Schoolmates (8 page)

Mrs. Ratna. I will do so myself.” She smiled at me and I felt the most important student in the school. I had to admit, more than charisma; our Principal had a quality of man management. She knew her students well.

As Riya kept the year book aside, she recalled the hullabaloo when Kabir was present in class the next day. A very proud Dev was narrating a new tale of how the AUTHORITIES had found his mate clear! He was so happy! Riya remembered the look on his face. It was Anjali who noticed Riya’s aloofness and after a long question and answer session elucidated the details.

“You!!! YOU did that?? For him?” Anjali was livid.

“Yes Anjali. And don’t be so upset. It was the right thing to do. He is not the culprit every time something happens,” I had replied.

“My god!!”Anjali had responded in sheer surprise, hands covering her mouth.

“What now?” I had asked, shading the human circulatory system diagram in my Biology register.

“He doesn’t even know
. . .
you have forgiven him!! And Riya
. . .
I
. . .
I think
. . .
Oh lord!
. . .
I think you have begun liking him!!” Anjali looked horrified at her own statement.

“Oh shut up silly!” I had laughed it off.
. . .

“I think you like him!!”

That note had not left my mind; it reverberated for a while there.

CHAPTER-14

“A
ll one needs to really enjoy this world is a few good friends to totter along with
. . .”

I had read this quote in a very old quotations book in our library, but I realised its essence that day when Dev approached me, two days after Kabir’s return and asked me if it was me who had cleared his friend’s name.

“Who told you that?” I was surprised how these guys managed all kinds of information. The entire grade three staffs was their friend, anyone could have told him a bit.

“That is not important. Did you do it Riya?” Dev asked.

“I’ll tell only if you tell Dev,” I played my bargain.

Dev considered it for a minute, and then nodded in affirmation. Kabir wanted to know so Dev had to get an answer from me.

“Anjali told me, rather scolded me with the information . . . obviously idolising you and pointing out how immensely lucky Kabby was.” Dev spoke.

“Hmm, I see. Well, since she had blabbed it out, Yes. It was me. And I did it because I knew Kabby was not culprit this time around.” I spoke replacing my books in my bag. It was the last period and the school bell would have rung any minute.

“Thanks . . . for everything,” Dev replied.

“Hmm. Accepted.” I replied without looking at him.

As I had sat that day on ‘our spot’ I was engrossed in reading Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austin, my all-time favourite writer. I was wondering how a proud Mr. Darcy was still negating his emotions for Elizabeth Bennett, when I heard a soft foot sound. A shadow fell on my body.

“Thanks . . . Riya,” I looked up to see Kabby standing there. He had spoken to me after one and a half month, not that I missed him, or did I? Why did I remember the exact dates then?

“For what?” I asked.

“For . . . clearing my name.”

“Well . . . what do you want now, a medal? Be happy you have guts to come and patch up with me.” I replied.

“AAaaa . . . Ok, I suppose,” Kabir looked fumbled. I tried hard but could not help laughing. To this he smiled too and that was all that was needed.

We were friends again.

It goes without saying that the word soon spread that we were ‘together’ again . . . whatever that meant. Many people, Ayesha included, was convinced I had done something to get him free of detention. They were not wrong this time, but I never corrected them.

Kabir and I began our old routine of sitting on the spot for completing our day’s tasks. I had begun lending him my records and helping him revise the new topics. He would carry my bag to the bus, to which I objected madly.

“Kabby, you know what people say when you do this . . .” I remarked one day, trying to pull my bag out of his strong grip.

“No. What do they say?” he knew very well.

“They say you are my boyfriend . . .” I pulled my bag again.

“So? What do you tell them?” Kabir replied, smiling mischievously.

“What?? Nothing . . . I say nothing Kabby!” I looked surprised. I was blushing all over.

“Well, let me give you a better option. Say yes to some girls . . . and see the fun.” Kabby replied.

“Ah! I face a lot of critique already. You want to make it tougher for me?” I replied finally letting go of my bag, least its straps should snap.

