Chapter Two

An hour later, Mayra found herself standing in front of the massive mirror of the girls' bathroom, groaning and stomping her feet on the ground every few seconds in frustration as she tried to clean her hair off the milkshake. 

Thankfully, she since was wearing a jacket, her t-shirt wasn't spoilt. Carefully, she cleaned the few drops that had dripped off her hair and fell on her jeans. The dustbin beside which was practically empty when she entered earlier was now filled with tissues. 

It was impossible to go back to her house, change and come back. She had to take the city bus and it would take two hours. And it would be useless since there were only four lectures that day. She would miss every single one of them.

And she wanted to look presentable in the class but milkshake-dyed hair was not even pre. 

With a quick glance at her watch, she registered that the first lecture would go on for only ten more minutes. 

Physics. It was her favourite subject and she had prepared ardently for the first lesson. But all was in vain because of that stupid guy! 

What was his name, again? Samarth. Yes. 

There was no way she was going to let this go unpunished. She had done her part; it was time to take it to the higher authorities. 

After ascertaining that she had done her best to clean up, with a determined look in the mirror she left for the office looking for the Head of Department. 

_____________

The first lecture was over and all through it, Samarth had scoffed with his palm stuck to his cheek. Reanna was sure he hadn't paid attention during the lesson. Why? He hadn't answered Mr Murthy's question for the first time ever. 

Everyone in the class had shared Reanna's shock. They had expected an answer to a simple question like that from the smartest person in the class. 

"What's the matter with him?" She turned behind and asked her circle of friends. Most of them shrugged, unaware of the truth themselves. 

"We're as clueless as you are, Reanna," Tania stated with a frown. 

Reanna rolled her eyes. She despised Tania profoundly because a part of her was well aware that even if she knew the reason, she wouldn't share it with her of all people. Her hatred was reciprocated by Tania. Gladly. 

She looked for answers at Raina but she seemed too busy imparting details of her latest voyage to a disinterested Aadhya. Aditya, Aadhya's twin, on the other hand, was surrounded by girls, flirting with the whole lot of them. She even found the faces of some seniors. She sighed, knowing well it was one of his many attempts at finding 'the one'.

Over the commotion of the class, she asked Samarth again, "Are you not going to tell me what happened? Who ruffled your feathers?" She began giggling, knowing well it would push him to the edge. 

With a palm still pressed to his throbbing cheek, he turned and glared at Reanna. She never knew when to shut up but right then as she took in this expression of him, a shiver ran down her spine, shutting her up. 

Ruffled his feathers? Nah. She had ruffled his life. The new girl. 

No one ever slapped Samarth Singhania and got away with it. He had subconsciously started planning a revenge plan. He didn't know her weakness yet but she was his classmate and the two would clash again soon. 

"Why do you care?" He asked through gritted teeth. She had slapped him hard. It was impossible to speak a single word without feeling his cheek muscles tearing up but he did it anyway. 

She laughed hysterically. What kind of a question was that supposed to be? Her lips pouted as she locked her arm with his, "We've been dating for four years now. If I don't care about you, who will?" She batted her eyelashes and her doe eyes held his green captive. 

He bit his bottom lip, his arm tightening around hers. "Then tell me what you were doing with that college guy in the canteen yesterday?" His voice came out much softer than he intended on making it. He looked away, not wanting her to notice how much it affected him but the pain was pretty evident in his voice. 

She held his chin and turned his face to her. "I didn't know you had a heart and me, the ability to break it." She grinned and continued, "You can't deny that you've been with other girls too." Her tone was coated with sugar but it hit him like a bitter truth, which it was. "But in the end, the whole world knows, it's going to be you and me. Samarth and Reanna. Always." She finished and placed a light kiss on the back of his hand-- entwined with hers. 

Before he could give a reply, the class fell suddenly silent. Tearing his gaze off his girlfriend, he looked in front, where everyone's gaze was settled. 

He took in the plump figure of Mrs Dixit, their Chemistry teacher who also happened to be the Head of Science Department. Everyone was looking at her but she? She was staring right back at Samarth. Her arms were folded in what one could say was an expression between disappointed and irritated. Behind her was the petite frame of the girl who had painted his cheek red in the corridor. 

"Samarth Singhania, report to my office. Now." She ordered and scrambled out of the room. 

Mayra was staring at him too, her lips curved into a satisfied grin. 

