Arjun stood at the gates of St. Mary's High School, Nellore, the same institution he had attended in his previous life. Despite the familiarity of the surroundings, the knowledge of his rebirth lent every sight and sound a surreal edge. The school building, with its whitewashed walls and sprawling playground, felt both nostalgic and foreign.
Dressed in his school uniform—a crisp white shirt and navy-blue trousers—he walked through the corridors. The chatter of students, the ringing of the bell, and the distant sound of a teacher's voice in a classroom brought a faint smile to his lips.
Entering his classroom, Arjun felt a wave of déjà vu. His classmates were just as he remembered—teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, some chatting animatedly while others buried their noses in textbooks.
As he took his seat near the window, a pair of girls caught his eye. Tarangini Siri Reddy and Tarangini Pavitra Reddy, identical twins with striking features, were seated together. They exuded an air of sophistication that set them apart from the rest of the class. Their long, black hair was tied neatly into ponytails, and their almond-shaped eyes sparkled with curiosity.
Siri nudged Pavitra and whispered something, glancing in Arjun's direction. Pavitra giggled softly, but their expressions were far from mocking. They seemed intrigued.
"Class, settle down," announced Mrs. Madhavi, their English teacher, as she walked in. "We have a few weeks left before your final exams, and I expect nothing but your best efforts."
Her gaze landed on Arjun. "Ah, Mr. Amarasinghe. It's good to see you back after the long absence."
Arjun stood briefly, offering a polite nod. "Thank you, ma'am."
Mrs. Madhavi's expression softened. "You've been through a lot, Arjun. If you need any help catching up, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll manage," he replied, his tone confident.
During lunch, Arjun found himself at the back of the schoolyard, away from the bustling crowd of students. He unwrapped his lunch, only to be approached by Siri and Pavitra.
"Mind if we join you?" Siri asked, her voice melodic.
Arjun gestured to the bench. "Please."
The twins sat down, their presence commanding attention even in the quiet corner of the yard.
"You've been gone for a while," Pavitra began. "We heard about your loss. We're... sorry for what happened."
"Thank you," Arjun said, meeting her gaze. "Life has a way of throwing challenges at us. But I'm managing."
Siri leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm. "You don't seem like someone who just 'manages.' There's something different about you."
Arjun chuckled. "Let's just say I've had to grow up fast."
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, covering topics ranging from schoolwork to hobbies. Arjun noted their sharp intelligence and subtle competitiveness. While Siri was more outspoken and confident, Pavitra was reserved but equally perceptive.
By the end of lunch, the twins seemed genuinely fascinated by Arjun. As they walked back to class, Siri remarked, "You're not like the other boys, Arjun. We'll have to keep an eye on you."
He smiled. "I'll take that as a compliment."
After school, Arjun returned to Amarasinghe Estate, where Ananya was waiting in the lounge. She looked up from a book as he entered, her face lighting up.
"How was your first day back?" she asked.
"Eventful," he replied, loosening his tie. "I met the Tarangini twins."
Ananya raised an eyebrow. "Ah, the daughters of the Tharingini industrialist. They're known for being... formidable."
"They're interesting," Arjun said with a smirk. "But school is just a small part of the bigger picture. I'll need to start laying the groundwork for my investments soon."
Ananya set her book aside and walked over to him. "You're doing well, Arjun. But don't forget to enjoy the small moments, too."
He looked at her, gratitude evident in his eyes. "I won't. Thanks to you."
That night, Arjun sat in his study, poring over the financial reports and potential investment opportunities provided by his grandfathers. His focus was unwavering, his determination solid.
School was a mere stepping stone. His real goals lay in building an empire that would reshape not just his life but the future of everyone around him.