“No, my flightless bird. Just want you to have a bit of fun. Now, let me walk my GIRLFRIEND to her bus,” he said swinging my bag on his shoulders. I followed him mutely.

A few days later I told him it was Joy who had seen Tejas.

“I suppose all those years of bullying did Tejas no good.” Kabir spoke. We were sitting on the benches during lunch. Dev was with us as well. This had been a regular feature now, much to Anjali’s distress. She hated sharing me with other friends. In tenth grade, loyalty and friendship are paramount.

Dev never got along well with Anjali as well. She had a sharp tongue and Dev had a terrible temper. Yet I and Kabby managed our friends well. And so our circle grew into many circles and soon the word was confirmed that we were indeed a couple.

“Stop them Kabby!” I would retort.

“My parents would house arrest me if they heard of this nonsense.” I would plead. But Kabir would rejoice and relish the look of distress on my face. He claimed I looked so sweet with those tension lines on my forehead.

“You really look sweet with that look on your face,” he said.

“Oh please . . . you look good with any look on your face.” I had replied.

“Really? I din’t know you had begun noticing? So . . . is that my Girlfriend kind of attention or . . .” Kabir had begun teasing me and I had picked up my Maths register to hit him playfully.

Oblivious to others, we had begun spending considerable time with each other now. Anjali was not pleased yet Dev was relaxed as Kabir was happy. There were so many projects to be made and so many assignments to be done that I suppose I missed out on how fast the storm about me and Kabir was rising in the seniors building. Perhaps I was selectively filtering information or was turning a blind eye to it.

Yet, in school no one rests until they have a bit of fun at the cost of someone else, especially people like Ayesha. Tejas was due to join us from the next day and Ayesha and her coterie were already preparing a launch pad for making my days tougher.

“Riya, what has gone wrong with your brains?” Meenakshi cornered me after assembly next morning.

“What happened Meenakshi?” I asked worried.

“You and Kabir are the talk of the town! People outside school gossip about you two now! Do you realise how this reflects on us all?” Meenakshi spoke.

“Who all?” I asked.

“Well . . . the prefectural board! I mean, you want to have a boyfriend, sure go ahead have one! But Kabir? He is a regular defaulter and was saved from a suspension recently! EVERYONE knows who saved his skin!” Meenakshi revolved her beautiful hazel eyes.

“I . . . don’t know how to respond Meenakshi. Perhaps you ought to set my record straight. He is just a friend in need and I . . .” I did not get a chance to finish my statement, as Kabir walked past us both flashing a very mischievous smile.

Meenakshi looked at me with a renewed expression and I just felt caught! I was compelled to feel that perhaps there was more to Kabir’s friendship than I had fathomed.

I still did not realise the extent of what it meant to be called a couple! I had never imagined in my wildest of dreams that I would be paired with someone someday. I was always too occupied with my work. But now, it appeared everyone who met my eye looked questioningly at me. It was my mind playing tricks, but then, I was just a tenth grader!

A few events happened in succession in the next month. It was October, our first term results had just poured in and for the first time Kabir had cleared all subjects! On the result day, his mother had stopped me and thanked me immensely. I was speechless! My parents were both with me that day and must have been happy to hear Kabir’s mom praise me, the only child of my parents, yet I was sure I saw a restricted expression on my dad’s face. I knew then that I had to maintain caution in school as one word of any link-up between Kabir and me would anger my dad immensely.

Riya peeped in on her son in his room. He was sitting on his table, bent over some books. She walked across and looked over and smiled to herself. He was trying in vain to copy a small figure on a card for his father’s home coming.

“Here, let me help you
. . .”
Riya sat down to assist her five year old son.

“Daddy would like this one mom! See . . . it has a basketball drawn on it!” Raibir exclaimed.

Riya turned the card over only to see smiling flowers on its cover.

“There are no basketballs here Raibir!” she looked at him sweetly.

