The second day ended without any further hue and cry for Jonaki. She sat absolutely at the edge of the seat and avoided looking at Vin, who was good with pursuing the classes. 

But try as she did, she could not be any less fascinated by how much of himself Vin brought into the class. He wanted to be there first with all the answers and solutions and after some time Ashi had thrown her hand in the air and said, "Vin - I am sorry. Will you let me atleast answer a few of the questions." 

The Maths class was normal. Teacher Sundareshan seemed to have forgotten all about taking another test and he was focused on all the students understanding the class. Jonaki crossed her fingers and prayed to all known and unknown Gods. She hoped for normalcy most. 

Till that day morning she had been praying for Vin to move into another seat and she to get a different partner but now she was glad to be there beside the first boy. Archi and Mihi, kept their distance and disappeared the moment the tiffin bell rang. 

Before even she could get up from her desk, an uniformed person approached her causing the only embarassing moment in the class room. His emblem called out Kumars and he handed over two lunch boxes, one to each of them and then he receded. 

But Vin moved out of the class by nodding at her, "Eat well. " 

So she hoped no one had paid much attention to them and enjoyed the warm continental fare. A lot of cheese, a lot of mushroom, just like she liked it. She was reminded of a visit few years back and she had fallen in love with this cuisine. 

As the day ended, Vin picked up his school bag and nodded at her, "I am off to tennis practise ? Coming to see it ? Many girls do. " Then as if he did not think she will, he walked off. Jonaki proceeded to walk back slowly thinking this was normal but why did she miss the Vin who hoovered till today morning. 

As she reached the residential complex after a few wrong turns, she checked on the timing of the dinner and was surprised to note that the complex had its own supporting teachers. She was tired that day but she intended to find out more about it all and utilise them. 

A few hours of lone studies and her heart seemed to ache. She missed her mother whom she had never really met, her father and even Vin. She wished she had the number and on a hunch she called Vin's number which she had noted today. The phone rang but there was no response. Okay that was quick, she thought. Vin has retreated to who ever he was before she came after just one day. 

She touched her promise ring and wondered why Vin never wore it and did he mean it, before breaking into sobs. There was knock after sometime on the her door and the a young girl stood there looking at her. Her neat plaits came till her knees. 

"Hi, I am Jaya from Section B. I met Vin downstairs. He is waiting for you and wanted me to ask you to go down. "   

Then she looked around and said, "Are you alone here, why don't you come down to the 8th floor. My room mate won't return now, you can occupy her place ? It's a two member place and smaller than yours. If you want we can speak to Mrs. Sengupta tomorrow together ? " 

"Yes, yes.. sure. Thanks Jaya." Jaya smiled at her with kind eyes and turned away. 

"Don't forget , " She reminded with a smile, "Vin waits for your down stairs." 

Jonaki slipped on her jacket as the weather was getting colder and looked at the time. The kitchen was serious about the timing, will she miss her dinner if she went down now. Anyways he must just be wanting to say a Hi. 

As she left, she remember his gift. She had woven it with her hand. She slipped it into a jute bag that looked old, cursing herself for not packing well and went down. Again she forgot and climbed down before taking the lift from the nineth floor. But as the lift stopped, Archi, Mihi and another girl stepped out. 

"Going out now ? Its pretty late. " Spoke the third girl and she walked off. 

Archi stood blocking her way to the lift. "Dont tell me Vin is waiting for YOU downstairs. He refused to interact with me beyond a single mono syllabic Hi. Anyways. Go. Let's see how long you are friends with that demanding boy. " 

Mihi said, "Let me come with you Jonaki. " But Archi pulled at her hand, "Mihi , come now. Vin is furious on us. Dont make him more irritated by your silliness." 

Mihi looked timid as she followed Archi out but Jonaki spotted an anger in her that she was hiding. She had never seen such mismatched friends. She suddenly remembered her old friends Radha, Pashwan, Prachit. Hope they were well.. 

The lift opened at the first floor and some faces turned towards her but she did not exit and went further down. The entrance of the girl's residence was dimly lit as if getting ready to sleep. 

She stepped out as the gatekeeper looked at her and reminded thirty minutes to the dinner closure, one hour to return before the door closes. 

She nodded and went out. Vin was no where to be seen. 

She moved ahead and a hand reached out and pulled her aside. 

She stopped herself from shouting as she knew the touch. 

"Come with me.. whatever the guard says is 30 minutes less. The gate does not formally close for the next one and half hour. And your dinner is on me. " 

Vin ran and Jonaki panted to follow him , before she suddenly remembered their summer times run down the trails and laughed out loud. 

"Ah.. i live for that laugh Jonaki." 

Then he proceeded to get into a shelter. "These were built as cover for the rains that come often. Here.. have this. Home cooked Biryani. And mutton as you love it." 

Jonaki looked at his hand but he carried only one. 

"What about you ? " 

"Oh I have given up on red meat for now. I need to stay fit for all the sports demands that the school has on me. " 

She tried to argue. 

"I know you hate chicken. Stop arguing and have the biryani." 

Jonaki remembered that he used to pack the Biryani till the last year. It tasted even better. She gulped it down. 

"Not so fast Jonaki. Not so fast." Then he looked around and extended his hand. She looked confused. 

"Your right hand.. where you said I was looking. Your finger was chopped right ? Show it to me. I had forgotten all about it. " 

She extended her right hand to him. 

Gently holding it, he carefully raised it to his lips. And kissed it lovingly as he spoke conversationally. 

"Don't let this school break what we have Jonaki. We have had each other all our lifes. Your life's biggest sacrifices have been for me. My life's biggest commitment are for you. I will be sixteen soon, and we will become adults in few years. Remember we have to continue this word we gave each other. Else all the sacrifices of each other, will go to vain. " 

Jonaki felt too over whelmed to say anything but nod. 

"I promise in the classes I would remain aloof. But if you are in trouble, you must call me. You dont have a phone now? " 

"I have but I do not have a number. " 

"That's fine. This weekend apply for a leave of absence and come with me to the main city. We will get some clothes and your sim. Carry your ids ." 

"Vin that's not necessary.." 

He shook his head and pressed on her hand. It was absolutely necessary. Her mother as always had pulled a fast one, they should have borne her cost and not let her be a charity case to be looked down. 

"I have money of my own Jonaki. I have already started to invest in stocks and bonds and soon I will create a niche portfolios of my own. Someday if we want to escape all the Kumars, we will just run away. You just do your best and let me do my little parts. "

Jonaki nodded. Vin smiled as she hiccupped. She always did after a spicy food. But he had forgotten to bring water. She shook her head as if sensing his thoughts, "I will grab a fruit juice and water from the dinner.  "

Then it was time to let her go, thought Vin with a soft smile. "Go then.. " 

She took a step and then stopped, "Vin.. Vinayak.. I have something for you. I learnt to weave when father was in relapse and he was mostly unconscious. This one's for you. It has dropped stitch and all, but .. well this one's for you." 

With that she handed over her shoulder bag to him and ran off.