Uncharted bonds

5 (Dorm)

After that incident with Dalmi and the others, Kerin moved to sit on the bench behind Naina and me. Another boy approached Kerin and whispered to him, "Bro, don't go outside the dorm today. The PT teacher will be on duty, and if he catches you, you'll be in big trouble.

I couldn't help but wonder, "So, they live in the dorm," as I thought about their situation.

The other boy's name was Megh, and he joined Kerin at the bench, asking for some help with something. This piqued my curiosity, and I contemplated whether I should listen to their explanation. I hadn't revised Chapter 6 yet, so it might be a good opportunity to catch up.

Kerin seemed quite confident as he replied, "Oh, this one's a piece of cake."

His casual attitude surprised me. He was talking about Maxima and Minima, a chapter I hadn't studied yet. Maybe after my revision, I could confidently say the same.

Then, to my bewilderment, Kerin said now listen to me very carefully and he stated his explanation , "Look, it's a hen."

Megh enthusiastically agreed, saying, "Yes, bro, it's a hen."

I couldn't hide my astonishment. "What... a hen?"

Kerin continued with his bizarre narrative, "And this hen laid 10 eggs."

Megh chimed in, "Okay, bro, 10 eggs!"

My confusion deepened as Kerin added, "Next, I got these eggs, and now you're going to make me an egg cutlet for dinner."

Megh responded, "Yes, bro, your wish is my command. By the way, the food provided by the mess is really a mess these days."

I was sitting up straight, listening to their peculiar revision session, when suddenly, a whisper came near my ear. It was Kerin, who had noticed my presence. He asked, "Are you done eavesdropping on us?

Startled by Kerin's remark, I turned to face him and couldn't help but express my confusion. "What kind of maxima-minima includes a hen and eggs?" I asked, my bewilderment evident in my tone. I had been listening intently, thinking that he was genuinely teaching Megh.

Megh, seemingly unfazed, replied with a hint of defiance, "Our maxima-minima includes hen and eggs. Got a problem?"

I quickly shook my head and said no .. just do what you were doing and sorry for the interruption,

As I observed Kerin up close for the first time, I couldn't help but notice his distinctive features. His face was expressionless, with sharp features and a hint of what some might describe as "drunken eyes." It was as if he perpetually carried an air of nonchalance.

Dalmi's words echoed in my mind – "Our bro's got it all. He's a handsome boy, tall, fair, and what's most captivating about him... his drunken eyes and his nonchalant attitude." It was becoming increasingly clear why Kerin had earned such admiration from his peers, despite his unconventional approach to studying.

But despite his good looks, I couldn't help but think, "What a waste. He's a total jerk."

Kate noticed my discomfort and approached me, speaking slowly to reassure me. "Don't pay any attention to them," she advised. "I know them very well. We were in the same class when we were in the 10th grade. They never show anyone how much they've studied or how much knowledge they hold. All you can see is their results. Unfortunately, it seems like most boys here are like that.

After that, my days went by more smoothly. However, a few months later, my health issues resurfaced. Given my initial frailty and the added strain of traveling to this new school, my well-being began to deteriorate. It was then that my elder sister suggested the idea of residing in the school dormitories for a more stable environment.

My father, a stern figure, had reservations about sending me to this new school from the very beginning. As time passed, the strain of the long commute took a toll on my health, leaving me with no choice but to consider living in the school dormitories. I mustered the courage to approach my father, hoping he would understand. 'Father, I believe it would be best for me to stay in the school dorms. It would greatly help with my studies and health.' To my dismay, my father was resolute in his opposition. 'There's no need for you to attend a school so far from our home,' he firmly declared.

Feeling disheartened, I turned to my elder sister for support. 'Sis, could you please talk to father on my behalf? Convince him to allow me to reside in the dorms so I can focus better on my studies.' My sister, empathizing with my predicament, took it upon herself to plead my case. After a long and impassioned discussion, she managed to sway my father's stance. 'Alright, you may stay in the school dorms,' he finally relented. It was a small victory, but one that would make a significant difference in my academic journey.