Tejas had also discovered another crucial point. He knew how to infuriate the silent Kabir Sharma.
It was our history class and our teacher Ms. Arthi Menon was teaching us Russian revolution. Our work was due that day besides the internal assessment activity that was to be conducted in the next period. It was already getting to our height of boredom when she asked us to take out our maps and start the assignment. Anjali and I were occupied with placing the map straight on our books when Ayesha, who was sitting behind us passed an empty map to me and said very officially, “Riya, give this to Kabir.”
I took it from her and looked at Anjali who was nodding her head, in affirmation that Kabir, had again forgotten to bring his material. She murmured under her breath, ‘I’m sure he isn’t carrying colours or pencils either.’
I knew this to be true. And as I saw Ms. Menon taking her customary round in the class, I realised Kabir would earn a serious reprimand again. So along with Ayesha’s map, I added one spare pencil that I usually carried and also, took out a few random pencil colours and asked Joy to hand over the stationary to Kabir. Joy was the sweetest and most baby-like student in our class. He never minded helping anyone, especially these days since Kabir had made it a point to sit as far away from me as the dimensions would permit.
Tejas had seen all this; or rather I now believe he and Ayesha were in cahoots about this. So as Ms. Menon crossed his bench he obviously filled her in on it and this infuriated Ms. Menon so much so that after a heavy scolding she made Kabir stand behind the room.
My name was mentioned as well and so I too received a bit of her wrath but since she was from my house and knew my flawless record, her voice was a few octane lower. After the class was over, we all handed our work in and that was when the real drama unfolded.
“So Kabir, the dashing superman, the star, the thunderbolt . . . I see that you have a lot of support from girls these days . . .” Tejas spoke near the class doors. “Lucky man . . . I never imagined you would still take stuff from her, is there any special “reason”? Something going on between you and that chick Riya?” Tejas was standing with his coterie of followers and a few from the next door section had also joined in.
“Mind your own business Tejas . . . Ayesha passed me the map in case you missed that. One can attribute it to a vision problem, as the coach pointed out yesterday or perhaps it is brain damage, that your mom forgot to tell you.” Kabir replied acridly.
Tejas fumed up instantly and one thing led to another and eventually there was a huge brawl. Finally someone pushed the other, shirts were torn, faces were scratched, lots of abuses were bombarded on one another and the net result was that both the boys, the current candidates for team A selection, were summoned to the Principal’s office. The coach, Mr. Ranjeet was summoned too and a warning issued that one more step out of the line would land Kabir nowhere near the trials. Mr. Ranjeet was very upset after everyone left the Principal’s office. He had been hoping for Kabir and Tejas both to make the team, as no matter how they behaved in classes, they were both extremely skilled sports players. And we needed a strong team to win the rotary matches, which were a prestige issue amongst the top schools.
“There, the dynamic duo is back!” Anjali drew my attention to the class door as both Kabir and Tejas stepped in later during the day. Tejas had a smirk on his face as he saw Ayesha, which was when Dev got suspicious. All I saw was the vile and angry look that Kabir gave me as he sat down on his seat. Mr. Bonerjee knew what had happened and during his long monologue he made it a point to pass curt remarks towards Kabir.
“So, Kabir . . . tell me this, if a net charge Q flows across any cross section of a conductor, in time t, then the current I though the cross section is . . . ?” Bony sir looked sideways from the black board towards Dev and Kabir. I knew he did not know answer, but this was not my concern at the moment. I feared his next selection of student for the answer.
“Shameful!! Totally shameful . . . Riya? You tell me . . .” He looked towards me.
“I=Q/t” I replied meekly.
“Good . . . learn Kabir, or do you wish to get a compartment again? What do you expect me to give you in internal assessment?”
Tejas was marvelling at all this. Despite the fact that he too could not answer a single one of Bony sir’s questions, he was jubilant. He knew it was hard for Kabir to sustain his temper and a single spurt of anger from him would ensure Tejas permanently in team A. Besides, he was relishing the agony Kabir was enduring and therefore Dev too.
