Schoolmates (26 page)

“Kabir will say things you will find hard to believe.” She was serving us some appetizer and all I could think was how gently her hair fell across her shoulders.

“Really!!” Vikram was in a playful mood.

“You must tell me everything then Kabir!” He sat up with inquisitiveness.

“Well . . . you were both right and wrong about Riya in school. She was indeed studious but not fun to be with . . . boring I would say. And yes, certainly stubborn. One of those book worms, lost forever in libraries and whose bags were filled with even those copies and notes which were not in a day’s time table. Her friend circle was also stubborn. Anjali, I think . . . that was her name, Riya’s fast friend. A high headed girl I would say, with ‘anger management’ problems.”

“I was the interesting and fun loving one.” I had managed an air of superiority. I knew this would be driving her to the brink of her silence spell. And any minute, Madam Curie would burst out in reprimands.

Well, I did not have to wait much longer, Riya jumped to Anjali’s defence, and her own too.

“He is talking about Anjali right?” It was Vikram. He had a hearty laugh and I joined in.

“Man! She is exactly as you say; I am scared of entering her office at times. You should see the edgy women in her office . . . she is a dynamite they say; even the gods would not know when she would explode. And the men folks . . . well I really pity them. But . . She and my lady here, well, stick through as glue! So I guess I really can’t do much about it since it dates back so long.” Vikram sipped his drink sensing Riya’s growing displeasure.

“Anjali was the main reason I ever spoke to Kabir. She said he was a silly and undisciplined boy who hated books and studies. He was the kind to flirt with every girl. But I really felt he needed a helping hand in his life . . . he needed a lot of help actually! So I volunteered.” Riya said casually, andthen continued to my pleasure. I was enjoying the sound of her voice.

“But Mr. Kabir was never studious. He made me feel guilty many times. Once I must have said to my friends that he was a ‘good looking fool’ or something like that . . . you should have seen how he stormed in the class and quarrelled with me . . . the only one who lent him notes and books! Yeah!! Anjali was right about him . . . most of the time though!” Riya got up and extended a salver filled with cashews in my face.

“Have something Kabir . . . or do you still stay away from nuts for fear of a new pimple on your gorgeous face?” She was mocking me, and frankly, I was regretting my decision of bugging her . . . she was always better at it. But then this was Riya . . . better than me in many things.

“What? Kabir don’t tell me you use to fear pimples in your school days?” Vikram was sure enjoying all this.

“Ofcourse man . . . my girlfriends minded them more. You can understand . . . right?” I replied, trying to calm myself down.

“Speaking of girlfriends, where is your girlfriend . . . Manya?” Riya asked. I noticed she fumbled at calling out her name.

“Manya is at a photo shoot. She has just signed a new contract with some wrist watch company. She wanted to come though. I wanted her to meet you.” I replied looking straight at Riya.

Our discussion went simple after that, I guess Riya was afraid of revealing too much in Vikram’s company and frankly, so was I. He was a nice man and what was past was history. There was no point in re-living what had brought so much pain and agony. So we declared truce, subtly, and carried on with the dinner. Vikram had thankfully invited two more colleagues from work and soon we were busy in our separate groups.

Oh! Yes. I did see a fine wine collection too. And Riya looked stunning in her white chiffon dress, with the red blouse.

CHAPTER-7

M
anya had brought me a watch. It was from the same company for which she was a model now. Apparently it was the top of the list, most spoken of, and excruciatingly expensive one. I was supposed to love it, jump for joy and say how much she thought of me! How much she cared for me . . . maybe even how much she loved me.

I said all that, as women like all this flossy stuff. I removed my old watch and put this new one on. It felt awkward. After ten years of wearing my watch, nothing seemed an equal to it.

Ten years . . . had it been that long!

