You Are Most Welcome Alpha

ll੩ll Ah F**k

"Bachau, mainu bhaut mann hega. So very proud of every single of you in this room for your hardwork, dedication to learn. Aasi hun mihanata karado raho. Thawanu phir sikhana mainu bhaut khushi hovegi. I hope you all have a very bright future ahead of you! Sat shri Akal."

[Children, I am very proud. ... Keep working as hard as this. It will my pleasure to be able to teach you again. ...]

She meant if we were to take the Punjabi 12 social awareness/community leadership club next semester which starts next Tuesday.

Oh trust me, the pleasure of escaping this torture room is all mine, I sigh heavily, sinking back into my chair. The air immediately was beginning to feel lighter, fresher, my lungs sighed with relief as did I. My shoulders loosened in their sockets, tears of joy nearly slipped past my knowledge but I refrained from being known as a crybaby in presence of the people who already expected I was dumb and an outcast.

Some were even crying. And hey, I respect their sentiments but I didn't care much to start tearing up. Okay, I did feel bad now for hating her but it wasn't hard to see where this hatred sprouted from. Yes, she allegedly tried to help me and it's not her fault I was unable to learn. I should've known better.

It is weird to experience such joy at such a heart-filled moment, it was like showing up excited to a funeral of a hated person who was, unfortunate enough, to be related to you.

I was in need to take a good nap after this. I haven't been this relieved in along time, like an armor of golden plates strapped to your chest removed. It felt good to be able to get away now without feeling bad or anxiety of returning next year but also overwhelming. I was in never going to be in Punjabi again. Both a curse and a blessing.

Again it was the bell to save me from all the heart-filled sobs of farewells from the female members of her fanclub. I couldn't be happier to get away. As my foot took a step out the room for the final time, I nearly sank to my weakened knees if it weren't for the arms behind me holding me. They were also quick to retract. "Manpreet, are you good? I-."

"Goodbye," I said without a look back, I didn't want to see his face or drifted warm honey eyes or his concerned frown today, of all the days. It wasn't like me, he knew, to be fleeing with a grin. Actually no, if he were to truly know me he'd never hold me or even try to talk as I walk away from the one place I detested.

"Mani!"

"Finally."

"About time."

"Oh my God, yes bitch! Walk it!"

I literally jumped into their circling embrace, their arms mangled and sweet scent all engulfing me as one. This was a family for me. They knew everything from the start; the oldies, the struggle (mostly) and the undying love I held for every one of them.

They never left. Never complained. Drama? Maybe but what group didn't. We were family, we had created a family tree linking us to one another to prove our sense of loyalty, composed with those fortunate to have like someone or a pretense one for male companionship.

"Ew, cringe. Do you ever get a hold of your emotional side?" Someone leered from the side.

I untangled myself awkwardly, catching the stares of many going by for we were in the centre of the closed cafeteria. "Dill pickle!"

"Watch it Malkani," My pretense cousin warned dangerously.

"Sorry Sengara, it sorta came out," I laugh weakly, refraining myself from accidentally saying her given name. Too emotional and average for someone destined to do great things, as she quoted it.