It is the First Day, don't know where I stand anymore....

**Captain O Captain****

Chapter – 1**

Today was Manoj’s first day in 11th grade. With a new bicycle, new uniform, new books, and new passion, he went to his new school. 

His bicycle, which he had named “Kallo” because it was black, seemed to be flying in the air. Enthusiasm is the only word that can truly express Manoj’s emotions.

But in his excitement, he didn’t notice how heavy the traffic on the road was. At a turn, while he wasn’t looking back, he narrowly avoided colliding with a black Eco van coming from behind. The elderly driver kept hurling abuses at him as he drove past. Manoj was about to respond with abuses of his own when his eyes fell on a girl sitting at the back of the van.

Manoj’s small but sharp eyes scanned the girl’s face in less than a second. A round face, thick eyes behind black glasses, a slightly broad nose—not too much. Slightly full lips—not too much. And just below her lips, on the right side, a large mole. For a moment, Manoj couldn’t believe it, because he had a mole at exactly the same spot!!
He noticed that the girl’s uniform was from his own school. For the rest of the journey, he kept thinking that if this girl happened to be in his class, his next two years would be successful.

Manoj was overjoyed to learn that the girl’s name was Akshita and that she was in his class. 

Holy Cross School, where mostly Catholic children studied—the principal was also a Sister ( Nun ). The atmosphere of this school was different from other schools in Najafgarh. It wasn’t just an English-medium school by name. There were strict rules even for beard and hair. And the strangest thing for Manoj was that teachers had to be addressed as “Miss,” even if they were married.

In this new environment, Manoj had no trouble establishing his place. He quickly became a favorite of all the teachers. He had always been a topper at Krishna Model School as well ( his previous school ). 

But there was one girl he couldn’t surpass. Yes, that girl was Akshita. If Manoj was the teachers’ favorite, then Akshita was even the principal’s favorite. Sister Veronica even took advice from her. In studies too, Akshita scored higher marks. And because of all this, Manoj found himself becoming more and more attracted to her.

But Akshita stayed distant from everyone. She didn’t talk to anyone. The boys she had rejected said she is an arrogant bitch!—and there were many such boys. 

Not just boys, even girls didn’t want to befriend her. If any girl tried to befriend her, Akshita would give a blunt reply. Because of this, the girls were also irritated with her. Julia, who sat with Akshita, didn’t talk to her either. The students who had been in the school for years were already familiar with Akshita’s behavior. And the new students who joined this year quickly understood that this girl paid no attention to anyone.

Manish, who was Manoj’s close friend and had come from Krishna Model School as well, also wanted to be friends with Akshita. But Akshita looked at him briefly and said, “Not interested.” After that, Manish became so angry that he stood in front of Manoj and abused Akshita for half an hour. Boys tend to react this way—the poor guys couldn’t handle rejection.

Manoj didn’t pay attention to Manish’s words. In fact, he wanted to tell him, “You fool, you think you can be Akshita’s friend? Only I can be her friend—you roadside goon.” 

Fortunately for Manoj, his bench was right behind Akshita’s. He spent the whole day looking at her back, and his curiosity kept growing. What kind of girl is she? 

In class, she doesn’t seem to study at all—she just keeps looking out of the window. But if a teacher asks her a question, she answers so fluently that the teacher has nothing more to ask. No one knows where she goes during lunch break. During games period, she doesn’t go outside—and even if she does, she sits under a tree with her novel. Even the PT teacher can’t say anything to her because the principal herself has given permission.

But the more Manoj observed her habits, the stronger his belief became that this girl was hiding something. What sorrow was she silently enduring? Had someone broken her heart so badly that she had lost trust in people? Along with all these thoughts, Manoj’s determination also grew stronger—that he would be the one to solve her problem.