Episode 3

Today felt different.

A quiet buzz had spread across the entire school-whispers, muffled giggles, and a curious excitement lingered from classrooms to corridors. The reason was clear: today was the first day of the new chemistry teacher-Anurag Bandopadhyay.

Among the science students of grade twelve, there was a wave of silent thrill.

- "Hey, what does our new chemistry sir look like?"

- "Anita said he looks just like a movie star!"

- "More than that-even better! So calm, so serious, but when he smiles... oh my!"

When Anurag Sir first walked into the classroom, there was a momentary hush. Even though the students sat with their books open, all eyes were on him.

They hadn't imagined a teacher could be this handsome.

He was elegant, refined, and young-not just a teacher, but as if a character from a poem, whose mere gaze could send a soft current through the heart.

When he wrote on the board, no one cared about the chemistry equations. All eyes were on those long, graceful fingers.

He taught with a calmness that was rare-no rush, no frustration. His voice was deep, soft, and carried an unusual confidence. When he said,

"When two atoms share electrons, a covalent bond is formed,"

it felt as though he wasn't just explaining chemistry but unraveling some secret of life.

When their eyes met his, many students felt their hearts skip a beat. Some even made small mistakes on purpose, just hoping Sir would look at them and say, "Did you understand?"

The words didn't matter as much as that glance.

He often drew orbital diagrams, electron clouds, and nuclei on the board. Even the way he held the chalk was captivating.

When Sir, in the flow of teaching, walked up close to explain something, a soft fragrance would drift from him-a mature, enchanting scent that seemed unique to him alone.

While he taught, the twelfth-grade girls had their own silent commentary running:

- "This Sir is a dream!"

- "From today, Chemistry is my favorite subject!"

- "I feel like getting a tattoo of his handwriting!"

Not just his looks, his way of explaining was like soft music-clear, slow, and reassuring.

The class topper, Nandita, said after class,

"I understand everything the moment he explains. But why doesn't he ever look directly into our eyes while talking?"

The truth was, Anurag himself was very shy.

When students lingered a little longer under the pretense of asking questions, Sir would often lower his eyes, give a composed answer, and quickly shift his gaze.

The girls noticed this and whispered among themselves:

- "How gentlemanly!"

- "Maybe too gentlemanly... which makes him even more likable!"

This charm wasn't lost on the younger female teachers either.

Minakshi Ma'am, newly appointed, told Shilpa Ma'am during lunch break,

"Did you notice how gentle Anurag Sir's smile is?"

Shilpa winked and replied,

"You're mesmerized just by looking at him-I stood outside the class once and listened. His way of explaining... oh, divine!"

Minakshi blushed, her cheeks turning red. She quickly opened her steel lunchbox and tried to calm her racing mind with the aroma of rice and lentils.

Shilpa continued,

"Today, when I went to get tea for the staff room, I saw him standing by the window, teaching. In that black shirt brushing against his body, he looked even more striking. His handwriting-so beautiful-it felt like art!"

Minakshi took a sip of water and asked shyly,

"Did you talk to him?"

"No, but he himself said-'You all are very helpful, thank you for receiving me so warmly.' And I smiled and said-'It's very easy to like you, Sir!'

He paused, gave a shy smile and said, 'I haven't done anything to deserve being liked yet.' That smile...!"

Minakshi covered her face with her hands, embarrassed,

"Not just you, even I felt like I was a student again, and he was my teacher!"

Shilpa laughed,

"I knew it! His voice is so soft, and when he said, 'If you don't understand this part, I'll explain it again,' I swear, I felt like my heart melted!"

Both burst into giggles, like schoolgirls. Even though they were teachers, their hearts weren't made of stone-especially when someone new arrives with dreams in his eyes, courtesy in his words, and a mysterious shadow in the corners of his gaze. Anurag Sir had gently stirred open windows in their hearts like a breeze from their old schooldays.

Meanwhile, during the same lunch break, other female teachers also gravitated toward Anurag Sir.

None asked anything directly, but subtle attempts to sit closer, or casual questions like,

"Sir, are you having coffee?"

"How was class today?"

These carried soft notes of attraction beneath the surface.

But Anurag Sir, true to his nature, responded politely in a quiet voice to every question.

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After school ended, groups of students lingered in the corridor, their eyes subtly searching for Anurag Sir. Some smiled as they passed him, others stood quietly, fiddling with their bag straps while stealing glances. Watching each of their expressions and gestures, Sir was left astonished.

Anurag Sir began to realize that this school wasn't just a workplace for him-it was slowly becoming a web of invisible emotions woven around him, with himself at the center.

One by one, the students left. A slight stillness settled over the corridor, broken only by the soft clinking of teacups and gentle laughter drifting from the teachers' room. The staffroom was particularly lively today-it was the first day of the temporary chemistry teacher, Anurag Sir.

Anurag Sir stepped into the teachers' room.

Radhika Madam, the Bengali teacher who had been teaching at the school for nearly twenty years, handed him a cup of tea with a smile.

"Here you go, Sir. A special cup of tea for your first day. How was your class?"

Anurag Sir smiled shyly.

"It went really well, Madam. The girls listened very attentively. To be honest, I was a little nervous at first."

Madam Kusum, who taught mathematics and was in her fifties, laughed and said,

"Nervous? There wasn't the slightest hint of it on your face. I was in the adjacent classroom-I could hear your voice clearly, and it felt like that of an experienced teacher!"

Anurag Sir smiled humbly.

"In front of such seasoned teachers like you all, I still consider myself a student."

Madam Shipra, usually a bit stern, seemed a little softer today.

"Sir, the students came to the staffroom after class. They said you explain concepts really well. And apparently, your handwriting is beautiful too."

Anurag Sir looked a bit embarrassed.

"The fact that they understood what I taught-that's the real compliment for me. I'll do my best to make chemistry easier for them."

Radhika Madam chuckled and added,

"But do be careful, Sir. The girls here are quite sharp. With someone as polite, well-mannered, and handsome as you, they might get a little too enthusiastic. The lady teachers might need to be careful too!"

Laughter echoed softly around the room. Anurag Sir lowered his head slightly, a bashful smile playing on his lips.

As they sipped tea, Kusum Madam said,

"Anurag, while receiving students' affection is a joy, managing it wisely is also a big responsibility. You're a good boy, that's why I'm saying this-always remain grounded."

Nalini Madam, in her forties, added,

"Girls naturally tend to get a bit more excited when there's a new, good-looking teacher. Don't let anyone's behavior distract you-stay focused on your work."

Anurag nodded respectfully.

"Yes, Ma'am. I understand. You all are like mentors to me. I will always follow your guidance."

Shipra Madam said,

"Sir, you don't know everyone's name yet, but everyone already remembers yours. That's saying something. It's a sign of a good teacher-an achievement in itself."

Anurag Sir fell silent for a moment and then said,

"I never imagined the environment here would be this warm, this kind. Your support has truly given me courage."

Suddenly, Radhika Madam set her teacup down and said,

"Well then, let's do this. We have a teachers' meeting next Friday. Why don't you talk a little about your teaching methods there? It'll help everyone understand you better."

Kusum Madam quickly agreed,

"Yes, that would be great. And you're always welcome to join us for tea. We'd love to hear more stories from our new teacher!"

Anurag Sir bowed his head in gratitude, a soft, courteous smile on his lips.

As the afternoon light gently filtered into the staffroom, it marked the beginning of a quiet bond-the story of a new teacher's first day, filled with fatigue, appreciation, and the slow blossoming of trust.

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To be continued...

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