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Halo Guys!
This is my new os! It has five parts!
I hope uh like it!
PART 1
It was not just another first day at school.
Yes, it was the same laziness, pinch of excitement and hangover of a hectic vacation; yet it was not just another first day at school.
It was the day when I would have butterflies in my stomach when she passes by me. It was the day when I would see her smile and feel that the world is so beautiful. It was the day when my heart would skip a beat if she accidentally looks at me. It was the day when I was going to fall for her all over again after a cruel void of 34 days and 16 hours. I felt her innocence and gorgeousness must be missing my silent appreciation all this while.
After spending more than half of last year wordlessly loving her, it was my new (academic) year resolution to express my feelings at the most suitable, most promising situation. I wanted to get through it at the earliest and get her answer. Being an optimist I do not normally say this but, probably I was too eager to face the consequences.
The situation was like an iceberg; it was way more than what met eyes. There were adequate facts that would justify my readiness for consequences'. Rule one; coming from a conservative family, you cannot fall in love. Rule two; if you fall in love, not in school at least. Even if somehow you manage to escape from these two, when you fall in love with a girl two years elder, you are no less than a criminal. And when she is not your religion, you are dead; dead as a drum. I had all these feathers in my cap and yet I was good to go. I was weirdly proud of myself.
I parked all these realistic alarms along with my cycle. I reached school earlier than the peons. On the scale of 10, my anxiety was at 11. I had hardly slept through the night. The fantasy of her looking into my eyes and giving me a smile was enough for me to spend a sleepless night.
Just as school started to crowd, my eyes kept scanning through for a face that had taken my breath away over last six months.
"Hey Darling, missing me?" And I felt a big thump on my back. I turned and not much to my surprise that was kd, my best friend since the time I can remember. A laughter echo like that of a nineties' Hindi movie villain enhanced his drama. I returned favor by a punch to his chest and a buddy hug followed.
"So, what's new Ranveer?" he asked, a little sophisticated this time.
"Nothing." my eyes were still hunting for diamond in coal mine.
"Hmm... So, you are still in the I miss you!' mode. I guess movies, cricket and playstation during the whole vacation were not good enough for Mister Ranveer Shergil to lose focus off Miss Panchi Rastogi, hmm? Dude, I am worried for you." He winked, I almost ignored.
An intelligent friend is an asset especially when he knows you well; as well as you know yourself. He was right. It was going to be bad. My ardor for my desire and subsequent actions were well-known to him ever since kindergarten days.
"Where is she? Why is she late? Has she changed school? Oh, has she changed school? No, No, can't be." I didn't realize I was actually saying this until I saw kd smiling mischievously.
"Let's go, she will not disappoint you." the naughty kd surfaced as we headed towards class.
"Yes, she won't." Self motivation is the only fuel that can keep the wheel rolling in one way traffic of love.
My struggle to get a glimpse of her was going to ease out this year. One of the many reasons why I was happy about today was the location of my new classroom, 10-A; situated perfectly opposite 12-C, Panchi's class. I was happy about it, very happy. I and kd started our hunt for our new seat for the year. We always shared bench, always!
We chose our bench wisely so that I could see almost entire of her classroom from a corner of the eye. A little strategy is essential for any war and every love.
She was sitting right there in a knee high grey skirt and a white top that was shining just about as much as detergent advertisements claim. I was jealous of her loosened tie for hugging her all day. Pink hair band was in a competition with her to win the cuteness award. Long beautiful fingers playing with her hair were so damn enviable. Sparkling eyes were blinking with the intension to shoot me point-blank. That innocence was worth dying for. No wonder, to guys, why one of the most desirable one is a girl in her school uniform; raw and pure.
"Good morning students!" from Mrs. Banerjee broke into my reverie. I missed a beat. It took me a moment and a glance again at her classroom to come back from a distant delusion. She had disappeared. I hate such day dreams; or should I say, I hate returning from such day dreams. I was saddened, once again.
"Good morning ma'm." class chorused.
"So how was your vacation?" Mrs. Banerjee asked with her trademark smile.
"Tooo short!" kd replied in a split second. Everyone enjoyed the quickie from the little master and applauded. Kd was a popular character in the school, thanks to both his wit and sh*t.
"Here you are Mister keshav Desai. I will surely convey your feelings to the principal." Mrs. Banerjee had a humor bone too.
I left the conversation there and went back to my fantasy class.
Why hasn't she come yet? Is there something wrong? She has to be fine.
Just as I was getting a little worried, a cute, pretty and a little worried young girl appeared from stairs. Panchi! A bright ray of sunshine rose from the sea. Birds flew over my head. A cuckoo started singing to me. Violins started playing. Butterflies woke up inside my stomach. My lips widened. My eyes twinkled.
She walked swiftly down the lobby. She was late and she knew it. I could make out from her gestures that she was breathing heavily; but not as heavily as I was. My heart was overjoyed like a kid on a swing in the park.
"May I come in sir?" I could listen to her clearer. May be I chose to listen to her than Mrs. Banerjee. Selective use of hearing sense, I guess. I was thrilled seeing her. I could not resist a smile.
"Happy?" a whisper on my left ear brought me back to my classroom. It was kd.
I nodded, smiled. Kd patted me on thigh.
My focus panned to her. Much to my delight, she had settled on a seat that was convenient to me. It was the time to relive my day dream. I took a deep breath and tried to zoom in as much as I could.
Beauty personified was right in front of me. How can someone be so beautiful, so innocent? Her grey skirt, white top and a loose tie were enhancing her cuteness. I missed her hair band though. For a change, there was a purple bandana on her head, very neatly and gracefully tied. It looked beautiful too. She had got some classy fashion sense. How can something associated with her be short of stunning?
"Yes, mister topper. Is there something outside that we all should be watching? Please share." Mrs. Banerjee interrupted my thoughts as hard as kd poked me.
"Yes, Yes ma'm! I mean, no ma'm." my tongue fumbled as I stood up.
"So, how was your vacation? Anything exciting you want to share with the class?"
My most exciting activity of the vacation would have been most interesting for almost the entire class, had I shared. I decided against it.
"Not really ma'm." I kicked kd for enjoying my discomfort.
"I hope you further raise your bar of topping the class and also top the board this year." She seemed more confident than hopeful about that. I smiled. I did not want to publicize promise to myself for topping board exams.
Bell rang and I was rescued.
For the whole day my eyes and mind kept shuttling between 10-A and 12-C. My patience, impatience, anxiety, excitement, nervousness and countdown to this day were all worth it. She looked as graceful and pleasant as ever. However there was an evident difference in her compared to how I had seen her last. The ever bubbly charming personality had turned into a little dull and tired one. Nothing was compromised but the spark was missing. I was puzzled. I couldn't stop thinking about what could it be.
I had another sleepless night, for a different reason. It was difficult to get my mind off the fact that she was not the same. Her smile was different. Something was definitely different. Something was unusual.
PART 2 - page 3
PART 3 - page 5
PART 4 - Page 6
PART 5 - page 8
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