Ai's POV
I swear, I really didn't mean to see his face in Room No. 607, sitting on the last bench of the last row beside the windows!
Really!??? The Bookstore Guy!!??
Every moment from yesterday started rewinding itself on its own—the fall, the elbow...
Aghhh!?.!?..
He is sitting beside the window, slouched in his seat like he won it in some battle. The morning light made his black hair even messier, and he still has that bored expression on his face, just like yesterday.
To be honest, I really don't care about any guy or girl from yesterday or the day before. I'm just used to these things because I know my fate is not going to change. I don't know my everyday routine, but I'm used to it!
My life is filled with multiple types of chaos, and I'm used to it...
But this class... no words.
Everyone is getting maaaddd!!! All the students are screaming while chatting and talking about their nonsense! Drawing on desks! Someone's even beatboxing in the corner, making my ears pop like popcorn! Dress code??? Forget it! They don't even notice that I'm... I'm here!
"Ai, sit where you want," sir suggested.
I observed the whole class from corner to corner, paint to paint, desk to desk, and the result... Two seats are empty—and don't ask where.
One seat is located beside that Bookstore Boy, and the other just ahead of it, beside a nerd boy with his finger in his nose… and then he licked it. EWWW.
So it's simple. I decided to sit beside the Bookstore Guy. Even... even though I know him. The souls in this classroom are too new for me. All the students are enjoying their own world. So I simply walked toward the back of the class where the seat is located.
I first stared at the nerd boy, who's staring at me, and then walked toward the very last seat.
He looked up, and I thought he was going to stop me! Ask me why I'm here! Order me to sit somewhere else! But NOPE. Instead, he said…
"Be careful… what if the seat starts flying and you fall on me again?"
STUPID...
"Yah! Of course... This is normal in our m.a.g.i.c.a.l world." My sarcasm is at its peak for the first time! I said this while pulling the chair out and sitting down, placing my bag beside me.
He giggled and turned his face back toward the window. Time passed with no words. The teacher came and started teaching.
Maths. Of. Class. 11th.
Suddenly, a boy came in with lungs in his mouth. He literally kicked the door to come in. He asked our math teacher, "May I come in?" after coming in! Sir didn't reply, so yes, he moved toward me?! He started staring at me while standing in front of me.
"What?" I asked calmly with no expression.
He took a deep breath, looked at who sits beside me, and then sat beside the nerd boy ahead of me. And I... was totally confused.
Period over. The boy ahead of me turned around to stare at me again. Idiot.
"What?" I asked again.
He's still staring...
"SPEAK NOW!!!" I shouted this time. Idiot.
"You took my seat!!" he replied.
"You… You didn't have a mouth to speak?! I asked you what happened but you!!! Total BAKA!!" I shouted. That is my right.
"Haru, what is this?" he asked Haru…
Okay, so the boy who sits beside me is Haru. Okay… okay...
He just glared at him and then went back to his work.
"Exchange then. I don't want any type of cheap drama on my first day of school," I demanded. I want to punch that mop.
"No need…" he replied.
I... I have no words. He used to be angry 3.47 seconds ago, and now he's literally smiling.
BAKA!!! Yeah, he is.
"I'm Liam! Nice to meet you, young lady." He introduced himself to me—and started waiting for my response. Including the boy beside me, Haru.
"I'm… I'm Ai Hana. I used to live in India, but I'm Japanese." I replied...
He nodded like a professional.
"My turn…" Haru added and continued, "I'm Harun Rizvi Raj."
Okay… so he is Harun...
I also nodded like a professional...
If I talk about their personalities—well, they both belong to some old money power or are the sons of some king from somewhere in the world. They're both handsome, and I realized this when I saw all the girls in the room staring at me. Like they were going to mash me like a... potato?
Anyway, I somehow managed to live in this room till lunch break without any chaos. But but but... the two aliens forcefully dragged me to a prohibited place and I don't know why. I don't mean that they're going to take advantage of me—I know they both are good. I sense that feeling. But still, they're strangers because I don't know much about them.
The moment Liam opened the door to that prohibited room, I could smell the aroma of sandalwood! And the prohibited room is... a storeroom, I guess...
"Here we are…" Liam almost screamed… the sound started echoing. "Okay, so see Ai, this room is our second home. Nobody comes here usually. This place is abandoned, so it smells dirty. That's why we always burn sandalwood oil here for aroma and relaxation. If you're asking for food—yes, the cupboard in that corner is always filled with snacks."
"Understood?" Harun asked.
"Hmm!" I nodded. "But why are you telling me this?" I asked.
