Chapter 20

It had been a whole month since Ronit and Anjali's argument. The very next day after the argument, Anjali came to my house.

ANJALI: Hey V.J...what's up?

ME: Let's talk straight to the point...

Anjali was quite discomforted by my response because I never talk to her like this, directly to the point, unlike the other classmates. She understood that now she was also one among the others to me...

ANJALI: V.J., give me a chance to explain once.

ME: Hmm...okay, but before that, answer one question...

If someone murders someone else and a third person witnesses it but doesn't inform the police, is that person right or wrong?

ANJALI: Absolutely wrong...keeping quiet is as big a crime as murder itself...

ME: Fantastic...now, start your explanation.

ANJALI: V.J., trust me, I had no intention of doing what happened yesterday, nor did Ronit. I didn't know Ronit would react so strongly. He told me that you've lied to both of us, that you didn't go to any relative's place but instead went with some old man who looks like hermit. The day you were leaving, Ronit was coming from somewhere with his dad. He saw you being dragged by some hermit, but he was in the car. As soon as he reached home, he immediately ran towards where you were going, but by then you had already left. He told me this, but I didn't believe him. We both came to your house, but aunty said you had already gone to your relative's place.

Ronit told me that you had instructed aunty to lie, and until you tell the truth, we won't talk to you... that's why I was quiet yesterday...

ME: Hmm... just like that third person, right?

At first, Anjali didn't understand, but when she understood the meaning of my words, tears rolled down her cheeks. She realized that as wrong as it was for Ronit to accuse him, it was equally wrong for her to remain silent...

She couldn't say anything further and left.

Our three families are quite close. Every month, one of our families hosts a get-together where only the three families are present. This time, the tension between the three of us was noticeable to everyone, but no one said anything to us, and the entire get-together ended smoothly.

Next day,

After breakfast, I was sitting near the pool lost in thought when I heard Dad's voice.

DAD: Where are you lost, young man?

I looked ahead to see Dad and Mom both standing in front of me...

ME: Nowhere, Dad. Just thinking about studies. Dad and Mom both came and sat in front of me...

DAD: Son, I may not know what happened between the three of you, and I won't interfere, after all, it's your life. But remember, good friends are not easy to find, and arguments are never bigger than any relationship...

I smiled at Dad's words.

ME: I know that, Dad...

I started to leave, but stopped upon hearing Mom's words...

MOM: Son, whatever happened between you all, can't you forget about it?

ME: Dad, don't you say,

"If someone injures your body, forgive them once. But if someone hurts your heart, never forgive them."

My throat choked up as I said the last line.

Mom, Dad, they can see everything, but not my tears.

DAD: Son, remember, our happiness is tied to yours. If you ever feel sad, understand that you're not just making yourself sad, but us too.

I went and hugged them both.

ME: I know this well, and mom, dad, you guys don't have to worry about me. I'm your son. And defeating your son, physically or mentally, is not that easy. Okay, mom, dad, I need to make a call to school, so should I go to my room...

MOM: Yes, you go. I'll call you at lunchtime...

Then nothing special happened for the rest of the day. But I was very excited for tomorrow. Tomorrow was May 25th, my birthday. But my excitement was for another reason. Tomorrow, our board exam results were going to be announced.

AT DINNER:

DAD: So, excited for tomorrow.

ME: Of course, dad. I've worked hard for this day the whole year...

DAD: Worked hard!!! What are you talking about???

ME: About the result, what else? Our board exam results are coming tomorrow, right... by the way, what are you talking about!!!

DAD: Oh, you duffer. Tomorrow is your birthday...

ME: Oh my... I completely forgot.

MOM: Look at that, you're supposed to be a topper, and you can't even remember your own birthday...

ME: Oh come on, mom, that's what you two are for, right? Besides, remembering birthdays is overrated.

MOM: Maybe for you, but for both of us, tomorrow is the biggest day of our lives...

ME: Mom, please, no melodrama, okay? You've told me this a thousand times before.

