Year 124 (Second Paradigm)

State: Dhilli (Central States)

Solake Public School

"Yes, come in please." The counsellor speaks in an extremely professional manner.

Atharv drifts the already opened door and enters an empty classroom, with just two counsellors sitting in the middle of the room. The door is in front of them, slightly angled to their adjacent right. Atharv walks in with a bundle of papers in hand and keeps them on their table as he again positions himself in front of them. Alternating his gaze between his feet and their faces.

The counsellors go through the bundle of papers but appear to be seemingly uninterested.

"There hasn't been much change in your 'Sustenance report' since your last session." The counsellor remarks.

[A 'Sustenance report' is a monthly profiling session students have to go through in school. Students in their senior or final year of school need to pick a career path based on which they are then guided by the institution.]

"There hasn't been much to add." Meeting the gazes of the counsellor Artharv speaks in an extremely polite manner.

"What about your career path? You still haven't chosen one." The Counsellor adds, still going through the papers.

"I'm not sure of anything in particular now."

"Some other kids in your batch also aren't sure. We understand that but you have to give us something to work on. The other kids, since they're not sure, have put down multiple prospects but you're the only kid who hasn't put anything."

"Yes, I will put it soon. I just need to consult with my parents a bit more."

"Get it done fast, we've literally been wasting our time with you."

Atharv nods feeling embarrassed, his gaze falls back to his feet.

"You can leave, send the next kid in. And listen trust me on this, based on your grades just add any 5th or 7th tier course and move on. No point contemplating much."

A bit startled Atharv leaves the room without meeting their gaze, informing the next person in line to enter.

***

In the academic classroom, all the students are settled in their seats while the teacher addresses them.

"So this is the solution does anybody have any queries?" The teacher announces to the class.

Shrishti raises her hand instantly.

"Yes, Shrishti?"

"I have a doubt regarding how you solved it using by-parts?"

"Okay, I'll show it once again no worries. If anybody has any issues please tell, I'll repeat it as many time as you want me to."

Atharv enters the class after completing his counselling session and goes to his alloted seat. He turns to the boy sitting next to him. "Cecil! What has she been teaching, can you help me catch up?"

"No idea man, I've just been sleeping with my eyes open."

Atharv turning to the Meher who sits behind him.

"Don't look at me. I don't get anything she teaches."

When the teacher again pauses before moving to the next question, Atharv raises his hand.

The teachers instinctively ignores Atharv.

Adamant on getting a response Atharv speaks out, "Ma'am I just came back from my 'Sustenance session' could you please help me with the question.?"

"Pay more attention in class I can't repeat it again and again, how will I finish the syllabus if I'm stuck explaining to you the same thing again and again"

The entire class burst into hysterical laughs and giggles.

Not knowing what had transpired just before he entered Atharv held back his words and stares down at his table embarrassed.

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The Class bell rings.

Cecil turning to his right, "So, how does it feel to be the new Flagbearer?"

Atharv raises his head, "The same I guess..."

"Oh yeah sure act important now, I guess that's why you're trying hard in class nowadays."

Atharv feeling embarrassed again begins to stare at the table, "I just got lucky, no point over-exaggerating it. Someone has to do it every year. And I'm not trying hard I just want to maintain my grades."

The next teacher then enters and everybody goes back to resume class.

School ending bell rings

Atharv walks towards the school gate with two other kids also following suit; his gaze is then met by his two friends.

"Why are you walking at a snail's pace?" Om asks curiously.

"Nothing just tired" Atahrv looks back at Om and Yasu as they smile back.

***

The three friends walk alongside the road to their homes. The surrounding landscape is dirty and murky with signs of advancement visible in the form of Solar panels along the wide roof on the walls and channels of solar panels overflowing over their heads like an endless stream. On the roads surface water pipes and solar conduits can be seen with glass panes acting as stands and barricades instead of steel.

Turning to Om, Atharv enquires, "How did your 'Sustenance Report' go?"

"The same, they are forcing me to join a third-tier course."

"Haven't you already told them that you'll be joining your family business?"

"Selfish bastards only think about themselves. They didn't give a rat's ass about me till yesterday. Suddenly they find that I have a chance at a third-tier course they start wagging their tail in front of me."

