Chaitanya (angrily): "Ma'am, please listen to me… this girl ruined my entire notebook! Who does that? I just said it as a joke, like students usually do…"
Principal Ma'am (strictly): "Lakshmi, aren't you going too far? This is the first time I've received so many complaints about you. What's going on?"
Lakshmi (in a low, trembling voice): "Ma'am… I didn't do it intentionally. He irritated me first… and then in anger, I did this. I accept my mistake. I'm ready for whatever punishment you give."
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Principal Ma'am (softening a bit): "Alright… this is your first complaint, so I'm letting you go this time. But it should not happen again. Now both of you say sorry to each other and go back to your class. It's the last period anyway… then you can go home."
They both looked at each other awkwardly.
Chaitanya (hesitantly): "Sorry…"
Lakshmi (without making eye contact): "Sorry…"
---
In the classroom…
Lakshmi stood in front of Dhruv, hands on her waist, still irritated.
Lakshmi: "So… are you going to write it or not?"
Dhruv smiled slightly and spoke to her properly for the first time—
Dhruv: "I have one condition… I can't write it here. I'll come to your house and write it."
Lakshmi's face immediately fell—
"What? How can you come to my house?"
Dhruv (calm, slightly teasing):
"Then you come to my place. I'll complete your notebook, and you can study there for your slip test too."
Lakshmi (hesitating):
"I… I'll ask my sister first and tell you."
Dhruv (with a small smile):
"Okay… I'll wait."
---
4:00 PM – After school
School ended, and students started leaving.
Monika had come to pick up her younger sister Lakshmi. She was holding a small bag with some special snacks. As Lakshmi's class teacher saw her, she called out—
Teacher: "Monika, come here. I need to talk to you."
Monika walked towards her politely.
Teacher (concerned):
"Today wasn't a good day for Lakshmi. She got into trouble… even had to go to the principal's office. In anger, she spoiled another student's notebook. Please handle her carefully."
Monika smiled softly:
"Okay ma'am, I'll take care of her."
She stood there waiting.
When Lakshmi finally came out, Monika hugged her tightly—
Monika: "How was my kid's day?"
Lakshmi (feeling shy):
"Why are you hugging me like this in front of everyone? I feel embarrassed…"
Monika laughed:
"Oh really? But at home, you act like my husband and boss me around!"
Lakshmi (hitting her lightly):
"Don't say things like that outside!"
Then her expression changed—
Lakshmi:
"You know… today was really bad. Everyone messed with me… and that new student—"
Monika gently placed her hand on Lakshmi's mouth—
"I already know. Your teacher told me everything."
Lakshmi (annoyed):
"Why is she acting like your teacher? You're not even a student there anymore!"
Monika laughed:
"Okay okay, leave it. Come, let's go."
While walking…
Lakshmi (softly):
"Can you get me something to eat? I'm really hungry… I didn't even eat my lunch properly."
Monika nodded and took her to a nearby shop.
Monika: "Tell me… what else is going on in school? You don't talk to me much these days."
Lakshmi (thinking):
"Nothing much… it's boring. But after today… I feel like something big is going to happen."
Monika (worried):
"Why?"
Lakshmi:
"The girl I fought with… she's not normal. Her family background is strong. I don't know what will happen… but principal ma'am said it's my first mistake, so maybe it's okay."
Monika (serious tone):
"Just don't get into fights again. Focus on your studies."
Lakshmi (teasing):
"Yes yes, my 'mom'… I won't fight."
Monika lightly hit her:
"Who are you calling mom? I'm your sister!"
They both laughed and reached home.
---
6:30 PM – At home
As soon as they entered, everything changed.
They froze.
Their father was shouting and hitting their mother.
Monika quickly pushed Lakshmi behind her—
"Stay back!"
But Lakshmi couldn't stop herself. Both sisters rushed forward and tried to pull him away.
Lakshmi (shouting):
"Stop it! What are you doing?"
Monika (angry, almost crying):
"Leave her alone!"
They somehow managed to push him aside and made their mother sit.
Their father kept shouting in anger, but the sisters ignored him completely.
They had stopped talking to him long ago.
---
They took their mother to the room, gave her water, and made her lie down.
After a while, both sisters went to the terrace.
Lakshmi (frustrated, almost in tears):
"How long is this going to continue? Why don't we just leave him and go? Why is he ruining our lives?"
Monika stayed silent, looking down.
Lakshmi continued—
"It's all because of Dadu… if mom wasn't married to this man, our life wouldn't be like this."
Her voice cracked—
"I hate him… I really hate him."
Monika (soft but firm):
"I know… I feel the same. But we have to stay strong."
Lakshmi:
"You had to leave your studies because of him… Mom works so hard for us… and he just drinks and creates problems!"
Monika clenched her fists—
"Enough… just a few more days. My salary will increase soon. We'll find a new house… and leave this place."
Lakshmi (hopeful but emotional):
"Really?"
Monika nodded—
"Yes. I promise."
---
After some time, they went back inside.
Their father was sitting calmly, watching TV like nothing had happened.
Both sisters looked at him with anger… but said nothing.
Silently, they walked into their room.
Lakshmi (whispering):
"One day… we'll leave all of this behind."
Monika (placing her hand on her head):
"Yes… very soon."
The room fell silent… but their hearts were filled with storms.