In India at 7 am.
"Does she really go this early to school..." Anu–Soleil asked from Anu's parents.
They both smiled.
"Yeah. Everyday" Anu's mother replied. While tieing her hair.
"I hope Anu's will do fine in her school... should I call her... and tell her not to attend school..." Soleil seems worried.
"Don't worry. She can handle herself by her own..." Father said proudly and comforting her.
"She might be sleeping right now... as right now it's 7 am... and Calonia is 9 hours behind ours... so the time will be..." She said calculating the time.
"10 Pm..." Soleil answered sharply.
"You are smart" He complement her.
"Thank you...sir..."
"You can call us... mommy and papa..." He said.
"We won't force you... it's just sir... sounds weird from Anu's voice... don't mind us..." Mother said. Realizing she might be forcing her.
"I understand mommy..." Soleil said. She do understand the depth of the situation.
"That's my girl" Father complement her.
As Anu's mother tie her hair, she gets up and give her the lunchbox. "Here... and hurry you might get late in school..." she said while smiling.
Anu–Soleil nodded in approval.
"Let's go..." Anu's father said. Placing a soft hand on her head as a blessing.
Before leaving the house, "bye... Ma....mammy" Soleil said, and left the house.
Soleil settle in the car with Anu's father. He drove her to school. Showing her the beauty around her. Soleil really love her surroundings. There are many things she never experienced in Calonia. She was memorized by it. Knowing more about the new culture and language.
She pass by many colorful shops, street vendors calling out to seel their items. Children were walking on the sidewalk wearing school uniforms. She saw traffic first time in her life. She found herself soaking every detail of this new world.
Beautiful, isn't it?" Anu's father said, glancing at her with a smile.
She nodded, her eyes still glued to the window. "Yes… it's so different here," she murmured.
"India has its charm," he said, his voice tinged with pride. "And the people, the culture, the food—you'll love it all in time."
"Thank you." She said.
They reached school. "Let's get inside..." Father said.
She was confused as she never seen parents to get inside school like this. As in Calonia, parents were usually called when students have done something which is against the law.
As they get in she the difference between her school and this school. She noticed that everyone is been kind and supportive to eachother, compared to Calonia school students.
They reached class, teacher warmly welcomed Anu's father. Soleil was nervous, she tried to stay calm. While the father discussing about her fake Amnesia with the teacher.
After a while teacher said, "Students, please attention. One of our students needs help regarding her resent accident. Anu hit her head pretty badly and got Amnesia. As a Students and friends help her regain her memory...."
"Ma'am, why are you speaking in English? [Ma'am, App English me kuy bool rahi hu?]" A student ask the teacher.
"Because Anu can't understand hindi anymore ... we have to speak in English till she can't regain her memory back. Well... additionally this will help you to get fluent in English." Teacher said, patted on Anu–Soleil's head as of caring and blessing.
"Ma'am, did she also forget us..." A student ask.
"Well... she can't remember us... so..." Anu's father replied, rubbing his back of neck.
"Ma'am she did she know how to write" a student ask with curiosity.
"Ma'am how does she not remember us..."
"Ma'am...how...."
"Ma'am...."
Class because chaos in a few moments as students bring us dozens of questions with curiosity.
"Quiet, everyone!" the teacher called out, raising her voice slightly but keeping her tone gentle. The students gradually settled down, though a few still whispered to one another.
Teacher said with warm and calm voice to Soleil, "Anu... go sit with Vina... she is your friend..—" She got interrupted by Vina.
"Ma'am not friends... best friends..." Vina said with excitement. She help Soleil to sit besides her.
"So... I should go..." Anu's father said. Waving to Soleil and left.
Teacher slowly guiding her and other students started helping her. Soleil slowly finding warmth and care in here care to Calonia.
As Soleil started writing, she noticed Vina glaring at her.
"Is... something wrong?" She asked.
"No... nothing. You got Amnesia which is pretty bad... but..." Vina said and get closer to her.
"Does that made change in writing from right hand to suddenly writing from your left hand?" Vina questioned.
"What...? I... don't know what you are saying...." Soleil Stuttered while saying.
Vina then get to her studies, Soleil got confused whether she got caught or it was simply Vina's consent.
As the bell rings Teacher pick her stuff and leave for her next class.
"Anu... do you really got Amnesia...?" A girl asked.
"Obviously she is lying... as she love attention." Riya said, pushing the girl aside.
"Yeah... Just like you" Vina mocked Her.
"You...—" As she was about to argue on it. Teacher entered the class.
"Class settle down." He shouted.
Everyone returned to their sites, Riya standing in front of Soleil.
"Anu don't expect us to fall for your tactics..." Riya said.
"Look who is barking..." Vina said in mocking voice.
"What did you just said? Say that again..." She git furious.
"Riya!" The teacher's voice cut through the tension like a whip. "Back to your seat. Now."
After class many students were not even coming close to Anu–Soleil, giving her a side eye.
"Don't mind then Anu..." Vina said.
"Did I do something wrong...?" Soleil asked.
Vina looked at her, "You did... a lot in past... which is something that can't be change." Vina hold her hand gently.
At recess time Soleil went in the washroom when few girls come from the class.
"She deserves it..." A girl said. Non of them know that Soleil is inside the washroom.
"That's right... even if her Amnesia is real. I think she deserves it. I hate her since last year..."
"She should be shameful..." another girl commented.
"She did come saying... I got depressed... that's the reason I gained weight..."
"That's what she said."
"Yeah... only for favor... Riya was right...she is doing this for attention..."
"Absolutely..."
Soleil was listening everything from inside.
'They also bully... it's common everywhere... but why they hate Anu' Soleil thoughts running wild.
After the girls left, Soleil silently slip out from the washroom not wanting anyone to find her. She saw Vina in the corridor.
"Vina... did you had your lunch?" Soleil asked.
"I was about to... just seeing my Lil brother." Vina replied and waved to her brother.
"He is cute..." she said.
"Cute?" Vina raised an eyebrow. "That little monster's a nightmare. You wouldn't survive a second with him—he's a wild animal."
Soleil chuckled softly as they walked back to their class together.
They returned to their class.
"Let's see what we have..." Vina said with excitement she was hungry. Soleil opened her tiffin. It was idle and Sambar, she don't know how to eat them. She pick up a idle and dip in the Sambar. Vina noticed all,"let me help..." she help her how to eat it.
"Did your Amnesia also forget your eating habits...?" Vina said with sign.
Soleil didn't said anything.