“Kabby
. . .
coach is looking for you!” Dev called out from outside the boy’s lockers. I was in twelfth, and this May, one of us, Tejas or me, was going to be the new basketball captain of the team. We had both done all that we could, left no stone unturned, even stopped all quarrels and out-of-school fights. Anything that would tarnish our image and lead to rejection was shunned. A mutual understanding prevailed, just like we have with Pakistan, cease fire during winters at LOC. But
. . .
summer always follows.

It was raining. ‘Unexpected’ I had said in the morning when I had met Riya outside her class as we were all heading back from the assembly which was suddenly engulfed by the unpredicted Delhi rain. ‘Weird’she had said.

After I had asked her to speak plain English with me and she teased me about my deteriorating vocabulary, I said, “Riya
. . .
The coach will declare the captain today. I guess I’m a bit nervous.”

She had held my rough hand in her silky smooth one and said, “Chill Kabby! He will select you!”

“Have you seen Tejas? How sweet he has suddenly become, I actually saw him touch Ramanuj Sir’s feet the other day. And we had left Sanskrit way back in ninth grade.” Mr. Ramanuj was our senior Sanskrit teacher, a gem of a man.

“He has even joined a gym for Christ sake! To build a better physique!” I had shouted throwing my hands up in air.

Riya had smiled her luscious smile, “I think you have a great body too
. . .”

“Well it doesn’t matter Riya
. . .
the coach should think that too.”

“He will Kabby. Everyone knows you are the better sports man, not only in skills but also in team work. Most of the players speak much highly of you. Didn’t Arjun, our senior two years back tell coach in front of the Principal that you would lead our school teams one day?”

I had nodded. God! That was the first time I had truly felt the power of a leader and the impact it left in one’s life. This was my most cherished dream, and I feared it would slip away. It was getting tough to breath, and I needed some air. So I had slipped out to meet my girl before the assembly. And now holding her hand did calm me, but the jitters were still evident.

“Well, I have to go now. See you later, and relax, it’s you Kabir!” As Riya was about to turn and go, I jerked her arm and pulled her into an embrace.

“Kabir what . . .” Before she could finish her sentence I said, “I was preoccupied for a second there . . . I believe you said something about liking my body!!” I slipped my arm behind her slender back and pulled her close to my body. I looked sly and gave her one of my favourite I-want-you looks.

I think she must have read the naughtiness in my eyes and she had wrestled herself free. I had made her wrestled though, and loved her every move in my arms. She had pulled my ears and ran back when I had called out her name from behind and as she had spun around I made my standard ‘I love you’ gesture, the fist pounded on my chest and pointing at her.

Life was still great.

It must have been the last period when Dev had called out to me. I recall looking at my watch; my sister had gifted it on my birthday. Well that was the last time it showed time.

“Selecting the team is the paramount step as only a well selected team will get us the results we desire. The lists for the school team and teams A & B have been put up outside the Principal’s office. We shall be starting with our practices in another week. I expect the expert senior members will take the freshers under their wing, and will guide them like a good sports man, as is customary in our school.” Coach Ranjeet was addressing all of us, and averting the big announcement. He knew how eagerly this year the captaincy announcement was awaited, and so he was enjoying delaying it. Or maybe paving way for crushing the tide that would swell, as either ways his decision was bound to create one huge upheaval.

“I must warn you all, that after the announcements of teams and their captains, everyone will be under our watchful eyes. One wrong move can cost you your place in the team or . . . even your captaincy.” He made a direct eye contact with Tejas and me. The sign was crystal clear, and even the new players were perceptive of the implications of the forth coming announcement.

“So after due considerations and long discussion with the management, keeping all past and present performances in mind the result for the captaincy is as follows . . .” Coach looked down at his clip board, though I’m positive the results were engraved on his mind.

“Team A will be captained by Dev Verma of twelfth C.” Applause & Back thumping.

“Team B will be Captained by Tejas Ahluwalia of twelfth C.” A few freshers did try to clap but a sharp glare by Tejas’s touts silenced all.

“And finally, the captain for our school team this academic year will be Kabir Sharma from twelfth C. Congratulations to all. Dismissed.”

