Schoolmates

by Latika Sharma

  “Don’t be mad at me! Please, don’t leave me!” He said. His parents were waiting for him.

  “I’m not angry Kabir, I’m never angry at you. And I will not leave you . . . ever. NEVER!” I had replied.

  That was the day; Kabir Sharma fell completely and madly in love with Riya Sehgal.

  CHAPTER-21

  Life changed after that.

  I was never the timid kinds, just polite. I never feared anything except failure in perhaps clearing medical entrance. I was just sixteen. My friend circle was limited and Anjali was the closest confidant I had. I read books late till night and never missed school.

  Kabir changed a few of those things. I began to ponder over issues more and express my opinions less. I feared people not understanding our relation and spoiling my well-built image in school. My friend circle of confidants increased by one: Dev, who was so dedicated to me and Kabir that at times Anjali felt jealous of me calling on him instead of her. I still read late in night, as I had dedicated my whole life towards a medical career and I still never missed school. But this time it was not for all the class tests I wanted to excel in or the debates or the school annual day. It was only for one reason.

  The revisions after the tenth pre-board examinations had begun. Examinations were more than just subjective now. Kabir returned obviously and the entire school began looking at us in aweird way, as if we were going to do something silly and it would make the school newsletter. Most coteries were wondering when we would kiss! Or how was our first kiss, for some people had run amok with wild imaginations. According to some, we were ‘Hot’!

  I had cried initially when Meenakshi approached me again that day.

  “See! I told you that boy would land you in trouble! Have you heard the jingle people chant these days! It doesn’t bother him, we know that but Riya . . . you too? It doesn’t bother you either now?” Meenakshi was standing near my biology lab door.

  “It bothers me Meenakshi, believe me it does. But all of you are taking this the wrong way. Sure we make a good, great pair and all, but that’s it! There is no kissing or hugging or . . . any of those things. It’s not like that between us.” I could hear the panic creeping in my voice again.

  “That’s your deduction Riya. Not ours. I mean, we see you with him EVERY TIME!! In lunch, during classes obviously, after school, in picnics, in auditoriums, in sick bay!! You two are together! What do you want us to deduce then?” Meenakshi protested her very valid point.

  I was silent, lost in thoughts. How could I explain to them what Kabir meant to me? How do I tell that I myself was confused at my own feelings for him, I was experiencing a conflict within, between my mind and heart.

  “Look, even some of the teachers have noticed you guys. So you better watch out. Kabir’s parents won’t take it badly, but

  Riya, we all have seen your dad. He would be furious!” Ameesha pointed out. They both left after a while. I was worried too, yet I did not have the courage to stay away from him now.

  At last, the finals had ended; we all did well, including Dev and Kabby. The vacations began and all of us got occupied with some or the other camp. Our school also organized a pottery, painting and yoga class camp, in June holidays. We also had April and May off to ourselves, as Board results are declared later.

  Kabir and his influential family visited their relatives in Chicago. I went to visit mine in Shimla and Mumbai. It was in the end of May I suppose or starting of June, that our result was declared. I had topped the tenth section and Kabby had managed a neat score as well.

  I called him to congratulate.

  “Hi Kabir! You did well, I saw, congratulations!” I was happier for him than I was for my net 99.7%

  “Thanks to you, Madam Curie! Anjali did well too.” Kabir knew I was all too pleased to see Anjali’s English scores. She had won that scholarship to London College after all.

  “Yeah! There is a party at her place and Kabby; she has asked me to invite you too. And Dev!” I was happy.

  “Really! The nit-wit and me? Aren’t we blessed by the gods!” Kabir and I laughed at our own friends.

  “So when are you returning back from Shimla?” Kabir was back from Chicago.

  “Two more days. Then I’ll see you in the pottery classes.” I knew he would come. Dev had said he would, only to spend time with me.

  “Oh! Yeah . . . those classes, boring.”

  “Then I suppose you won’t come and I’ll just have to find a new yoga partner!” I sounded innocent.

