Radiant and luminous rays of sunlight diffused through the light curtains of the window, falling gently on Sarina, as if they were lovingly caressing her face, trying to wake her up from her deep sleep.
As if sensing the tender touch of the sun, her lashes stirred, as she slowly opened her eyes.
Blinking, Sarina gave a quick glance at the clock on the wall while stretching her arms out before turning to her side where her sister was sleeping.
"Mila, get up otherwise we will get late for our morning run."
Sarina said as she gently nudged Mila by her shoulder, trying to wake up her sleepy headed sister before making her way to the other twin's room and repeating the same process with Leo.
Soon the three siblings freshened up and left the house in their sports shoes, ready for their morning run.
After a few hours of running and practicing martial arts, they all returned back and rushed to get ready for school.
Sitting on the dining table, Sarina glanced up at her parents and siblings who kept stealing glances at her face in amazement and a little confusion.
She felt her lips twitch in amusement as she realized the actual effect of the beauty potion.
'Sure enough, the beauty portion definitely lives upto it's name. Even my parents who see me every day could tell the difference.'
Sarina thought as she recognized the actual strength of the system.
Sighing, Sarina deliberately cleared her throat, successfully attracting their attention.
"What is it dear? Do you need something?" Clara curiously asked.
"Mom as you know I am already in the last grade of middle school. A lot of study material is usually shared on the phones. You and dad also have your jobs and will need your own phone as well, so...."
Sarina sheepishly spoke; her face completely red. Her thirty years old independent soul felt very bashful and conscious about discussing something like this with her parents.
Adrian and Clara on the other hand were very amused as they continued to observe their eldest daughter's red face.
Chuckling inwardly, Clara winked at Adrian, who upon catching the hint excused himself from the table while Clara continued to probe Sarina further.
"So? Sarina speak freely and with confidence and authority when speaking to your parents. We will never judge or scold you no matter what."
Clara softly said; feeling terrible to see her usually confident and unrivalled daughter hesitating and faltering in speaking her mind candidly.
Hearing her mother's composed and heartening words, Sarina stooped her head down to hide the tears that welled up in her eyes.
She knew her parents were worried about her. They might not say it but she had seen the concern for her in their eyes.
No matter how much they try to hide it, their unease and apprehension wasn't hidden from Sarina; something that made Sarina feel even more guilty and compunctious.
"Ok enough of this talk. To reward you for your commendable results yesterday, your dad and I have prepared a small gift for you. See if you like it."
Not being able to see her beloved daughter's sad face, Clara playfully said, trying to lift the upsetting air around her Sarina.
Curious, Sarina glanced up and saw a brand new mobile phone placed in front of her on the table.
Surprised, she looked at her parents in doubt and question.
"What's up with this expression? We may not have gone to school like you, but we still know when we have to facilitate our children. This is your new phone. I have already put in a new sim card and have also saved both our numbers in it."
Patting her head from behind, Adrian playfully said while sitting back on his seat.
Looking back and forth at the phone and her parents, Sarina felt very emotional and speedily rushed into her parent's arms.
"Thank you, thank you so much mom and dad. You guys are literally the best. I love you so much"
Sarina enthusiastically said; her words filled with gratitude and happiness as she joyously pecked their cheeks.
"We love you even more."
Clara and Adrian said together, chuckling in delight at Sarina's joy as they also pecked her forehead in love.
"Ok now, Sarina, just because you have a phone and laptop now doesn't mean you will spend your entire day playing on it. If we get even a single complain from school, both the devices are going to get confiscated whether you like it or not."
Clara seriously warned as she eyed the laptop in Sarina's bag.
Unlike other grades, due to the fierce competition between the students of grade 9, they are usually allowed to bring their electronic devices to school.
As for students who can't afford it, the school even have special programs in which they let the students borrow devices like laptops from school on regular basis.
But it is also made sure that these devices are used for academic purposes only and doesn't cross that boundary.
