Epistle 40: Student of the Year
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26th June, 2001:
The price of a sacrifice is one that's always abundantly rewarded in the future.
And today's the day when I saw this become true right before my eyes. This must have been one of the most special days of my life - but even more so for Ranveer. Like I'd told you last week, we were supposed to have our Investiture Ceremony today. And Investiture Ceremony meant felicitations and finally answers to who were to be the members of the prefect body of the next year.
Ranveer and I have been discussing this for so long that we've actually gotten tired of our own discussions now. And ever since our new academic year commenced ten days ago, we've had a lot upon our hands. Studies have gotten really demanding and we really need put our backs into it. And people said being in the eighth standard was fun. Where's it fun from? I'm swamped, and I can only imagine what Ranveer's state must be like.
But if there's been any solace in these two weeks, it's been that the dreams have stopped completely. And just like all times, I find myself completely normal now. These phases when they occur really snap the senses off of me, but the moment the dreams stop, I'm back to square one. I don't know what kind of mechanism is this, but I'm happy that it's this way.
Speaking of which, Ranveer didn't remove the topic even once ever since that day. He's been very understanding and mature about the whole thing, and he's been doing his best to make me laugh and come back to normal. Only I know how much I've missed this Ranveer of mine and I cannot thank God enough for returning him back to me. He is my only strand of sanity in this absurd world. Since that day, we've begun healing together. It's as though we are connected to each other, where one's happiness is the others'. I don't know what this is, but it's where the solution to all our problems lay.
But before I get side-tracked, let's get back to the point. So we reached school at seven where there was to be a march past first on the grounds (by last year's prefect body), then the felicitation ceremony for the academic toppers of all the Stds. andfinally the induction of the new prefect body. The day was a pleasant one since it hadn't rained in three days now. Rows and rows of chairs stood on either side of the small aisle while the administration faculty sat on a podium, chatting away animatedly with each other. The teachers and parents occupied seats on the rows assigned specially for them.
Ranveer and I took our seats on the 11th row of the left-hand side while our parents were ushered ahead. By the time the rows were completely filled, the audience easily consisted of above a thousand people - teachers, student, parents and the administrative faculty included. The ceremony began sharp at seven-thirty with the march past that took about 15 minutes, after which the felicitation for the academic toppers began.
I managed to win a trophy for coming first in my class along with five other certificates for topping all the respective subjects, except one. Maths. But it was also no surprise that Piyush Sanghvi, Ranveer's biggest competitor in his class, had come first and had topped in all the subjects, except Maths. There were no two guesses as to who bagged the Maths kitty.
For months now the school had been pondering upon whether it would be Piyush or Ranveer who would succeed as the next Head Boy. Piyush was just as talented and dedicated as Ranveer, but the only problem was that Ranveer beat him in everything. And yet there was never any animosity between the two boys. Just pure competitiveness to do their best.
The scales were always tipped in Ranveer's direction until his recent accident, and from then onwards, everybody assumed that Piyush would naturally be the best choice, given that at one stage nobody knew whether Ranveer would even return to school or would be even able to walk again for that matter. But Ranveer proved everyone wrong. There was still an issue with his legs, but nobody was now sure as to who would ultimately be crowned Head Boy.
And we all waited with baited breath as the Principal begun her speech for awarding the Student of the Year trophy, which I can quote to you this time, word for word. The Student of the Year trophy was given out to one student from the 6th to the 10th Standard for upholding the school's name in maximum amount of inter-school competitions. Not just that, but their cumulative performance in the extra-curricular activities as well as for their outstanding academic performance simultaneously. Ranveer had been winning it for the past three years undefeated.
The record keeping for this year again had Ranveer winning 7 of the 8 inter-school competitions that he took part in, while Piyush Sanghvi won 8 on 9. Piyush had replaced Ranveer for the dance competition and had lost it. As to the average of the annual academic performances, I needn't say further. It was such a sure shot that Piyush would break Ranveer's three-time winning streak this time. And then, our Principal spoke.
"Respected parents, students and my colleagues; a very good morning to all. We are gathered here today to celebrate the victories and achievements of our students, along with shouldering some of them with the responsibility to lead our school for the next academic year. And so it is with great pride that I now speak about the prestigious Student of the Year award, and the recipient about the same."
"Every year, the Student of the Year is solely decided upon the cumulative of all extra-curricular activities as well academics. This year, however, we have a slight change. This year, we've decided to take one more thing into consideration - moral fiber. Children are always taught to excel in the academic world with the use of their skill and talent. But few are those who have it in themselves to courageously fight all difficulties and pass a challenge with flying colours. It takes a lot of determination and vision to face life when everything is dark and you cannot see any hope, but few are those who create hope for themselves. One such example sits right before us. And so I proudly declare that this year's Student of the Year goes to none other than Ranveer Vaghela."
There was a stunned silence upon the grounds for a few moment, till I jumped upon my feet and broke out into a thunderous applause, Piyush Sanghvi following my lead immediately. And then crowd broke into an identical applause amplified by whistles and shouts from several of Ranveer's friends. Ranveer was the only one seated with his mouth fallen open in shock, looking half-way between laughing and crying before I made him stand up and brought him his crutches.
