Chapter 6: chapter 6

Chapter 6The morning sun poured into Janki High School, casting a warm glow on the bustling hallways filled with students. Sourabh strolled through the corridors, the excitement of the science fair still fresh in his mind. His friends, Ravi, Anjali, and Neeraj, were gathered near their lockers, animatedly discussing the results from the previous day.“First place! I can’t believe you guys actually pulled it off!” Ravi exclaimed, clapping Sourabh on the back. “You’re officially a science superstar!”“Yeah, man! You need to let us in on your secrets,” Neeraj teased, winking. “What’s your next big project? Defying gravity?”Sourabh laughed, his heart still swelling with pride. “Honestly, it was all Nitya ma'am’s guidance. I just followed her lead.”Anjali nodded, her eyes sparkling with admiration. “She really knows how to inspire her students. You should celebrate with her!”As the conversation flowed, Sourabh felt a twinge of emptiness at the mention of Nitya ma'am. Ever since the science fair, he had been looking forward to discussing their win with her. But as the day unfolded, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.During lunch, Sourabh sat with his friends at their usual table, but his mind wandered. “Hey, has anyone seen Nitya ma'am lately?” he asked, glancing around the cafeteria.Ravi shrugged. “Not since the fair. I heard she was feeling under the weather.”“What do you mean?” Sourabh’s heart sank. “Is she really sick?”“I think so. Some of the seniors mentioned she was out yesterday. They said she looked pretty exhausted,” Anjali chimed in, her brow furrowing in concern.“Wow, I hope it’s nothing serious,” Sourabh replied, feeling an unexpected weight settle in his chest. “She’s been working so hard for us.”Neeraj reached for his tray, trying to lighten the mood. “Well, how about we plan a visit? Maybe bring her some of those cookies from the bakery down the street?”“Great idea!” Ravi said, his eyes brightening. “Nothing like a little sugar to help someone feel better. We could cheer her up!”Sourabh felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. He wanted to see Nitya ma'am, to check on her and offer support. But would it be crossing a line? The thought of stepping into her personal space was daunting, yet the idea of her feeling alone was harder to bear.After lunch, the friends dispersed to their respective classes, and Sourabh found himself counting down the minutes until the final bell. As he sat in physics class, he struggled to concentrate on the lesson. His mind kept wandering back to Nitya ma'am and her absence.When the final bell rang, he wasted no time. “Hey, guys! Let’s go get those cookies and head over to her place!” he suggested, his determination building.“Count me in,” Ravi said, clapping his hands together. “I’ll bring the drinks!”Anjali nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll grab a card to write her a little note!”Neeraj chuckled. “Looks like we’re on a mission. Let’s do this!”They quickly made their way to the bakery, excitement buzzing in the air. Sourabh couldn’t help but feel a sense of purpose. It was time to show Nitya ma'am that they cared about her as much as she cared about them.After picking up an assortment of cookies and drinks, they headed towards her house. As they walked, Sourabh’s mind raced with thoughts of what to say. He hoped she would appreciate their gesture, and maybe, just maybe, it would lighten her spirits.As they approached her home, Sourabh felt a nervous flutter in his stomach. “What if she’s really sick?” he mused aloud. “What if we’re intruding?”“Relax, Sourabh. It’s just a friendly visit,” Ravi reassured him. “She’ll be happy to see you.”They reached the front door, and Sourabh hesitated for a moment, the weight of uncertainty pressing down on him. “Okay, here goes nothing,” he said, raising his hand to knock.The door creaked open, revealing Nitya ma'am’s younger brother, Aayush. He looked surprised but quickly composed himself. “Hey, guys! What brings you here?”“We wanted to see how Nitya ma'am is doing,” Sourabh replied, glancing around anxiously. “We brought some cookies and drinks.”Aayush’s expression softened. “That’s really nice of you. She’s been resting. Come on in; I’ll get her.”As they entered the living room, Sourabh felt a wave of apprehension wash over him. He glanced around, noting the cozy decor and the faint scent of eucalyptus lingering in the air. It felt strange to be in her personal space, and he hoped he wouldn’t overstep.Aayush disappeared down the hallway, and moments later, he returned with Nitya ma'am. She looked pale and tired, her hair pulled back loosely, and her eyes slightly red. Despite her obvious fatigue, her expression brightened upon seeing her students.“Oh, what a lovely surprise!” she exclaimed, her voice warm despite its weariness. “You all didn’t have to come!”Sourabh stepped forward, holding out the cookies. “We wanted to check on you and bring you something to cheer you up.”Nitya ma'am’s smile widened, and she accepted the cookies gratefully. “This is so thoughtful. Thank you, everyone.”As they settled into the living room, Sourabh couldn’t help but notice how tired she looked. He wanted to ask if she was okay, but the concern in his chest made it hard to find the right words.“Are you feeling alright?” Anjali asked, her tone gentle. “We heard you’ve been unwell.”Nitya ma'am sighed, her gaze dropping to the cookies. “Just a cold, really. It’s nothing serious. I’ve been working too hard, I suppose.”Sourabh felt a pang of guilt. “You should take it easy, Nitya ma'am. You’ve done so much for us, and we want you to feel better.”She looked at him, her eyes softening. “Thank you, Sourabh. I promise I will. It’s just been a hectic few weeks.”They spent some time chatting, sharing stories and laughter, but Sourabh couldn’t shake the worry that lingered in the back of his mind. Even as Nitya ma'am smiled and engaged with them, he noticed her energy waning, her laughter fading into soft coughs.“Maybe you should rest, Nitya ma'am,” he suggested after a while, concern etched on his face. “We can come back another time.”She shook her head, her expression warm but tired. “I appreciate you all being here. Just having you here brightens my day, but I think I need to lie down for a bit.”As they said their goodbyes, Sourabh couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. He wished he could do more, but he understood that sometimes all you could offer was support and friendship.As they stepped outside, Sourabh felt a mix of relief and concern. They had brought a smile to Nitya ma'am’s face, but he also realized how much he worried about her.“Do you think she’ll be okay?” he asked his friends, the weight of the situation settling heavily on his shoulders.“Of course! She just needs some time to rest,” Ravi replied, trying to reassure him.“But what if it’s more than just a cold?” Sourabh pressed, anxiety creeping into his voice.Anjali placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “She’ll bounce back. Teachers are tough! And we’ll check in on her again soon.”As they walked back to school, Sourabh couldn’t shake his worries. The image of Nitya ma'am’s tired face lingered in his mind, and he felt a strong desire to be there for her. He just hoped she would be back to her vibrant self soon, as he had come to realize how much he cherished her presence in his life.