Fort
Day 5: Return preparations
Students must submit their names and guardian-signed permission letters by next Monday.
Accompanying teachers: Anurag Sir, Nivedita Ma'am, Meenakshi Ma'am, Shipra Ma'am, D.D. Sir, and a few others.
---
**After school hours – almost empty corridor**
The bell had rung a short while ago.
The school corridor was gradually emptying. Some girls were heading downstairs, others slowly gathering their books and leaving.
Sneha came out a little late.
Her face glowed with a strange light—excitement, shyness, and… a dreamy haze!
As she reached the corridor, Anurag Sir was just stepping out of another classroom.
Their eyes met.
Sneha paused for a moment.
Sir also stood still for a second, then slowly walked toward her.
Anurag Sir (softly, catching his breath slightly):
"You… going alone?"
Sneha (shyly lowering her eyes):
"Yes, Sir. The others have already gone down."
Anurag Sir (with a gentle smile):
"You looked very happy in class today… because of the Jaigaon trip?"
Sneha (lifting her eyes briefly, then lowering them again, in a soft voice):
"Actually… I've wanted to go somewhere for a long time. And if this time I get the chance to go with you… that would be something even bigger."
Anurag Sir felt a quiet joy inside.
Anurag Sir (after a pause, voice softening):
"I was hoping… you would go. Your presence… would make the entire trip so much more beautiful."
Anurag Sir leaned slightly closer to her ear and said—
"Besides… I don't want to go without you."
Sneha (cheeks flushed, giving a small smile):
"I'll go only because you're going, Sir… otherwise… I might have been scared."
A soft breeze passed through the corridor.
Both of them fell silent for a few seconds.
Anurag Sir (slowly):
"In the hills… we can say many things that can't be said in the city.
If you want… will you talk to me?"
Sneha (looking straight into his eyes):
"If you call me… I will definitely not hold back, Sir."
Anurag Sir:
"Then… promise me you'll go. We'll meet in the hills… not just as teacher and student…"
Sneha (lowering her eyes with a shy smile):
"Yes, Sir…"
Hearing this, Sir paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
After that, the two of them began walking down the corridor side by side.
There was no touch between them, no open declaration of love—
yet in the air, in the rhythm of their steps, and in the way their eyes met, an invisible bond had already formed.
---
Sneha (suddenly her excited face darkened):
"But… Sir… there's a problem."
Sir's brow furrowed with concern.
"What problem?"
Sneha:
"I don't know if my uncle and aunt will agree. I've never gone anywhere before. Auntie always says, 'Unfamiliar places, unknown people—a girl has to be very careful…'"
"But Sneha," Sir said gently, "if you don't see the world with your own eyes, when will that courage and freedom come?
This trip isn't just about traveling—it's a small battle for you; a battle of courage, of overcoming your fears.
Trust me—I'll be there. If you go… I'll take care of you. I promise."
The last words carried such boundless affection in his eyes.
Tears suddenly shimmered in Sneha's eyes.
She didn't know why Sir's every word felt so full of tenderness.
Anurag Sir (with a reassuring smile):
"Go home and tell them that Anurag Sir wants to speak with them.
I'll come myself tomorrow after school and talk to your uncle and aunt.
I'll convince them. Don't worry."
Sneha, filled with excitement, said—
"Sir, really?"
Anurag Sir smiled and nodded.
Sneha (joyfully):
"Sir… if you try to meet my uncle and aunt and explain… then maybe they'll let me go."
Sir leaned in slightly and said—
"I won't just try—I will go. Tomorrow after school, I'll come to your house."
Sneha gave a soft, happy smile.
To be continued...