“Dev . . . stand up! Tell me, what is the S.I. unit of charge?” Bony targeted Dev this time.
Dev stood up and looked as blank as a white cartridge sheet.
“Great! You too are going the wrong way young man!” Bony sir spoke in an irritated voice, though I wondered why. I’m sure he knew Dev did not know the answer either.
“Anyone else??” he looked around the class and then permitted Anshuman to answer. Anshuman Jha was Bonerjee’s favourite pupil.
“Coulomb, which is equivalent to the charge, contained in nearly 6xio18 electrons.” Anshuman replied, replacing his spectacles. Everyone was sure he would do engineering from the highest institute in the country. We all wondered which one though . . . IIT Delhi or IIT Roorkee??
To this Tejas patted Anshuman’s back as he sat down and jokingly mocked him with the famous jingle everyone sang for him . . . All izz well.
The entire class had a small laugh except the three of us.
As the last class for the day began, I was completely crushed with work, my upcoming inter-house declamation competition preparation and the sour sordid looks I was getting from a few classmates. I was awaiting the last bell to ring when Dev accidently bumped into Anjali and she stamped his feet in the shuffle.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Dev retorted, finally letting go of all that he had sustained in the day.
“Sorry for stamping your feet Dev, but really, it was you who were walking with your eyes elsewhere. You bumped into me . . . YOU should be apologising, not me!!” Anjali was never the submissive kinds.
“Why? Just because you are some prefect?” Dev replied back, an angry stance in position.
“No Dev . . . Don’t prove again that you are stupid, I know that . . . EVERYONE knows that. I asked you to apologise because that’s what civilized people do when they unintentionally bump into each other . . . But how would you know!!” Anjali too stood akimbo.
“Stop Dev . . . leave it man!!” Kabir spoke pulling his arm, trying to prevent another scene. I also came behind Anjali and pulled her away.
“Sorry Dev . . .” I said softly. “You know how . . . she gets angry these days . . .” I tried to sooth things down.
“Keep your apologies Ms. Sehgal. Leave us alone.” Kabir had not even looked my way. After ten days of silence, this is what he said to me.
“Kabby . . . Kabir . . . I . . .” I did not get a chance to complete my statement when Kabir turned around suddenly and said very loudly, “SHUT-UP . . . JUST SHUT-UP AND GET LOST!”
I gasped! Just then Ms. Payal Suri, our English teacher entered and silenced Kabir with a reproachful look.
“I had just asked her to pass the map!! I mean, she could have folded it or something, it is hardly of any size, but NO . . . the girl is so self-consumed that she had to increase the bulk by adding her pencils!!” Ayesha was swiftly filling the gossip grapevine in the corridor.
“I mean, is there something between them? Why does she always want to do unwanted stuff and get Kabir into trouble? And then she claims she is innocent . . . plays the victim, could you imagine? She knows he has just returned from suspension and the trials for team are coming up next week . . . isn’t this . . . Satanic?” Ayesha spoke with her wide fluttering eyes. Madhuri nodded her head obediently.
“I tell you, she is out to show him down. I’m sur
e. And she is so clever, she got Tejas also thrown out of the class and summoned by the Principal! Not to forget poor Dev . . .” Madhuri finally added her valuable contribution.
As I crossed by, their voices turned to whispers and I could not suppress my tears any longer. So I walked out deftly towards my preferred area, the Banyan tree and cried my stupidity out. I vowed never to interfere in Kabir’s business again, come what may!
God! How wrong I was. Riya though today as she recalled the unwavering pledge she had taken that day. A smile crossed her delicate face.