  “I didn’t say I’m not coming, I simply pointed to the blatant fact that they are boring!” Kabir spoke immediately and I smiled at the other end.

  “By, the way, my dad bought me a bike for my fantastic score in tenth? What did you get?” Kabir had picked up excitement suddenly.

  “WHAT? A bike? But you aren’t of the legal age Kabby?” I shouted into my cell. Why did parents do that? I mean, he was hardly out of tenth and here his dad was, overwhelmed with his son, buying him such extravagant gifts to show his love.

  “C’mon Riya! Stop being so disapproving! It’s beautiful! You must see its pick-up and traction! And it is so smooth!” Kabir was prattling and I just heard silently. It sounded like Ayesha describing one of her gowns.

  “So when can I take you for a ride? My bike is missing its favourite passenger!” Kabir spoke.

  “Really? How many passengers have you had so far for me to be declared the favourite?” I was pulling his leg.

  “Oh a few . . . you know how dames love sitting behind a bike.” Kabir was obviously enjoying too.

  “So why don’t you take one of them, again?” I continued.

  “Because I’m tempted to . . . you know, complete the jingle!” Kabir increased my plight. I stopped breathing for a second; I think he realized it too.

  These past few days, all had started chanting this jingle that I had found very inappropriate and never considered it much up until now.

  “Hello? Riya?” Kabir sounded very calm. “Yes. I’m here. Just thinking!” I replied slowly. “What? What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking . . . why you don’t complete the jingle if you so much are tempted to!” I was getting peevish.

  There was silence on the other end. It was my turn to enquire if he was still there.

  “She won’t let me . . . yet.” Kabir finally spoke.

  “Who? Which one?” I was enraged and as curious as a cat!

  “Her . . . there is only one girl’s name in that jingle, my flightless bird, and she is the only one I will complete this jingle with, whenever she lets me!” Kabir said it in the most passionate and melodious voice.

  Those words still reverberate in my mind today. Riya switched off her night lamp and tried to sleep.

  “Kabir and Riya sitting under a tree . . .

  K-I-S-S-I-N-G”

  CHAPTER-22

  School reopened and I was now in a different section. I had taken biology and Kabir had taken commerce.

  “I will study biology too!” Kabir had insisted that day, in the pottery class once.

  “NO!” I had spoken firmly, my hands all imbued with clay. “You hate biology! I remember well how I had made all your and Dev’s diagrams! I swear I can’t do it for two more years. Besides, you must study something YOU wish to study, not what your friend is studying.” My pot was made.

  “But you can teach me, I am a swift learner!” Kabir was just standing next to me. We were in casuals. I was wearing knee length straight beige tights with platform slip-on’s and a pink shirt and he was wearing a cool summer shirt with light blue khakis and sneakers.

  “Kabir, please roll my sleeve!” I extended my arm towards him. He held it lovingly and began rolling my sleeves. There were a few who sneaked looks at our end, but we were oblivious to all that.

 
“See, who would do that for you in A section?” he made a face, he knew I was right. God! I loved that innocent look on his face.

  “You will. I will call you from your C section.” I smiled and he took a step closer.

  I had not realized that he had pulled height in these holidays. He was taller and much more brawny now, I suppose those gyms in Chicago pumped in loads of muscles into his biceps. I felt my pulse rise.

  He came and stood behind me and placed one of his hands on my extended arm, sliding his hand slowly down my arm. I felt my entire body shiver and I let out a tiny whisper calling out his name.

  “Kabir! “ I whispered. I knew he was having fun. He knew my hands were soiled and I couldn’t move.

  “Yes . . . ma’am,” he soiled his hands in clay as well.

  Suddenly the teacher appeared and Kabir swiftly picked up the pot I had prepared and handed it to him.

  “Here Sir! Is this fine, I was just watching how she did it.”

  The teacher looked fumbled and left. I saw Kabir, eyes filled with laughter and passion and I smiled blushing lightly.

