Finishing my online class, I closed my laptop and leaned back in my revolving chair. I looked at the notes and my pen lying on the table. And it reminded me of something… Haha, a very old memory!
I was in the 1st grade, just shifted to a new school in Pune. The school was exceptionally strict, yet somehow I’d managed to be the most talkative kid of the class. (Thanks to my cutie class teacher)
It was the last period of the day. About 10 minutes to 3 pm. The teacher had given us some words and meanings to copy down from the black board. I’d finished it early so I thought of peeking into my bench partner’s book as the silence was boring me. Suddenly, the Hermione Granger in me blinked with startled eyes, “hey Amit, you’re writing it wrong, it’s S M A L L small, not S M O L L! Perhaps, you’ve made mistakes in the whole book. Show it to me, I’ll correct it! ” I said grabbing his notebook. I started turning the pages, forgetting that he was a slow king and still had 10 words to copy.
“Let me correct it myself, I have to write, ” he said trying to take his notebook back.
“Shut up, are you mad?” I snapped, unaware of the fact that I was posing him such a trauma.
The final bell rang, students started rushing to the door, I too started packing my bag and told Amit that I’ll correct his book tomorrow. Little did I know that he had started crying so hard that it attracted our teacher’s attention. I looked at him, then at the teacher who came running to know what had happened. I got scared! If Amit told her that he couldn’t copy down the words because of me, then she might punish me or make me complete his words.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” The teacher asked.
“My bus will leave without taking me! ” He sobbed, and before he could utter another word, I said,
“Miss, I was just helping him with correcting his words and also making him complete it fast. He’s crying because of the bus driver who keeps yelling at him.” I finished without a break.
“Doesn’t matter, complete it at your home. Take Rati’s notebook with you.” Perhaps ma’am had guessed what was the real matter but prefered to let it go.
“Yes, sure, take it Amit! No problem.” I smiled trying to make sure ma’am wasn’t mad at me, and yes Amit too.
Huff… somehow I escaped and walked home feeling sorry for Amit. And more than that relieved… that I had escaped a punishment!
Golden were those days, innocent are those memories…