"Because…" Harun held my shoulders with his hands and I was shocked.
"You…" Liam added from beside Harun.
"Are…" Harun again.
"Also our friend from today!!!" they both announced in unison.
I don't know why but... this thing—this thing makes me feel special. I mean, I'm important… I'm special to someone. I just love this feeling...
I nodded.
Then they also nodded… and we moved toward our lunch. I brought onigiri today. The easiest dish in my point of view. I'm lazy, I know.
After lunch, somehow I managed to survive the rest of the school hours of my first day without any chaos. I'm happy...
Time to return home… it's about 3:15 p.m. I also need to pick up Aiko from her daycare. I need to hurry up. I have so many things to do.
And now I'm waiting for the bus at the bus stop. But I forgot—today there's a strike held by the bus drivers. Yeah, I came to school by bus, but at that time the strike hadn't started. The daycare is far from my school. Aiko's school bus directly drops her at her daycare instead of our home. Because she's only in kindergarten! After school, she stays there until I pick her up.
"Hey!!" Someone called me. I shifted my gaze to see who's calling.
It's Haru!! In a shining black car.
"Want me to give you a lift?"
I don't have any other option. I didn't bring much money, so I can't take a cab or anything. I need to pick up Aiko from her daycare. So yes, I agreed.
I nodded, stood up from where I was sitting. His driver opened the door of the backseat where Haru was sitting. I sat beside him.
"Where do you want to go?" he asked.
"Ruby Daycare in 46th Sector," I replied.
"Ruby Daycare... Do you do a part-time job there?" he asked again... Why?!?
"I want to pick up my little sister from there," I replied peacefully.
"You also have a younger sister?!"
"Do you have any issue?!"
"No, I mean... I'm surprised."
"Is there anything to be surprised about? It's a universal fact that I have a little sister named Aiko!"
"Ohhh—okay, okay. Ai has a sister name Aiko." He pretended to understand.
Baka...
The rest of the journey passed without any issue. In silence. Very peaceful.
"We've reached..." the driver announced.
"We'll wait for you... and your sister," Haru added.
"No need." I replied.
"Why?" He chuckled. Like... leave.
"My home is just there. Walking distance only," I explained.
"Ohh…"
"Thanks…" I paused. "For the ride." And gave a bow. I know that bowing is not a tradition in India, but still—it's my culture.
"Nah!!! No need to thank me. We're friends now, remember?" He paused. "But if you need, you can pay me back for this." He added.
"Okay… Bye." I smiled and turned toward the entrance.
Just as I entered—
"Nee-chan!!!!"
Agh… my ears! She came to me and hugged me like a plushie.
"How was your day, nee-chan?"
She asked about my day?! Instead of telling me about hers… Yup, she's my sister!!!
"That's good… I experienced different things. I'll tell you about my day but not here. Let's go home," I said with a cute smile.
She nodded...
After returning home, I first made dinner with Aiko-chan. She helped me so I wouldn't get bored. She's sitting on the kitchen slab, away from the gas stove. I'm telling her about my day, and she's telling me about hers.
She's so cute!!!!
Okay, I finished dinner, I finished laundry, I finished washing dishes, I helped Aiko with her homework, I finished my homework, and I finished everything.
Aiko is asleep, so I can resume my pending commission artwork. Without any disturbance, I sit in my chair and start working. I don't know why, but I love peace nowadays.
Peace…
Just then, my phone rang.
["Hello, am I speaking to Ai Hana?"]
"Yes, Ai Hana here. Who's this?"
["I'm Riya Jaiswal. Aashvi suggested you for graffiti. I have a project for you. I want a floral graffiti on boards for a Catholic wedding. There are four to five large boards. So, are you available?"]
Aashvi suggested me?? Of course! We're partners in graffiti and art. She's my very first friend here. If I'm not wrong, the Jaiswals are in the gold business. They're rich. And right now, I need money—for Aiko.
I paused for a moment and then agreed. Because if I accept this, there are many chances that graffiti or commission orders may increase.
"Yes, I'm available."
["That's good! Okay, then. You can start whenever you want. The wedding is on next Sunday. You have two weeks to complete this. I'll send you the address and further information before morning. Best of luck!"]
She hung up. I'm happy! She trusted me… I'm not a professional, but she trusted me! So I want to prove myself! I decided—I'll go there after school. Aiko wants to stay at her daycare a little longer for a few days.
I promise I'll thank Aashvi later... Once again, I resumed my commission artwork. I'm sleepy, but still—I want to complete this early. Because Tommorow is very important day for me!!!