After the ceremony, the principal called all the badge holders into her office and started announcing,
"It is our privilege that we can hold an INTERSCHOOL event in our school this year. I hope you will all be happy to help us ensure the programme runs smoothly. The vice head girl is going to assign you the places for your duties, and please be present on those particular days. You all will be provided with certificates of volunteering."
Huh? Certificates? For work? We're just getting certificates?!
"Also, refreshments will be provided."
That's more like it. I mean, a human does earn money for food—even though I can't eat much.
The moment I got home, the first thing I did was call Shree. I told her everything that happened at school and scolded her for not coming, even though I knew she probably didn't care.
"Are you not going to accept the post?" I asked.
"I don't know," she exclaimed.
"What do you mean you don't know? You are not being professional, Shree. Think practically!" I said angrily.
"Ok then… what do you want?"
"I want you to accept the post on the very day you come to school."
"UHHH."
"You have to."
"Ok… we'll see."
The next day, we went to school, and everybody started asking Shree why she hadn't accepted the post; not even the teachers could help her dodge the question. After some motivation from everyone and a few treats from me, she finally agreed.
Then we were all called to the hall for duty assignments.
"Kavya and Ada, you both are going to be at the swimming pool," said DI.
"Shree and… Kriti? Wait, why is it written 'Kriti of 12'? Let me change it," DI said.
"Ok, fine," I replied.
Then the vice head girl arrived. Unfortunately, there are two Kritis in our school—me and another in 12th grade. Unlike her, my personality is joyful and happy-natured, while hers is quiet and strange.
"Why did you change the list, DI?" our precious vice head girl exclaimed.
"Because you've kept Kriti alone," DI said.
"Can't you see Kriti from our class needs her friends? Can't you see her nature?" the vice said.
"Then you are going to do this to my Kriti—throw her alone just because she is new?"
"We both also faced the same DI," she added.
"No, everybody needs the treatment you and I got. Why aren't you understanding? She's too innocent for your dirty games."
I just watched silently. Someone was fighting for me? Literally me?
A sharp voice cut through:
"You've kept Kavya and Ada together, didn't you?"
It was Shree.
"Don't you see their nature? I treat you guys as friends, and you have to be a little understanding, Shree."
"If this is what friends get, it's better to be a foe then" Shree snapped.
"Ok, fine, what do you guys want?" Vice asked, exasperated.
"Keep Shree and Kriti together."
The vice head girl started crying, but she obeyed.
This was the first time in my life someone stood up for me. Wow.
I asked Shree, "Why did you have to scream? The conversation could've been done peacefully."
"No. Everything can be done, but if you need something, you have to exceed the limits to get it," she said calmly.
And just like that, I got a quote for my life. A spark. I was in good hands.
I didn't care what DI did to anyone else—if she talked badly about others or had multiple boyfriends. I only cared about how she treated me like a small kid. That mattered.
But when I looked at Shree, I saw insecurity reflected back, and I asked,
"You never told me about your life. Are you going to tell me or not?"
And then… a whole new book opened in front of me—