Gossip Brigade of Grapevine Academy
A hilarious and scandalous world of the Gossip Brigade of Grapevine Academy, where a group of highly dedicated moms meet every morning to share the juiciest rumours and uncover the latest school secrets.
Every morning, like clockwork, the moms of Grapevine Academy gathered outside the school gates, armed with folding chairs, oversized sunglasses, and thermoses full of… well, let’s just say it is strong coffee. This is no ordinary drop-off line. No, this is the headquarters of the most exclusive, well-informed, and scandalously dedicated society in town: the Gossip Brigade of Grapevine.
These moms aren’t here just to wave their kids off with a smile; they are here for their daily dose of intel. You see, some of them are so committed to this routine that they have actually rented flats near the school to keep up with the daily revelations. To them, Grapevine Academy is more than just a school—it is a living, breathing news feed, and they are the field reporters.
And leading this brigade is Sharmila, who knows more about other people’s children than most parents know about their own. Next to her is Paromita, the “Property Pundit,” who has the inside scoop on every new flat, renovation, and interior design decision within a five-kilometre radius. Then there is Moushumi, the self-appointed health expert, who has made it her life’s mission to investigate the nutritional content of every bake sale brownie.
Together, they formed a trio as unstoppable as a WhatsApp forward. And every day, without fail, a new story, rumour, or conspiracy is born at Grapevine Academy.
This particular morning is no different. As the usual suspects gathered, Sharmila was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Ladies, have you heard?” she said, her voice a low, dramatic whisper as she adjusted her massive sunglasses. “The library books are missing.”
Paromita gasped, delighted at the potential scandal. “Missing? As in… stolen?” she asked, eyes wide.
Sharmila leaned in, lowering her voice even further. “Oh, worse,” she said with a sly grin, pausing just long enough to let the tension build. “They’ve been confiscated by none other than Rina Miss, the art teacher.”
Moushumi, ever the sceptic, snorted. “Come on, Sharmi. Rina Miss spends half her time trying not to spill paint on herself. What’s she going to do with library books?”
But Sharmila’s eyes gleamed with the thrill of insider information. “Oh, you haven’t heard, have you?” she said, relishing the moment. “Rina Miss is dating Mr. Ghosh—the librarian!”
Paromita’s hand flew to her chest, clutching at her gold chain. Moushumi nearly choked on her chai. “Are you saying… she’s hoarding books to impress the librarian?”
Sharmila nodded, a triumphant smile on her face. “Apparently, she’s hiding them behind the art supplies. Sunita’s daughter saw her sneaking a stack of Feluda mysteries into the paint cupboard.”
Just as they were about to delve further into this juicy rumour, a new mom approached the group. This was Priya, freshly initiated into the drop-off scene. Rumor had it she had taken a flat across the street from Grapevine Academy just to keep up with the daily goings-on. She was desperate to be accepted, and the gossip brigade could smell her eagerness from a mile away.
“Hello, everyone!” Priya chirped, attempting casual as she tried to edge her way into the circle.
“Oh, Priya!” Sharmila said, offering a saccharine smile as she gave her a quick once-over. “Nice kurti! Very… vintage, isn’t it?”
Priya blushed, looking down at the kurti she had picked up at a flea market, wondering if that was a compliment or a critique. “Yes, it’s, um… my mom’s.”
“Oh, very in nowadays,” Paromita said, clearly delighted by the show. “We were just saying how classics never go out of style!”
Sensing Priya’s eagerness to fit in, Moushumi leaned forward, ready to put her to the test. “So, Priya, as our newest member, maybe you can contribute something fresh. Seen anything unusual around here lately?”
Desperate to make a good impression, Priya racked her brain for anything that might satisfy the group. “Well… I did see Principal Sen walking in with a huge stack of files this morning,” she offered hesitantly. “And… he was holding a can of Red Bull!”
This set off an entirely new flurry of gasps and whispers. Moushumi squinted towards the school building as if she could catch a glimpse of the can herself. “I knew he was a caffeine addict! How else could he handle those weekly assemblies?”
“Oh, but it’s worse than that,” Sharmila said, lowering her voice for maximum impact. “Red Bull is only the beginning. Next thing you know, he’ll be on Monster Energy.”
The other moms gasped as if Sharmila had just revealed that he was running a secret gambling ring in the school’s basement. Priya, thrilled with her successful contribution, beamed with pride, clutching her thermos like a trophy.
As the school bell rang, signalling the end of the morning gossip hour, the moms began folding up their chairs. But just as they were about to pack it in, Moushumi spotted something curious under the school’s banyan tree: a lone copy of Chander Pahar, lying on the grass, right near where Rina Miss usually sat during lunch breaks.
“Oh my gosh, look!” Paromita whispered, pointing at the book. “It’s true! She’s left a book for Mr. Ghosh.”
They all stared, unable to believe their luck. It was the ultimate confirmation of their theory, right there under the banyan tree.
With a collective sigh of satisfaction, they packed up their bags, ready to head to Priya’s rented flat to continue dissecting every detail over some alu chops and sandesh. After all, the day wasn’t over yet, and there was no telling what new titbits might emerge before pick-up time. As they walked away, arms linked and laughing, they all thought the same thing: Tomorrow’s going to be even better at Grapevine Academy.
Long live the Gossip Brigade
Disclaimer:
This story is a work of fiction, and all characters, events, and settings are entirely imaginary. Any resemblance to real persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental. The personalities, situations, and conversations depicted are meant solely for entertainment and humour. We respect all communities and individuals, and this story is in no way intended to stereotype or portray any group in a negative light. Please enjoy this tale as a light-hearted fictional narrative meant to bring a smile to your day!
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