Tanvi's POV:

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Sam was not answering the call. I had been trying to reach her for almost 15 minutes. I was ready for the big day, the farewell day of our seniors, but where was she?

We were requested to come faster than our usual time, and I was waiting for Sam's response, so that we can go together, but she was not answering the call.

I sighed as the call ended again. This was the 3rd time I was calling her and receiving no response. I finally decided to head towards the school. Thankfully, Dad would would be dropping me off to school.

Before leaving my room, I checked myself out in the mirror, whether I am looking good or not. Not bad! I wondered how I was going to carry this heavy Ghagra the whole time. It was my mistake to suggest that anchors will wear Ghagras, and now I was the one struggling with this.

I went out from my room and Mom peered at me and said, "You are looking very beautiful".

Wow! It has been a while since my mom praised me. I smiled at her comment and waited for Dad to come out of his room. Once he was in front of me, even he complimented me and we headed our journey.

On my way to my school, many of my friends already messaged me, asking me about my whereabouts. Amidst all those messages, I saw Sam's message saying she would be late. Stupid! she is always late.

Finally, I reached the school by 7:40. Scurrying to the conference room, I saw all my batchmates present there only. By the time I made my way into the room everyone were turning all around the room. Some are busy blowing air into the balloons, while others were sticking those balloons on walls and the stage. Some were hanging ribbons attached with cardboard pieces, cut out into shapes of different emojis, while some were busy rehearsing their dance movements. For a moment, it felt like a marriage function.

Hurrying towards my co-anchor, who was busy rearranging the papers in her hand at that time. I went near her and greeted before beginning to go over the last moment rechecking. In between, we cursed our teachers as well as the principal since they left everything on us and asked us to do everything. They only took the responsibility of lunch, that's it. 

I don't know how much time went by. I had given my phone to a member of dance committee as they needed it for playing some songs. I didn't even know what happened to Sam. Neither had she has arrived nor had her mother reached. Wonder what was taking her so long and why she hadn't enrolled in any event. Have to talk to her today.

By the time my co anchor and I decided to take a bit rest, a few seniors have already arrived. God! There was still time for the party, right? Why did they came so fast? I guess they wanted to leave this school as fast as they could and hence were too ebullient about the party. Then a few boys from our batch went out and asked them to wait for a while, and luckily, they listened to us and didn't bother us. But some teachers barged inside the room and ordered all of us to finish the pending work quickly. 

That's it, everyone donned their hyper active button and started working with utmost dedication. I, along with other co anchor and coordinators, went in too and helped the boys who were busy arranging the chairs and balloons. All this while, many boys flirted with other girls and me while the silent ones sang the praises for them. I only thought about how Rohan would react to me. Of course, he doesn't know what I look like, but he will see me today. Will he spare a glance at me? Let's see.

We were moving all around room without any tiredness. Before planning the event, we thought that this room would be spacious enough for us to decorate many things inside it, but now after arranging the chairs and the balloons, it felt like no space is left. Every corner was occupied. 

Suddenly, I saw a some girl is walking towards the stage so absent mindedly that she didn't even noticed the gifts that were kept beside the window.

"Hey!! Watch out." I shouted on her, but she did stumble upon them. I left my work and went near her. I asked her if she was ok. She apologized to me for and then helped me arrange the gifts in order carefully. The gifts box consisted of mugs on which the image of our school building was imprinted as a token of remembrance.

I started arranging them carefully, so that no piece will be damaged. At that time, my friend, whom I handed my to phone, came and told me that someone was calling me. I took the phone from her and saw it was Rohan. Did he reached the school? Due to the hectic work, I hadn't talked to him properly in the past two days. I wonder why he called.

"Hello" I said to him and waited for his reply but he remained silent. After a moment, he too, greeted feebly.

"Haa, Rohan, tell me," I said to him again but he wasn't talking at all. It seemed like he was unable to hear my voice. Doesn't his phone have signal? I thought and awaited. Soon my pal came to me with some work.

"Hello?" I said it a bit loudly so that he could listen to me if he was having any signal issues.

"Yes," He mumbled.

"Anything important? I'll call you later?" I was in a hurry and was checking the time while talking. It was already 9 and only 30 minutes were left. He said ok and I immediately disconnected the call. My friend bought time schedule for me to glance over when the principal and some teachers would give their speech and at what time we should be wrapping up the programme.

