5 - Detention

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• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   7 - Two whole minutes

  Mayra's POV:As I step into the roaring class, my head buzzing with a hundred thoughts, I ask myself: Can my first day of Class 11 get any more eventful? Since it's an internal question, only I can answer it but I choose not to because I don't like being proven wrong and life's unpredictable. Instead, with a newfound vigilance and self-consolations, I await the pre-written future to act out itself(as Nani says– What's meant to happen will happen)After only two minutes into scribbling random chemistry formulae I can think of into a notepad, a classmate approaches me. Because of her knee-length hair that's left untied I recognise her to be same one I had initially approached before the disaster took place. She introduces herself as Tania and my brain instantly starts processing the various ways in which this conversation can end. I fumble with my thoughts but somehow end up spea

• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   6 - Far from done

  Tania's POV:This is not the first time I've found myself in such a situation. We've all been there and by 'we', I mean Ahaan, Aditya, Raina and me. Aadhya just doesn't hold with such nonsense.I'm not sure who among us started these pranks but if I'm to bet my money on someone—hypothetically, of course—it'd be Ahaan. He's perpetually been the unruly student; never bending to any norms, doing as he pleases. And often this intractable behavior of his has put him into trouble. Like today.Please understand this—our pranks are completely harmless. We may have annoyed a ton of people but never practically harmed any of them. It's all about fun. People watch the prank videos we post, have a laugh and forget about them in a while. And not many really go up and complaint about us. But there have been a few cases as mentioned before.As I stand leaning against t

• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   5 - Detention

  Mayra's POV: Mrs Dixit taps her knuckles on the polished surface of her office table. It is merely an attempt to bring Ahaan's attention to her. Ever since we have stepped into her office, he seems to be stabbing daggers into me through his unwavering gaze. I, on the other hand, look straight ahead at my teacher, pretending to be unaffected. And it's getting more difficult with each second.Her formidable gaze darts from him to me and I tense under her eyes. Her round fair face is coated with acne scars, beneath her upturned eyes is a manifestation of countless sleepless nights and there's barely any neck between her chin and shoulders. Her tiny lips are set in a frown. And yet, the dangerous gleam in her eyes is more than terrifying any of her other features.She clears her throat. "Ahaan, is it true?" She asks, holding up in her hand my cellphone. The screen flashes a pic

• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   4 - Grumpy Boy

  Tania's POV:Mr Murthy keeps blabbering constantly about Laws of Motion while I struggle to keep my eyes open. They drift close every two seconds and I pinch myself repeatedly to stay awake."If P is equal to zero, the block may slide downwards with an acceleration a," He mutters, pointing the ruler in his hand at a figure he has drawn over the while board.I lazily move the pen in my hand over the page, silently hoping Raina is taking notes. I'm not too worried though, since I know Ahaan will share his notes with me like he always does.Halfway through, my mind gives up and I sleep. He doesn't care anyways—half the class snores as he keeps gliding the chalk against the board, humming a song that drives everyone into a deep slumber.Suddenly, I'm shaken up by my bench-mate Raina. She whispers into my ear, "Wake up, the old man is asking questions."I stifle a

• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   3 - Slap!

  Mayra's POV:Sometimes I'm happy, sometimes I'm sad but mostly, I'm anxious. In the 16 years of my life, anxiety has been a constant foe, disallowing me to enjoy the simple joys of life. But what tops it is anger. I have a temper that even my mother hates, I don't like being talked to rudely and I clearly don't let that go unanswered."That's a nice way to say 'I don't know', you've wasted my precious time, girl-with-abnormally-large-eyes."Alright, I know I could've come up with a better reply but did I mention that my anxiety greatly influences my speech even when angry?But that's enough to make her angry. She raises a finger at me, gritting her teeth. But just when she's about to speak, I turn away and begin walking, not wanting to waste any more time.I look at my watch and realise there's only 10 minutes to eight AM. My footsteps pick up pace. I spot another group of students, freshers by the look

• Heartstrings (HIATUS)   2 - First Day

  Mayra's POV:Dawn breaks sooner than I like. My body's biological clock prevents me from sleeping further so I throw away the lazy thoughts and get ready for the first day of Grade Eleven—Junior Year. Correction– My first day. The others have been there for a week. I guess that explains my nervousness?I make my way down the staircase and into the dining room where the smell of parathas greet me along with the soft patter of raindrops against the glass windowpanes. I immediately understand what the latter means—a gloomy day and hence a gloomy me.I hate monsoons.Surprisingly, I find a familiar figure sitting on one of the chairs lazily feasting on one large paratha and scream in delight."Coffee!" I yell happily and embrace my elder sister in a back hug. She frowns at the nickname but then smiles."When did you return?" I ask, "I thought you weren't go