Free Schoolmates by Latika Sharma Page A

paired with someone someday. I was always too occupied with my work. But now, it appeared everyone who met my eye looked questioningly at me. It was my mind playing tricks, but then, I was just a tenth grader!
    A few events happened in succession in the next month. It was October, our first term results had just poured in and for the first time Kabir had cleared all subjects! On the result day, his mother had stopped me and thanked me immensely. I was speechless! My parents were both with me that day and must have been happy to hear Kabir’s mom praise me, the only child of my parents, yet I was sure I saw a restricted expression on my dad’s face. I knew then that I had to maintain caution in school as one word of any link-up between Kabir and me would anger my dad immensely.
    Riya peeped in on her son in his room. He was sitting on his table, bent over some books. She walked across and looked over and smiled to herself. He was trying in vain to copy a small figure on a card for his father’s home coming.
    “Here, let me help you . . .” Riya sat down to assist her five year old son.
    “Daddy would like this one mom! See . . . it has a basketball drawn on it!” Raibir exclaimed.
    Riya turned the card over only to see smiling flowers on its cover.
    “There are no basketballs here Raibir!” she looked at him sweetly.
    “Oh look inside mom! I have made them myself for dad!” Raibir said proudly!
    Riya let out a tiny laugh. Yes, dad would love it!

CHAPTER-15
    W inters had arrived in Delhi. The sun was a warm shade of orange and there was a general happiness in air. Soft woollen mittens and scarves were covering the tabloids and our blazers were out of their packaging. School was gearing up for its annual inter school zone competitions. I was participating in most literary events along with Anjali and Meenakshi. We were to visit other schools, which was always very exciting as we left in the school car and returned after the day’s studies. Although I usually did not like missing any of my classes yet in these few days, I never fretted either. It was a great treat to be able to represent one’s school.
    Likewise a few competitions were held in our school too. The boys, especially, had a gala time gazing at the teams from other schools, especially the girl’s teams. Kabir was the leader who ogled and sighed the most, I must say. This one event saw boys of all sections, all streams, all positions...united!
    This time, the English and Hindi poetry, extempore, debate and declamation competitions were to be conducted in our school. The stage was set and the auditorium was filling up with teams of participating schools. Students from our school were also occupying their allotted seats. I was backstage, nervous as a new born, when Kabir entered in the room. A few girls turned around and gave him a very thorough evaluation and with very approving glances as well.
    “Hi!” I could hear the excitement in his voice.
    “All set to defeat these dames?” He said, trying to boost my diminishing confidence.
    “I am way to nervous Kabby! Some of these girls are champions of last year!” my hands were shivering! I did not know if it was the December chill responsible or the huge surge of adrenaline pumping in my system.
    “AAH! C’mon Riya! You will beat them all! Look at Anjali! How calm she is . . .” with this he gave a half hug to Anjali who shrugged it off immediately and replied “Mr. Sharma! Please don’t try your stunts with me! There are many here who would lovingly let you flirt with them. Go take a pick!” and she walked to where Meenakshi was preparing with our senior English teachers.
    “Kabir!! Right before the competition! Why did you bug her?” I retorted.
    “I relaxed her Riya, she will not fumble now. And you too, relax. Look at your hands they are shivering!” with that he suddenly extended his big warm hands and engulfed mine in it.
    For a second there I went stiff! I could not hear a word from the