Khyati

Surprisingly, our class teacher was present that day. Even though it's been around two weeks since school reopened, she had been on leave for half of that time. She wasn't terrible at teaching, but she was not great either. The class loved her mainly because she was pretty, and the guys fawned over her every day, complimenting her saree and her hair. It would be sweet and cute if a kindergarten student did this, but high schoolers staring at her all the time was simply gross. The guys in that class were unbearable.

"I heard Rashmi is also in this class. She might be coming today." Vaishnavi said as she pointed towards Vishnu. He looked like the caricature of a tall person, short torso and disproportionately long legs. It was obvious to everyone that Vishnu and Rashmi had been in a relationship since 8th grade. Vishnu was my benchmate in 5th grade, but I hadn't really talked to him after that. From what I remember, he was a pain in the ass.

"Hmm, and Vishnu is in this class too. Is that why you're telling me?" I asked.

"Yes, of course. I'll befriend Rashmi so I can score an invite and get free food at her wedding." Vaishnavi replied with a mischievous grin. I couldn't help but laugh. I had known Vaishnavi since 8th grade, she was definitely the most hyper-excited extrovert I had ever seen.

The final bell was about to ring, signaling the start of the prayer. Rashmi entered the class, wearing black-framed glasses. Her eyes sparkled when she saw Vishnu in the same class. She stood at the back for a while without saying a word.

"Rashmi, sit anywhere you like because I'm going to change the seating arrangements soon anyway," said the teacher in a very sweet voice, "Just remember to be quiet." She smiled.

"Of course, she knows all the toppers. We've been in this class for weeks, but she still doesn't know our names." Sana said to me, not hiding her annoyance towards Rashmi.

"Can I please sit here?" Rashmi asked Sana, as there were only two people sitting on her bench.

"No. I mean- well okay, but just for a day" she said hesitantly.

I introduced myself to Rashmi. She gave a warm smile and introduced herself too.

"Is the teacher hot-headed? I nearly died in my previous class" she said.

"Yes, a little, I'd say. I've seen her angry just twice, but she wasn't really angry for the wrong reasons. The guys here are pretty annoying." I responded.

"Oh. Well, not every guy, Khyati." she said while writing a note for Vishnu, which the entire class passed all the way to him. God, was this a rom-com going on? I was disgusted. I was also disgusted whenever Isha talked about her ex. I always believed I was asexual and aromantic, or maybe I was just jealous of people in love. I still wasn't not sure.

The prayer began, and as I heard Akansha Didi's voice, I suddenly remembered that the elections were supposed to be held sometime this week or next week.

As the prayer ended, my curiosity took over, and I asked Rashmi and Sana if they were participating in the elections.

"No, probably not. It's a waste of time. I want to focus only on studies this year." Sana exclaimed.

"I don't really want to. Besides, I don't like public speaking." Rashmi added, "Are you going to participate, Khyati?"

"Yes, I will. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I don't want to have any regrets this year. Even if I don't win, I just want to give it a try. I think you should too. afterall You only live once" I didn't participate in anything in 8th grade just because I was afraid, and I regretted that a lot. This time, I don't want to have any regrets.

"You're right, but what's the point of participating if we know Shristi is going to win anyway?" Sana added.

Shristi?.. Oh yes, Isha's benchmate.

"Why would she win?" Rashmi sounded quite annoyed.

"Well, you know, everyone knew from 8th grade that the Head Boy would be Shivansh and the Head Girl would be Shristi. It's not just because of the rumors about them but because we just know they're going to win" Sana explained as if it was common knowledge.

"Why? Will his best friend not participate in the election?" I asked.

"Oh, Aaryan? He couldn't give a seminar in front of our class in 8th grade, and he'll give a speech? No way" Sana replied.

"Children, those who wish to participate in the election, please stand" Nalini teacher said. I was shocked because I didn't expect it to happen right after we talked about it. I stood up without hesitation and looked around to see that no other girls were standing. The guys were busy convincing Aaryan to take part in the election. Jahnvi stood up among the girls, and everyone laughed. Why? Last time, Guru Bhaiya became the Head Boy despite not being studious.

"Jahnvi, only people who got A+ or A can participate" Nalini teacher clarified.

"Well then, I guess my vote will go to you now, Khyati" she said, smiling.

I smiled back at her.

"So, no one else from the girls? I need one more participant" the teacher said.

Just as I thought no one else would stand up, Rashmi and another girl named Riya stood up. I had never directly talked to Riya, but I had a few conversations with her because she was a friend of vaishnavi.

"I don't want any regrets either Sana" rashmi said smiling.
Sana on the other hand felt betrayed, as if we left her on an abandoned island to starve to death.

"Well, now we have three candidates but we need two. Among you three, who got A+?" Nalini teacher asked. Rashmi stepped aside.

"Okay, and Khyati?" Nalini teacher continued.

"Teacher, I got an A" I replied.

"And Riya?" she asked.

"E" Riya said.

"Well, Riya, you can take your seat" Nalini teacher said.

I thought she got an A too. Maybe she was embarrassed to say it before.

"You two can go to Shivansh and tell him to write your names. I'll send the boys too" the teacher instructed.

As we headed out, I noticed Isha talking to Shivansh. He sure as hell had got some guts given his bloody walnut-sized height.

Isha and I had just started chatting when Shivansh kept interrupting, bombarding Isha with random questions. I couldn't understand why all the teachers seemed to favor him so much.

Suddenly, I noticed some loud noises coming from Section B. "Well, it's Section B, that's quite normal there" I thought to myself.

As I peered inside, I saw Ashwini and Shristi. God, this girl might even haunt my dreams next– or worse, turn them into nightmares. I had no reason to dislike her, and I didn't, but I wasn't too sure about her. My gut feeling is usually right but at that time I sincerely hoped it was wrong because she was Isha's classmate after all.

Shristi came out of the class after that and a few other boys too.

The students assembled in not-so-straight lines. Well, Isha was right there so maybe that was to be expected. Perhaps she was bluetoothing her gayness to all the students to celebrate Pride Month.

"So, children, today is Wednesday, and on Friday you have elections. Prepare a speech, and I don't need to tell all of you this, but at least iron your uniforms. Since tomorrow is a holiday, make use of it and practice." Kamala teacher croaked in her supposedly-best-wannabe-well respected-teacher impression. Sadly, her 25 years of torturing and traumatising students earned her fear as opposed to respect.

Much to my disdain, she was my physics teacher for the year. She ruled with an iron fist, I still wonder if her favourite book in the library was 'Mein Kamph'. Isha loves making Hitler jokes, and Mussoorie something, I have no idea. Kamala teacher's strictness was known throughout the school. She demanded perfection, and her stern demeanor struck fear into the hearts of even the bravest students.

We returned to our class, and immediately everyone began bombarding us with questions. They assumed the Head Boy and Head Girl had already been selected. I could feel the bomb in my head ticking which was about to detonate.

The voice in my head questioned: Was participating and taking this risk the right thing to do?

Of course it was, it's better than living with regret.