CH 1 || Doomed

Saavi

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I groaned when I heard my alarm went off. I turned it off and covered my face with the duvet. I hate school. There is nothing good about going to school. Not for everyone, but for me school is the worst place to go. But still, I have to, as I want to become a painter and I can't join a college without completing my school. I hate the education system.

After a lot of thought, I got up from bed as I don't have any choice. I did my morning chores, took a quick shower, and got ready in my school uniform. I made my way to the kitchen but there was nothing to eat. Looks like I will have to go to school without having breakfast, again. This is the third time this week when I am skipping breakfast. But that's not my fault, I don't have money to buy food.

I took my bag and went out and locked the gates. It's 6 in the morning and as usual, I will have to walk to school which is a one-hour walk.

I guess it's good, that way I won't be fat. I chuckled dryly thinking about it. I can never be fat, how can I when I don't even have proper meals like others.

I saw parents taking their children to school. I felt nothing but jealous.

How can I be so unlucky?

I am an orphan. I used to live in Little Homage orphanage till 15. I saw people coming and adopting nearly everyone whom I grew up with, except me. People used to come and play with me but no one took me with them. I don't know who my parents are. I was told that someone left me in front of the orphanage. I was not adopted but I have a sponsor. The sponsor uses to pay for my school fees. I don't know whether it's a he or a she.

I ran away from the orphanage when I was 15 because the son of the owner tried to molest me. Lucky me that I used to tutor young kids so I saved some money. I rent a very small apartment and arranged for the necessities.

I couldn't arrange an apartment near my school because my school is one of the best schools in India situated in a posh area. I don't know why my sponsor wanted me to study there.

You know when people say don't judge a book by its cover, they are damn right. It might be one of the best schools in India but there you will find all kinds of worst people to be with. Rich, spoilt, arrogant, rude.

I was bullied by almost everyone who used to think of himself or herself as an elite. I was in my 10th grade when people started bullying me.

Why? Because I saved a girl from being bullied. And guess what? That girl joined their group later on. Although she keeps apologizing to me in private, in front of them she was one of them.

I consider her the worst at least others are not a hypocrite like her.

I sighed when I saw the big gate of the school in front of me.

'Come on Saavi, you can do this.' I said to myself. It's only a month and the school will end after that. Well not end but we will be having our final exams and then school will end.

I will go to my dream college after that, the London School of Arts. I sent my portfolio there last month and I almost spent a lot of money on that, that's why I am running out of money. But it's all worth it because my portfolio was selected and I got a scholarship. I was one of the 100 students out of 15 lakh aspirants who got this scholarship.

I know I am unlucky but at least for this time luck was on my side.

Keeping my thoughts of my dream to become a painter aside, I went inside the school.

I always reach early so that I can study in the library for an hour before everyone comes, because after that the same schedule will start, me getting bullied. I can't do anything because they are rich. I took a stand for myself once but was scolded by my teachers because they thought a poor and orphan girl like me will stoop low and fake complain about the so-called rich people. Money matters, I got to know after entering this school.

I used to be a top student but not anymore. Not because I stopped studying but because I was once bullied because of my high scores. I wanted to survive so I started scoring less. Even if I knew the answer in exams I never used to write it. I used to write my paper only to pass the exams and get promoted to the next grade.

I went directly to the library and sat in the corner. I took out my favorite subject Maths and started solving the questions. I use to tutor students after school and I also work in a small restaurant as a waitress so that I could pay my rent and buy food and that's why I get less time to study after school.

I was studying when suddenly someone sat in front of me. My eyes widened to see the one and only Dhruv Kapoor sitting in front of me. He is one of the elites of this school. His group is the only one who never bullied me. I wonder why? Maybe they thought I am not worth their time.

I blinked my eyes to confirm that if I was dreaming or not. I pinched myself and hissed in pain. It's not a dream.

He chuckled seeing me behaving like that and said,

"You are cute."

I guess I am hearing things. A guy like him is saying I am cute. I am definitely hearing things.

He and others in his group are considered God. People follow them like a lost puppy. He has 4 other people in his group. Namit Khanna, future CEO of N.K Industries. Arjun Malhotra, well his father is the owner of Malhotra Industries but I heard that he wants to become a lawyer. Rohit Khanna, Namit's cousin, wants to start his own company that's why Namit is the future CEO and at last Riddhi Vats, she is the girl everyone dreams to become like. She is beautiful, talented and her father is a famous surgeon of India. She could have become a doctor but she didn't choose medical because she is in love with Rohit. Everyone knows that except Rohit. I wonder how could he be this stupid to not notice her feelings for him.

"Why are you this early?" I heard Dhruv but I didn't reply. I took my stuff and moved to another seat. I don't want to give a new reason for my bullies to bully me. Niharika who is the queen bee of my class has a crush on Dhruv. If she or anyone will see me with him I am in deep shit then.

I started studying again but Dhruv came again and sat in front of me.

"Are you ignoring me?" he asked. Yes, I am, but I can't say it loud. I don't want to get bullied by him too.

I got up again and went to another seat. This time probably he will get annoyed and will not come I thought, but I was so wrong.

He came again but this time he sat beside me. He turned me around so that I could face him.

"I am here trying to talk to you Saavi," he said in a sad tone.

Wait! Why sad tone? Shouldn't he be frustrated?

And the way he took my name, I won't lie that I liked it. I was never called by my name. People used to call me orphan, beggar, slut, whore, and whatnot but for the first time, someone called me by my name.

But the real question is how does he even know my name?

"I...I am studying." I stuttered not looking at him.

"I can see that. I was not disturbing you. I was just trying to talk to you."

"But I don't want to talk to you," I said.

"Why? Because you think people will bully you if you will talk to me?" He said and I looked at him in shock and I shook my head.

"Don't lie," he said.

"So what do you want to talk about?" I asked him so that he leave as soon as possible. I don't want anyone to see us together.

"I want you to tutor me," he said leaving me in shock.

"What?" I yelled.

"You heard it right," he said smiling at me. No one ever smiled at me like that. I am sure it's some kind of bet.

"What kind of joke is this? Or it's a new method to bully me?" I asked.

"I never bullied you Saavi and will never do that," he said. I looked into his black eyes and all I could see was honesty. But no, I can't let my guards down. I am sure it's Niharika's doing.

"My grades are bad if you forgot. I am not good in studies."

"You are good in every subject, you just don't write it in papers so that others can't bully you."

How does he know?

I chuckled dryly and said,

"Do you even know what are you saying? Why would I not write in an exam if I know the answer?" I said not looking at him.

"You are not a good liar Saavi and you know that." He just stated the truth. I have never been a good liar but how come he knows all of this.

"What do you want Dhruv? Just get to the point."

"So you know my name," he said excitedly.

Are you kidding me? The whole school worships this guy and here he is excited to know I know his name.

"Who doesn't? The whole school knows you." I said.

"Oh," he replied sadly.

"So tell me what exactly do you want?"

"I already told you, I want you to tutor me. I am worst in Maths and if you will not help me I will fail."

"You can make Sameer's help. He is the topper."

"He doesn't know how to teach."

"And how are you so sure that I know how to teach?"

"All the students you tutor get 1st rank in their respective class."

Is he a magician? How the hell he knows everything about me? How does he know I tutor other kids? I couldn't take it anymore and asked him,

"How do you know this much about me?"

"I know more than you think Saavi," he replied and got off from his seat.

"I will see you in the evening and you know I don't take No as an answer," he said and winked at me. I felt my heart beating weirdly after that gesture of him.

Ah! I was Doomed.