88. Rescue

Olivia was taking a walk in the woods when she heard a thud. The sound came from a few feet away. She stood there for some time, contemplating whether to go or not.

'Maybe it's the staff who collects dry branches?'

She was about to walk away when she heard another sound. She frowned.

'That's some weird noise. Maybe I should check.'

She headed towards that direction. Dry leaves that had fallen here and there crunched under her foot as she made her way towards the source of the noise.

'It came from somewhere around here.' Olivia thought while looking around.

Suddenly she heard a groaning noise. Olivia followed the sound and came near a big pit about eight feet deep.

"Oh?" Olivia raised her eyebrows, seeing what was below.

Koushik had fallen down the compost pit and was groaning, clutching his ankle which was badly sprained if not fractured. He lifted his head, hearing someone's voice from above and saw a hazy figure through his tear-clouded vision. He wiped his eyes and saw Olivia looking down at him. His face flushed from realisation of his current state.

She found his redden face quite cute, 'He looks like a Bernese that was rolling in a field.'

Koushik had wet soil stuck on his face, hands and uniform. His hair was also messy with leaves and grasses stuck in it.

"Can you stand?" Olivia asked calmly but in her mind, she wanted to squish those pink cheeks.

Koushik looked down to hide his embarrassment and shook his head.

Thump.

"Hey, what are you doing?" He was shocked to see Olivia jump down next to him.

She frowned and touched her nose. Although the pit had not been used recently, it still had some leftover, damp, semi-decomposed plant and kitchen wastes stuck on its wall and floor which gave off a little stench. The floor of the pit was also wet and slippery.

'Probably all those rotten egg yolks.' Olivia thought eyeing the soft, sunken ground below her feet.

She exhaled loudly and crouched down.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Koushik asked again.

"Getting you out." She replied as a matter of fact.

"Huh?" He stared at her blankly.

"Get on." She wriggled her fingers.

Koushik silently blinked in confusion.

Then asked, "Me?"

'Who else is here?' Olivia looked at him like she was staring at a foolish person.

"Ahem. No thanks, I'll be fine after some time and get up on my own." He bit his lips and looked away.

Olivia gently touched his ankle.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH."

'And you were saying you'll be fine after some time?' She raised an eyebrow at him.

'After that soft whisper?'

Koushik blushed even more and said, "What are you looking at? Didn't you say you'd help me out of here? So do what you were planning to."

'Hmm. I don't think he'll be able to get on my back. I should find another way.' Olivia got up.

"Ekii, are you backing out now after making fun of me?" Koushik pouted.

He suddenly saw her coming near.

"Arre, why are you coming closer?"

Olivia turned a deaf hear to his questions and scooped him up in her arms. Koushik, who was about to say something, was shocked being abruptly lifted into the air.

"..."

What just happened?

"Oyeeee."

Suddenly realising that he was in her arms Koushik, started flailing his arms and legs telling her to put him down.

Olivia frowned. But before she could tell him to stop, something else happened.

"Owwwwww." Koushik whimpered.

He accidentally knocked his already injured ankle against the pit. His eyes squeezed shut and a few drops of tear came out of the corners as his lips trembled from the sudden pain. Olivia, who was about to scold him for moving around so much, pursed her lips, looking at his poor condition.

She sighed and said, "Hold on tight,"

Koushik hugged her neck tightly and curled into a ball afraid of any more accidents. Olivia walked near the wall and lifted one foot. Pressing her leg against the wall of the pit, she jumped up and bounced a few steps against the wall. Then flipping in the air, she landed outside. When she took the first leap, Koushik shrieked in fright and tucked his face in the crook of her neck, clinging for life.

"We're out," Olivia said .

She.

'Damn it, the stench is strong.'

He peeked from one eye and then opened the other. After confirming that he was safely outside he straightened up and heaved a relieved sigh. Olivia carried him to a nearby tree and made him sit and lean against the trunk.

"Ahem. Thank you." He said blushing. Olivia nodded. She then dialled a number and told them their location.

"You're allowed to call during school hours?" Koushik asked puzzled.

"I'm the School Captain," Olivia said indifferently.

"Oh!" Koushik for a moment had forgotten her other identity. Since she was never seen to associate with any of the students' council members he had forgotten that she was the School Captain of Ketu and she had that privilege.

"Whom did you call?" Koushik asked.

"The school doctor," Olivia answered and squatted down. She carefully removed his shoes and examined his foot. 'The sprain is pretty bad.'

"Uh, Olivia," Koushik called.

"Hm?"

"Thank you."

Olivia looked at him with a puzzled gaze. He had already thanked her. So why again?

"If it hadn't been for you who knows how long I would have to be stuck there. Thank you for helping me." He smiled at her. Olivia acknowledged his words with a nod.

"And... sorry for dirtying your uniform." He looked at her uniform which was stained with mud here and there guiltily. Olivia waved her hand indicating it was not a big deal.