He hopped his way out from the row with myself behind him as the applause remained constant, never faltering for even a minute. And just like that, Ranveer stopped. I looked at him, bewildered of what he was doing. He only smiled softly as he handed over the crutches back to me and spoke softly.
"I want to do it without these."
"Are you sure?" I asked him, looking slightly worried.
"I've been practicing," he replied with a wink and I smiled.
"Will you need me?" I questioned once again, and he gave me a shy smile.
"I'll always need you."
Sharing a look of mutual understanding, I walked up to him and took his hand in mine as we began our slow yet steady journey towards the podium, half the crowd now upon their feet as several parents, including Kaka and Kaki now had tears in their eyes. Ranveer could take step after step without the crutches now, but not without a pronounced limp. The doctors said that the limp would go away eventually and his feet would get back to normal. But for now, he could walk and that was all that mattered.
There were several times where he faltered and several times when he found it difficult to take the next step ahead, but I stood beside him resolutely, never letting him break his stride even once. I was in it for the long haul. I meant it. I helped him upon the stage just as the Principal walked towards us, the huge trophy in her hand. She smiled and handed it over to Ranveer as she shook his hand simultaneously, while all I could did was wear the broadest smile upon my face. The Principal patted both of our heads in blessing as she whispered to Ranveer.
"Never lose your fighting spirit, son. This will take you places." Ranveer nodded his head as the Principal turned to look at me, giving me a warmer smile.
"Never lose each other. It's very rare, what the two of you have."
I nodded my head as she handed over another certificate to Ranveer - the Certificate of Proficiency for achieving the highest marks in Maths. 99. He accepted the certificate graciously just as the Principal took to the mike once again.
"And another small announcement. I also declare Ranveer Vaghela to represent our school for the academic year 2001-2002 as Head Boy."
If it was possible, an even more thunderous applause broke out with all the students now upon their feet as the Principal pinned the badge of Head Boy on his shirt, Ranveer in complete shock. God, his expression was worth it all. The two of us got down the stage and headed back to our seat, but we didn't reach until the next 15 minutes since we were stopped at every step for Ranveer to be thumped on the back or for his hair to be messed in affection. By the time we got to our seat, Ranveer looked like a ruffled puppy.
The rest of the event was a blur to both of us for euhoria had expelled away everything else from our mind. When we returned home with our victories in hand and Ranveer upon his feet without any help, our parents gave us both their blessings, telling us how proud they were, before calling over the physiotherapist to tell them about Ranveer's improvement. The doctor was ecstatic and advised Ranveer to continue with the medicines and the exercises for a month more till he showed more pronounced improvement.
But the best part about the day?
Ranveer and I finally visited the terrace for the first time tonight in five months. I quickly spread across a sheet and made Ranveer lie down while, putting the bedsheets upon the ropes. Ranveer liked to watch the skies through the clothes. I was a lot fussier because I neither liked to see the sky with my naked eye, nor with the obtuse cloth in between. But tonight, I could make the exception.
Laying down upon the ground beside Ranveer, both of us looked at the stars greedily, this sight long forgotten. It was the first time in five and a half months that we had done that, and the thrill of it alone was something that made the night special. Both of us lay silently as we watched the stars twinkle, appearing and disappearing along the arc of the curious sky that hid away the Universe from our eyes.
I turned to look at Ranveer, who was staring away at the moon as hebathed himself in its soulful glow. I quietly cleared my throat, hoping not to disturb him from his reverie but it failed spectacularly. He looked towards me and smiled, his eyes distant. I knew what he was thinking about - all those nights that we had spent on the terrace, star-gazing. And all I did was lay beside him and find my peace in his presence. That's how we were bound to each other.
"I can't believe they made me Head Boy," he said after a few moments and I chuckled softly. The trophy always remained with the school, but with an extra addition of Ranveer's name on it for the fourth consecutive time now.
"Well, you are Mr. Perfect Prefect. They had to make you Head Boy," I replied mockingly and he laughed.
"And Student of the Year too... This was all too unexpected," he admitted honestly and I couldn't help but smile at his humility. "I was so sure Piyush would win, you know," he confessed further.
"Well, he would have had he not bombed the inter-state dance competition," I told him seriously and Ranveer turned to look at me, his eyes suddenly sad.
"You really regret not being able to perform in it now, don't you?" I asked him and he sighs tiredly.
"Yes, I do. It was my last chance since I have my board exams this year. Maybe some things are not meant to be... maybe fate had something else in store," he replied and I could sense the bitterness in his tone. I knew how much he had wanted to participate, but I could not imagine how heartbreaking it must have been for him to not be able to.
"Can I confess something to you?" I questioned and he nodded his head, looking intrigued.
"If you would have performed on the wheelchair with me, I still think that we would have done a better job than what Piyush did," I tell him. At first, Ranveer looked shocked but then just like that, he began to laugh. Both of us laughed rather immoderately for the next few minutes till we sobered down, Ranveer looking slightly guilty.