Finally, after ensuring everything was done perfectly, we invited our seniors inside. All of them started coming in and observed, decorations with much interest. Their expressions shows that they are pleased with everything, at least for now. Hope they will enjoy the full event.

After everyone settled down my co anchor and I went on the stage and invited them. When I came above the stage I searched for Rohan, and after looking all around for a moment, I noticed him in middle row, wearing double shaded sky blue-white shirt and he was looking so good in it and my gaze didn't waver from him. Suddenly, my friend nudged me and brought me back to reality. She said it's time to give the speech and she left the stage. 

"Good morning to respected Principal, Teachers, My batchmates and to the most important people of this event, our seniors. I, Tanvi along with my other friends heartily welcome you to this farewell party. Finally, the day has come where you have to leave your second home, and of course, you go in search of another one soon. All of you have been one of the most favourite batch to our teachers and principals in school, I paused as there was raucous cheering by the seniors,"and of course, that led all of us to envy you, perfect guys, still we never stopped loving you cause you were our role model. Well not only to us, but also to many upcoming batches, as our teachers will always boast about you guys. 

You have always guided us and helped us in our times of need and encouraged us numerous times. I would like to convey a special thanks to all of you for not ragging us ever, but would also like wish you luck in your future engineering and medical colleges from your future seniors (again cheering from seniors). Hope you will also get good seniors. 

Finally, I would like to congratulate all our seniors for a bright future and am sure all of you will reach to great heights in your lives. We all will miss you a lot and never forget this home of yours, cause this home will never forget anyone. Hope you will enjoy the event today and will cherish it for the rest of your life. Thankyou."

I immediately rushed to the backside of the stage. No matter how many times I give a speech, I always get scared after completing it and await for their reactions. Today, I must say the sound of their cheers are the loudest level of appreciation I ever heard. Task complete!

Soon, the events and speeches were followed one after the other. In between, suddenly, Rohan called me. I didn't answered the call and kept my phone aside but tried to look at him from backstage. He seemed to be enjoying the programme, but there was no phone in his hand. Maybe it was an accident I thought.

The function almost came to an end, but there was no sign of Sam. I tired calling her again, but she didn't answer the call. I had seen her mother in the function but not her. I wanted to go to aunty and ask her about Sam but didn't get the chance to go her since aunty was sitting with other teachers. 

When the function was over I immediately rushed to aunty as she was going to principal office.

"Ma'am." I shouted from behind so that she would stop and fortunately, she did.

I reached her and asked her why Sam didn't come to the function. She remained silent for a moment and from her face I could say something was wrong. She seemed angry. I wonder what's wrong.

"Do you know about the inter school tournament she is participating in?" she asked me in a serious tone. I pondered for a moment. Sam had said that she was participating in one which is to be held in January. After that, I didn't asked her much about it and even forgot about it, and now, within three days, Jan is coming to an end. So now, what is it about the competition?

I just nodded in agreement. 

"You could have stopped her right? Now she wants to go to that tournament for three days, that too before exams. What will happen to her exams?" she completed everything in one go, angrily and her words made me loose my chill.

"Are you even a teacher aunty?" She was shocked by my blunt response. However, I didn't care for her expression of hurt and continued, "Aunty, I consider teachers are the people who are able to see a child's talent and will encourage them, but what's wrong with you aunty? You never support your child. Even you know she is the best sportsperson in our school. If she contests in any competition, she is surely going to bag the gold medal, and here you are concerned about her exams?"

By the time I completed my monologue she was rooted to her place. I had never talked back to her ever, and now, I guess I crossed the line. 

"Aunty I am, sorry for saying all this, but she always feels sad when you don't support her passion. Even you now how good she is at sports and she is not a bad student either. She is good in studies too. Maybe for you, I am the best, but I am only good in studies and she is best in everything. Please aunty. Please understand her," I said.

She just remained calm and now I am scared as what her reaction will be. I waited there for a while along with her, but after a few minutes she went inside the office room and I decided to return back. I found our school P.T sir as I turned back. I guess he  had overheard our conversation. He smiled at me, and I smiled back and left the place.

I didn't want to stay any longer or maybe I was scared to face aunty now. So, I immediately left the school premises along with a friend who stays near my home. 

I felt relieved after I changed into a t-shirt and pajamas. These robes are the most comfortable clothes in the world. I ate some lunch and regretted missing the buffet in the school. 

Soon, I got dozed off after such an exhausting day.

So do you like the chapter, friends?

Hope it refreshed some of your farewell memories.

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