  “God! you know when you smile shyly like that I feel like . . . , let’s just say it will be a wise decision that we will be in separate sections, or else, I would surely have failed this year, my flightless bird!” Kabir had said.

  Life was busy in eleventh. I was, as always, the class monitor and Kabir was the captain of team A. Tejas, as always was team B captain, yet another bone of contention between the rivals. They were in the same section as was Ayesha, Joy and Jagriti.

  Anjali, Mamta, Ameesha and I were now in the Biology section. There were new admissions as well. A new boy student, Ronit Chandra, had joined us from USA. He had the American dream written all over him. His topics glorified America and the works of Americans. He had a funny accent as well. We allowed him to narrate his tales just to hear him in that American accent. Anjali had a gala time downsizing him in debates.

  It was already the time for our second formative assessments. I had promised to help Kabir in English and Mathematics as those were still common between us. Now, English was taught to me by Ms. Josephina Mathews, an Anglo Indian, and aged but extremely talented senior English teacher. Kabir had Ms. Payal Suri. And both of these din’t see eye to eye.

  Right after the teacher’s had shown us the answer sheets of our English formative papers; there was a huge commotion in the staff room. Apparently Kabir had written one of Ms. Josephina’s answers and Ms. Payal had deducted marks for it, since it represented a narrow opinion of the topic. This was objected upon by Ms. Josephina and as was doomed to happen, Kabir was again in the Principal’s office.

  “I did not cheat ma’am. I merely wrote this answer. It is same as Ms. Josephina’s as I revised it from Riya’s notes.” Kabir had explained. The Principal, with all her wisdom felt small in frontof her student for the crass tactless behaviour displayed by her staff.

  The gossip circulated for a few days then died down soon. A new gossip had taken wings.

  Carrying cell phones to school was prohibited. Yet many students frequently sneaked them in and even used them, sometimes foolishly enough to get caught. Ayesha had planned to get even with me for a while now. I realized this after the incident of ‘The cell and the bell’ . . . as it was famously referred to afterwards. Apparently Kabir had been bringing his cell for quite a while and everyone knew about it. Me included. But I swear, I had tried putting sense in him.

  Ayesha had tried in vain to win Kabir’s heart with all her girly charms and womanly tactics. Yet he remained aloof. She was taking it very hard, especially when Dev had told her point blankly that it was Riya, Kabir was in love with and that we were solid as a rock!

  So in cahoots with Tejas, she managed to slip Kabir’s cell phone in my school bag, after recess. She knew if discovered, I will never take Kabir’s name. My parents would come to know and then everything about me and Kabir would be revealed to them.

  Somehow she did manage to do this swapping. And it was in the seventh period, Chemistry, that there was a sudden burst of sound on our door.

  I saw a panting Kabir, looking more alarmed than tired asking permission to step in. A few heads turned my way. I ignored them, keen to know the cause of the furore.

  “Ma’am . . . there is a phone call for you, in the staff room!” Kabir told Ms. Anita Bishnoi, our sweet and simple Chemistry teacher. She left immediately and Kabir rushed to my side.

  “Quick! Search your bag Riya. My cell is somewhere in there and it will ring soon . . . quickly!” he began picking my bag.

  “What? What do you mean?” I asked dazed.

  “Do as I’m saying! It’s a plot!”

  I did not have to look far. There it was, neatly tucked in the pocket of my chemistry lab coat.

  “What . . . how?” I looked at him.

  He had a serious look on his face.

  “Sorry sweet heart. I’ll take care of the rest.” With that he touched my arm lightly and left swiftly. I stood astounded when all of a sudden there was the sound of the cell phone ringing. It became clear to me what Kabir had done, to save my skin.

  Needless to say, he got detention for five working days, but so did Tejas. The call had come from his cell phone. Ayesha managed to go scot—free.

  I met Kabir in the park that day, en-route to my coaching for medical entrance.

  “I knew she had planted it to get even with me. Ayesha would go to such extend, I had no clue. I’m sorry Riya!” Kabir held my heavy books in his hands.

