GENERAL POV
Finally, the winter break was over and everyone was back to their daily life. For Riv and Mek it was simply work, no MOC. Di and Kine were back to school teaching Physics and students unreluctantly had to pay attention in class.
The first day after vacation, SCHOOL GENERAL POV
First class that too of physics and on top of that for two hours straight. Isn't the school management being a bit too cruel?
Some student in the back of the class (to his friends, exhausted) : I'm missing waking up late in the afternoon.
One of his friends (joins in) : Bro you miss that, I'm missing eating every moment and being a couch potato.
Di (scolds) : Hey you boys at the back! What's there to talk so much about? Can't you all wait till the class is over….
Kine in the class smiles at Di to calm him down. Di closes his eyes for a bit, sighs and goes back to teaching. After the class was over, it was a short break for everyone. Kine and Di sit on a bench, Kine breaks the ice, as Di was going through the winter vacation holiday homework done by only a few students.
DI AND KINE's POV
Kine (teasing): Wasn't my love dose enough for you to stay happy for even 48 hours?
Di: (lets out a sigh) It isn't so… There are times when I think, I just like physics, not the students. Moreover if you don't like something and there are 60 of them in front of you, ruining the fun of physics. Not all of them, Lily, Sierra, Kalea, Shira, Joy,....
Kine runs his fingers in the locks of Di's curls.
Kine: (still touching Di's hair) Why did you stop? Continue…
Di (flustered): Ahum… I mean they are the only ones who pay attention in my class and maybe….. (a pause laced with yearning) How long do you plan to play with my curls?
Kine : As long as you don't stop me…. By the way, are these your natural curls or….
Di: (sarcastically) No, Riv wakes up early just to roll my curls every morning before breakfast… (annoyed) Like for real, grow up, where am I gonna make time for all this beautification (removes Kine's hand from his head) Enough of it, what if someone sees….?
Kine: Can't men compliment each other?? And I want to shout it aloud that we're together.....
DI, KINE AND FER's POV
Fer : (serious) I would like to repeat the same lines as Di, "Grow up". I told you to be careful, what if it wasn't me but someone else?
Kine: (not in the mood to hear a lecture early in the morning) What is it? Can't you see I'm busy…. (teasingly) Jealous of my happiness?
Fer: (fed up, softly) Damn you bastard, getting on my nerves again…
GENERAL POV
Aether: (out of the blue shows up) Is this silly getting on your nerves again Fer? let me handle him… (Fer stops him) Anyways, have you told them about the one joining our gang?
Fer: (serious) Only if he would let me. (Kine and Di stare at her with longing gazes) Stop with those puppy stares you two… It's a physics graduate. I heard he's an alumni of this school so maybe he's already on the brighter side of higher management and people like Bemin sir, Usina ma'am. Moreover, Kine, as the HOD you need to be a part of the panel. The interview starts at 10 and it's already 9:45. You better get back to reality (secretly gestures towards Aether) before people think you are slacking.
10 a.m., Conference room GENERAL POV
The panel chattering while going through the interviewee's CV. The interviewee enters the room, greets everyone in the room. His gaze stops at Kine and stays there until he is interrupted by Ms. Usina.
Usina: So Mr. Torque, your CV shows flying colours of success but do you think you will be able to adapt to the changed familiar environment of the school. (smiles)
Torque: (with a bright smile) Isn't my presence the answer to your question ma'am?
Everyone in the panel laughs lightheartedly except for Kine who just scoffs. Ms. Usina insists Kine to ask questions from Torque.
Kine: (serious, straight face) Are you sure it's not just the subject that you like but teaching those super annoying kids coming to school, God knows what for rather than studying?
Everyone was appalled by Kine's direct question. To which Torque smiles and answers.
Torque: Will you help me find the answer to that question, Mr. HOD?
Kine fed up with his improper answers but stayed calm in front of the panel. Both of them lock stares, as if they were competing.
Ms. Usina senses the atmosphere getting colder and breaks the silence with a soft laughter.
Ms. Usina : Sure sure why not, child... You'll help Torque. Wouldn't you Mr. Kinematics?
Kine : (coldly) Sure ma'am.
Ms. Usina : Torque, why don't you wait outside till the panel discusses for a bit.
Torque leaves but before leaving gives a victorious smirk to Kine to which Kine rolls his eyes.
Ms. Usina : So, what do you all think….?
Director : His CV is impressive indeed. I'm in.
Chairman : If he's willing to become a part of our family, who are we to stop him…. I'm in too .
One after another everyone in the panel agreed when it was Kine turn.
Kine : (cold and serious) Are we all going to overlook the part where he is so very not serious about the students learning from him and him ruining this profession's reputation? Teachers please…we can't just toy with the students' future.
However, none in the room paid attention to him and chose to offer him the appointment letter. Rather there was Bemin who saw the true concerns.
BEMIN AND KINE's POV
Bemin : (concerned and pacifying) Son, I understand you but we can't just let an unpolished gem not get recognised just because it has mud on it. We should at least give him a chance...Now don't make that gloomy face or else your friends will befriend Torque and alienate you. Want that?
Kine puts on a smile but is still not happy. He walks out of the room. Maybe he knew, whatever he said didn't matter against the favouritism of the higher management.
Outside the Conference room, KINE AND TORQUE POV
There sat Torque who catches the hand of Kine and somewhat pulls Kine towards himself.
Torque : (whispers in a flirtatious tone) Careful….Or I might fall for you. (winks) (Kine frees himself) It's going to be really exciting here….