Page 15 of Born in Sin

“Amay.” Celina screamed his name out from across the school’s long driveway. Startled, he dropped his gym bag, his spectacles sliding down his nose as he scrambled to pick it up.

All around them children milled, lugging their bags into the main school building. It was drop off day, the first day back after winter break. And Celina was thrilled to be back. Christmas had not been what she’d imagined it would be. Her parents had been fighting in their bedroom, but pretending to be happy in front of her, so it had mostly been tense and awkward. She ran over to where Amay stood, eyeing her apprehensively.

“Hi,” he said nervously, pushing his glasses up his nose.

“Where’s Virat?” Celina was bouncing on her toes in excitement.

“I don’t know,” he replied, turning towards the building. “I just got here.”

“I’ll come with you,” she said. “We can find him together.”

Amay flashed her a little side eye which she ignored. She didn’t care what he thought of her. She needed to see Virat and tell him…tell him what? It felt like a hundred bees were stinging her under her skin.

Ishaan wandered up to where they were, dragging an ancient school bag that looked like it was a million years old behind him.

“Ams,” he said, nodding at his friend and ignoring Celina completely.

“Hi Ishaan.” Celina waved her hand cheerily in front of his face.

He recoiled like she’d slapped him. Amay dug his elbow into Ishaan’s side, and he muttered, “Hi.”

Someone’s shoulder smacked into Ishaan’s sending his bag tumbling to the ground.

Varun, one of the boys in their grade laughed as he walked past, the sight of Ishaan scrambling to put his things back into his bag seeming to please him. Celina glared at his back, but Varun didn’t look back and probably wouldn’t have cared even if he’d noticed. That bunch of boys was bad news, like her mother always said.

Celina dropped to her knees along with Amay and between them they helped Ishaan shove his things back in. And then another hand joined in, brushing against hers as they reached for Ishaan’s English textbook. Storm grey eyes caught hers and her stupid smile came bursting out of her again.

“Hi,” she said stupidly.

“Hi,” he replied, a small smile quirking his lips.

“Oh man! I’m going to puke.” Ishaan’s disgruntled mutter had Amay dragging him away, leaving Virat and her, still kneeling on the floor of the crowded corridor.

“Did you have a good break?” she asked him, as they slowly rose to their feet. Had he gotten taller in the last month?

His smile dimmed at the question and Celina regretted it immediately. She rushed to fill the silence with words.

“I’m so happy to be back at school,” she blurted out, the words spewing out of her.

Virat glanced down at her. He had gotten taller!

“For the first time,” he murmured. “So am I.”

Chapter Six

CARA

“I’ll handle cleanup.”

She stared at where the gun dug into his worn t-shirt, scrunching the material up. Fatigue rolled through her in a wave that threatened to drag her under. She dropped her hand, checked the safety on the gun and slipped it back into her handbag.

“When did you learn to shoot?” he asked her quietly.

“As soon as I started making my own money and didn’t need my mother’s approval to do something.”

She noticed him stiffening like he always did at the mention of her mother. Some things never changed. Her mother would probably have the same reaction if Cara mentioned Virat in front of her.

“And you, Mr. Jha? I’m assuming shooting is just one of many skill sets you’ve acquired over the years.”

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