Schoolmates (16 page)

“Can we go and sit somewhere else now, darling love birds . . . I have to discuss the farewell details with Rahul.” Anjali said.

“Sure darling, you go and sit with RAHUL and we’ll catch up!” Kabir winked an eye at Anjali and she flared up.

“What do you mean?” She said, I knew what was happening.

“Oh it’s just that you and Rahul seem . . . too. . . good together!”

“We are not TOGETHER you stupid boy!” Anjali stood akimbo.

“Great then, I have a chance . . .” Kabir pulled her close and gave her a half hug.

“Get off me!! Yuck!” Anjali pushed him away and left nimbly.

“Why do you irritate her so much Kabby?” I asked as we sat down after she had left.

“Because she looks too sweet shouting at me . . . and that makes me love you all the more.” He replied.

“What is the connection I fail to understand?” I said.

“You’ll see . . . by the way what are you doing today evening?” Kabir said stuffing his sports gear in its bags.

“Nothing why?” I replied.

“I want to take you out. Go to Anjali’s and I will pick you from there. She knows. That’s why she was a bit bugged.” Kabir said.

“She agreed?” I was surprised.

“Not easily though . . . anyways. Wear a jacket.” Kabir gently touched my cheeks and then picked up my heavy tuition bag.

“Come, let’s go and see what that Rahul has done with our Anjali so far . . . in terms of farewell planning I mean.”

I followed him towards the others who were busy planning for the upcoming farewell.

CHAPTER-27

I
reached Anjali’s home at around five in the evening. She and I did our work together and went over the titles we were to give our seniors.

“How is this for Meenakshi . . . ‘A thing of beauty is a joy forever!’” Anjali was reading from her diary.

“Good. Suits her aptly. What have we decided for Angad?” I was checking the items that had been registered and mentally segregating them into three categories . . . will do, won’t do . . . out of this world!!

“Angad is . . . let me see . . . ok here it is, ‘Angad—larger than life, impossible for him is I-m-possible.” Anjali read.

“That’s nice . . .” I looked at my watch, it was time.

“Anjali, I have to go. Kabir is going to pick me from here in another few minutes.” I said, afraid of what she would now say.

“Fine.” She gave her typical monosyllabic response.

I sat there on her bed looking a little surprised. I had expected her to scold me or get mad that I was leaving her for him but she did none of those.

“You are not mad at me?” I asked.

“What difference does it make Riya? He is a part of your life and you will follow him like a love struck puppy dog . . . Go. Why should I say anything now, do as you please.” Anjali replied curtly.

“I’m not his puppy! How can you say things like that? You know, ever since Kabir came in my life, I’ve tried to accommodate your wrath as much as possible. I love him, and I love you too, but this hypocrisy I will not tolerate. You will have to understand, him and I are permanent, just like you and I.” I said, packing my books and pens.

“Some permanency Riya! . . . The girl who spent her every weekend with me, her secrets with me her every spare time with me is now dumping me and running off with her boyfriend!” Anjali looked at me.

“Yes . . . because that girl grew up! It is time you did too.” I slammed the door as I left her room and after wishing her mom, who was sitting in her front lawn, ran out with tears in my eyes.

Kabir knew something was wrong the minute he saw me.

“What happened? Why are you crying?” He held my face in his palms and looked enquiringly at me.

“Nothing. I quarrelled with Anjali.” I spoke amid my sobs.

“You quarrelled? But why?”

“Because of you . . . she doesn’t like . . . you know!” I said rubbing my tears.

“I thought we had that settled, apparently not. Anyway, I just wanted to take you for a ride on my bike. It’s been a long while. So pull up your jacket.” Kabir tried to lighten my mood.

“Ok. But not far, I’m not in a mood today.” I said as I sat behind him.

Kabir never bothered to harass me about the real reason of my worry. He knew Anjali was just as permanent in my life as was he. Yet during the drive, he spoke little as my worry had begun bothering him too. He dropped me near my house after half an hour and said all would be fine. I went inside to sit alone in my room and began studying for the upcoming final exams.

The next day, we did not wish each other as I sat down next to Anjali. In recess, Kabir made it a point to stay away. I was sitting under the thick canopy of the Jacaranda trees on a bench when Ayesha approached me.

