Every new door opens, new opportunities come forward. Opportunities we dared not to dream before, unaware and afraid. And it is upto us to choose which path we need to move on with, live with and choose to struggle with. But it is important that we realize it well.
"Isn't that Flynn, the singer, on top of the platform with the prayer group?" Hera asked.
"oh my god," alm the girls gasped together.
"Why is he here in our uniform? Is he a student here?" Taaliyah asked.
"Yes," Ester murmured. "He comes only once in a while, as per required for minimum attendance, attend exams, submit assignments and leave, he is on tour and recording most time," she gave the information.
"Wow," Emily said.
"But I like Derek's version of 'you matter,' song than Flynn's," Taaliyah said accidentally. She bit her tongue immediately.
"Your friend can sing?" Bhoomi questioned her immediately. "Really?"
Taaliyah nodded and smiled uneasily.
She then took a glance at Derek again. He caught her and winked at her. She smiled and turned away quickly. Nobody noticed that.
The prayer began. It started with a prayer song.
Then a prayer, national pledge, thought for the day and a message from Rev. Father. Jacob, the school principal.
"Another year with so many new students with lots of Hope, and dream in their wings to fly. On behalf of the school, I would love to welcome all my new students who have joined this year to a school that definitely would change your life and develop you in all aspects.
And my dear children, congratulations on the great achievements the previous year, all the championships and trophies, the best results and rank we got from our students of 10th, 11th and 12th grade, it was massive. We are so happy to have children like you. We hope to keep the standard and only go higher than this," he continued. "And today am glad to announce that, soon, we will hold an international educational seminar in our campus premise this year with delegates coming from all over the world. This is a proud moment for the school, we will begin the preparations slowly," Everyone applauded.
"Wow, is this that a great school?" Bhoomi asked.
"We are paying that much as fee," Emily said instantly.
"Hmm yes," Taaliyah said and stood watching everyone.
"I would like to also inform that our precious treasure, Flynn, is flying high and soaring up to the great success with his super hit new album released, achieving high and breaking previous records of many singers, he adds so much value to all our lives setting himself as a role model to all those who wish to workout your own passion," Taaliyah turned to glance at Derek again who was smiling wide and clapping hard looking at the platform proudly. She smiled wide and turned away again.
*******
*******
Everyone returned back to their classes. "Am going to give all of you your roll numbers, note it down," teacher said.
Everybody got their numbers. Taaliyah was 58 and Derek number 18.
"My name is Dalia," teacher introduced herself. Now new students come forward and introduce yourself to classmates.
Taaliyah, Emily, Bhoomi, Hera and Derek walked forward and stood in front of the class. Emily did first, followed by Bhoomi, and Hera.
Then went Taaliyah.
"Hello everyone. Am Taliyah Malik coming from west village. I love reading and drawing pictures. My greatest dream is to become a teacher. I hope we will all get along well," she said and stopped
"That's very good, Taliyah," Dalia appreciated her. And everyone waited for the pretty boy to introduce himself.
"Hey everyone, my name is Derek, am from same school as Taaliyah, we are best friends. I have a great interest in music, and spending time with my friends," he said.
"What is your dream?" Teacher asked.
"I guess we have plenty of time to decide on that," he said. Everyone laughed. Dalia smiled.
"Ok go back to your seats everyone," she said. "Okay so shall we begin with our classes?" she asked.
"Maaaaaaammmm...." everyone said together. Nobody wanted to start learning in the first day itself.
"Whaaatt..??" Teacher laughed. "No interest in learning?"
"Not the first day," A boy said.
"What is wrong in learning English the first day. It's stories and poems anyway,"
"Still noooo," everybody said again.
Thus the class went in discussions and teacher left after the bell rang.
But she came back again. "Sorry to bother everyone, but am going continue the class here. We have something to do," Dalia said. Everyone sat up straight.
"What could be the work?" Hera whispered. but before she even shut her mouth. Teacher declared it.
"Let's elect this year's class leaders," She said. Taaliyah always hated it.
In her previous school, the kids were never easy going and hence both the times she got elected, she was punished and taken down from her leadership post giving her a feeling she is never fit to be a leader and bunch of embarrassing experiences all because of her classmates. And one time, the reason was her own best friend; Derek. He went out in the name of using washroom and was caught playing soccer with seniors while they were in 7th grade.
Taaliyah thus swore in her life to never become a leader of anything.
Dalia had pieces of paper in her hand. "How should we choose?" she asked. "Elect or take a lot?"
"Both," Kids answered. Dalia laughed.
"Ok, the first leader we will elect, the assistant leader, we will take a lot,"
"Who wish to come forward? Volunteers?" teacher aksed.
But surprisingly, nobody, not a soul walked forward. It appeared that everybody hate being a leader and want to avoid responsibilities. "No, that's not right," teacher said. "Come on," she tried e encouraging everyone. Still nobody stood up. Derek smiled and looked at Taaliayh. She did not look back. Unaware of his gaze.
"Ok then am going to choose myself, I will find a way," she said and stood looking at the students for few minutes. The kids began to murmer and chat.
"Silence," she shouted. "keep quiet, am standing right here, don't disturb the other classes," Everyobody went silent. Taaliyah was writing her name on all her notebooks she had brought. "Yes, we will be choosing leaders from our newcomers, how about it?" and everybody agreed to it.
"Yes," said the whole class.
"Noooo," except Taaliyah.
"Why Taaliyah?" Dalia asked her.
"Ma'am," Derei got up front his seat. Everyone looked at him. So did Taaliyah. "I volunteer," he said. Taaliyah swallowed hard.
"Did he just save her?" that was what everybody had in their minds.
"Why?" teacher aksed him, smiling.
"Give the keys in the hands of a thief," he said.
"It has two effects, why would I let him steal?" Dalia asked.
"But why not teach him responsibility by giving a hardship? Let him forget about stealing," he answered back. Dalia was impressed. He not only looked handsome but equally smart.
"Are you crazy?" Taaliyah whispered.
"Remember, I keep my promises," he sad and sat down. Everybody sat silently.
"Ok now we have a class leader, let's go for the assistant leader. This, he or she only have to act in the absence of Derek, or help him when he needs it,"
"Okay," The newcomers girls said. Teacher wrote the names of Taaliyah, Hera, Emily and Bhoomi in the bits of paper she had in her hand and folded them. She asked Derek to go to the front and asked him to pick one. He picked one and he opened them. He began to sweat.
"Give me that," Dalia said. But he refused to. "c'mon show me," she took the paper from his hands. Derek gave an uneasy smile.