“You are the most beautiful stubborn chick I’ve seen, my flightless bird . . . I love you all the more when you press upon your point so defensively with me.” Kabir had said one day when they were in 12th grade. She had insisted that she pay her share in the outing they had planned. He always insisted it never mattered who paid between them, although like a chivalrous man, he never permitted her to pay either. It was only when she found out through grapevine that he had been borrowing money, that she scolded him and demanded to pay her bit.
Little did she know that she would carry that debt of his with her, her whole life.
CHAPTER-12
School life is the most exciting and wonderful time in any individual’s life. There are so many activities going on that one can be booked for the entire week. Our school had a plethora of co-curricular activities and needless to say, I and Anjali participated in most of them. The best ones were the debates when we both stood against each other. The entire school knew we were fast friends, yet on stage, we were rivals! There were no smiles exchanged, just formal head-nods and later the final handshake. Though secretly neither one of us was ever concerned about who won, yet it was a great feat for the entire school. I suppose that’s what made us better.
The much awaited English debate was around the corner. As expected, Anjali and I were to debate against each other. The topic was not new, we had heard it before from our seniors, yet both of us had prepared our speeches and had them edited and approved. We had been practicing it, separately, as this was the only thing we did separate.
“So, Cinderella is against Snow White . . . for the victory crown.” Jaya spoke in recess that day. The weather was surprisingly cool, due to the shower late last night. The sky was muddy with leanclouds and the sunlight was diffused. There was a cool breeze and everyone was enjoying the rare spell of good weather in the city. I had purchased a milk shake along with Anjali and was sipping it when Jaya made the remark. She was our classmate as well and a good friend of ours.
“Let’s see who wins this time. You know, there comes a point in your cross questioning when we feel Anjali would actually pounce on you and demand compliance. Yet you remain so cool and refined. Is it really a tactic or is it because you two are friends? And don’t you feel angry Anjali when Riya NEVER agrees with anything you say?” Gloria spoke finishing her sandwich and locking her lunchbox. She placed it aside and looked at us both, who had been sitting there nonchalant and unaffected by these excited remarks.
“Naah!! I do mind it on stage, as the entire school is watching me, but really Gloria, I know at times in my heart that she is holding a better argument.” Anjali replied.
Everyone knew she had the mark of becoming a great orator. There was something so deeply mesmerising and polished about her diction that ever since her admission in our school, she had been winning laurels not just inter-house but also inter-school. I was really proud of her, and never felt bad about losing to her.
“And I suppose this time around the scholarship position for studying Arts in London will also be contested by you Anjali?” Jaya asked again. Anjali nodded in affirmation. She wanted to study arts or mass communication; it was her dream to earn that scholarship.
“Well, I hope my Cinderella wins then.” I said lovingly putting my arm around her shoulders.
“You won’t go easy on her now Riya, just so that she wins . . .” Ayesha joined in, though she was standing with her back to our group but clearly her ears were towards us and she pitched in on the right note.
“That should not be your concern Ayesha,” Anjali spoke in my defence.
“Oh but it should. After all Riya and I are in the same house Anjali. I too have my loyalty towards it. Just because she is your friend, would you know . . . reduced the competition, I think.” Ayesha replied.
“Let the judges give the decisions. You should not try doing stuff that’s beyond your comprehension.” Anjali retorted sharply.
“Well, it seems I’ve touched a raw bone. It is quite obvious now, after your reaction what will really unfold on the judgement day. So long then.” Ayesha walked away swaying her hips, to the amusement of the boys who stood gapping at her.
I was worried now! Is this what everyone was thinking? Should I drop out of the debate? Should I confide in my house mistress and then drop out? What would my mom think? She had put in hours of effort in my script writing and rehearsals thereafter.
I was pre-occupied in the next period. While reading the text I fumbled over the simplest words. I missed the explanation of the concept completely. I was so engrossed in my own ideas that I did not hear the teacher call out my name. Anjali budged me and then I got up and walked to my physics teacher for submitting my assignment. Kabir stood up empty handed as always.