MOM: And I'll keep telling you.

DAD: So, any plans for tomorrow?

Now, what could I say? Ronit and Anjali used to plan all my birthdays...

ME: No dad, no plans.

DAD: How about we throw a big party tomorrow to celebrate your birthday and your success?

ME: Who told you I've topped the exams!!!

DAD: Who needs to tell me? I know my son will top.

ME: Well, we'll find out tomorrow what position I'm in. But one thing's clear, there won't be any party...

MOM: Why not...

ME: Come on, mom, I don't like all this. Just get a cake, you, dad, me, Martha aunty, and all the staff at home. I'll cut the cake. That's the party. And no more discussions on this. This is final. Alright, mom, dad, I need to get to bed early for school tomorrow.

I knew that if I stayed a little longer, mom and dad would convince me for the party with some emotional drama... so I bid them good night and dashed off.

AFTER I LEFT:

MOM: What should we do now? We've already sent out the invites, and he's refusing.

DAD: Let him. I'm also his father. The party will happen, and it will be so grand that the whole of Mumbai will be in awe...

LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENED AFTER OUR BALBEER REGAINED CONSCIOUSNESS...

SMALL FLASHBACK:

About an hour after regaining consciousness, Balbeer regained his senses...

BALBEER: How is this possible? My energy turned back towards me with such force. Who could have created such a powerful protective shield?

What he had anticipated was far more serious than he had thought...

He can defeat the enemy face to face, but it's not possible now. The Devil Lord is not here yet. I'll have to wait for his return. But I must keep an eye on that boy...

BALBEER: Glazer, Riddik...

Two dark clouds appeared in front of Balbeer, and two devils manifested from within them.

Balbeer gave them some instructions, and both bowed their heads and disappeared...

BALBEER: Vijay, enjoy your time a little longer. The day the Lord arrives, you and your family will be finished...

FLASHBACK ENDS:

MOM: Good morning, dear. What's up? Today, I had to wake you up.

ME: Good morning, mom. I was fast asleep. You usually wake me up at midnight to wish me. Then how can I wake up early if I sleep late?

MOM: It's all your fault. Why do you sleep with the door unlocked? We thought you might be talking to friends, so we knocked.

ME: Okay, forget about all that. What time is it now?

MOM: It's 6 o'clock.

ME: WHATTTT. Mom, you could have woken me up earlier. I need to be at school by 8...

MOM: So what? It's not too late yet!!!

ME: Mom, you know I don't like rushing.

MOM: Then do one thing. Just freshen up and go. What class do you have? Come back and take a shower.

ME: Mom, I can't adopt every one of your qualities, right?

MOM: Yeah, that's right. Wait a minute... what did you say? Wait, let me tell you. You're making fun of your mom...

But by then, I had already entered the bathroom... quickly showered and came downstairs. Breakfast was ready, and I started eating quickly...

DAD: Hey, take it easy... it's not even that late. It's only 7 o'clock. You'll reach school on time.

But I wasn't going to listen to that. I finished breakfast as quickly as possible. I was just about to get up when...

MARTHA AUNTY: Happy birthday, young master . May God always keep you happy...

I touched Aunty's feet...

MARTHA AUNTY: Oh, what are you doing, dear?

ME: What else? Taking blessings.

Alright, I'm leaving. Bye, dad, bye, mom.

MOM/DAD: Bye, son. All the best...

I got into the car and headed towards school.

AT VAANI'S HOUSE:

ANUKRTI ARORA: Oh, I forgot to tell you yesterday. We got an invite from someone named RAJ SINGH's house...

At this moment, the entire Arora family, including Avni and Shanaya, were having breakfast...

SATISH ARORA: RAJ SINGH, the cement king... I was actually thinking of meeting him myself. Well, it's good, we'll get to meet him now... By the way, what's the invite for??? (SATISH ARORA: He's an underworld don in Mumbai. But he's known as a businessman worldwide. He owns malls and hotels across India...)