My hand was shook and back thumped. I felt a huge relief and had hugged Dev. I think I had thanked god for the first time, truly in my life. I was eager to tell Riya, although the news was already spreading like wildfire.

“Congratulations Sharma!” Tejas had extended his hand. I had missed seeing his reactions amid all the hugs and applause. He was spitting fire at me, anger oozing from his eyes.

“Thanks Tejas” I had firmly held his hand. Dev looked ominously, waiting for us to leave each other’s hand.

“Well, I guess sucking up that girl’s notes did get you the captaincy. You better watch your back now, as ‘one false move’ could . . . you know what the coach said,” he said from between his clenched jaw, the veins of his forehead striking bold.

“Yes! I guess sucking her notes did help after all. Pity you had ‘No one’ to lend you her notes. It’s never too late though; there are many dames who would still consider befriending a Team B captain.” I knew I was being wrong, but something in Tejas’s attitude compelled me to say those things.

There was a moment of silence and then I felt Dev’s hand pull my arm and saw Tejas’s friends pull him apart from my grip. We parted ways, still looking daggers at each other. As he was departing, I picked up my sport’s kit and called out from behind “And Tejas, I will watch my back.”

I had spoken to Riya for a long time on phone that evening. She was patient enough to let me finish my tale of succeeding Tejas, and I noticed she was quiet.

“Aren’t you happy Riya?” I had asked annoyed that she was not as thrilled as I had hoped she would be.

“It’s not that Kabby . . . Ofcource I’m happy. My Casanova is the team captain now, and I am the proud first lady. But I was just thinking . . . thinking of Tejas. He must be devastated!”

“Wow! I can’t believe this, he threatened me right in front of everyone and you feel sorry for him! What is with you?”

“Sense and sensibility. That is with me, my love.” Riya had replied.

Though I was crazy after that phrase ‘my love’ as she spoke it so passionately and so rarely that I always felt great. But right now, it was not sounding so sweet.

“Don’t try to pacify me Riya . . . I really can’t seem to figure you out sometimes.” I had spoken dejectedly.

“Look. Kabby, imagine yourself in his position, what if he had been selected, you would have been crushed! That is how he must be feeling. And humiliated after what nonsense you said to him. You really did not have to rub his nose into it. No wonder he threatened you!”

“I care the least, he got what he deserved, and I got what I had worked so hard for. Can’t you see that?” I was getting angry at Riya.

“I can see everything Kabby, but you can’t face the fact that you were just better than him . . . he is actually not that bad a sports man, just not equal to you. That does not entitle you to speak rudely or to insult him.”

I could not believe it! My girl, the one I was so madly in love with was not speaking what I wished to hear. I knew she was right, but was too immature to accept it back then.

“Thanks for loving me so much Riya . . . I am feeling great! My own girl friend is reprimanding me! This is the best day of my academic life and you will preach me on how to conduct myself. Great.!” I was panting and shouting in the cell phone now, anger had over taken all my senses.

“Kabby you are too fuelled up! We will speak tomorrow.”

“No . . . We will not speak tomorrow. I lead my team tomorrow, and I do not want sermons early in the morning. Hey, maybe you should speak to ‘poor Tejas’. He needs a shoulder to cry on I’m sure.” I hated what I said, but still could not stop myself from saying it. The stress of separation from her, the tension of selection had finally gotten to me.

“KABIR SHARMA...!! What the hell do you think of me!! How dare you!” She had banged her phone down and the rattle of it did scare me a bit. But I brushed it off.

It was my first fight after becoming the captain of school team.

CHAPTER-8

I
am a busy man now, with office and a girlfriend and loads of other things I can show off as being busy. I have no time to sit and reminisce about the past. I lead a hectic multinational life. I travel around the globe, do important projects, make a handsome pay package, own my flat, and drive around Delhi in my new car. I play squash on weekends and often hang out with Manya, attending all her fancy rehearsals and fashion shows. I am a dedicated and wholly, a busy man.