The car ride to the academy was filled with an awkward silence that hung between Dhruvansh and Diya like a heavy fog. They were both lost in their thoughts, navigating the aftermath of last night's revelations in their own ways. Diya glanced sideways at Dhruvansh, her brow furrowing as she searched for something to say, but the words eluded her. What could she possibly say to bridge the gap that had widened between them?
Finally, she broke the silence. "So… are you excited about the academy?"
Dhruvansh shrugged, staring out the window as the familiar landscape blurred past. "I guess," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you sure?" Diya pressed, trying to gauge his mood. "I mean, it's a big step. New courses, new friends… it'll be different."
He remained silent, lost in the clouds of his thoughts. Diya bit her lip, the anxiety of the moment gnawing at her. She had hoped that starting the new term would provide some distraction from everything else, but it seemed to amplify the weight on Dhruvansh's shoulders instead.
As they approached the academy, the imposing structure loomed ahead, its modern architecture a stark contrast to the warm glow of their home. Dhruvansh felt a mix of anticipation and dread swirling in his stomach. This place was supposed to be a fresh start, but everything felt heavy today.
Once parked, they both stepped out of the car. Karna and Devi were there, offering words of encouragement, but Dhruvansh felt detached from their reassurances. He exchanged quick goodbyes with his parents, his heart not really in it, before making his way toward the entrance with Diya beside him.
Inside, the hallways buzzed with the energy of students bustling about. Dhruvansh could sense the mix of excitement and anxiety that filled the air. He felt small among the sea of teenagers—some were older than him, some younger, but they all seemed more confident, more at ease.
"Let's find our classroom," Diya suggested, pulling out the student guideline help book they had received. Dhruvansh nodded, but his mind was elsewhere.
Following the directions in the book, they arrived at their classroom. Dhruvansh chose a seat at the back, the third desk from the left, right next to the window. He preferred it that way—away from the scrutiny of others, where he could watch the outside world drift by as he lost himself in his thoughts. Diya, on the other hand, opted for a seat at the front of the class, hoping to absorb everything the teachers would say.
As they settled into their seats, Dhruvansh noticed a couple of younger kids—probably five or six years old—sitting quietly in the corner. The older students seemed indifferent, having been informed of their presence during admission day. He couldn't help but wonder what their stories were, how they felt being among teenagers when they were still so young.
Just then, the classroom door swung open, and a male teacher entered. He had a warm smile that immediately put some of the students at ease. "Good morning, everyone! I'm Mr. Sharma, and I'll be your instructor this term. Let's start by introducing our new students. Dhruvansh, Diya, would you please tell us a little about yourselves?"
Diya stood up first, her voice steady despite the nervous flutter in her stomach. "Hi! I'm Diya Chauhan. I'm really excited to be here and looking forward to learning."
Dhruvansh followed her, taking a deep breath. "I'm Dhruvansh Agastya," he said, his voice stronger than he felt. "I'm here to learn everything I can."
The teacher smiled at them both, then nodded as he moved on. "Thank you! Now, let's get into the details of our curriculum for the year."
Mr. Sharma went on to explain the various courses available, his enthusiasm contagious. "You'll have the freedom to choose your subjects this year, and I encourage you to explore as many as you can. Each course will have its own set of assignments and readings, and you'll be responsible for managing your own time."
He handed out a link to an online portal where students could select their courses. "Attendance isn't mandatory. You can come and go as you please, but make sure to submit your assignments on time to pass your exams. It's all about self-discipline here!"
Dhruvansh felt a flicker of excitement at the mention of self-discipline. This was his chance to truly explore his interests without being tied down by anyone else's expectations. He listened intently as Mr. Sharma continued.
"Take your time filling out the form. You can leave once you've selected your courses. Remember, this is a new beginning. Make the most of it."
With that, the classroom buzzed to life as students began to fill out the online forms. Diya busily clicked through her options, but Dhruvansh found himself overwhelmed. He wanted to learn everything—the technological advancements, the arts, the sciences. He didn't want to miss out on any opportunity.
As he filled in his personal details, he made a bold decision. He checked every single course available, eager to absorb as much knowledge as he could. It felt exhilarating to be in control of his education, to follow his curiosity wherever it led.
Once he finished the form, he didn't wait for anyone else. He stood up, a determined look on his face, and headed toward the library. The scent of old books and knowledge awaited him, and he couldn't think of a better way to start his new journey than diving headfirst into the vast array of resources available.
As he walked through the corridors, he could hear the laughter and chatter of his peers. A part of him wanted to join in, to feel connected to the world around him, but the other part was still reeling from last night's revelations. He pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on the library door that beckoned him.
Inside, the library was a sanctuary filled with rows upon rows of books. He felt a rush of excitement wash over him as he stepped into the quiet space. Each book held the potential for new discoveries, for unlocking the secrets of the world and, maybe, the secrets of his past.
He moved through the aisles, running his fingers along the spines of the books, feeling the texture of the covers beneath his fingertips. He scanned titles, looking for anything that might pique his interest. His mind was racing, eager to consume knowledge about anything and everything.
He moved swiftly between the shelves, his eyes scanning titles. Electronics engineering, programming—he loaded his arms with books ranging from beginner to advanced levels. With a stack of literature in hand, he made his way to a study desk.
As he settled down, the world around him faded into the background. He was completely absorbed in the material, flipping through pages and jotting down notes with a fervor that made the hours disappear. Time ticked by unnoticed; he didn't care who entered or left the library. The surrounding whispers and curious glances faded into white noise.
Suddenly, a sharp beeping sound from the library's digital clock snapped him back to reality. It was three o'clock—the library's closing time. Dhruvansh blinked in surprise, reluctantly gathering the books he had chosen and returning them to their respective shelves. He exited the library, feeling a strange mix of fulfillment and emptiness.
As he stepped outside, he spotted Karna and Devi waiting for him at the academy's entrance. Their expressions were a mixture of relief and concern. When they saw him, Karna waved him over. Dhruvansh approached, noting that Diya was already in the car, her gaze fixed out the window.
"Hey there, champ! How was your first day?" Karna asked, his voice filled with warmth.
"It was good," Dhruvansh replied, trying to keep the conversation light, not wanting to dive into the complexities of his emotions. "But I can travel to the academy on my own. I don't need you to pick me up every time."
Karna exchanged a worried glance with Devi. "You're only five," he said gently. "We want to protect you. You can't travel alone to the academy just yet. It's a long distance, and you're still so young."
"But I can manage!" Dhruvansh insisted, crossing his arms. "I don't need you to come get me. I can come home on my own."
Karna and Devi shared another worried glance. "We'll talk about it, but for now, it's best if we take you to and from the academy. When you're older, we can reconsider," Karna said firmly.
Dhruvansh let out a sigh, feeling frustrated. He knew they meant well, but he longed for independence. As they continued driving, the silence settled over them like a heavy blanket, each lost in their own thoughts.
When they finally arrived home, the mood was somber. Diya headed straight to her house, and Karna quietly entered theirs. Dhruvansh followed, sensing the tension in the air. He could feel the weight of their concern pressing down on him, but he didn't know how to express his feelings.
Dhruvansh just went straight to his room and after freshening up and changing he sat on his bed, staring at the wall, lost in thought, as he has things to do and plan out his roadmap for the future.