Desk Mate

Chapter 2 : Flames and Secrets

Sourdeep walked into the school, his mind clouded, chest tight, and heart pounding. As soon as he stepped into the classroom, he spotted Varun and Soumalya laughing at something, their laughter echoing across the room. The closer he got, the louder it became. And it was painfully obvious ...it was all about him. His head felt like it was on fire. Without thinking, rage took over. He charged, grabbed Varun by the collar, and started hitting him mercilessly.

Caught off guard, Varun stumbled and fell hard to the floor. Soumalya lunged at Sourdeep next, and within seconds, several students had gathered around, whispering and gasping. The chaos escalated until someone ran to fetch a teacher.

“What’s happening here?” Pritam Sir’s sharp voice cut through the noise. Sourdeep froze instantly, his heart racing. But at that precise moment, Varun pushed him again, sending him crashing into the corner of a bench. His forehead hit the edge hard, splitting his skin. Pain shot through his head, and warmth spread across his brow.

Later, the three of them stood in a line in the principal’s office.

“Shame on you! You are the senior-most students here,” Headmistress Kabita Sanyal said sternly. “What example are you setting for the younger ones? Sourdeep, I never expected this from you.”

Sourdeep lowered his head, shame burning him from inside. He hadn’t wanted this, he reminded himself. Varun and Soumalya had provoked him, but he shouldn’t have fallen into their trap.

“All your guardians must meet me tomorrow. Now, go back to your classes,” she added, her gaze sharp.

They were first sent to the medical room for first aid before meeting the principal. Soumalya had minor injuries, but Varun and Sourdeep were both hurt. Sourdeep’s forehead was bandaged, and his lips throbbed from the impact. Walking back toward his class, he felt a storm of frustration. His project was still incomplete, and now, after this incident, asking the teachers for leniency would be impossible. His father would explode at home.

His head throbbed. He had been sent to Kolkata for a brighter future, yet he kept landing in trouble. Staying at his uncle’s house with his grandparents, he felt guilty of dragging anyone else into his mess. His grandfather, a former teacher of the school, deserved respect and Sourdeep had failed him. The guilt pressed heavily, each step toward the classroom weighed down by responsibility.

As he walked, someone bumped into him from behind. Sourdeep almost toppled forward, but a hand caught him just in time.

“Careful!”

“Ugh… it’s her again,” he muttered internally.

“Thanks…” he said sharply, shrugging off her hand and walking on.

“Listen… they’ll try to provoke you again. Don’t let your temper get the better of you. Reacting only gives them what they want. Just avoid it…”

Sourdeep gritted his teeth, irritation bubbling up. He didn’t want her advice, yet she didn’t stop. He spun around, eyes flashing, and snapped, “I didn’t ask for your wisdom! Unnecessary advice is annoying!”

Moon froze, startled, biting her lip as she tried to hold back a tremble. Sourdeep dragged his feet toward the classroom, teeth clenched.

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Later, on the balcony, he stared at the open night sky. The cool wind brushed his face as a soft flute melody floated nearby, a sound that always calmed his restless mind. Today had been exhausting, a mix of highs and lows, but he tried to find a balance. Chayan had finished the physics graphs for him, helping him in the nick of time. Not everyone betrayed him; some people truly earned his trust.

At home, his grandparents noticed his injuries , the bandage on his forehead and the small cut on his lip. Grandmother Mandakini Devi’s eyes filled with worry. She had been busy with work, but the sight of her only grandson in pain pulled her focus immediately. She called the doctor, administered medicines, and finally relaxed a little.

Grandfather Shankarprasad Haldar, a calm and wise man, asked for the full story. Sourdeep recounted everything , the fight, Varun and Soumalya’s provocation, the humiliation, the project stress, and the unexpected help from Choan.

Grandfather nodded, his voice steady but kind. “Sourdeep, the one who can stay calm in all situations, will never find any challenge impossible. You are growing up… I hope you understand what I mean.”

“I will, Grandpa ,” Sourdeep promised, though exhaustion and lingering anger mingled in his chest.

Even as he tried to relax, the images of the fight, the laughter, and Moon’s voice in the corridor lingered. “Why do people have to be so… impossible?” he muttered under his breath. His mind flashed back to the shove, the insult, the betrayal. And yet, deep down, he felt a flicker of gratitude for Chayan , for the few who stood true.Sourdeep sat on his bed, phone in hand, recalling the whole chaotic day , Varun, Soumalya, the fight, the embarrassment, the trip to the principal’s office. His head throbbed, and every moment replayed like a cruel movie. He couldn’t believe Chayan had actually finished his physics graphs… and that Chayan had sent them through her.

Fuming, he dialed her number.

The phone rang. “Hello?” Moon’s voice was calm, almost teasing.

“You… did you… I mean—” Sourdeep stammered, “You sent Chayan’s graphs to me?!”

Moon let out a soft hum, almost like she was amused. “Hmm… I didn’t say anything, did I?”

Sourdeep’s head almost exploded. “Why… why are you doing all this? I don’t understand!” he shouted. “I told you, I don’t even like you! So why are you… why are you helping me, involving yourself… all of it?!”

There was silence on the line. Moon paused, then slowly, deliberately, let her words land like a blade:

“Because I wanted to.”

Sourdeep froze. His blood ran cold, his mind went blank. He couldn’t… couldn’t find words.

“Good night, Sourdeep. And… see you at school tomorrow,” she said lightly, as if nothing had happened, letting him hang in that mix of fury, confusion, and… something he didn’t dare name.

Before he could respond, the call ended. Sourdeep sat frozen, holding the phone, feeling a strange mix of frustration, confusion, and… something else.

Looking at the physics graphs on his desk, he was confused. "Did Chayan actually send them to him secretly through Moon ?"

He muttered to himself, “Why is everything so complicated? Even a simple project…” But deep inside, he felt a spark of admiration for Moon—her boldness, her confidence, and the way she could stir his emotions so effortlessly.