ANUKRITI: It's his son's birthday. They're throwing a party for him...

PRIYANKA: Wow... today is Vijay sir's birthday too...

SATISH: How do you know their son???

PRIYANKA: He's my senior at school...

SATISH: Oh.

PRIYANKA: This is amazing. It's his birthday today and his 10th-grade results are out too...

SATISH: Okay. How is he in studies???

Before Priyanka could respond, Vaani spoke up...

VAANI: Dad, it's better not to ask her. Otherwise, she'll start her Vijay saga. She's a big fan of his.

SATISH: Oh, he's so good in studies!!!

PRIYANKA: Yeah, I'm his fan, so... and dad, he's not just good in studies, he's number one in everything...

SATISH: Alright, then we definitely need to meet him...

Avni was thinking something after hearing all this...

ANUKRITI: By the way, Avni and Shanaya, isn't it your results today too?

SHANAYA: Yes, auntie. Priyu, let's see whose result is better, ours or that of your Vijay...

ANUKRITI: Oh ho... competition...

SHANAYA: Absolutely...

PRIYANKA: Alright then... I know a sister in Vijay sir's class. I'll ask her about Vijay sir's result...

SATISH: No need for that. We're going to their party in the evening. We can ask him directly there.

PRIYANKA: Yeah, that will be better...

AVNI (in her mind): So, today I'll meet Mr. Vijay...

AT SCHOOL...

ANUPRIYA MAM (CLASS TEACHER): Vijay, you're 10 minutes late.

Me: I'm really sorry, ma'am. It won't happen again.

MAM: Relax. I'm just kidding. Go, join the line...

At this moment, the entire 10th ICSE department was standing in the ground. I went and stood at the back of the line.

On the stage, our principal, Mr. B.K. Yuel, and faculty members were standing, along with a few other people whom I didn't recognize.

PRINCIPAL: I'm very proud to announce that our school's 10th-grade results have retained the record of last year with 100% passing rate...

I looked ahead towards Ronit, who was happy after hearing the announcement.

You can collect your results from your class teacher. Here, we'll only announce the top 2 results.

So, without any further delay, the 2nd position is achieved with 95% by MISS ANJALI Ramnani...

The entire ground echoed with applause. Anjali glanced towards my line once, but due to being at the back, I don't think she saw me. Her face fell. She collected her trophy and certificate, then returned to her line.

PRINCIPAL: Now coming to the first position...

The student who achieved the first position this year not only in this school, city, or state but in the entire country at the ICSE level.

Everyone was shocked by the principal's announcement.

PRINCIPAL: So, without wasting any more time, let me welcome on stage not only our school's but India's most intelligent student...

VIJAY RAJ SINGH...

Everybody gave me a big hand...

Upon hearing the principal's announcement, I was also quite shocked. In that state, I made my way to the stage...

Once again, the entire ground erupted in applause.

Both Anjali and Ronit had tears in their eyes, but I didn't pay attention and climbed onto the stage.

PRINCIPAL: One more thing. Today, we have the presence of the directors and secretary of the ICSC board, and they would like to say something.

DIRECTOR: We are here to announce that Vijay is awarded a scholarship of 25 lakhs by the ICSE board for securing first place in the entire country. Congratulations, Vijay, you deserve it...

This was another surprise for me. I collected my trophy, certificate, and check and came back down. All the teachers and my classmates were congratulating me.

Anjali and Ronit were standing separately, just looking at me...

ANIL (classmate): Hey, where are Ronit and Anjali? Everyone has congratulated you, but your besties are missing.

As he said my name, both of them started to come towards me.

ME: Would you like to hear a poem... (Anil liked my poetry a lot)

ANIL: Of course... Proceed...

By then, both had reached me...

"If relationships are deep,

then silence can make noise.

We didn't know that not only thorns,

even flowers can hurt."

Their eyes lowered with shyness...

I looked at them once and left.

To be Continued..