The quick action startled Vira. Had he judged Saka too quickly? Maybe, he was a violent kid afterall?

 He jumped off the bed and rushed after Saka.

Saka barged into the staff room and glared at Laika. He was mustering his energy, evidenty. His annoyance had superceded his pain.

Laika saw Saka's face and sprang out of his seat, grinning widely. Saka was a bit slow, considering his injuries, giving Laika ample time to get out of harm's way.

Roma tried to calm Saka, maintaining a very safe distance. "It was just a joke."

"Joke? I'll make a joke out of you, come here!"

Roma ran behind Laika, with Saka right behind them. Vira stared at what was going on, totally clueless, and decided to run after them.

He was missing something. They ran up to the terrace, with Saka throwing a couple of colourful words, sounding a bit like the delinquent he was made to be.

As Vira reached the terrace, he saw Laika and Rowa in one corner, Laika gleefully smiling, while Saka looked extremely angry.

He walked upto Saka and stared at Laika, "Enlighten me?"

Saka said angrily," I texted my imbecile of a brother asking him to inform you that I'd be late because of my injury."

Laika laughed," I did, that's what I told him."

"You certainly did! You made it sound like I got injured because of some neighbourhood brawl. That is NOT the same thing! I got weird looks from him from the moment I walked in."

The humour of the situation struck Vira. He bent down and started laughing. He laughed so hard he ended up sitting down.

"They got us good!", Vira wheezed as he laughed, tears pouring down his cheeks.

His laugh was so infectious, the humorous side of the entire event struck Saka, who also started giggling.

Laika and Roma joined them. Laika exclaimed," We knew you'd be able to take a joke, sorry about that, but opportunity rarely knocks you know?"

As Vira tried his best to stop laughing, which was very difficult once he got to it, Saka stared at Vira. When he laughed, he lit the place up like a thousand suns. He looked completely unguarded, and that dimple, not very deep, but made it's presence felt.

"I want me to be the reason he laughs like this", Saka thought to himself.

He was shocked by his own thought. What am I thinking?!

Vira, atlast, in control, grinned and said,"That was an unexpected and unforgettable way of starting a new term."

When they had settled down a bit, Laika and Roma left as they had their class. Saka sat next to Vira, stretching his legs to avoid folding his knees.

"Don't you have class now? The next period is about to begin."

"My classes are scheduled for after lunch. I have some time. You should go though."

"I think I'll cut the next class. My body hurts, and if you don't mind, can I sit here for sometime?"

Vira looked surprised, but nodded his head. "You are in your final year, try not to cut classes."

"I swear I'm not the kind to bunk, today hasn't been the best of days."

Vira looked at him.

"Sorry Maw, about all of this."

Vira winked and replied,"You have nothing to be sorry about. You and your brother seem close."

"I'm adopted."

"Oh, really?", Vira looked at him, worried if he had hurt Saka.

"No. But you see my brother and my father, you won't be able to believe an angel like me belongs to that household." He said that in a neutral tone.

Vira burst out laughing. "That way, you mean!"

Saka smiled, he made this teacher laugh again, a pretty laugh that made his heart sing.

"Maw, I never got to introduce myself properly. I'm Saka, Laika's brother."

"I'm Vira, I'm from Marina. I just moved here this weekend, so haven't really had time to explore."

"Can I call you Sen Vira outside of school?"

Vira stared at him. He wasn't very expressive, but he was very happy. In a time where people tend to keep their distance, to be accepted so easily, on the very first day, in a completely new place, he felt a bit overwhelmed.

"I'll call you Maw," Saka said hastily. He must have come across as super rude. He was such an idiot!

Saka looked a bit down by the lack of expression. He wanted to get close to Vira. Ofcourse, Vira was almost a decade older than him, he'd expect respect.

Vira noticed the instant change in expression. Saka was very much like a puppy. He was extremely expressive, very quick to react and vocal, but harmless and adorable. Vira wanted to pat his head.

"Why not?" asked Vira. I'm happy you consider me that close.

"Huh?" Did Saka hear him right? "Are you okay with me calling you by your name Sen Vira?"

Sen Vira, it made him feel warm on the inside. He liked it a lot.

"Go ahead."

Saka gave a happy smile. He felt possessive of Vira. He wanted to be special to him. 

Vira asked Saka, "Can I ask you something personal? You don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"You can ask me anything Sen Vira."

"Your earrings. Is it a style statement?"

"No. This is a custom? There is a significance for every piercing we get. The first piercing on the earlobe is a sign of gratitude to God, done when a child learns to talk. The second piercing is done to initiate the child to learn the scriptures. The third is done when the person completes his scriptures. The piercing on top of the ear shows that there has been a loss in the family. This is the practise at any Apām temple."

"Loss?"

"In my case my mom passed away when I was 8. Laika did not study the scriptures, so he has only two. I chose to study the scriptures, because I want to take over my dad's responsibilities. So I have 4."

"I didn't know about your mother, I'm sorry." Vira looked at Saka. While Saka was matter of fact about it, Vira felt sad for Saka. He also felt a sense of respect that the kid had carefully thought and made up his mind about his future. Not many people at that age know what they want without being influenced by their peers.

Saka gently poked Vira's cheek. "Don't look so serious. Life is great! I do miss her, but my dad and brother have been there for me through my best and worst moments, so I never felt for a moment that I was motherless, if you know what I mean."

Vira smiled at him. It was a small smile, but it spoke volumes. It was a smile of pride and respect.

Saka felt shy. He looked away." Enough about me. People would give anything to go to the mainland. Why did you leave all that and come here?"

"To teach."

Saka looked puzzled.

"I worked at the best private school out there. But where kids of affluent parents study, there is no importance given to hardwork. In a place where money could buy everything, be it marks or dignity,  I felt I couldn't be a teacher there."

"I am glad you felt that way," replied Saka. Vira looked surprised. "Uh?"

"Now, I got you. Their loss is my gain, isn't it?" asked Saka. Vira laughed. "You speak well. You certainly have what it takes to be a priest" 

Saka laughed. "I only say what I mean."

Vira poited to Saka's head and asked, "Do you have a story for your hair as well?"

"Does it make me look too weird?"

Vira noticed that Saka dodged that question. He probably had a story for it that he was unwilling to share at the moment. He wondered what it could be.

Vira shook his head in response. "No, you look very cool. Keep it."

Saka was taken aback by that response. He expected a short lecture, if not a rant on how he should be mindful of his image as a student. The response was totally unexpected. He blushed at the compliment. He felt Vira was a person worthy of hero worshipping.