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UPDATE: I’m deleting Rahul from the story.  I might end up using some part of this chapter, maybe the rhythm or something, but I’m thinking the vast majority of this won’t be used.  I’m still too lazy to delete it though.

At 5:05 PM, Rahul sits down at his desk and starts studying calculus.

At 5:50, he tosses his calculus book across his desk and starts on biology.

At 6:15, he moves on to physics.

At 6:30, he starts on biochemistry.

Rahul strained himself attempting to force his brain to focus. His biochem notebook was loaded with complicated equations and the chemical formulas of important products. He remembered dutifully copying down the material for what seemed like at least an hour, but couldn’t imagine how he might apply it on a test. He couldn’t even imagine what the test would look like.

Well, not exactly. He figured it would be a thin packet loaded with scary words and phrases like “Explain the potassium-calcium exchange. Is it an example of an antiport exchange transport? Why or why not?” What he couldn’t visualize was him actually remembering, let alone understanding, any of this arcana during the test.

He snapped his notebook shut. The test wasn’t for another two days and this wasn’t helping at all. Maybe, he reminded himself, he could study for English language or British poetry. It made him feel like Ashwin whenever someone was jealous of his English.

He hated Ashwin.

His calculus book suddenly slipped off his desk, knocking two more textbooks with it. Rahul slammed his desk in frustration. His hand stung. He had to get out of this place.

Quickly leaving his room was a tricky proposition. Mounds of school materials and old tests and assignments leaned precariously against each other. The room was already messy enough that it would require heroic courage to even attempt the feat. Rahul had pushed aside the task for maybe the past year or so. Besides, the old tests would probably make him feel bad anyway.

He grabbed a light jacket. The path to the apartment door was empty, but going out without parental permission didn’t seem right. He joked once or twice that his parents would call a constable if he tried and he wasn’t completely sure he was joking.

He caught his mother on the telephone. Her voice was so high and lilted that she might as well have been singing for a children’s choir. He didn’t need to hear any of the conversation to know that she was talking with Ashwin, the Prodigal Engineer. Ashwin, the Chosen One. Ashwin, the Shining Star of the Patel family.

Her voice and facial features sharpened as she put down the phone. “Rahul. Where do you think you’re going at this hour? And on a school-night!”

Rahul had carefully concocted his alibi. “Biochemistry has been going pretty well, but it would help if I studied with Sagar a little bit tonight.”

Her gaze moved up and down, carefully appraising him.

“You were planning on leaving to study without bringing any books or materials?”

Rahul had made such a glaring mistake that he nearly groaned. He wasn’t sure exactly how much his face gave away, but he thought he kept his composure.

“I didn’t want to bother packing up my things until I was sure that I could go.” He drew out the word ‘bother’ and added a tone of whininess. He was sure that his mother would believe a lie based on his own laziness. Pretty sure, anyway.

“Get your things and go.”

“Thanks, Amma!”

He threw his book in his knapsack and raced out the door.