Chapter 26

With furrowed eyebrows Sameera spoke

"Mayank? Why are you crying kid."

He was sitting hunched up with is knees pressing to his chest. Sameera noticed pages and colours lying around him. He lifted his head slightly, wondering whose voice it is. As soon as he saw her, his mood dampened more. After all she was a stranger.

"Go away."

He spoke and Sameera rolled her eyes.

"Old man I'll talk to you later."

She spoke on her phone, remembering she hasn't hung up yet. He replied with a simple okay. Shrithik was never the one to fuss. And he also heard that someone was crying.

She took cautious steps towards him and noticed that the pages held ruined drawings. She chuckled. So this was why he was crying. She remembered, that she also cried when she couldn't draw or do something.

She then quietly spoke, faking a sad voice

"Okay. If you want me to leave then I will. But I was really hoping that I could help. You know I draw well."

Saying this she started leaving.

"You can draw?"

She smiled to herself and turned around, nodding.

Mayank looked down. Hesitating a little he asked

"Will you....um...help me?"

"Of course little boy. Now tell me what do we have to do?"

Saying this she went towards him and wiped his tears. Mayank got up from the bed and picked up his iron man bag from the ground. He took out a page from it and handed it to Sameera.

"Activities:

Drawing- Water colour, pastel colour, sketching

English- Write an essay on earth

Maths- Complete the magic box

Computer- Create a presentation on powerpoint on the topic my family

EVS- Plant a tree and write about it with photos.

हिंदी- अनुशासन पर निबंध लिखें

(Hindi- Write an essay on discipline)"

Sameera looked up from the paper and asked

"You...have to do all this?"

Mayank nodded. His eyes once again started watering and his lips quivered

"Will you not help me?"

"Of course I will."

She sat on her knees so she could be on his eye level.

"But first tell me, why isn't your mum or dad or any other brother or sister helping?"

Mayank looked down.

"Mumma and papa had work so I didn't ask them. Jay Bhaiya went with papa. And Madhu did was also busy and she had mehndi on her hand. So I didn't ask anybody."

Sameera smiled softly at him. This kid was not as bad as she thought.

"Okay. Come on now. Tell me what should we do first."

Mayank's face lit up.

"We can start by drawing. We have to do only two of them."

Sameera nodded. Standing up she looked at the mess on the bed. Collecting all the ruined papers she dispersed them in the dustbin.

Mayank gave her all the colours and papers along with pencils and erasers.

She sat down on the ground with Mayank beside her.

"Mayank. I want you to bring something. Will you?"

He nodded. So she spoke.

"Bring a hair dryer, a cello tape and a small bowl of water."

He nodded and stood up. Halfway to the door he came back and spoke

"Hair dryer is in the second drawz of that dressing table."

Saying this he ran out of the room. Sameera followed his instructions and took out an insanely expensive looking hair dryer.

Looks like it's gonna be ruined!

Mayank came with all the things that Sameera asked for and sat down beside her. She took a piece of paper and covered the boundaries with the tape. Then drew some figures on it with a sharp tip wooden pencil. Mechanical pencils weren't her things.

Then she wet the paper from water and dropped small drops of paint. She made a drawing from wet on wet technique. Drying the paper from the dryer time to time.

She was more skilled at pastel drawings so it took a little less time to be completed, compared to the one with water colors.

It took exact two and a half hours for her to complete both the drawings perfectly. During this time she and Mayank talked and he even told her about his crush which was his English teacher.

"It's done. Look. How is it?"

She showed it to Mayank and he gasped.

"Wow! I'll get the highest grades from it."

(These images aren't owned by me. Credit goes to their respective owners)

Sameera gave her best in these paintings. Everyone knew that not a single kid was going to make these activities on their own. So why not make the best?

Mayank was gushing about the paintings and Sameera was matching his excitement level when the door to that room burst open.

Jay strided in but stopped as soon as he saw the mess on the floor. Water colors were lying with their cap open. Every single pastel colour was lying here and there. Tissu papers were also scattered. His expensive hair dryer was covered in pink colour with papers below it. And in the centre of this mess sat Sameera. Looking at him with those big black eyes. Both Sameera and Mayank looked genuinely scared that he was going to scold them.

Sameera looked at the serious face of Jay. Waiting for him to order her to get out. She didn't even know that this was his room. But instead of yelling or scolding he sat down on a knee and gently wiped a little line of blue colour of her face.

Sameera closed her eyes feeling the soft and gentle hand of Jay, wiping the colour out of her cheeks.

Shrithik's hands were rough.

Sameera snapped her eyes open at the thought of Shrithik. She looked in Jay's eyes as he brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She wanted to break the eye contact but it was like he had her pinned. She couldn't move.

Jay on the other hand felt the same. A whole zoo was dancing in his stomach. His hand aching to grip her tightly and kiss the day lights out of her. But he will not cross the boundaries.

