**At the Viewpoint**
The small viewpoint nestled against the hillside.
As soon as the bus stopped on the mountain slope, the girls erupted into excited chaos.
Everyone jumped out, some climbing onto rocks, others pulling out phones for selfies.
Through gaps in the light mist, sunlight spilled down into the valley below.
But Sneha stepped down very quietly.
Even while Anurag Sir kept an eye on all the other students and fulfilled every duty, his gaze constantly followed Sneha.
All around: dense green slopes, the vast valley stretching below, and suddenly a patch of sunlight broke through the clouds overhead.
In that light, tiny raindrops began to fall — as if the sky itself were gently weeping.
Sneha stood in one corner, gazing out over the valley.
Raindrops sparkled in her open hair like tiny diamonds.
Small beads of water rolled down her denim jacket, melting into golden silk under the sunlight.
Anurag Sir slowly walked toward her.
Behind them: girls' laughter, camera clicks, bursts of joy — but around these two, the world seemed to fall silent.
"It's raining… you're getting wet,"
Anurag Sir said softly.
He took out an umbrella, opened it, and held it over Sneha's head.
Sneha looked up, a little surprised.
Raindrops pattered gently on the umbrella.
And right then, a perfect seven-colored rainbow appeared in the sky.
Those seven hues seemed to fill and sanctify the pure love between Sneha and Anurag Sir.
Silently, Sneha raised a finger and pointed.
"Sir, look… a rainbow!"
Her voice carried the innocent excitement of a child, her eyes sparkling with sudden delight.
Anurag Sir looked at the rainbow, then at Sneha.
He said quietly,
"You know, very few people in life ever witness a moment like this…
when rain, sunshine, and colors all arrive together."
Sneha stared in wonder.
Anurag Sir said nothing more.
He simply tilted the umbrella a little more toward her, making sure her shoulder was also sheltered.
Only a few inches separated them now,
yet in that silence, a thousand unspoken words passed between them.
---
**9:30 PM — Hotel 'Himalay Bliss', Joygaon**
After returning from the viewpoint, everyone was preparing for dinner.
The girls had gone to their rooms to change; the teachers were gathered in the ground-floor restaurant, chatting.
At that moment, Rupashri Ma'am, Principal of Pratapnagar Girls' High School, was standing on the balcony.
Seeing Anurag Sir, she called,
"Anurag, could you come to my room for a minute?"
Sir was surprised but nodded respectfully.
"Of course, Ma'am."
---
**In Rupashri Ma'am's Room**
Once inside, Rupashri Ma'am pointed to some papers on the table — official notices sent from the local administration.
A project presentation titled "Nature Conservation & Sustainable Future" was being held in Joygaon the next day, and school-level teacher-student delegations had been invited to participate.
"Look, Anurag," Ma'am said slowly,
"They've officially invited Pratapnagar School.
I want you to go as our representative along with Nivedita Ma'am.
She teaches environmental science and has good knowledge of these matters, but she can't handle everything alone.
Your presence there is very important.
Five students will go with you."
Anurag Sir paused before replying,
"But Ma'am… that means I'll miss the rest of the joint trip."
Rupashri Ma'am sighed.
"I know. But this is a matter of pride for our school.
You'll be away for two days as our official representatives.
You'll return on the last day of the trip."
Sir nodded silently in agreement.
Though a flicker of reluctance passed through his eyes — especially when he thought of Sneha, his chest tightened.
Her mind was already fragile after the recent incident.
He didn't want to leave her in this state.
He was always worried about her — especially whenever he remembered D.D. Sir's inappropriate behavior.
More than anything, he had wanted to spend this beautiful trip close to Sneha.
He knew he might never get another chance to be near her like this.
But when the Head Ma'am assigned him this responsibility, he had no choice but to accept.
---
**10:20 PM — Hotel 'Himalay Bliss', Joygaon**
Anurag Sir slowly walked up to Sneha's room. It was right next to his.
He paused for a moment.
His chest felt heavy —
he knew that after tomorrow morning, he might not see this girl again for the rest of the trip.
He knocked gently on the door.
*Knock knock knock…*
From inside came Sneha's soft voice:
"Who is it?"
"It's… Anurag Sir."
A brief silence, then the door opened slowly.
Sneha stood with her head bowed.
Then, very slowly, she lifted her face and looked at him.
In her eyes was that same calm, gentle glow —
the one that always stirred deep tenderness in Anurag Sir's heart.
"Sir? At this hour?"
Anurag Sir said,
"I came to tell you something."
Sneha opened the door wider.
A faint lavender scent drifted from inside the room.
An open notebook and books lay on the table.
Anurag Sir stepped in.
He sat on the sofa and asked Sneha to sit in front of him.
She did.
Slowly, Anurag Sir began,
"Sneha, tomorrow I'm going to the Joygaon project presentation.
I'll have to stay away for two days… probably return only on the last day of the trip."
Sneha's face turned pale in an instant.
A quiet pain filled her eyes, a hidden ache in her chest.
"You're… leaving, Sir?"
Anurag Sir nodded, his own heart heavy.
Sneha stared at him motionless for a moment.
In her eyes — surprise, and a trace of silent hurt.
"You mean… you won't be here tomorrow?"
Anurag Sir replied,
"No… Ma'am is sending me as the school representative."
A stretch of silence.
Only the soft ticking of the clock filled the room.
Sneha's lips moved, but no sound came.
Tears had already gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Anurag Sir leaned forward slightly.
His voice trembled almost imperceptibly —
"Don't feel sad, Sneha."
Sneha whispered,
"Yes, Sir."
Anurag Sir could hold back no longer.
Gently, he placed his hand on her head and tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear.
"You know I'm going because of duty.
But I don't want to go… not even a little."
Sneha lifted her eyes to meet his.
Her voice trembled, as though she wanted to say something but kept stopping.
"Sir…" — her tone was so soft it was almost a whisper.
"This trip… I thought… you would stay with me…"
Anurag Sir slowly reached out and brushed another lock of hair from beside her ear.
Very quietly he said,
"You know I'll always be there…
with you, for a lifetime."
Those words pierced straight into Sneha's heart.
She stared at him without blinking, her eyes filled with a thousand unspoken things.
Anurag Sir carefully cradled her head in both hands and placed the softest, gentlest kiss on her forehead.
Sneha's heart overflowed with heavenly joy.
In that moment, she felt that nothing in this world mattered except being by Sir's side.
Suddenly the curtains fluttered in the night breeze,
and the scent of rain drifted inside —
as though love itself had descended from the mountains as a blessing.
Releasing her, Anurag Sir said in a low voice,
"You mustn't worry at all.
If anything happens, tell Anirban Sir.
He'll be with you all in my place.
And yes — if D.D. Sir disturbs you even slightly, inform Anirban Sir immediately.
Alright?"
Sneha nodded obediently, like a good girl.
Anurag Sir said gently,
"I'll come see you once before leaving tomorrow morning, okay?"
Sneha nodded with a faint smile.
"Yes, Sir…"
As he walked out, Anurag Sir turned one last time.
Sneha was still standing at her door.
Looking at her face, he said,
"Now close the door."
Reluctantly, Sneha latched it.
And Anurag Sir's heart sank.
To be continued...