The week passes. In an unprecedented scenario the Section Z had no further Maths classes post the Monday of only Maths classes. But there was a strange unease with which the parents started approaching the Office. Somewhere may be even their aristocratic or privileged self realised that the peace was a tentative one. 

Others thought it was for their conscience. They knew it was for the uneasy conversation that happened with Mrs. Kumar. She sat in the meeting room working on her mobile as others complained about the Maths classes being missed , Teacher's movement, their students being punished with a day of Maths classes, she disagreed with each point, refusing to sign or align , She did not speak much though. All the while typing into her mobile, she thought and planned. 

Soon the parents wondered at the point of this charade, their profits were missed, parties cancelled, end of the day Mrs. Kumar still had her son in the Section Z and the offensive girl was moved to some other section.  They went home, remembering the power game Mrs. Kumar played, cursing her inside for they knew in whispers that she was often abused in the Kumar household but those were whispers. Outside she held complete power in the society and wielded it relentlessly. They were reluctant to pick up a fight with her magnetic personality. Secretly however they wished that the son she so protected and the industry she headed with passion would both abandon her someday. 

By the time the week ended and the weekend commenced the school was empty and all students have been called home for the batch of 2025. Other batches and classes possibly went on as usual but parents were only bothered about theirs. Archana and her parents formally complained against the Maths teacher Sundareshan on the Friday but just as Mrs. Sengupta stood in the Office covering for the week long absence of Mr. Richard, the chess prodigy Sashidhar walked in with a request to be transferred to Section A. 

He was a year elder to other students of Section A and spoke with a slight accent that hinted he had started his English education later than his mother tongue. His parents were far away but he put the request just as Archana and her parents were submitting their request stating, "Mrs. Sengupta, before you accept their request, please accept mine. I want to also transfer to Section A like the other student. She is happy and included in that section. I want to the same to. Here in Section Z no one speaks no me barring Vin. But then he had been distracted of late and has no time for me. "

Mrs. Sengupta thought of the accolades he had received leading to his movement to this school and tried to pacify him. He declined all comments insisting on his transfer. 

Mrs. Sengupta asked, "What can make it easier for you in Section Z Sashidhar ? I understand you are new but see Archana is here. A lovely girl and our oldest student. You both can be friends." 

There was a pause before Sashidhar looked at Archana and said bluntly, "Not her or Mihi and their group. My parents will never forgive me if I associate with them." 

The stunned parents of Archana looked at the young boy looking straight at their daughter with a distaste so prominent that possibly even their proud selves felt threatened. Archana who had never possibly noted the presence of the quiet Sashidhar, felt insulted too. But she had been having a miserable week with many class mates behaving as she was responsible for no Maths class. Who was this boy anyway.. A faint memory told her, he was there in the class but also often missing from the class. 

"Listen you, I have never seen you much in the class. Who are you anyway ? One of the new entrants ?" 

Her parents looked at her surprised. Her mother tried to whisper under her breath of the accolades Sashidhar had brought to the nation and how he was deemed to be the most promising chess player of his generation. But Archana went on, " I am not sure why you are coming here with your request. But Section Z is about brilliance. You anyways are never in the class. How does it matter which section you join?" 

Mrs. Sengupta closed her eyes and thought of the reason why she must retain the job and not one good reason came to her mind. She looked at Archana and her parents and said, "Can you all please wait outside. Sashidhar is our most prestigious tranferee this year. Can I speak to him alone ? " 

As Archana's parents pulled her out, hushing her potential arguments, the door to the Office opened and Mr. Sundareshan walked in with Jonaki. They were followed by Teacher Irfan. They paid no attention to the parents and Archana who walked out, but went to Mrs. Sengupta straight and asked, "Can we understand why is Jonaki alone on a floor where there are only occasional teachers residences?"

Jonaki shook her head to indicate she had not complained and tried to stop the teachers. But Teacher Irfan would not stop, " I did not realise that the entire floor was vacant and only she stayed there. Have you got any idea, she had a panic attack yesterday that was undetected. Today in the Maths class, she started solving at breathneck pace when the Sir noted something strange in her behavior. With her history of childhood trauma, how dare you take this decision Mrs. Sengupta ?" 

The Office shook with the raised voice of Teacher Irfan. 

Mrs. Sengupta who never raised her voice burst into sudden tears and said, "Fine, you all manage the Office and the hostel. I am leaving ridiculous, boot licking job. " She took a deep breath and looked at Jonaki, "You enjoyed the seclusion right Jonaki ? You thrived.. Why now.. why you too ? You also enjoyed the new section, what happened now ? "

Then she spoke to Teacher Irfan, "Everything is okay, but raising the voice. How dare you speak like this. I will complaint against you. " 

Teacher Irfan was still furious, "Yes please do, and I will produce the medical report of her panic attack. And don't ask what happened. Someone switched off the power yesterday night and put the entire floor of Jonaki's in darkness and there were strange sounds made at her door, frightening her and setting off her attack."

Jonaki spoke amidst the raised voices, "I have decided to take up the offer of one of my classmate and move out of the Hostel. I will stay in their house for this session. "

Mrs. Sengupta looked at Jonaki. So calm, though her dark circles indicated sleepless night. She could not deal with another Mrs. Kumar episode. 

"Mrs. Kumar may have a different view on it. Please speak to her before you take any decision."

Jonaki nodded but said, "She is out of the country now and will return only later next week. Vin is in the IT fair in the city. I can not disturb either of them. Hence Sirs have agreed to write for me to give me permission to stay in one of the student's houses for this week and travel everyday." 

She looked at Teacher Irfan and at his encouragement added, "Once they are back, I would speak to both of them and if Mrs. Kumar decides I may return to the Hostel too." The words got stuck in her throat, she would not want another repeat of yesterday. But then Mrs. Kumar did have her formal guardianship. 

Mrs. Sengupta accepted the letter and signed on it. Sashidhar forgotten by all till he spoke, "Please accept my request also. I want to join Teacher Irfan's class too. I would fit there better."

Then in his usual blunt matter added, "May be the Section A would be the Section Z in capability."

Mrs. Sengupta looked up at Teacher Irfan who was looking at Sashidhar. He muttered under his breath, "I am glad but it would have been better if it was a lady. All males and only one female."

The he shook his head as if to clear it, "Sir.. what do you think ? " 

Sundareshan looked at Irfan, remembering indeed he was a student too, the naughtiest, the brightest, the most disruptive yet the most idealistic too. "Please Irfan, this boy will someday be a pride of the country. Please accommodate him." 

Irfan nodded at his former teacher who was now wanting to retire and though, what a loss. But vocally nodded at Sashidhar, " Well, that's fine. I need a few wins though in chess and a chess club that's functional."