17| The conference

"It's the day, it's the day! Calm down Aarohi, calm down. You can do it girl." I kept repeating, hoping it would calm me down but majaal hai ek baar mein mera dimaag shaant ho jaye.

"Have it! You will feel better." Tanmay passed me a cup of water. "Thank you but you don't have to." I accepted the cup.

"Kiddos! The passes are here and here's your badges representing your school name. Make sure to relax yourselves before you speak and remember this is not a competition or viva so don't get scared thinking 'what will happen if I say something wrong'. We have already practiced many times and you both are doing great." Miss Joshi said boasting our spirit and making me feel less stressed for the while.

"Miss, can I hug you real quick?" I asked. "Of course bachha, come here." She said, opening her arms and taking me in embrace. Hugs are something that can relax my mind and soul anytime.

I let out a relaxed sigh and went inside the theatrically big auditorium which was already consumed by some 100 people. More seats were yet to be filled as we reached the venue an hour earlier. Meanwhile, Miss Joshi asked us to not think about the conference for the while.

My mind went straight back to home thinking about my parents. I took out my phone and called mum.

"Namaste mahantin." I said receiving a questioning sound from mum. "Kon mahantin? This is Sarika speaking and who is and why are speaking in my daughter's voice?" She asked, puzzled.

"Aree mumma main Aarohi he hun and mahantin ka matlab mummy he hota hai." I explained. "Toh sidhe sidhe namaste mummy bolne mein teri zuban dukh rahi thi?" She asked, annoyed.

"Ek toh main itne dino se ghar se dur hun upar se pyaar karne ki jagah aa daant rahe ho mujhe. Yeh toh galat baat hai na." I sulked a little.

"Oh my drama queen, that's not it. We are all missing you dearly. It's just these taxes and stuff has made me tensed up." She clarified.

"Anyways, has the conference started yet? Don't forget to take blessings from Thakur ji and Radha rani before your turn okay? And relax beta everything's gonna be alright." She uttered, leaving me speechless.

"How did you know that I was stressing out?" I asked, confused. "Maa ko sab pata hota hai beta ji." She said.

I then had a brief talk with Ayushi and papa as well. Both of them wished me good luck and then I ended the call after taking blessings from my parents.

30 minutes were left. I then went through mine and Yuku's chats reading how she panicked as to why I left earlier that day also telling how she managed to lie to Akshit saying I was leaving for Delhi that evening.

The reason I left earlier was because I got a stain on my uniform and coincidentally I forgot to have an extra pair that day. I was also upset by Ronika's behavior towards Akshit but it didn't hurt me much.

When I got to know that Akshit was blaming himself for making me upset, I thought to send a text to explain everything but I played along and even asked Ayushi to not tell anything to the 3 of them.

We left for Delhi on April 24. And these 2 days we've been collecting information and statements for pur speech.

After reaching Delhi, we took a day off and I roamed the market along with Miss Joshi for shopping cuz why not? Picking a gift for each of my dear ones, also as a reward to make my birthday so special.

And the next 2 days we prepared the rest part of the speeches and ideas.
"The conference is about to start, please keep your devices in silent mode till the event ends. Thank you." Said a lady standing on a podium which was well decorated.

The stage was jeweled with different decoratives as well as a banner that read, 'The current situation of Indian Education System and initiatives to reform or remodel it.' 4 chairs were placed on the stage along with separate tables which had a water bottle and mic kept on it.

Soon the environment was filled with students, parents and teachers who were cheering after the speech of their pupils. And now it was our turn.

"Now, I would like to request Miss Aarohi Govind and Master Tanmay Acharya from Central High School, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh to put forward their thoughts on today's matter of discussion. Please students come on stage and there's no need to give an introduction again." The same lady called out our names as I recalled my Krishna ji, Radha Rani and my parents name seeking blessings.

"Education, the word that could feed the homeless and cure a diseased. With education one can not only be a good entrepreneur, teacher, doctor or engineer but can also be a source of inspiration and a figure who can bring about positive changes in the society." I stated.

"We can see many Indians get selected worldwide in the multi-national companies, creating their own fortune. They are able to perform good in their career only because of quality education provided in India." Tanmay spoke.

