"Obviously I don't mind, Aditya." I whisper. The knot in my chest loosens slowly. “I’m sorry,” I say quietly.
He watches me for a moment. Then his expression relaxes. “I can never stay upset with you.”
“You looked upset.”
“That’s because you said something ridiculous.”
I laugh softly. “That sounds fair.”
Behind us Neel suddenly shouts.
“I finished breakfast!”
Aditya looks over his shoulder. “That was very fast. You really need to chew your bites, buddy.”
Neel wipes his mouth proudly. “I needed energy for the meeting.”
I narrow my eyes. “That doesn’t sound reassuring.”
“It’s fine,” he says confidently. “I will handle it.”
Aditya glances at me. “I think we should definitely attend.”
An hour later we’re standing outside Neel’s school. The building is buzzing with parents and children moving in every direction.
Neel walks between us with his hands tucked in his pockets like he’s leading a diplomatic delegation. “You must remain calm inside,” he says.
Aditya nods seriously. “I will try.”
“You too, didi.”
“I’m always calm.”
Neel snorts. “That is joke of the year.” I roll my eyes as Aditya snickers beside me.
Inside the classroom, Neel’s teacher greets us politely. She gestures toward the small chairs in front of her desk.
“Please sit.”
Neel immediately positions himself between us like a shield. “I would like to say something before the discussion begins,” he announces.
The teacher blinks. “Go ahead.”
“I am a good student.”
Aditya coughs into his hand to hide a laugh. The teacher folds her hands calmly. “Neel is very bright.”
Neel beams. “But,” she continues. Neel’s smile fades slightly. “He talks in class. A lot.”
I glance sideways at him. Neel stares very hard at the floor. “He also distracts other students.”
Aditya leans forward thoughtfully. “By doing what?”
The teacher sighs.
“Storytelling.”
I furrow my eyebrows. “Storytelling?”