"Don't be mean. He may be a little stuck up, but he's a good guy," he told me, and I agreed with him. He continued further. "That reminds me, you can still perform in it next year, you know," he added with a smirk upon his face. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Yeah, right. I'd only ever readily agree to dance if I was on gunpoint..." and I trailed off. Wrong choice of word. Ranveer noticed the change in my expression and coverd up.
"Or if I'd bribed you with the book dedication," he added in quickly as a saving grace and I smiled at him.
"That too, yeah. So, what's the scenario with your book? Do you still intend to write and publish it?" I asked, quickly changing the topic to divert my mind off of it. Ranveer gave me an uneasy look.
"I don't know," he confessed honestly. "I mean, I do still want to be a writer too, but I just... a lot's happened since these few months and-"
"-and you've found a passion in the stock markets. I know," I completed for him, now giving him a warm smile. He looked surprised at first that I knew about his newfound ambition but the surprise quickly changed into an anxious look.
"Do you think it's the right course for me?" he queried suddenly like a child seeking comfort. I pondered upon his question for a few moments.
"Papa seems to think you've got a bright future," I finally replied, while he stares at me, unsatisfied. "As for me, I feel that anything you touch will become gold. Do what your heart says, since that's where you think from," I added wisely and he gave me a tense smile.
"And you'll back me?" he asked, now looking slightly embarrassed.
"Always. No complaints, no demands," I replied confidently as he smiled at me, a little at ease now. After several minutes, he looked towards me, asking me something that surprised me even though I don't know why.
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes," I breathed back to him slowly, taking in his sight greedily. He smiled at me before looking back at the moon.
"I will never hurt you in any way, and I will never be the cause of your pain or sadness. The day I am the reason for either, I'll separate myself from you and will never turn to look back again," he promised suddenly, his eyes meeting my own in a strange determination. I did not know why he said what he did, but the only image that crossed my mind in that moment was the one where he lay lifeless on my lap.
He'd hurt me and he'd been the cause of my pain and sadness alike. But maybe it was because he separated himself from me and never turned to look back again as he departed to another world. If only my thoughts would halt! But rather than halt, I was overcome with such an absurd question that it fell away from my lips even before I had time to conceive about anything else.
"Ranveer, can I ask you something?" I voiced aloud suddenly. He looked slightly taken aback, even though he did nod his head in response. I took in a deep breath before asking him stupidly.
"How would you react if I died?"
There was a long pause. Something flickered across Ranveer's eyes. Something along the lines of guilt, but I didn't know why. His gaze, however, never left my own as he answered resolutely.
"I won't let you die. I'll manage to save you somehow," he replied, and the conviction in his voice frightened us both in that moment. I still ploughed on.
"But just say so-"
"Then I hope that I die along with you. You die, I die. As simple as that," he answered irritably, tearing his eyes away from me and gazing at the sky again. I got the cue that he didn't want to talk about it any further. We remained silent for a few minutes before Ranveer spoke softly to the sky.
"What if I die first?"
"I'd kill myself every day for letting you die in front of me," was what left my lips unconsciously, surprising us both. Ranveer looked at me once again as a tear left his eye, but it was only when he wiped away some from upon my face did I realize that even I was crying. Breaking away the sensitive silence between us, Ranveer initiated conversation once more.
"You know, I was just reading through my old diaries a few days back. And I realized that you've made me promise the same thing to you twice in a nearly identical conversation. Never to save your life again. You know, that's also a kind of a dj vu. I've had one with Mota Babuji as well. Kind of. But with you it's nearly identical," he repeated.
I did not know whether it was intended to make me feel better or worse. But now that he mentioned it, I'd have to check my own diaries and see.
"Wow, I didn't realize that," was all I satisfied him with as a response befitting to the situation.
"Ishaani?" he called out my name when silence threatened to fall upon us yet again. I sighed in response, giving him the cue to speak.
"I'm not going anywhere. All you need to do is look within to find me beside you."
That line had a strange impact upon me. There was something firm yet supple about the way he just let the words slip away that gave me a newfound strength. I simply chose to stare at the moon even though our fingers had now entwined. Both of us smiled at each other broadly after some time when we turned to look at each other, the moonlight falling upon us wholly. And throughout the time we lay beside each other, all I could think about was the two of us.
It's true what people say. Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, but loving someone deeply gives you courage.
And the two of us knew that; we knew what we meant to each other. There was nothing said, nothing heard. It was just us, and that's all we needed for now. We could fight the world if we were together. I was struck by the simple truth that sometimes the most ordinary things could be made extraordinary, simply by doing them with the right people.
It's an absolute human certainty that no one could know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it was reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being. A mirror in front of a mirror had infinite reflections, and so was the case with us. He could hold me in his arms and I could hold him in mine, and it would be so peaceful. Completely peaceful. Like the feeling of sleep, but awake in it together.
This was our childhood fever that had now caught fire.
Constructive criticism will be more than welcome and sorry for any typos! :D :D
Next chapter:
Interlude 7
Edited by LadyMeringue - 8 years ago
Pati Patni Aur Panga
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
