Next day begins. The classes ended in the first half as usual.
Lunch break starts. Today I with all my teammates went to cafeteria.
'I want Drumsticks,' said Ram.
'Today, no drumsticks because today all will be veg items on the list as schedule.'
'Oh Shit!'
We took food, went and sat together around a table.
'What are you all going to do this weekend?' asked Ritu.
'Study.' I said.
'Wow! What a nerd you are!' said Ritu.
'How about we go to the Chinar amusement park together? A grand opening will be happening this weekend.' said Ram.
'Yeah! I will go. We will go there together.' said Suheon.
All other nods too.
'What about you nerd?' asked Ritu.
'Okie dokie.'
'Let's go next time, we have to do rehearsals for the competition, right!' said Rahul.
'Rinaaaa! Our homeroom teacher is calling you,' said by one of our classmates.
'Ok, coming.'
I went to the teacher's staff room.
'Oh! Rina, you came! Can you please distribute this copies to all the students of grade 9, section A?'
'Yes, Ma'am.'
I went to our classroom.
Nobody was there in the classroom. (To myself) Looks like they all went to cafeteria or to the playground. Anyways let's keep the copies on the desk respectively...
After distributing, I went out of the classroom.
'What were you doing here alone in the classroom?' asked Anupama.
(To myself) 'What is she doing here? Isn't she a member of Parbati's gang? Is she here to stir up a trouble for me again?'
'I was here to distribute the copies that was given to homeroom teacher yesterday. Your one is also there on the desk. Please remember to put it in your bag. Anyways, I am going right now.'
'Now, you are done for, Rina!'(Anupama in her mind).
I went to the cafeteria again to my friends.
'Where were you? Why did you take so time to come? I heard a famous painter, Mr. Ramesh Majumder, is coming next week in our school.' said Ram.
'Oh, really?' I said looking at Rahul. He was staring at the phone for a long time.
The bell rang.
'Let's get going to class room. The class will start soon.'
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We entered the classroom.
'Aaaaa! Where is my money? That was my fees of this month to be given to school,' shouted Maya.
'What the hell happened? Why is she shouting like a maniac?' asked Ritu being irritated.
'Calm down, Maya. Have anybody saw anyone in the classroom while the classroom was empty?' asked Parbati but in evil tone.
'Yes, yes! I saw Rina in the classroom.' said Anupama.
(To myself) 'So, this is what they planned this time! Accusing me of stealing someone's money!'
'What were you doing in the class, Rina?' asked Parbati with full exposure of evilness in his face.
'I was here to distribute the copies given by homeroom teacher to me during lunch break. If you don't believe me you can go ask her.'
'But, nobody was there except you? So, of course, who stole it except you?' asked Anupama.
'Why did you do this to me? Give me my money back. You already know what is our family's financial condition. I really worked hard doing various jobs to collect money to be given as fees for school and you...?' Maya started howling and crying.
(To myself) 'Wait! The situation is becoming worse!'
'What the hell are you talking about? Do you have any proof that she did it? And rather than that we were together in the cafeteria. One of our classmates called Rina and told her that homeroom teacher was calling her. I know her very well. She is obviously not the type to do this nasty work.' said Suheon.
'But, she was the only one in the class room.' said Anupama.
'And you weren't?' I asked.
'What?'
'What do you mean by "What"? Do you suffer from Alzheimer's disease or what? You saw me in the classroom, which also proved you were there tooo!'
'What the hell is going on here, right now? Why are you all shouting and arguing all of a sudden?' asked our homeroom teacher.
'Ma'am, Rina stole my money that was to be given as a school fees. I worked so hard for it.' and Maya kept crying.
'Rina, did you do this, for real?'
'No ma'am. I was in the classroom to distribute the copies that you told me to distribute.'
'How about searching your bag for the proof?' said Anupama.
'Ok.'
They searched my bag. But expectedly, the money was found in my bag only. What a bullshit!
'Rina, Why is this in your bag if you haven't steal it?'
'I didn't.'
'See, I told you she is the only one in the classroom so she is the only one who can steal it. You money-grabber....you even dared to accuse me!' said Anupama.