“Anjali . . . should I drop out of the debate?” I asked her finally when the thought had become unbearable.
“And what would that accomplish? They all would say you made is too easy for me by removing the little competition that I had,” Anjali replied calmly.
I looked down at my hands, totally confused.
“Don’t let people get to you that way. Do what your heart tells you. I would hate even standing on that stage without you in the next row. I love quarrelling with you onstage . . .” Anjali smiled. I too could not repress my smile. I was reminded of our last confrontation. The judges had blown horn thrice, before either one backed down. The entire school was in encore and there was thunderous applause. I had won that day. This time, I wanted it to be her.
It was during these days that the basketball tournaments had begun. Tejas and Kabir had both cleared their try-outs, though everyone knew there would be no team without them. Still, I was relieved that he had made it; else, people would have hung it around my neck again. Our school had reached the quarter finals and that day the match was to clear the semi-finals. Arjun Shah was our captain. He was from twelfth grade and a thorough gentleman. He wanted to join the army and we were all sure he would as well. He was a marked sports man, a good student and a complete team player. Each member spoke highly of him and so had Kabir, on those distant occasions we were friends.
As I sat among the school crowd cheering for my team, I saw Kabir play. He was . . . talented and brilliant. I could not help feeling proud of him. It was like he read the thoughts of his team mates. His throws and catches were synchronised and he never missed a basket. Arjun had a habit of calling him in from the corners, and Tejas was his cover. Surprisingly, they played well in tandem for the school. I suppose, loyalty towards ones institute is bigger than personal grudges in that age.
Our team was at a tie with the opponent by half time. As everyone was taking a break, I saw Kabir sit on the floor and discuss something with other mates. I was told his moves and tricks were flawless. He studied the other teams, and then devised ways to crack their defences. I was sure that’s what he was telling the coach now. He was actually coaching the team to understand the moves of the opponent and aim to break their rhythm. A slow, brainless, dull, weak boy could never do that, I thought to myself. So there was something about him that our teachers missed. Something that was so unique, that I could not learn it. It was in his blood, he was a pin-up player.
As Kabir scored the winning basket that day and I saw the entire school shout his name with pride and excitement, I wondered at how our study pat
terns glorified academic excellence more than anything else. Today, among the faculty, Mr. Bonerjee too, was happy that we had Kabir in our team, yet on regular days, he would not miss a chance to reprimand Kabir.
It also occurred to me that I was no better. I had also judged him based on his weakest point. I had let other people get to me and broken his trust. I felt ashamed of my own shallowness. He had not said one word against me, unlike his habit. I should have seen the qualities in him for which he was the hero of the school today, because that’s what he was, a hero. Everyone was patting his back, every teacher was proud of him, every student wanted to shake his hand, every girl was mad about becoming his friend.
And me? I was consumed by my own guilt. Sorry seemed a tiny word, but it had a new weight now, and had to be said never-the-less . . .
CHAPTER-13
The terminal examination results were out and Kabir had passed. More than him, I was glad. I recall perfectly that day when Dev had come up to me to return my old notes which I had lent to Kabir for studying.
“Here. He sent them for you,” Dev had placed the bunch on my table.
“What, that’s all Dev? Din’t he ask you to convey his thanks to Riya for lending them to his majesty?” Anjali spoke up. I shushed her and replied instead, “It’s ok Dev. Say congratulations to him from us.” I spoke politely.
“From her only . . .” Anjali muttered under her breath and bent her head into her books again.
I saw Dev walk to Kabir and convey my message. I knew Kabir would turn my side and he did. I just smiled. He remained completely aloof.
As the day progressed, a storm in the staff rooms blew up. Apparently someone had questioned Mrs. Ratna Dhir’s answersheet checking abilities. There was some talk of someone’s marks been wrongly calculated. It was later that we realised that it was none other than Tejas, much to my relief as I was only getting to relax about Kabir’s marks.
Schoolmates Page 5