Monday, Just After PTM – 4th Week of July
The next day after the PTM, the sun seemed to shine a little brighter on Devgarh School. It wasn't a national holiday, yet the atmosphere buzzed like it was.
A surprise awaited the students when they arrived.
A long rangoli of marigolds decorated the school entrance. A bright hand-painted banner read:
"Congratulations to the Top Performers — Keep Rising!"
The principal, Mr. Thakur, smiled as students entered, handing each a sweet wrapped in golden foil. The "Nandanpur Eight" — as the teachers had begun calling them — were asked to stay back after assembly.
They stood near the flagpole, backpacks still slung over shoulders, confused but curious.
Then, to their shock, the teachers clapped. Real, warm applause.
Even Simran, standing with her usual group of friends, shouted, "Three cheers for the forest toppers!"
The entire courtyard echoed: "Hip hip hurray! Hip hip hurray! Hip hip hurray!"
The eight stood frozen for a second, eyes wide. Then Abhay smiled. Then Raghav. Then everyone.
It wasn't a grand function. No stage. No speeches. But for them — it meant the world.
Lunchtime
"I didn't expect this," Aariv whispered, biting into his aloo paratha.
"They never clapped for me even in first rank before," Vaidehi said, still dazed.
"Because we all did it together," said Meera, licking imli chutney off her fingers.
Simran walked up with her dabba and quietly sat beside them. "Is this place taken?"
Everyone froze for a second.
"It is now," Ishanvi smiled, making space.
Simran handed over a small gift wrapped in brown paper to Ishanvi and Abhay. "It's not much. I just… I thought you deserved it."
"What is it?" Abhay asked.
"Sketchbooks," Simran replied. "You both draw in science class margins like maniacs."
They laughed, and so did she.
Evening Routine – Devgarh Temple
As usual, after classes and extra lectures, the eight made their way to the Devgarh Temple. The skies were cloud-streaked, and the wind carried the earthy scent of distant rain.
They lit diyas.
Meera struggled with hers. Simran knelt beside her, steadying her fingers. "Here. Hold the wick straight."
For a while, the flame danced across their palms — gold on brown skin — little bits of light in the dusk.
Abhay stepped aside to help a girl from Class 11, who dropped her books while entering the temple.
He didn't notice, but Ishanvi did. Her fingers curled. A faint red shimmer pulsed across her knuckles, so faint only Raghav noticed.
He elbowed her softly and whispered, "Jealous much, didi?"
"Shut up," she hissed, cheeks burning.
Behind them, Vivaan whispered to Vrinda, "Firefly's glowing again."
"Ripple's about to drown," Vrinda smirked.
Night Planning – The 5 AM Warriors
Later that night, after a quick dinner, all eight connected through a group call. The "Nandanpur to Devgarh Extra Class Army," as Meera had named them, were now strategizing again.
"Okay," Raghav began, "We've got coaching every day at 6. We leave by 5:15, latest."
Vaidehi added, "Scooters full tank, backup notebooks ready. Meera, no forgetting shoes again."
"Once!" Meera squeaked.
They giggled.
"Also," Aariv mumbled, "Let's keep checking each other's energy. We've all been… tired."
There was a beat of silence.
"Agreed," Abhay said softly.
Then — just before ending the call — Ishanvi's voice cut through:
"We've made it this far. Let's go even further. Together."
They all nodded.
From the forests of Nandanpur to the temples of Devgarh — they had come a long way.
And the real test hadn't even begun yet.