'Like, when my family is already so rich, why do I even need that money for? For what reason will I do this work?' I asked.
'Who knows! Pfft-' Parbati exclaimed.
'Ma'am I am sure someone is trying to frame her. I know she would never do this type of thing.'
'Dear, stealing is a sin. You know that, right? You should be punished accordingly.' said teacher.
'You bitch! How dare you to steal my money?' asked Maya in agitation.
She rushed forward trying to slap me. Rahul stopped her by gripping his hand.
'Get your hands off from her? Nothing is proved till now. A person is there in the classroom doesn't means she did this if you haven't seen it. (Directing to Anupama) Anupama, why were you also there? I meant if you have seen Rina in the classroom, it means you were there. That means you could also stole it, am I wrong?'
(To myself) 'I am so lucky to be defended by my crush.'
'Everything will be proved if they see the CCTV camera-recordings.' said Suheon.
We all went to principal office.
'Ma'am, Can you please show the camera-recordings of grade 9, section A during the lunch break', asked our homeroom teacher to our Vice-Principal Ma'am.
'Ahh, yes, right away!' said our Vice- Principal ma'am.
It showed the whole incident. Just the few moments after I left the classroom distributing the copies, Anupama entered and opened Maya's bag and took the envelope of money and put it in my bag.
'Are they serious? If they want to plan something against me, then do it properly. So petty! Why would they even keep a open evidence like this?'
'Wow! Now I understood why you were soo firmly putting all blame on my dear best friend, that was so foolish of you?' said Ritu.
'Why did you do it? Did anyone force you to do it? If you are in any pressure, please don't hesitate to tell u.' said our homeroom teacher.
'I am sorry, I am extremely sorry, please don't expel me from this school. It was Maya who planned it. It was Maya! She told me if I won't do this, then she would tell his father to fire my father from his company. I was really scared.' said Anupama.
Maya's face turned blue with fear and started to shake.
'It's ok calm down. Everything will be fine.' I comforted her.
'Anupama! How can you tell me that? How is that even possible? Why would I want my money to be kept in her bag? Do you even have any evidence for that?'
'Well, I have. I was just waiting for the whole drama to be completed.' I said.
I took out my phone and turn on the recording that I made on that day when I was on the way to the principle office. It was the recording of the conversation between Maya and Anupama before carrying out the plan. (To myself) 'If only they had mentioned Parbati's name somehow in their conversation, it would have been more interesting'.
Maya looked at Parbati in helpless look.
'Maya and Anupama both your parents will be called. Anupama was scared thinking about her own parents and her entire family, that's why she did it. Then, what about you? Why did you pressurized her? So, you go around bullying everyone in the school!' said our Vice-Principal in agitated voice.
Maya started to ask for forgiveness. Their parents were called and Maya was expelled from the school. That all was really fast! Anupama later thanked me for forgiving her. While on the other hand Parbati was biting her nails all along.
'Next will be your turn', I said to Parbati. She flinched hearing me.
A week passed away. We started our dancing and singing rehearsal. Sometimes, Parbati caused too much trouble for us, argued with me about the steps. Also, she always tried to act all cute in front of Rahul which was more annoying than anything.
Our exams was also knocking at the door. Competition and exams altogether was really stressing for me. At school, both Bhaskar and Rahul told me to tutor them. I was hesitating in this decision because I am the one who is not getting anytime for my studies. I am sure that I will get worse marks in my record history in my whole life until now.
(To myself) 'But, how is this come to this? Both Bhaskar and Rahul is in my house currently studying with me in my room! Even there is a hard tension between them as if they are competing about something.'
Bhaskar asked, ' Can you help me solving this problem? I am trying to do it for a long time. But, I just can't understand.'
'Yes, sure.'
But, while I was showing him the method to do it, he kept looking at me the entire time. While, Rahul was gripping his hands looking at us with rage. I too helped Rahul.
The day passed away....
Finally, day of our Competition came.
(To myself) 'But, why do I feel like something bad is going to happen?'
(To be continued)