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Mrs Dixit tapped her knuckles on the polished surface of her table. It was merely an attempt to bring Samarth's attention to her. Ever since the lot had stepped into her office, he seemed to be stabbing daggers into Mayra through his gaze. Mayra, on the other hand, looked straight ahead at her teacher, pretending to be unaffected. 

She cleared her throat, "Samarth, is it true?" She was holding in her hand Mayra's cellphone. The screen flashed a picture-- Mayra's picture. She had taken it before cleaning her hair which was drenched in chocolate and milk. It was proof of the prank he'd played on her. 

Turning his head slowly but dangerously to her, he parted his lips and the word escaped, "Yes." There was pride in his voice. 

"Who else was involved?"

"No one. It was only me."

Huh? Why would he lie and take the blame all on himself? 

There was another guy involved. The one who had recorded the video. 

Mrs Dixit sighed, rubbing her temples gently. "This kind of behaviour isn't tolerated in St. Theresa High school. Playing pranks on students isn't allowed."

"It was a harmless prank," He argued. 

Mrs Dixit's eyes flickered to Mayra for a second. She stood with a good posture clasping her hands together. Her face expression neutral.

She shifted her gaze back to Samarth. His arms were folded in front of his chest. His face depicted impatience and anger. 

"It wasn't harmless. Her hair was a mess." She thrust the cellphone forward showing him her picture. 

He rolled his eyes. 

"It took her an hour to clean it up. Her jacket was spoiled too. And..." Mrs Dixit thought of more but couldn't think of anything. Surely wasting a good, tasty milkshake was a reason to be scolded for? 

"Ma'am, I missed the first lecture and it's my first day here." Mayra prompted, unable to resist. 

"Yes. Exactly." She nodded her head sternly. She didn't agree it did Mayra any harm. Mr Murthy was barely a good teacher. 

She shook the thought away and focussed on him, trying but failing to put a firm face, "I've excused too many of your mischiefs. This, however, is too much and shouldn't go unpunished." She rested her elbows on the table and offered, "But, if you apologize... "

No. Mayra didn't approve. He could take his apology and shove it up his ass. She wanted to see him punished. 

"I'm not sorry for what I did." He interrupted her. "I don't feel any remorse." He confessed honestly. 

Mrs Dixit shook her head in disbelief. His skull was too thick. "Too bad, Samarth Singhania. You've just brought yourself a month of d-" 

"Wait." He said, "Aren't you going to ask me what she did?" 

Mrs Dixit knitted her eyebrows together, "What do you mean?"

"You didn't tell her? Maanya, right? Go on, tell her what you did." Sumedh jerked his head. 

No. Of course, she knew he was going to bring this up. It had happened in the heat of the moment but she knew there would be repercussions. 

"Ma'am, I- I was angry." She began with a frail voice. "I didn't mean to do it and I thoroughly regret my action. I'm sorry for doing it."

"What is 'it'?"

He knew she would take forever to confess it and by that time Mrs. Dixit would be convinced it was a mistake and not a crime. 

"She slapped me." He snapped and strutted closer, turning his face so she could have a better look at his swollen cheek imprinted with Mayra's hand. 

Her eyes widened with shock, "Violence isn't tolerated! How could you slap him?"

"Ma'am, I'm-"

"What she's done is worse because my cheek hurts. And I couldn't pay attention to Mr Murthy because of the throbbing pain." He confessed and a corner of his lips tilted upward, satisfied at Mayra's helpless expression. It looked as if she would cry any moment. 

"At least she's sorry for her mistake." Mrs Dixit concluded. 

There was that word. Mistake. He hated it. Just because someone repented their crime, did it make them any less of a criminal? His cheek still pained. But he knew it would feel fine in some time. His ego, however, was injured beyond repair. 

"But, you will make up for it by serving detention for a month, Ms Ahuja," She said and his face broke into a wide grin but it vanished too soon as she continued, "Both of you in detention. A month. Starting tomorrow. With me." She sealed it with a winning smile and asked him to leave. She muttered something about documents and requested, yes requested Mayra to stay. 

He groaned in frustration and punched the air with his fist in dismay. What's worse, a harmless prank or a slap on the face? Everyone knew the answer. But yes, she was a girl and she was sorry!

Injustice. 

As he padded towards the classroom again for the second lecture, a mischievous smile spread across his lips. If there was anyone who could bring justice, it was he himself. He had just spotted her weak spot. And he couldn't wait to exploit it.