“Riya, I suppose Geetanjali has told you that she and I are going to perform solo as well. I want you to make mine, the first item. I wish to change soon and join the group.” Ayesha spoke fluttering her eyes.

“I can’t Ayesha, the traditional prayer dances are always the first ones. I can give you the fifth spot, nothing before that.” I replied.

“C’mon, who would want to see a prayer dance?” she raised her hands in argument.

“The teachers, the Principal, the staff . . . and some of our seniors who still uphold the sanctity of our school spirit.” I replied. I was wondering how long I will have to continue this.

“You can give Anjali a speech on the third spot and Kabir and his group a dance sequence on the fourth spot, but my item is too low for the likes of you, I see.” Ayesha was getting louder by the minute. A few heads had begun turning towards where I sat.

“The order has not been made by me Ayesha. The senior teachers have approved it. Go and discuss the matter with them.” I said clipping my lunch box shut and trying to escape her.

“They will listen to you, I know. You are doing this purposefully. You and that high headed loser friend Anjali of yours.” Ayesha spoke.

“How dare you call her a loser? She has won a scholarship which you can’t even understand, let alone win. She tops our class in debates, declamation and I see more of a lady in her than in you. She knows what loyalty is, unlike you who makes friends only after assessing them financially and Ayesha . . . don’t ever call her high headed. She stands for what she believes in. She has more sense and personality than you can ever see. She has the brightest future amid us all and one day you would tell people that you studied with her, and not vice-versa.” I walked off incensed.

Many had heard our dialogue. Before long Anjali had heard it too.

“You said all those things?” She finally could control no longer and said in the last class of the day.

“Yes.” I did not look up.

“Would it suffice if I said I am blessed to have a friend like you or do you want me to prolong the apology?” She asked in her strong debate like tone.

“It would suffice; I don’t have time for the prolonged thing.” I smiled and looked up at her. My eyes twinkled.

“Hmm, is Kabir waiting again?” She smiled too this time.

“No my friend. It’s because I can’t wait to become friends with you again. “ I spoke gently.

As Anjali held my hand, I felt the sunshine on the cold winter day and lift away the clouds. Life was better again.

When I told Kabir of all this later, he just nodded his head appropriately and smiled. I was aware that his response was not what it ought to have been, yet so lost was I in my narration that I did not pay attention to it. It was a few days later that Dev told me, without knowing it of cource, how Kabir had pepped up Ayesha to join the group early and sent her to me to ‘demand’ for re-arrangement. He knew Anjali’s name would crop up and Ayesha being Ayesha would speak ill about Anjali, which I would never tolerate!

I was amazed at his nerve and height of planning.

“So you did all that?” I asked him later as he sat there munching my lunch.

“Yes and No.” He replied biting into my sandwiches.

“I began it, yes . . . but she carried it so effortlessly, that was amazing!” Kabir said.

I looked from him to Anjali who was sitting beside me completing her speech for the farewell.

“Why Anjali . . . how is the speech coming? Nice to see you too.” Kabir would never miss a chance to tease her.

“Don’t speak with food in your mouth.” She replied.

“My god! You saw that Riya . . . the goddess spoke to me!” Kabir made a bestowing gesture.

“How can you tolerate him Riya . . . I mean just look at him!” Anjali said.

“Why? What’s wrong with me? I thought she was jealous because other girls lined up for me, isn’t it Riya darling!” Kabir finished the last of the sandwich and closed my lunch box.

“Well in that case Mr. Kabir, you should know how lucky you are. No girl would appreciate her boyfriend forgetting her birthday.” Anjali got up to leave.

“What?” Kabir asked.

“My god Riya how can you stand such imbecility? Din’t he wish you?” Anjali made a mocking face and left.

“What was that? Is it your birthday today?” Kabir spoke shocked at the new information.

“Yes Mr. Handsome, for whom so many girls have lined up.” I replied blithely.

“You should have told me . . .” Kabir looked aghast.

“You have taken my diary so many times, how come you never read my personal memo?” I asked.

“Why . . . you . . . you din’t tell me last year either!” he protested.