Sarina also obviously understood the hidden worry in Clara's word and nodded.
"I understand mom. Don't worry. You won't get any complain about me from school."
Sarina somberly promised.
"Ok don't fret much about it. Our Sarina is a smart and cautious girl. She can never do anything wrong. Anyways, it is getting late. Hurry up and finish your breakfast and leave for school."
Adrian intervened; his words filled with absolute trust in Sarina as he rushed the children to eat fast.
Clara opened her mouth to clash back but then decided to let it go.
After all, she also had complete trust in her daughter's abilities and firmly believed that Sarina won't do anything bad.
Quickly finishing their food, the three siblings waved their parents goodbye and happily made their way made way to school.
After dropping off the twins in front of their class, Sarina also made her way to her own classroom.
Due to the academic importance and pressure of grade 9, the students were allocated to a different building just for them.
Unlike other grades which were divided into different sections, all the students on grade 9 were together in one massive class to create a more competitive environment among them.
After all, these students were going to give the national high school entrance exam next year, which was the first and the most important event of their lives.
The results of these exams will decide the high school they can join and whether or not they could select the academic stream of their choice.
Due to all of this, the school place a lot of importance to them.
Walking through the distantly familiar path from her memories, Sarina arrived in front of a small building, staring at it in daze.
She had also studied here before in her previous life. The only difference was that this time, she was going to live it to the fullest.
'You can do it Sarina. This time, for yourself. I will never let my insecurities become a wall between me and my dreams. Not now, not ever.'
Sarina thought.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, her presence prominent, attracting the attention of the other students on the side as erupt into chatters.
"Oh my god! Where did this doll come from?"
"She is such a beautiful kid."
"She definitely is but what is a kid like her doing here?"
"Who knows? May be she got lost?"
"Oh come on, everyone knows that this entire building belongs to grade 9. How can she be lost?"
"May be she is new admission and isn't familiar with the school."
"Wait, let me ask her." A boy, standing by the window said, stepping forward when the girl beside him pulled him back.
"You better stay here. Your scary face and build might even scare the poor girl out. Let me go instead."
Rolling her eyes at the boy, the girl said as she ignored the others in the group and walked towards Sarina.
Sarina also obviously heard their whispers and discussion as well.
She wasn't sure if it was because of the martial arts she was learning or the potion given by the system she had been drinking, but all sense senses have definitely gotten stronger.
No matter how slowly they whispered, she was still able to hear them clearly.
"Hey little girl, are you lost? This is grade 9th building. You have come to the wrong place."
The girl said softly asked, bending slightly to meet Sarina's height.
"I am not at the wrong place. I am also a 9th grade student and your classmate." Sarina replied; her face calm and devoid of any emotion.
Though, the same couldn't be said about the surrounding students as they looked at Sarina with wide open mouth and eyes in shock and disbelief.
"What!!! How is this possible? She looks to be around 10 or 11 years old. How can she be our classmate."
"May be she is just a little shorter in height and is similar to us in age."
"That may have been possible if we haven't already met all our classmates yesterday. She definitely wasn't a part of that class."
"It might be because she didn't come yesterday."
"Exactly. You can't just rule out the possibility just because she is shorter in height."
The entire floor erupted into discussions as they glanced at Sarina in doubt and skepticism.
Even the girl's face went as she looked Sarina in suspicion. She really wasn't sure about how to react to the sudden turn of events.
Listening to discussion around her, Sarina sighed and had just opened her mouth to explain the situation when the principal and Ms Shelly entered her sight.
"Quiet everyone. Is this a school or a market. What's up with these raucous voices. Back to class the instant."
The principal's voice rang out, successfully silencing all the students as they rushed in the classroom.
Looking at her student's rowdy behavior and then at Sarina's elegance, the principal sighed.
"Sarina, come with me."
The principal said, signaling Sarina to follow her and Ms Shelly to the class.