6. Real Him

After writing I was walking in the corridor to go back to the class to attend the Mathematics lecture, the only subject in which I could get good grades. It's all because of my mom. She is a Mathematics teacher and most girls whose parents teach in their school only, are toppers but I am not like them that's why they do not talk to me but I am happy that my parents do not force me to get good grades, obviously they tell me to study hard and give my best but never overburdened me. I took Science because my parents wanted me to study it. I love them and respect their decision so I took it.

But I want to study creative writing and literature in college in The United States but I do not know how it will happen. I will try my best to get permission from my parents.

Break time,

We were having our lunch. Me, Rohit and Alaya. I bought their favourite cheese corn pasta so of course today my lunch got hijacked, so I was just sitting and looking at Aryan. He was reading today's published school newspaper and I was thinking about whether he was reading the melody column or not.

A group of girls and boys were seated around him which mainly included Shyna, her best friend Nitya and her group and boys who were trying on them. It is 2010, and right now even though Bollywood has given us enough exposure, girls and boys are still too shy to directly confess their love for someone. Only brave ones can do this, Why brave? Because they have no fear of their parent's hands (Pitai).

While I was looking at him,

I saw Shyna teasing him for always reading newspapers and books and asking him 'To talk more to her and others rather than just being glued to it'.

To this, he replied with a smile and said 'You guys talk, I am listening'.

I think Shyna expected a better answer from him because she looked a little bit irritated with Aryan's uninterested attitude and said with a little impatient tone 'What are you even reading that is more important than me'.

He did not give a reply.

I can see that Shyna is now done with him and to everyone's surprise, she snatched the newspaper from his hands and tore the page he was reading into pieces and said 'Now I think so you have time for us'.

There was complete silence for a second in the class and the whole class was waiting for his reaction. I could see him being infuriated by her actions, he made a fist to control his anger. He stood up and looked at her very angrily as if his eyes were enough to answer and left the class. Shyna followed her seeking an explanation.

The class was in shock, we never saw this side of Aryan. He was always so calm and composed, and always spoke to everyone so nicely. It was difficult for everyone to analyse what just happened right now.

Aryan got angry at Shyna and that too for a newspaper. I wanted to hear what conversation was happening between them outside the class but I could not, It is their matter and I am no one to come in between them.

I remained seated there only when suddenly Rohit gave me a little push saying 'Meera! Meera! He's gone now and your lunch too in my stomach' laughing at me. I came to my senses and laughed with him and pushed him even harder, taking my revenge back.

Physics Class,

Ms Neha was teaching 'students today, I will be teaching you about Magnets and how opposite poles attract one another. Positive and negative poles complete each other to become neutral'. While she was teaching I was thinking how I always thought that people of the same personality look good together but after seeing Aryan today my belief has somehow got a bit set back. And when the teacher said the opposite poles attract to complete each other. I thought that two opposite people might complete each other. Both get a chance to understand each other's point of view and see the world with a different eye. Thinking this I smiled without knowing someone was noticing me, my bad but Ms Neha saw me.

She said in a clear voice 'Stand up, Meera. What are you smiling at, please tell the class also so that we all can laugh'.

I knew if I argued or gave an answer in return things could heat up more so I stood up and remained silent and simply said 'Sorry ma'am' as I was indeed wrong here.

It was those times when teachers not only used to scold students for the mistakes we made but also they would remind us of all the things we did wrong in our lives. As if we are the worst humans in this class, no not class but in this school, no not even school but in this world.

'Meera, you got a D grade in physics, you have passed all your previous exams through margins. I want you to concentrate more on physics and less on your imaginary world. I never expected this from Sunita Ma'am's daughter.'

After listening to this, I was almost about to cry. It was the first time that I got this much attention in class. I always asked God for some attention but God I did not want it in this way. Moreover, I was being scolded in front of Aryan, which was more humiliating than what he would think of me. My image deteriorates in front of him forever. Tears are trying so hard to come out of my eyes but I cannot cry in front of the class.

'Sit down now and be attentive in class'

'Yes ma'am', saying this I sat and at last was able to hold my tears back in my eyes.

After the class,

Students, I have an announcement to make. Next month, we have a Science fair in School and all of you being responsible students of science class have to do projects in pairs. I am going to make pairs and will assign you, your respective topics.

After this, she started calling the names in pairs. 'Shyna and Nitya on "Microscope Functioning" and so on, She called my name and looked at me with no hope, and then she looked at Aryan and said, Aryan, I want you to partner Meera and work on "Formation of Stars and Galaxies" and also help her in some experimental physics.

Aryan confidently said 'Yes ma'am' and then took a glance at me carrying his regular smile.