“Last year you were suspended in these days.” I replied.

Kabir sat down with a slump and made a sorry face. He looked so sweet with that innocent caught-in-the-act face.

“It’s all fine Kabir. Wish me now . . .” I placed my hand on his shoulders.

“Happy Birthday . . .” he spoke peevishly.

“Let’s go, the recess is over and I have Physics practical’s next. Don’t want to be late for Bony’s class.” I pulled him up.

“The day isn’t over yet.” He said and followed me. Inever realized that he would go this far.

In the evening my parents had planned to take me out for a small dinner. As I sat in the parlour waiting for my mom to descend the stairs in one of her flowing sari, there was a knock on the door. My dad came out from his study and opened the door. I stood up as well. He did not move for a while. I wondered what had caught his attention as I could see no one before him.

“Who has sent these?” His commanding voice reverberated in the hall. As he turned around I saw the biggest bouquet of peach roses. I knew who had sent them, but stood there silently.

“What is the matter?” My mom stepped out. She looked so beautiful that for a minute I thought my dad would just drop the issue.

“These? Someone sent them for Riya!” Dad said reading the happy birthday note attached with it.

My parents looked at me for answer. I had one, but dare not give it to them.

“Ok fine . . . does it have any other note or card?” My mom looked back at my dad.

“I think there is,” he looked at me. I froze thinking how painful this evening was about to turn.

Dad opened the seal of the envelope and grazed through the white piece of paper. My face would have matched the shade. My mom saw more than dad and therefore she noticed my stiff disposition.

I sat down as my knees were shaking and I did not wish to fall in front of them.

‘Why Kabir? Why . . . you idiot?’ I thought to myself. I looked the other way expecting my dad to ask me who Kabir was.

“Riya . . . take a look at this.” My mom handed me the piece of burning paper.

I looked at it and then looked up at my parents.

“Let’s go now.” My mom spoke gathering much from the expression on my face.

“Yes.” My dad too understood. I followed warily.

Riya opened her drawer and fumbled with a few papers. Then her hands touched the one she was looking for; crumpled many times over due to repeated folding and openings. Riya remembered how her hands had trembled when she had opened it that day.

She looked at the paper. And smiled again, Kabir was smart, without doubt. She placed it inside again . . . the empty white sheet of paper he had sent for her birthday.

CHAPTER-28

I
t was now February. The school was in its last days of syllabus completion. All our dedicated teachers were busy scheduling extra classes and completing our internal assessment. I was busy myself. Apart from my studies, I was also focused on Dev and Kabir. I knew they were casual but still I knew they were making an effort this time. I recall reading poems and lessons from our English books, Flamingo and Vistas on ‘our spot’ and Kabir listening to me. Sometimes I was sure he was genuinely interested. The rest of the time . . . well he just loved looking at me.

“Kabby, sit straight, and please pay attention, Ms. Josephina will not give you grades for free. You have to develop your extempore skills. And where is Dev? He has my register.” I looked at Kabir and then stretched my neck to look towards the basketball courts.

“Dev went on half day today, said he was not feeling too well. He left your register with me. And my darling . . . how could I possibly score better when Ms. Josephina compares every one with you, Anjali and Rahul?” Kabir said running his hands through his hair. The sun was warm on his face and his skin glowed with health.

I knew he was a great looking guy, but the light breeze dancing his hair made him look ethereal. Was it me or was he growing much more dazzling by the day?

“What happened to Dev? He is not the kinds to fall ill!” I spoke wondering what ailed him, as the entire school knew Dev was a rock. People saw him bleeding and getting stitches on his fore head without a sound. Even in illness, which others simply refused to bear, Dev had the stamina and will to play an entire match. He was a man in true terms, without a single feeble or delicate bone.

“Beats me!” Kabir replied casually.

The next day too Dev was absent and the day later we discovered he had chickenpox. So he was on a medical leave for as long as it took.

“Oh crap! What will I do without him in practice now?” Kabir had come to leave some registers in my class. I saw his face and the tiny nod he always gave when he wanted me to follow. So it was behind the infamous dark staircase that we stood holding hands and a very worried Kabir could not contain his anguish.