“Oh look inside mom! I have made them myself for dad!” Raibir said proudly!

Riya let out a tiny laugh. Yes, dad would love it!

CHAPTER-15

W
inters had arrived in Delhi. The sun was a warm shade of orange and there was a general happiness in air. Soft woollen mittens and scarves were covering the tabloids and our blazers were out of their packaging. School was gearing up for its annual inter school zone competitions. I was participating in most literary events along with Anjali and Meenakshi. We were to visit other schools, which was always very exciting as we left in the school car and returned after the day’s studies. Although I usually did not like missing any of my classes yet in these few days, I never fretted either. It was a great treat to be able to represent one’s school.

Likewise a few competitions were held in our school too. The boys, especially, had a gala time gazing at the teams from other schools, especially the girl’s teams. Kabir was the leader who ogled and sighed the most, I must say. This one event saw boys of all sections, all streams, all positions...united!

This time, the English and Hindi poetry, extempore, debate and declamation competitions were to be conducted in our school. The stage was set and the auditorium was filling up with teams of participating schools. Students from our school were also occupying their allotted seats. I was backstage, nervous as a new born, when Kabir entered in the room. A few girls turned around and gave him a very thorough evaluation and with very approving glances as well.

“Hi!” I could hear the excitement in his voice.

“All set to defeat these dames?” He said, trying to boost my diminishing confidence.

“I am way to nervous Kabby! Some of these girls are champions of last year!” my hands were shivering! I did not know if it was the December chill responsible or the huge surge of adrenaline pumping in my system.

“AAH! C’mon Riya! You will beat them all! Look at Anjali! How calm she is . . .” with this he gave a half hug to Anjali who shrugged it off immediately and replied “Mr. Sharma! Please don’t try your stunts with me! There are many here who would lovingly let you flirt with them. Go take a pick!” and she walked to where Meenakshi was preparing with our senior English teachers.

“Kabir!! Right before the competition! Why did you bug her?” I retorted.

“I relaxed her Riya, she will not fumble now. And you too, relax. Look at your hands they are shivering!” with that he suddenly extended his big warm hands and engulfed mine in it.

For a second there I went stiff! I could not hear a word from the outside world. I looked at his hands, holding mine and then looked up at his face.

There was a serene smile on it and it was conveying a new meaning to me. I must have blinked a few times. My mouth went dry and I felt a blush coming up to my cheek.

Perhaps he saw it too. He let go of my hands and just wished me luck and walked away. After a few moments of gaining my sense again, I looked around if anyone had seen us. Everyone looked busy rehearsing their speeches, or so I thought.

As I had finished my speech and sat down on the bench with other participants, there was a thunderous applause. Meenakshi had smiled and said I did great! I was too nervy to respond. Then the next girl was called and I thought she was marvellous! Then the next one was called and I thought she was even better! And so it went till the end, and I was totally convinced that my discourse was the simplest and least impressive! All these other boys and girls were like presidential candidates! So perfect and flawless!

Prior to the result declaration, there was a fifteen minute break where we were offered refreshments to sooth our nerves. And then as the auditorium filled with excited candidates again, our Principal took the microphone. Her placid and commanding voice resonated in the hall.

“Good afternoon all students and esteemed faculty members.” she began.

“After, an extremely spell binding and excellent session today, I must confess, we judges were foxed with the decisions. All the sixteen participants were flawless and we appreciate their hard work.” There was a loud applause and all we sixteen could think was, ‘
Please.. .just declare the winner, spill out ,who came first!’
“It was a very difficult decision indeed, so before I declare it, let me ask my students in the audience . . . who do they think deserves the trophy this year?” she asked.

There were chorus of different names from all the supporters. A few hands shot up as well.

“Ok . . . you there! Tell me who you think ought to win?” she asked one student.

“Riya Sehgal! Who else?” a male voice resonated in the chamber.

I looked up to see Kabir standing there and speaking confidently in the microphone. I smiled at him and then caught Meenakshi’s eye which said see-what-I mean.