Library, New Town School, morning

"You saw what he said?" Akansha frowned, putting aside the newspaper. "What does this Sanjay thinks of himself? Has he ever achieved such a high strike rate like Hardik in his entire career?"

The listener to whom she was talking to, gave no reaction. Everyone who knew Akansha closely, knew that the calm girl could be so passionate at times while it came to cricket. Especially, her favourite cricketer Hardik Pandya.

"I don't know how Manjarekar can say all these. You only tell, how unfair it's to make such comment on such an all-rounder?"

Akansha paused, sensing that she was almost talking to a lifeless chair. Beside her sat her classmate Dityaa Pandey, with no visible interest in her words. She was immersed in the new book that had arrived at the school library.

"Dityaa!" Akansha shook her friend. "Are you listening?"

"Hmm." Dityaa replied, turning the page.

"What hmm? I'm telling you something." Akansha nudged her again.

"I'm listening. Keep telling." Dityaa said without lifting her eyes from the book. Akansha shook her head. The ever-energetic, lively Dityaa could be such a meditating soul while reading books.

"I won't unless you close the book!" Akanksha demanded. "What are you reading with so much interest?"

"Amitabha Banerjee's new book." Dityaa finally looked up, grinning wide as if it was very funny for her.

"That famous author who did turn Mahabharat upside down? And you're enjoying his book so much that ignoring me?" Akansha glared at her bestie.

"I love enjoying good jokes, Akku." Dityaa said, adjusting her specs. "This is an excellent supply of humour." Her eyes sparkled. "Wanna try?"

"No thanks!" Akanksha denied. "You read and laugh. I don't want to spoil my mood."

"Keep quiet, girls!" The librarian rebuked for breaking the silence.

"Sorry Ma'am." Akansha apologised and went back to solve the newspaper's crossword puzzle. Dityaa went back to the book. Silence of library followed for ten more minutes until some chorus was heard in the corridor.

"Did you hear? Deepika Ma'am is leaving the school." A sharp voice said, probably someone from a lower class who waited outside.

Both Akanksha and Dityaa sprung from their chairs, together.

Did they hear it correct? Both closed their works and made an alert ear to the corridor.

"Yes I know." Replied someone else. "Day after tomorrow is her farewell. We're preparing for the function, too."

So preparation of her farewell was also going on? That meant, it had been long enough that everyone knew the news?

Akanksha felt hurt for a moment. Entire school knew this and she did not? Why didn't her favourite teacher let her know that she was leaving?

"We need to meet Ma'am once." Dityaa whispered.

Both exchanged glance and nodded. Seeking permission from the librarian, they went out as soon as they could.

***

Teachers' room

"Mood off?"

Deepika looked up from her laptop screen. Nandita sat beside her with a cup of coffee.

"Wanna have a cup?" She offered.

Deepika shook her head. "Not feeling like." The frown on her face deepened as she kept on typing faster.

Nandita took a look at the screen. Deepika was preparing the draft for a lecture.

"You have seminar?" She asked, taking a sip.

"Yes. This weekend. About Mahabharat." Deepika replied in short without stopping.

"Then why do you look so disturbed?" Nandita observed her closely. "You love to work on Mahabharat the most, don't you?"

Deepika heaved a sigh.

"I do, Nandu Di. And that's why I feel disturbed. You know where I have been invited to talk? It's a seminar where all anti-Mahabharat people will also be present."

"I see. That author of the newly released novel, right?"

"No. Not he. He's a celebrity and it's not so easy to get his appointment. But the others are there. Those ones who call themselves independent researchers but their talks show that they never read the epic fully."

Nandita listened patiently. She was well aware of her friend's pain.

"I feel so low while talking to them." Deepika bit her lips. "They corner me, talk without proofs, and don't even accept that they are wrong. Even after I show them."

"But at the end of everything, you only win, don't you?" Nandita's lips held a kind smile.

"Not always, Di. Winning is hard when others don't even bother to value your opinion. And now, with this new book on the market, it's even harder."

