School Days………

What was the last date on which I had purchased chocolates to distribute on my birthday? When was the last week I had seen a class putting their head down as a punishment? Which was the last month I had seen a class sitting perfectly in a co-educational way with boys and girls playing pranks innocently as bench partners? When was the last year I had visited my first alma mater, my first school: EMMS-IX?

Well, I was at my home sitting perfectly idle when these thoughts struck me. I don’t know what came to my mind I just took my sis’s scooty pep and reached my school playground; the ground where the class of 2001 had played football with tennis and plastic balls. It was the ground where cricket had been played with pencil boxes and chalks. It was also the ground where we had chased grasshoppers and celebrated new years’ picnic. It was the ground which had seen a lot of scuffles and later the fighters turning into friends forever. Well it was empty today as it should be on Sundays. So after having some flashbacks I returned back.

Mom was busy in making sweets (besan k laddu), which she always do right on the day before I am about to leave for my college: reason being she wants the box to be full at least when opened for the first time at my hostel. Papa had prolly gone to market and rest of my beloved family (my two Didizz) were watching some movie flashing on DD1. But as they saw me, they at once gave me an order that I was going to escort them today for some Mela at Supela. I was reluctant and tried to use my stunt that it was the last day and I would rather prefer food at home. But as evening approached it din work and I had to follow the orders.

Well as Neha Di and Vidhi Di were scrolling the stalls, I was giving thanks to my Nokia set and to the reduced roaming charges. After having few rounds of chaats and popcorns they finally wanted me to have a ride with them on some roller coaster. So I again tried to quit by saying that you two are in company but I will be alone. But right after 5 minutes I was holding the three tickets and was being dragged in the waiting queue. Then she turned from the queue …..and…….. yes…. she was her.

She used to be my debate partner in primary and middle schooling. It was she with whom I used to travel on Thakur Sir’s Rajdoot (Sir being riding the bike and carrying the two of us for inter school competitions). She was the one with whom I had played kabbaddi in that same play ground. She was the one, whose group we used to tease and gave secret names and ofcourse she had responded in a similar manner. Well as we were having a little talk when suddenly we were hustled with crowd as the roller coaster stopped and entry gates were thrown open for a fresh lot. But as I entered I found she was sitting alone, so I realized that now I had a company too. The doors were locked, the switch was pressed and with that came her screams. After two minutes, ride was over, we came out, had her introduction with my sisters and then we bid adieu. It was over so quickly that besides those screams we could share only a few words about our past pals. It was over so quickly that I forgot to ask what she was doing these days. It was over so quickly that I didn’t get time to ask what she did during these past years. It was over so quickly that again….. I didn’t get time to tell her that she was my first and only crush. Such is life!!!

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