Anyone Else But You... (31 page)
Read Anyone Else But You... Online
Authors: Ananya Ritwik; Verma Mallik
bhau
. He admitted to DNN-IGN reporters that indeed he accepted
consignments of alcohol,” Chandra had mastered his art pretty well.
is at stake here?”
for ‘w
e won’t do anything
’,”
added Rishav disdainfully. “Strict action
needs to be taken and that too now. In a few days everyone would
discussing about a
nother
disaster in this very show. The time is now. And I
think that principal ma’am should resolve to solve this issue by
up an enquiry into this matter.”
Bindu Kalsi said as she glared at
Rishav. “And as for Siddhant, we will not forget him and ensure that
justice is served. There is no bigger loss than having lost a son. And
“You shouldn’t even say that,” came Madhuri’s response. “You had the
audacity to host Socialact Wave and splurge lakhs of rupees.”
to hush up the matter,
” Madhuri shot back.
olutely did not. We had to hono
r
our commitments.
And we did our best.”
“Your best wasn’t enough, sadly. I think it would be in the best
interest of the school if instead of focusing on organising shows and
fetes, the school management focuses on the students and their
o
l
istic development.” added Singhal.
no right whatsoever to interfere now
,
"
Bindu K
alsi retorted.
We have limited time really but what is the solution madam Kalsi?
There is a growing rage in the public over your running of the school.
you are playing with.”
raised his hand to speak.
and Shri Chandrashekhar
saab
to give this matter a serious thought and
really delve deep into this problem.”
before we wrap u
p, I’d be requiring your response
to this.” Vikki
Chandra directed his statement at Bindu Kalsi who had by now drunk
thought;
she was caught between the devil and
deep seas. She had evaded enough of tricky questions that day and had
denied continuously. Snubbing the Minister’s requests could have dire
summed up all her courage and weighed her words before she spoke on
the mike, “I shall look into the matter personally and put up an
Siddhant
that he will get justice.
*
In about fifteen minutes, Rishav got out of the studio with a sense of accomplishment. Just about then, his mobile beeped the arrival of a new message. It was a text from Sahana,
You were good
– it read. Rishav smiled and put the mobile back into his pocket.
THIRTY-ONE
“Glad that things worked out between us,” Rishav said.
“You really think it has?” Sahana replied, still engrossed in packing her bag.
The noise of students moving out of the classroom and the clatter of desks hitting chairs gradually started receding in the background.
“It hasn’t? Haven’t I redeemed myself already?” he asked, deliberately slowing down the pace at which he packed his own bag.
“Umm…you have, kind of but uh, I’m not too sure, you know? Like, I really doubt how long this part of you will exist. Who knows this might just be one of the faces of a success crazy Rishav, after all?”
“Ah huh,” he chose not to reply more explicitly.
“No kidding yaa,” Sahana zipped up her bag and looked up.
Rishav was horribly close to her.
It was as though he was breathing down her neck. She hated it when people stood so close; it just freaked her out – apart from the strained eyes of course. A little indecisive about what to say, Sahana spoke again, “So yeah, you done with packing your bags? It seems like it’s been taking you an eternity to get it done.” She paused. “I can’t wait really long you know? My mom’s coming to pick me up today.”
“You don’t need to wait for long, just a few seconds would be enough,” whispered Rishav.
“What?” she seemed surprised.
“I should’ve said this long time back Sahana, but I never got the right moment. And one thing led to the other.”
“Hmmm…” she said.
“Are you listening to me?”
“Yeah yeah, carry on,” she replied.
“Sahana, you are one girl who’s touched me a way no-one else has,” he said while she indicated him to start moving towards the door.
They walked slowly towards the class door, with a lot of uncomfortable silence between them.
“Sahana,” said Rishav, as they stood right next to the door.
She raised an eyebrow.
“Sahana…” he took a deep breath. “…I love you,” he added.
Her expression didn’t change till a tiny smile appeared, “I know.” She said. “And I’ve known it for a long time.”
EPILOGUE
Bindu Kalsi quite reluctantly agreed to set up an enquiry despite her tall claims on television. Although the findings of this enquiry were never made public, certain tough decisions were indeed taken in the light of the recent happenings.
Suraj Singh was put on notice under immediate effect and his political connections became a subject of a lot of scrutiny. Muskaan Kaur was transferred to DHS Porbandar as its Principal, with the Chairman heralding the move as ‘strategic brilliance’.
Bindu Kalsi resigned from the post of the Principal of Delhi High School, owning moral responsibility for all that had happened under her leadership. She even took back the school’s official stand about Siddhant’s suspension, before she stepped down.
The Chairman made a remark about how power is best in the hands of those who don’t want it and subsequently transferred the responsibilities of running Delhi High School to Ms. Veenu Sharma.
Veer Chauhan was politely asked to step down as the school’s trustee and the hostel warden was sacked. His Highness Jai Chauhan no longer considers the school to be his paternal property. He is still the sole Head Boy of Delhi High School.
And as far as Rishav and Sahana were concerned, it was hard to say whether their story had ended or whether it had just begun…
99
