Damage Control, Disqualification, and a Date
The next day after the competition, I was napping on my seat in the classroom before homeroom started. As my alarm buzzed, I got up and went to the bathroom to wash my face and refresh myself.
When I entered the classroom again, all the students were in high spirits, chatting loudly with each other as always.
I wondered what they even talk about with that much energy in the morning.
I sat in my seat, waiting for homeroom to start.
The teacher entered the classroom and shouted:
"Rahul! Come to the staffroom! NOW!"
Her voice was so intense that the classroom instantly became silent. Everyone froze with fear.
She left the classroom, and I followed her to the staffroom.
The moment we stepped inside, she shouted again:
"What the hell did you do in the competition? The principal ended up taking TWO blood-pressure pills because of YOU!"
"Can I sit? You too— we can talk after we sit, right teacher?" I asked calmly.
"You're getting on my nerves! Yeah, sit or do whatever you want," she said, still irritated.
I took a seat next to her desk, and she sat down as well.
"So, what do you want from me, teacher?" I asked.
"What I want? Do you even have the slightest idea what you did at that competition? You mocked a contestant, caused a scene, and then you even made a bet with someone from the audience to get money. I need a written explanation! Why did you do all that?" she asked while massaging her forehead — maybe her head hurt because of me.
"I have a question, teacher. Did I participate in that competition on my own? Someone forced me to, and I even told you that. But you ignored it, didn't you?" I asked.
"That's…"
The teacher fell silent.
"I'm the victim here. And you're shouting at me? I'm not a puppet who dances for someone else. I'm the puppeteer. I own my freedom." I said.
"…I'm sorry. I'm the one who filled out your form and entered your name in the competition. But what do I do now? I didn't know you'd make such a huge scene because of it. What am I supposed to tell the principal? I'm going to lose my job at this rate…" she said in a defeated tone.
"Sigh… Teacher, just tell the principal that it was all your plan from the start. You made me participate, cause a ruckus, and get disqualified — all so the college gets more attention. Everyone will think of this college highly because of that, and they won't call it a 'wasted rich-kid college' anymore. That's it." I said, folding my arms and closing my eyes.
"That's…"
She paused, thinking.
"…That's not going to be easy to convince him… but I'll try my best with all my might. I have to call the principal right now. You go to the classroom. And for God's sake, don't do anything unnecessary and risk my job again."
"Okay okay, teacher, chilax. If I have to, I'll do it. If I don't want to, nobody can make me." I said and left the staffroom.
After college ended, I was walking home with Salina.
"So what happened this morning? Teacher seemed very furious about something! Did something serious happen?" Salina asked with a worried expression.
"Nothing at all! Just a misunderstanding in the morning. I cleared it up with the teacher." I said while looking at her walking beside me.
She seemed relieved.
"Oh! And what about your chess competition? Did it end?" Salina asked, meeting my gaze before looking away.
"Ahhh… I was disqualified from the competition. For good."
"Oh! Sorry… I didn't know. I'm really sorry."
"No no, it's totally fine. Don't worry about that. Tell me about yourself. How's your work going?" I asked, scratching the back of my head.
"It's going smoothly. I recently did a photoshoot for a shopping mall, and it was featured in a magazine and newspapers too," she said with a bright smile.
"That's great!" I said, thinking about something.
"Rahul? What are you thinking about?" Salina asked.
"Oh— nothing serious. I was just wondering how you do your photoshoots and everything. Just curious."
"Is that so… W-wanna come to my next photoshoot this weekend then?" she asked, slightly blushing.
"Is that possible?"
"Yes. After all… you're my… boyfriend," she said quietly.
"Okay then, I'll take that offer."
And just like that, it was decided — I would be attending Salina's photoshoot this weekend.
We walked together until her neighborhood arrived, said our goodbyes, and parted ways.