"Indian Education System, while it is one of the oldest systems, it is still not that developed when compared to others, which are in fact newer. This is so as the other countries have gone through growth and advancement, but the Indian education system is still stuck in old age. It faces a lot of problems that need to be sorted to let it reach its full potential." I added.

We continued til 2 3 minutes and ended our speech with,
"In conclusion, the method of teaching needs to be reformed. Teachers should encourage logical thinking & creativity in students."

"Along with theoretical learning, practical approaches should also be implemented to educate the students. The syllabus should be updated with the latest inventions and technologies. Just like Benjamin Franklin rightly said, "Tell me and I forget, teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn."

We heard a silent room filled with claps and cheers and also a thumbs up from both of our teachers.

The day ended well as we re-watched our video and I forwarded it to mum and papa in our family group and they were very proud.

These few days I've been surviving school just because of Manav or else I would've stayed back at home. Why?

Because of that girl, Ronika! What does she want from me? She has ignited the rumor of me being her secret boyfriend. The whole school thinks the same and even Ritu ma'am has suddenly started behaving all sweet with me.

I love Sunday mornings but today it was meant to be worsened with the news that, "I'm staying here with my family for the rest of my life." My father mentioned.

"What about your job?" I inquired. "Don't worry! I've left the job there and will be a full time- no wait half time Doctor and full time family man as my son has wished." He replied.

"Great! Congratulations." I returned back to my room, checking my phone which was full of random notifications.
Few from whatsapp and many from Instagram. I opened the app and was again stunned by Ronika's tactics.

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"I don't even know anything about her except her and her mother's name. What the hell is wrong with her?" I cried over the call with Manav.

"Shaant mere bhai shaant. We'll do something about it." Manav replied.
"Han par kab? Almost 1 hafta hone ko aya and yeh ladki pata nahi kya karne ki soch mein hai."

(Calm down bro.

It's been a week now and we still don't what is she planning to do.)

"Maybe I know why she is doing this." Manav interrupted. "Tujhe yaad hai last formative test? Aarohi scored the highest marks in her class and Ronika secured the 2nd position. And yeh chord humesha se yahi hota aya hai Aarohi 1st and Ronika 2nd. Kahin isi baat ka badla toh nahi?"

(Aarohi has always come 1st in class while Ronika secured the 2nd position or lower. Is she taking revenge for this?)

"Now thinking of it, you are right bro! And maybe Lady Hitler is also helping Ronika." I added, "Remember how well she was behaving with me yesterday?"
"Let's see what all we can do and I will also inform Yukti to beware." Manav said and hung up the call.

'Ek toh padhai ki chinta upar se papa ka shock jaisa surprise fir Ronika ka fake rumors and above all this Ms. Govind's absence. Main ton tutt gaya hoon.' I set my piano on the stand.

I sang as I knew my parents were out and I was home alone. Playing the tunes of 'Laila Laila' from AndhaDhun missing my Laila.

Oye Laila Laila Laila meri jaan
Kya hai tera naam
Dekhun main tujhko aankh moond ke

I took out one of her pic from her birthday where she was holding the cake.

Chhaila Chhaila karta hai salaam
Kya hai tera naam
Dekhun main tujhko aankh moond ke

I sang putting my phone on the table beside me.

Andhadhundh bechara bechara dil aaj se
Andhadhundh bechara bechara dil aaj se
Chal Monday raat se

I sang remembering how she left early from school on Monday and got upset because of my silly mistake.

Mere dil ke dil ke dil ke bhi dil mein hai tu
Haan mere dil ke dil ke dil ke bhi dil mein hai tu

I was rejoiced with her memories flooding inside my mind and my heart. Feeling somewhat stupid, childish and funny at one moment while mature, passionate and dedicated at another.

'For whatever the "timeline" I've known you, I have always wanted to know more about you. And always will; if possible, till the time stops.'

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked and enjoyed this chapter!

Did you like 'Missing hours with Akshit'?

Also, we know that the chapter was too small but wait till the drama enters the chat.

Keep on voting and commenting. And don't forget to take care of yourself and drink loads of water. Stay protected from this hot hot garmi.

With love
《Radhe Radhe》

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