Mr. Richard pushed the wooden door open as Jonaki noted that the other sections had glass doors. Only Z was special with an antique wooden door, that had an emblem of the school's moto printed. "We the brilliant, we the brave, we the motivated, we win each day." 

She would not be winning anything in this school with her mediocre numbers and capabilities. 

As she tried to walk down behind Mr. Richard, he stopped Jonaki with the simple, "Wait here Jonaki. The class needs to know you well first. " 

He looked at all and there was a knock on the door, Vin stood there sweating profusely. His forehead frowned as he looked at Mr. Richard and then Jonaki. 

"Take you seat Vin. And sit down everyone. Jonaki will stand with me. " 

"Students, you will represent the school in every sports, arts and activities and then take main exams in two years. You will be known as the batch of 2025. Though your exams are in 2027. Why? Because from 2025 the school believes you all to be the true representation of the school's moto that is embossed on the wooden doors. " 

He paused and looked at the entire class. Few of them looked confused, few were glaring at her, others were looking down. 

"I know I personally introduced when the new entrants join each year. But this year that has been taken over by Mrs. Sengupta and the class teacher Mr. Samuel. Why ? Because I personally went down to Jonaki's village to convince her to join the school. And who is she ? Well not a champion as you have possibly understood. She is the daughter of a martyr. Before you assume, it as her father, let me correct you. It's her mother who is martyred. The first women contingent of Border Security Force that allowed women to join was ambushed on the day one of their deployment. With incredible bravery, she took down all the insurgents but was gravely wounded herself. Her husband, Jonaki's father who was also an army man but in signals, was posted in a different state at that period on a mission which did not give the accurate location. Jonaki was tiny, one year old. She stayed in the base with us till she was two. One year of army men looking after a baby whose parents had broken social norms to marry. " 

He stopped wiped a tear and announced, " So if you wonder who is this new joinee, she is almost my daughter. It is however not my quota or recommendation that she joined in. I did not think of uprooting her from her village and fellow neighbours when her father died but someone else did. Someone who owes a huge debt to the family and personally to Jonaki. " 

He paused and started, "So let me give you all a gentle reminder today. Not everyone is as capable and brilliant as you. Life has not given them that opportunity. But it is okay for them to be in your team. A mountain range are not always made of Everests, but smaller locally named peaks and plateaus too , that give the range its vibrance. " 

He looked at the class and asked them , "Any question ?" 

A girl called Ashi spoke, "We are glad she could join but Mr. Richards, why are you telling us all this. We have just had one class with her today." 

He nodded and asked Jonaki to return to her seat. 

"So while you all took a much deserved break and returned to your new classes with brilliant results and promotions, from the Office we installed CCTV cameras in all corners of the Classes. I have seen the footage before coming to speak with you. 

Ashi continued, "Sorry Sir. I do not know what happened here , but a few people were asking her of who she is and that should not get us this lecture. " 

Her classmate tried to hush her but she still spoke. "You should allow us to have a say before you take her side. Infact even if someone spoke to her, I did not. So why should I listen to you ?" 

Mr. Richard looked at Ashi. He vaguely remembered her as a top ranker, who fought whenever she lost that rank. Recently she lost to Vin and she perennially complained about partiality as did her mother. 

"Ashi you are a brilliant student. If you had joined you would have been introduced too. This is her introduction." 

Ashi shrugged, "Honestly I do not care. If her mother is martyred year back, she did her job. Very respectable and worthy but I still donot understand why we should listen to you. I will complain on this." 

The door opened and Mr. Samuel stepped in. 

He looked at Mr. Richard. He smiled at the class , "Girls and boys, Mr. Richard has come to the class to introduce a student. Please thank him and let's commence the day." 

"Thank you Mr. Richard. I will take over from here." 

For a minute Mr. Richard stood quietly before he walked away thinking, if he should have stopped Jonaki from joining this school, especially this section.

Ashi started again, "Teacher Samuel, I want to register a complaint... " 

He looked at her with his pleasant glance, "Ashi, I would want to start the class now. This lesson will not be repeated. Do you want to leave ?" 

She hastily declined and took out her copy. She touched it to her forehead and started taking notes. 

Teacher Samuel walked round the class as he spoke to them about the course of geography and observed all. At times he laughed at the foolishness of all the other teachers who believed managing Section Z was a cake walk. He felt sorry for Jonaki. What may have started as inquisitiveness now would become much more towards her. Ashi always spoke but the people who did not was the ones to be cautious of. He never interfered unless it was formally raised to him. So he wondered as he looked at Jonaki shrink into her desk, how long will she last, if she already had a break down. 

He glanced at Vin and almost stumbled. The sheer hatred in his face as he glared at him was palpable. It was as if he guessed what he thought. He went back to his desk and looked again. Vin was not looking at him anymore. May be he was wrong. Why would Vin care? Especially when the entire school was after him.