J for juvenile

Summer Vacation starts tomorrow.

I was new to the school, one of the most elite schools in the town. Before this, I was in a normal city school, where the total number of students in the entire school where almost equal to the number of students in just one class here.

Naturally, a sense of inferiority found a breeding ground in me. Above that, I knew barely a handful number of words in English, and here you were punished to use even a single word in any other language than English. I never felt this disgusted at the British, even after learning about how they ruled and looted India for 200 years, as I felt at that time.

The safest option for me was to shut my mouth and observe, and so did I. But when you confine one part of your body, the others magically get wings. And I desperately searched to discover that part of mine. 

It was a boring, and hard life for me from then on. I get up in the morning reluctantly, fit myself in an old uniform that my sister once used and discarded, sprinkle a flash of water on my face, let the comb barely pass through my hair, and reach my class with depleted enthusiasm. I barely understood what teachers spoke or explained, and the other modern kids in our class were least interested in extending a helping hand.

In one of the civics classes, the teacher ran into a crazy idea (it was a pretty normal thing, but for me, it looked like a crazy one). Each one was asked to read one paragraph from the chapter. The first guy stood and read confidently and briskly, and so did the second, and it went on. Till it was the turn of the guy sitting beside me. I was praying intently that the bell rings before he finishes, but it looked like God had other plans.

It was my turn to read. With no chance of survival in my sight, I got up from my seat. Wiping the beads of sweat from my forehead. I commanded my shaky legs to move forward and stand in front facing the entire class. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't hear any sound coming out of it.

"Louder", the teacher shouted. 

"E v e r y B h I l a g e P a n P a n c h a t.......", I began.

"Every Village Panchayat", the teacher corrected me in a harsh tone, as the entire class burst into mocking laughter.

"Every village panchayat I z d i v i d ed into w a r d s, i. e. smaller areas. E a c h ward e l e e l e c t a r e.. r e p... r e p e r....  "

"R e - P r e s e n - t e - t I v e ", I heard a soft voice, helping me out which didn't seem like a teacher. 

I raised my face for a split second and noticed an innocent, cute face with a controlled smile. This was the first time somebody helped me in the last two months. And that too a first bencher Modern kid. I couldn't be any happier. I somehow finished my portion, some with the help of my newly found savior and some with the harsh scolding and mocking laughter of my classmates.

After the reading conundrum was sorted the teacher made us note the holiday homework. I made a vague note of it, as my mind was busy making a note of more important happening of the day. 

Just as the class got over, and everybody rushed out in a newly found freedom for 2 months, I managed to swiftly move in front of her seat as she prepared to come out. 

"Hello, I am Bhumik, what's your name",

"Shreya",

"Thank you so much for helping me today Shreya, you saved me from a lot of embarrassment",

"You are welcome, and that's what friends do",

"Where do stay", I threw my next obvious question, as most kids in the class were outsiders.

"In the hostel, which is just in Infront of your home". That means she knows me already, amazing!

"Can I borrow the notebook, where you noted down the holiday homework, I will return the note in the evening"

She agreed and handed me the notebook while she excused herself.

Could that day have been any better? I didn't have to come to school for the next 2 months, and I met Shreya, my first school friend. 

But my heart seemed to revolt with this thought that my mind was so peaceful about. It looked like my heart just started liking coming to the school, and would have loved some more help, and talks with Shreya.

In the evening I returned her notebook with reluctant hands, as I want to keep a token of her presence with me. Alongside, I also handed her over a few raw mangos that I freshly plucked from the trees outside my home. She gleefully accepted them. I wished her a happy holiday, but my heart secretly wished she never goes from here.

For the next two months, I replayed the two interactions I had with her. My mind could imagine the innocence in her face, the round face with curly short hairs which barely reached her neck. She wore a hairband, which let a small strand of hairs fall in front of her eyes occasionally, and she gently tucked them at the back of her ears. She wore a very tiny nose ring, which made her face look a little smaller. What do I speak about her teeth, whenever she aligned it as a smile, it was a sight to behold. 

Her face didn't fall in the extravagantly noticeable category, but she was cute, damn cute. If you got a chance to see her from close and she blessed you with her killer smile, you are not going to forget that face ever in your life.

Next two months I talked to all the classmates I had in the town and tried to find out more about her. I could barely manage any useful information. Only if there were smartphones at that time, my job could have been a lot easier. But two months is a long time. I imagined the time when I could go to school and have a friend to talk to. We could probably sit side by side, and I could get her some homemade food when she got bored of the hostel food. I could get her fresh fruits from my garden to her every now and then, and I could get her fast food from the best place in the town in the evening when she feels dull. I can be someone whom she talks to whenever she misses home. And we could be friends and more... probably best friends, in school and afterward.

I was so curious that I made a list of questions that I had to ask her when she comes back to school. I had to ask if she would be willing to sit next to me in class. I had to ask her if she really meant she can be my friend when she said "You are welcome, and that's what friends do"

After a long wait, the summer vacation ended and After a week of waiting for my chance to meet, my to-be best friend also ends. After 15 years today, I still remember her face, her smile and the moment she said "You are welcome, and that's what friends do". 

I still have to wait almost 50 more years, or probably 60 to meet my savior, and could be my best friend. 

Whenever I see the moon shining brightly in the sky, I believe it's Shreya sneaking at me even today watching from the above, as my savior and giving me the comfort that I need. She goes with me to all the places I go, and whenever I am in a problem, I look up at the sky towards her, and she always helps me like she did that day. 

That's also the reason, whenever I look at the moon, I close my eyes and wish that she be happy wherever she is. Then I open my eyes a let out a smile like I would have done if she was here on this planet, and I saw her.

Was my friendship with her juvenile, Is my present-day feelings and actions for her Juvenile.

Maybe Yes.

But who cares, I love my moon, and I hope love your moon too...