"You know why, Deepu? Creativity always has more impact on audiance rather than dry presentation of facts."

Deepika stared at Nandita. "Meaning?"

"I know you are an extremely knowledgeable scholar and a good writer too. But research articles are dry. They cannot make impact on readers as novels." Nandita smiled knowingly.

"Maybe." Deepika nodded, staring blankly at her unfinished draft. "Maybe this is why Dr. Banerjee is so successful but I am not."

"He doesn't have even half of your knowledge, Deepu. But still he wins the battle with his creativity. If you want to win, learn his technique first." Nandita suggested. "Learn how to write novel."

"Novel? You mean fiction?" Deepika rolled her eyes. "That's not my thing, Di. You know, I am a stubborn worshiper of truth!"

"Can I ever tell you to write lies, little sister? Write the truth only. But just change the pattern. Show the world that fiction can also be true, like your research papers are." Nandita encouraged.

"Can I?" Deepika's brow arched.

"You can. Trust me." Nandita said with emphasis. "Even your Kamalesh Da believes that you can."

"I need time, Nandu Di."

"It is time, Deepu. You just need to overcome your self-doubt."

Deepika could not reply.

"You may refuse me today. But mark my words, Dr. Deepika Roy, one day someone will come who will make you write. Someone whom you cannot refuse." Nandita's lips curved into a mysterious smile. "And that day you won't doubt yourself anymore!"

Nandita rose to throw off the empty cup. Deepika kept watching her with surprise.

Why does she sometimes sound like she knows everything of her future?

***

Akanksha hurried through the corridor, her eyes getting moist despite of her efforts to suppress it.

Only she knows what Deepika Ma'am is to her!

Being extremely handsome, Priyanshu Chowdhury was the crush of every single girl of this school. When Priyanshu rejected all high school beauties and fell for her, Akansha did have a hard time facing constant rivalry from the heartbroken girls. At that time only Deepika had guarded her, saved her from all the problems. She had her back like not a teacher but an elder sister, almost like a mother.

What will happen to her after Deepika leaves?

"Ma'am!"

Deepika paused in her steps, seeing Akansha. "Yes?"

"Is this true? You are leaving our school?"

Deepika sighed. She knew this girl would come to her.

"I'm leaving the school only, child. Not leaving you." She patted her student's head. Ditya had reached by then and stood beside Akansha.

"Ma'am, to which school you are going?" Dityaa blinked. "We too will take admission there."

Deepika chuckled. This girl, though too intelligent, sometimes chose to be as childish as she could be.

"Not a school. I'm going to a college. And you two still have months left to get admitted in any college."

Both girls stood queit. Akanksha's eyes welled up again. Deepika noticed that and drew her close.

"Don't cry, Akansha. I shall keep contact with you. You can call me for any problem."

"And me?" Dityaa pouted.

Deepika laughed to herself. She didn't know why these two girls always reminded her of the Chowdhury twins. The similar contrast was there in their natures too. Despite being in love with Priyanshu, Akanksha was calm and introvert, much like his twin. While Dityaa was livelier and naughtier like Priyanshu.

As if they balanced each other!

"You too." The teacher said. "Study well, and succeed in life. All the best for your future."

Deepika slowly walked away to reach her class. Akansha decided in a while and turned to Dityaa.

"We have to do something for Ma'am's farewell, Dityaa." She said.

"Hmm. Any idea what to do?"

"I have decided mine already." Akansha smiled, remembering something that Deepika had told her long ago.

Time has come that she needs to fulfill that wish of her teacher now!
_________________________________________

Author's note: I'm not a cricket person. _justloveharry_33 has helped me with the cricket part of this chapter. This cricket bit is an old one, though. Since now the said persons may not be in the same position. My request to all cricket fan readers is to just see this as a part of fiction and not present reality.

So how was the chapter? Did you like it?

What do you think Nandita is hinting about?

What will Akansha do on Deepika's farewell?

And, do you want to see Deepika's seminar with the opposing scholars? On which topic of MB? Let me know.

Please vote and comment if you liked.