  “Please, it should be me who ought to apologize, Kabby! You got detention which I was supposed to face! You took the blame on yourself! Ayesha did it to make ME look bad, not get you out of class. That blew up her idea totally!!! Everyone knows the real story by now.” I was holding his free hand. Kabir rubbed my fingers. It felt great to be with him. I missed him in school.

  “Come. Let me drop you home, your old man would be walking outside wondering where is darling, apple of the eye is.” He turned the ignition of his bike and took me home. Those five days without him in school, but with him on his bike were the better days of our togetherness. I was hesitant of holding him first, but soon, I started placing my free hands on his back for support. He was never fast or jerky, he knew I got scared.

  I used to cover my face with a scarf while he drove. En-route he would stop and we would drink coconut water.

  “You know, this is actually called Endosperm of the coconut seed!” I had remarked one day. “It contains free nuclei floating in this liquid!”

  “Oh yeah! I knew all that . . . hmm . . . sure!” Kabir smiled, a pleasing, attractive grin and my day became a bit sunnier.

  As Riya sat down on her work table the next morning, she recalled her numerous trips on Kabir’s bike. Her son, Raibir, had gone to school and she was working from home. She was not a doctor, as she had once planned to be. She was a lecturer in the university, teaching Biology. These days she was on a short leave. As she sipped her coconut water, recommended by her doctor, she felt the liquid wash up the fond memories once again. She extended her arms to pick up her senior school yearbooks now.

  CHAPTER-23

  The weather had taken a humid turn in Delhi after the August rains. We had a day off on 15 th August, the Independence Day. It was planned that all of us would go to see a movie. I was allowed as well since Anjali was coming along. Jagriti’s elder brother had arranged five tickets for us girls. So Ameesha and Jaya were also in.

  All of us were dressed fashionably. I was in jeans and so was Jaya. Ameesha surprisingly wore a salwar suit and Anjali was in a long blowy paisley sprint skirt, looking very feminine. I had tied my hair in a bun since the weather did not permit any loose strands today.

  “So, after we finish the movie, I feel a snack of Pizza is in order?” Anjali spoke, as we stood outside the auditoriu
m awaiting the doors to open.

  “Yeah, that is if we find anything left with seats . . .” Jaya spoke sipping her cool lemonade.

  “I know, everyone is out it seems . . .” I looked around the crowded space. There were families and groups of people justlike us. Popcorn vendors were minting money, selling corn at gold rates!

  Since we had come to watch a family movie, there were people from all walks of life. A few dads were still busy on their cell phones. An old couple was seated with their grandchildren. A mom was adjusting her son’s trousers, who was too young to realize what was happening.

  Amid all of them, I saw suddenly, with a wave of amazement, three familiar faces approaching us!

  “What are THEY doing here?” Anjali stood akimbo and looked sharply at the three guys sauntering towards us girls.

  “Hi!” Dev was the first one to speak. Kabir just looked lovingly at me.

  “Hi Dev!” I replied blushing from watching Kabir look at me with such intense feelings. “What are you three doing here?” I asked.

  “Well, Amit is our friend as well, isn’t he? So we just pooled in for three more tickets . . . mind you, they are right next to yours!” Danish spoke.

  “Danish, you’re alone? Where is your Meenakshi?” Ameesha asked, wondering how it was that Danish was alone.

  “She had an appointment.” Danish spoke proudly, reflecting his great sense of achievement in having such a smart girlfriend.

  We knew where Meenakshi’s appointment was . . . the high end saloons of Saket.

  Kabir had not spoken a word so far. I knew the other girls were watching him, from the crowd even, he was indeed the most handsome and eye catching figure. He slid next to me and gently brushed his hand on mine. I could feel the loving warmth of that slithering down my whole body and making my legs go weak again.

  Anjali stood next to Jagriti, frowning. She had this day planned for us and now Kabir had become the focus of my attention.

  “I hate that boy!” she mumbled.