"Well you are talented!" Atharv remarks sincerely.

"Who cares if I can run fast? It's so stupid. Especially in a world where Kusokans exist."

[After the Second Paradigm started, national and international sports died out. Countries didn't have any sports teams now as it didn't matter anymore but what mattered was discipline and fitness. Given the turbulent era they were living in, rebellions and attacks had become extremely common. Fitness along with education was of extreme importance. Since professional sports were no more, sports in schools and colleges had gained immense popularity and had become a rich source of entertainment for most people. Om was a gifted athlete; his thin and agile physique giving him more advantage. He had made a name for himself in the sports circuit and many colleges were looking to offer him better courses to entice him into joining their institution.]

"It's nice that you're good at something. You should be thankful for it." Yasu admonishes Om calmly.

"It's you who should be thankful for it, after all once I join the business we might have enough money to send you to a top-tier course." Om pats on his chest with his fist.

Yasu laughs heartily, "Yeah right, I'm worried you'll hamper dad's business rather than help it grow."

Both Atharv and Yasu share a light laugh at Om's expense as he looks at them with begrudging eyes. Suddenly seeing something from the corner of his eye he pulls Atharv back as a man charging in with a knife in hand slashes the air where Atharv was previously standing.

All three of them alert as they take many steps back, then noticing that there was a man standing behind them also, they stop. The face of both the attackers was covered with a face mask. The first man with the knife spoke;

"You, Give me your bag!" (pointing at Atharv)

At that moment Atharv realized this was a planned endeavour, these men knew there was a school around here and that students passed by. Since they were school-going kids they knew these children didn't come from money as children of rich families are home-schooled. They know that these children don't carry any money on them as mugging and robberies are extremely common but also because their family financial constraints don't permit that.

Atharv looked at Om and knew that being the hot-head he is he would immediately charge at him. Holding Om's hand he just muttered one word to him. "Yasu..."

Om turning to Yasu could see how terrified she was. He realized that him charging would leave Yasu open to their attacks. He clenched his fist hard realizing he was helpless.

Atharv then slowly moving forward, handed over his bag to them. "Please leave us now; I did what you asked me to."

"You two, hand over your bags also!"

Om and Yasu immediately take a few steps back hesitating. Atharv knew what Om was going to do. He knew their financial condition was very bad and that their father had a really hard time getting them the necessary equipment for the school. Seeing his father suffer again is the last thing Om wants. He would run.

Om then turning to Yasu, takes hold of her hand. "Just stay behind me Atharv"

"Om, don't do it. You might make it but they'll catch up to me and Yasu."

Various simulations ran in Atharv's mind, he was a procrastinator and had finally put it to good use. There was no possible scenario where all three of them could have escaped.

"Give it to him immediately" The man carrying Atharv's bag threatens them.

"Om, Yasu please hand it over. Your life is more important to uncle than those bags. Please hand it to them." Atharv request in a low and sincere voice.

While Om still kept looking for a way out, Yasu quietly handed over the bag biting her lip. After this Om had no choice but to hand it over. He took off his bag and threw it at them angrily cursing. The goons immediately left as soon as they had the bags. Yasu started walking towards home as soon as they left without exchanging a word.

Before Atharv could say something Om turned to him with an angry expression, seeing his expression Atharv immediately froze and bowed his head down looking at his feet.

"I get that you're awkward and all but I didn't know you're such a coward! If only you'd know the value that those bags had you would have run. And don't you dare think for once that it was because of Yasu that we would have been caught. It would be because of you, you knew that. You held us back, not me or Yasu. You held us back!"

Not having anything else to say and not receiving a reaction Om also walked off towards his home leaving his frozen friend alone. As the sun was about to set Atharv stood there alone still looking at his feet thinking if the decision he made was the right one or not.

***

Year 129 (The Present)

This trance was then broken with a new voice. He woke up from his sleep looking at his newly appointed teacher staring back at him; she had placed an armour-like suit on his desk and was staring at him with curious eyes.

As Atharv composed himself he thought why these memories were resurfacing now.

Story By: Four Eighty One

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