---
Ten Days Later
There was something different in the air at Protapnagar Girls' High School today. Some new trees were being planted in the school compound. In the bright, sunlit morning, the students bustled about excitedly—hands full of saplings, small spades, and mugs of water.
Nivedita Ma'am was assigning tasks to everyone. Suddenly, she called Sneha and said:
— "You'll be with Anurag Sir today. You're assigned as his assistant. Help him in every way you can, okay?"
Sneha was a little startled but nodded.
— "Yes, Ma'am."
She quietly walked over and stood in front of Sir. Anurag Sir was crouched down, examining the soil.
Hearing her footsteps, Sir looked up—and smiled warmly upon seeing Sneha.
Anurag Sir: "Sneha..."
Sneha, eyes lowered, said shyly,
— "Sir, I've been appointed as your assistant today. Nivedita Ma'am asked me to help you."
Sir gave a faint smile.
— "Alright then. Let's get started."
---
A Little Later
Anurag Sir was digging into the soil. Beads of sweat on his forehead glistened in the sun. His deep blue shirt clung slightly to his body. Sneha stood beside him, holding a sapling, eyes fixed on Sir's hands as he worked.
Sir straightened up and said:
— "Here, the hole's ready. Now hand me that sapling."
Sneha quietly handed over a sapling. Then Sir said:
— "We need to water it now. Pass me that red mug."
Sneha followed all his instructions like an obedient student—wordless, precise.
---
A Little Later
As Anurag Sir was digging, he tried to stand up—at that exact moment, Sneha leaned forward slightly to observe his work.
Neither realized how close they had gotten.
As Sir stood up, his face came dangerously close to Sneha's chest—barely inches away. His eyes were suddenly level with the contours of her breasts, visibly defined beneath the gaps of her school shirt's buttons. He froze—shocked, still, completely unprepared. It felt like he'd seen something he shouldn't have.
Panicked, he stepped back and lost his balance—falling flat onto the ground.
Dust flew. The water mug nearby tipped over. A plant pot rolled a few feet and came to rest.
Sneha stared at him, stunned. Her body frozen in place, eyes wide, lips slightly parted as though trying to speak—but no words came. Her cheeks turned red. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple. She stood there, hands clasped over her chest, completely still.
Anurag Sir sat up hastily, face flushed with embarrassment. Sweat on his forehead, his voice low—
— "I… I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I didn't realize… you were that close..."
His words were broken, mumbled—tinged with guilt and regret.
Sneha tried to say something, but couldn't. Her head remained bowed, eyes trembling, heart racing. She said nothing, but her body radiated discomfort.
---
Later
As Nivedita Ma'am walked past the garden area, she spotted Anurag Sir kneeling down, planting another sapling. Sneha was right beside him, helping attentively. Both of them were dusty and messy—but neither seemed to mind. There was a quiet dedication in their work.
Nivedita Ma'am smiled and said,
— "Look at that! Teacher and student working together to serve nature! What a sight!"
Anurag Sir looked up and smiled faintly.
— "Just trying our best, Ma'am… to give these little plants some life."
His voice carried genuine warmth. Nivedita Ma'am nodded approvingly and then turned to Sneha.
— "Sneha is a very polite and sensitive girl. She listens attentively, never complains. It's rare to see such maturity at her age."
Sneha lowered her head shyly, her cheeks blushing from the praise.
In Anurag Sir's eyes, a hint of pride sparkled. He always felt pleased when someone spoke well of Sneha.
Nivedita Ma'am added,
— "Stay right by Sir's side, Sneha. Do whatever he asks, and listen carefully."
Sneha nodded slowly, a subtle light flickering in her eyes.
Anurag Sir smiled gently and said,
— "She's helping with such focus. Honestly, I couldn't have managed all this without her."
The world seemed to pause for a moment. A bird chirped in the distance. The air carried the scent of flowers.
---
The Far Side of the School
The sun hadn't yet become too harsh. On the far side of the school, near the old boundary wall, planting continued in silence. A giant jamun tree cast its cool shadow. The other girls were busy a bit farther away—some digging, others watering. But in this quiet corner, only Sneha and Anurag Sir remained.
Sneha stood beside Sir with a sapling in hand. Sir was digging.
— "You stay here. The soil is tough—I'll manage it," he said, his forehead sweaty, sleeves rolled up, shoulder muscles flexing with each movement.
Sneha nodded silently, clutching the sapling. Occasionally, she glanced at him, only to quickly look away.
When the hole was ready, Sir asked for the sapling. Sneha stepped forward and handed it over. She leaned in slightly to observe as Sir planted it.
Then Sir said,
— "I'll go get the others. Stay here, make sure no one comes by."
As he turned to leave, it happened.
In the quick motion, his elbow accidentally hit Sneha's chest—firmly enough to make her flinch.
Sneha recoiled, a flicker of pain in her eyes. She quietly placed her hand over her chest, trying to ease the discomfort.
Sir froze instantly, body stiff.
— "I… I'm sorry… I didn't realize..."
He spoke helplessly, his voice thick with shame, regret, and self-reproach.
Sneha said nothing.
But Sir felt no peace. He began to loathe himself. That slight accidental touch felt like a huge violation in his mind.
He turned and walked off to get the plants—but his steps were heavy. Sneha stood still behind him, sapling in hand, lips sealed.
Sir could no longer focus on his work. Guilt weighed him down. Sweat on his brow, frustration in his expression—it all became too visible.
---
Later by the Library
At the library, while reaching for a book about gardening from a high shelf, Sir stretched his arm. Sneha stood directly behind him.
As he pulled the book, his arm brushed against her chest again—this time from behind.
Sneha gasped softly and clutched her chest.
Sir froze, stunned. His face turned pale with embarrassment. His lips dry, he said:
— "Sneha… please… stay a bit farther away from me. I know Ma'am asked you to stick close, but not that close. Keep at least two feet away. I keep making mistakes… and I feel terrible. I'm sure you're uncomfortable too."
Sneha didn't say much. She looked down, a bit embarrassed, and said softly,
— "Alright, Sir."
From then on, Sneha worked beside him but always maintained a clear distance. She stayed vigilant, making sure not to come too close. Sir too became more cautious with every movement.
To be continued…