।। श्री:।।

As the early morning sun filtered through the dusty windows of the staff room, its light danced across the faces of the teachers seated inside. The tension in the room was thick, punctuated by the clatter of tea cups and the shuffle of papers. Gupta Sir’s voice rang out, booming with the weight of authority as he addressed Nishu Ma’am.

Gupta Sir (mocking, his eyebrows furrowed): "Are you really talking about that troublemaker, Prince? You have no idea how much of a nuisance that boy is! He doesn't study, nor does he let anyone else in the class study either."

His words dripped with disdain as he leaned forward, eyes narrowed, trying to impress his point on Nishu Ma’am.

Nishu Ma’am, seated gracefully on the other side of the room, listened quietly. Her calm demeanor remained unshaken despite Gupta Sir’s outburst. As she looked around the room, she noticed the disapproving glances of the other teachers. Their silence spoke louder than any words. She understood then that her words were falling on deaf ears.

With a soft sigh, she rose from her chair, her movements graceful yet firm. Without a word, she turned toward the door, her sari fluttering slightly in the breeze that crept in from the open window.

Gupta Sir (confused, a little softer): "Where are you going, Nishu? Don’t take it the wrong way. We know Prince better than anyone, that's why we're saying this."

He tried to sound reasonable, but his words barely masked the frustration that still lingered beneath.

Nishu Ma’am didn’t answer. She simply walked out, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hall. Gupta Sir, left behind, felt a flicker of irritation rise in his chest.

Gupta Sir (grumbling to himself): "Kids these days... no respect for their elders. Not even a proper response."

---

As Nishu Ma’am made her way to the prayer ground, the warm sun greeted her, casting long shadows across the school’s courtyard. Her steps were purposeful, though her mind was clouded with concern. She was looking for someone. She scanned the rows of students, neatly lined up for the morning assembly. But her eyes couldn’t find the one face she sought.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

After a few moments, her gaze fell upon the scene in front of the students—a boy, crouched in the humiliating murga position. The sight made her heart ache. She walked closer, and as she approached, she turned to a student standing nearby.

Nishu Ma’am (curious, softly): "Riya, what's going on here?"

Riya, one of the girls standing at attention, looked up at Nishu Ma’am with wide eyes. She glanced nervously toward Prince, then back at the teacher.

Riya (hesitant): "Ma’am, it’s just Prince. Gupta Sir punished him again, like he always does. But today... he made him do it during the prayer assembly. Normally, he just makes him clean the playground or the toilets, but I don't know why he’s so angry today."

Nishu Ma’am’s gaze softened as she looked at Prince, who was now the center of everyone’s cruel attention. He was hunched over, his arms wrapped around his knees, trying desperately to disappear. His face was hidden, but she could see the shame radiating from his tense posture.

Without another word, Nishu Ma’am walked toward him, her expression a mix of empathy and frustration. She reached his side, standing quietly next to him as the assembly continued. Prince, completely unaware of her presence, remained focused on hiding his face, too consumed by his embarrassment to notice the teacher beside him.

After a few moments, Nishu Ma’am spoke, her voice soft and gentle, barely above a whisper.

Nishu Ma’am (warmly): "I thought you weren’t coming to school today."

Her voice cut through the fog of humiliation clouding Prince’s mind. He froze for a moment, unsure if he had imagined it. Slowly, he lifted his head, the blood rushing to his cheeks as he realized Nishu Ma’am was standing right next to him. Her presence seemed to wash over him like a soothing breeze, and for a moment, everything else faded away. He could hear soft, calming music play in his mind, as if his own thoughts were weaving a fantasy in her presence.

Lost in the sudden calm, Prince didn’t respond. He just stared, trying to process that she was here, standing beside him during the most humiliating moment of his life.

Nishu Ma’am waited for a reply, but when Prince remained silent, she spoke again, this time with a playful note in her voice.

Nishu Ma’am (teasingly): "Hello? Earth to Prince? Is anyone home?"

Her words snapped him out of his daze. His heart raced, and in a flustered rush, he responded.

Prince (nervous, stammering): "Good morning, Nishu Ma’am."

He could feel his face burning with embarrassment, but there was something comforting about her presence. Even in the midst of his punishment, the sight of Nishu Ma’am seemed to make everything feel a little less awful. But as his thoughts wandered again, he couldn't help but reflect on who she was to him.

Prince (thinking to himself): “She’s only twenty, and she’s already my math teacher. Nishu Sharma... She’s Gupta Sir’s relative, and that alone makes me hate hearing his name. But still, she’s different. She’s only here for experience, but I’m glad she’s come to this school... even if it means enduring Gupta Sir.”

His thoughts drifted, and he found himself lost in the fantasy of what could have been a normal day. But Nishu Ma’am’s voice soon pulled him back.

Nishu Ma’am (amused, calling softly): "Prince? Where did you go this time? Are you daydreaming about someone?"

Her voice was light, playful, and it caught him off guard. He nearly toppled over in surprise but quickly steadied himself.

Prince (slightly annoyed, flustered): "Are you making fun of me, Nishu Ma’am?"

Nishu Ma’am smiled, trying to hide her laughter as she responded, her voice filled with warmth.

Nishu Ma’am (with a chuckle): "Me? Make fun of you? I would never."

Prince wanted to believe her, but the mischievous glint in her eyes told him otherwise. Before he could say anything more, their conversation was interrupted by the approaching figure of Gupta Sir. His sharp, authoritative footsteps echoed through the quiet of the prayer ground.

Both Prince and Nishu Ma’am fell silent as he neared. Gupta Sir’s stern face showed no sign of the smugness he carried earlier. He stopped right in front of them, his gaze fixed on Prince.

Gupta Sir (gruffly): "The prayer is about to end. You better be ready to complete your punishment."

Prince clenched his fists but said nothing. His heart sank again, knowing that even with Nishu Ma

’am beside him, there was no escaping what came next.

To be continued...