Both of them broke their intense staring when Mayank's voice squealed

"Jay Bhaiya. Look at these drawings. Sameera Didi helped me. Look how beautiful these are. I'll definitely get the highest grades."

Jay nodded and looked at the paintings. They were actually beautiful. He turned his face to Sameera to find her looking at Mayank. She slowly turned her head and her breath hitched slightly. His face was close to her. Too close. She just had to lean on slightly and they'll kiss. She leaned back and looked on the floor.

"I didn't mean to make your room a mess. I'll clean it."

She said and Jay awkwardly laughed a little. That moment was intense for him also. And it looked like Sameera was not exactly comfortable.

"Your paintings were beautiful. And don't worry, I'll get on of the maids to clean it. You can just go and freshen up. Dinner is almost ready. Please call your friends also."

Sameera hesitantly asked

"Are you sure? I mean I can clean it."

"Yes. I am sure."

He turned to Mayank and said

"Mayank escort her to her room. And go show these paintings to everyone. They'll be very happy."

He stood up and pulled Sameera with him. Mayank nodded. He was beaming in joy.

Mayank took ahold of Sameera's hand and ran out of the room to Sameera's room. When they were outside the door of her room Mayank gestured her to come to his level. Sameera confusedly sat down and Mayank pecked her cheek. Her eyes widened and before she could do anything else he was running down the hallway.

Standing up she entered the room and groaned.

"These kids are so annoying. I really don't like them."

"You literally spent whole two hours with a kid. And no one asked you to. And then you say you you don't like kids. Who the hell will believe you?"

Shrishti said and Sameera slumped her shoulder.

"You people don't believe me. Nobody loves me!"

She whined and plopped down on the bed. Closing her eyes she sighed.

"Hey get up. Don't ruin the bedsheets. Do you know how much trouble I had just to make this bed properly? Get up."

"No. I'm sleepy. Let me sleep."

She said and buried her head in the pillow.

Shrithik's chest is a little more comfortable. Though it was not soft.

Sameera jerked up. Now where did he come from? Can't he stop raiding her mind for at least a day?

A knock was heard and Shrishti opened the door.

"Mam the dinner is ready. Jay sir has called you all in the dining room."

A butler said and Shrishti nodded. She's been starving.

"Come on. Let's go."

Saying this she snatched Maaya's phone out of her hand and pillow from under Sameera's head.

They both groaned.

"Come on. Let's go. I'm starving. And if you'll not stand up I swear to god I will drag both of you."

They both whined but eventually stood up and followed Shrishti. Never mess with a hungry woman.

In the way they met Pihu and all of them sighed from relief. They are still new to this house and hunger cannot make them go and sit in between strangers.

The dining room was huge. A huge 20 seater dining table sat in the middle with large amount of dishes served. The walls were covered with art structures and paintings from famous painters and artists.

"Hey dadi."

Pihu said and hugged the most senior Mrs.Singhal.

"Aww. My baby. You've grown so much. Are these yours friends?"

She asked and Pihu nodded.

"Don't shy away girls. Look how thin you are. Eat properly okay?"

Sameera grinned and nodded along with her friends.

She leaned towards Pihu and asked

"Where are Jay and Shivam? I literally haven't talked to them in two days."

Pihu snorted in a very unlady like manner, which actually took Shrishti by surprise and pointed at the direction of main door. Raj and Shivam both were coming from there.

When they reached their friends both of them stood on either side of Sameera. But let me tell you, it was their biggest mistake.

Immediately Sameera took a hold of both of their forearms and dragged them to the corner. Ignoring the looks from her friends who were asking her what the hell she was doing? Especially when everyone was watching.

"You smoked?"

She asked and Raj looked away while Shivam declined.

"No. Why will we?"

"Don't lie to me. You wanna die early. Tell me I'll slit your throats. Bastards."

She hissed venomously. She never hissed and when she did it was definitely a matter to worry about.

"It's not like that."

Raj said and she glared at him. Shuting him up.

"Don't you ever dare talk to me if you both can't quit smoking. And as per my knowledge you told me you quit it about two months ago?"

She glared draggers at Raj and he brushed his hair back.

"I was just freaked out. So many new people. You know how bad I am with them. I didn't want to seem rude."

Sameera nodded sternly and looked at Shivam for explanation.

"Umm....I was too?"

She raised her eyebrows at his question.

"You know Mrs.Shinghal? That lady has been asking me when I'll marry! Like, you know my age? I'm just 21 for God's sake. She's so creepy."

He shuddered and Sameera chuckled shaking her head.

"Whatever. Eat one or two basil leaves. You are reeking of cigarettes."

Saying this she left both of them to join the table. On which everyone was seated except those three and waiting for them.

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Important

I've noticed many people thinking that Indian teachers are not friendly but strict. Sure they are strict but they are friendly too. Like my teachers, they ate lunch with us students. Cracked jokes and also helped us. But when needed they were strict too. I request all of you to get that thought out of your mind that Indian teachers are not friendly.