Chapter 3: chapter 3

Chapter 3The morning dawned gray and gloomy, a steady drizzle pattering against Sourabh’s window. He peered outside, his heart sinking at the thought of cycling to school in the rain. He glanced at the clock, then back at his raincoat hanging by the door. With a resigned sigh, he grabbed it, knowing he couldn’t miss Nitya ma'am’s practical class today.Pedaling through the damp streets, Sourabh felt the cool air biting at his skin. He maneuvered through puddles, trying to avoid splashes that would soak his clothes. The rain blurred his surroundings, but all he could think about was the upcoming class. Would she notice him? Would today be different?As he arrived at Janki High School, he parked his cycle and hurried inside, shaking off droplets like a wet dog. The usually bustling hallways seemed eerily quiet. Sourabh frowned, peeking into his classroom. It was empty except for a few students from Chemistry and Biology, their laughter echoing through the air.“Where is everyone?” he muttered, a knot of anxiety forming in his stomach. He dashed down the corridor toward the practical hall, hoping to find someone from his physics class.Pushing the door open, he stepped inside, his heart sinking further. The room was vast, with rows of lab tables stretching out like a sea of empty islands. At the front stood Nitya ma'am, her back to him as she organized equipment. He could see her green dress swaying slightly with her movements, and his breath caught in his throat.“Sourabh!” she exclaimed, turning around. Her surprise transformed into a warm smile as she spotted him. “I didn’t expect to see you here alone. Where is everyone?”“They must be running late or something,” he replied, trying to sound casual despite the nerves swirling inside him. “I cycled through the rain, so I thought I’d get here early.”Nitya ma'am raised an eyebrow, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. “You rode your bike in this weather? That’s dedication! But you should’ve taken an umbrella.”“I didn’t think it would be this bad,” he admitted sheepishly. “I’m just really looking forward to the practical.”“Me too!” she said, her enthusiasm infectious. “Alright, since it’s just the two of us, we can really dive into this. Let’s make the most of it!”As she guided him toward the front of the room, Sourabh felt a rush of adrenaline. He was alone with her, and while it should have been intimidating, it felt exhilarating. The practical hall was much larger than their classroom, and Nitya ma'am typically used a microphone to give instructions. But today, there was no need for it.“Why don’t you take a seat here?” she suggested, motioning to a stool closer to her. “We can have a more personal discussion without the mic. Besides, I’d like to hear your thoughts directly.”Sourabh’s heart raced. He couldn’t believe she wanted him so close. He moved to the stool, his palms sweaty. Sitting next to her felt like being on the edge of a roller coaster—thrilling and terrifying all at once. As he settled in, he could feel his pulse quicken, each beat echoing in his ears like a drumroll.“Alright, let’s start with the experiment,” Nitya ma'am said, her voice smooth and steady. She began explaining the principles behind their practical, her enthusiasm lighting up the room. Sourabh hung onto her every word, but he also found himself distracted by the way her hair fell gently over her shoulders. The air from the ceiling fan caught a few strands, causing them to dance playfully.For a moment, Sourabh imagined reaching out to tuck a loose strand behind her ear. The thought sent his heart racing even faster, and he immediately shook his head to clear it. What was he thinking? That would definitely get him into trouble. He couldn’t risk her calling his guardian over something so foolish.As Nitya ma'am continued to explain, Sourabh was hyper-aware of everything—her gestures, the way her eyes sparkled when she got excited, the slight tilt of her head as she thought about what to say next. He could hardly focus on the practical instructions. Instead, his mind was buzzing with the weight of the moment.“Now, I want you to set up the apparatus for measuring the acceleration due to gravity. You’ll need to connect the pendulum and make sure everything is calibrated correctly,” she instructed, moving closer to him to demonstrate.Sourabh nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. The proximity made him feel both elated and nervous. He carefully set up the equipment, trying to keep his hands steady. But with every glance at Nitya ma'am, his resolve wavered.“Make sure the string is taut, and remember, it’s all about precision!” she encouraged, leaning in a little closer. Sourabh felt lightheaded. He was completely entranced by her presence, the way she brought the science to life.“You’re doing great, Sourabh!” she said, her eyes bright with approval. Her praise sent a thrill through him, and he couldn’t help but smile, even as the sound of his heartbeat seemed to fill the room.“Thanks, Nitya ma’am,” he replied, his voice slightly shaky. “I just want to make sure I get it right.”She continued guiding him through the steps, her voice like music to his ears. But with each passing moment, he became increasingly aware of the heat rising in his cheeks. He was sitting right next to her, and it felt as though the space between them had disappeared. He was acutely aware of every little detail—the way she brushed her hair back, the faint scent of her perfume, and the way her eyes sparkled with encouragement.“Okay, now let’s observe how the pendulum swings. It’s all about timing,” she instructed, stepping back to observe the setup. Sourabh focused intently on the pendulum, but his mind was racing with thoughts of how he could capture this moment in words, in feelings, in something that could last beyond the classroom.Suddenly, a breeze swept through the hall, causing a few strands of her hair to drift across her face. Before he could stop himself, he glanced at her, his breath hitching. He wanted to tuck them back, to clear her vision, but the thought was both thrilling and terrifying.“Are you okay, Sourabh?” she asked, noticing his momentary distraction.“Uh, yeah! Just… focused!” he stammered, quickly turning back to the equipment, hoping she wouldn’t notice how flustered he was.“Good!” Nitya ma'am said, her voice filled with encouragement. “Remember, physics is all about observation. The more you observe, the more you learn.”Sourabh nodded, trying to ground himself in her words. But all he could think about was how captivating she was. The way she spoke, the way she carried herself—it was intoxicating. He tried to focus on the experiment, but every so often, he would catch her glancing at him, her expression warm and inviting.“Now, let’s take some measurements and calculate the acceleration,” she said, pulling him back into the moment. As they worked side by side, she explained each step, and he tried to absorb everything while also managing the racing thoughts in his head.Finally, after what felt like an eternity of shared laughter and collaboration, Nitya ma'am asked, “So, what do you think of the results so far? Any surprises?”Sourabh thought for a moment, the numbers swimming in his head. “Honestly, it’s fascinating how the calculations come together to reflect what we see. It’s like… everything is interconnected.”“Exactly!” she replied, her eyes lighting up again. “That’s the beauty of physics—it helps us understand the world around us. You have a real knack for this, Sourabh.”Her words made his heart flutter, a mix of pride and affection flooding through him. He felt like he was floating on air, lost in a moment where time ceased to exist. But as he glanced around the practical hall, he was reminded of their solitude.“Thanks, Nitya ma'am,” he said, trying to keep his tone steady. “I just really enjoy it.”As they wrapped up the session, Sourabh couldn’t help but feel a sense of longing. He had shared something special with her today, and it made him wish for more moments like this—just the two of them, exploring the wonders of physics and, perhaps, each other’s thoughts and feelings.As they began cleaning up, Nitya ma'am looked at him with a smile that felt like the sun breaking through the clouds. “I’m really glad you decided to come today, Sourabh. It turned out to be a great session, despite the rain.”“Me too,” he replied, unable to hide the smile tugging at his lips. “Thanks for making it so enjoyable.”And with that, as the rain continued to patter against the windows, Sourabh felt a spark of hope. Maybe today wasn’t just about physics; maybe it was about connection, understanding, and the possibility of something more.