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Standing in front of Mehansa's class teacher, I felt uneasy. She continued to say that Mehansa's attention was often lost in the classroom.

'There is no way I can tell your parents about this. They both are busy with their own work. But look, Miniru, your sister is not listening to anything in class. This kid has been good in the last two terms. Worked well. There were good marks. Now the note is also written half. What happened all of a sudden?'

Mehansa, who was standing at the other corner of the table, passed out as she looked down. I guessed the tired look on her face didn't go noticed by the teacher. The atmosphere of the house continued to trap her. I was also helpless as there was nothing I could do to help her.

'I'll talk with her teacher.' I said when the teacher was about to say something else. I even thought of putting my fingers in my ears, but I listened to it all with my head bowed like Mehansa.

Finally when it was over Mehansa and I were allowed to come out of her classroom. I took a deep breath as we both came out quietly. 'Hmm...'

Mehansa grabbed one of my hands with her fingertips. 'Sorry...'

I let out a deep sigh. 'Forget it. Let's go home and talk...'

Mehansa quietly let go of my hand. I had a hard time understanding her. She was building some cover around herself and separating herself from us. Everything happening at home was making her uncomfortable, so I couldn't blame her. Both of us silently stepped towards the prefect's room.

In the prefect's room, Sahesh and Pasan ayya were arguing about something. I knocked on the door and went inside taking Mehansa's hand. As soon as they saw us, Sahesh and Pasan ayya stopped their argument.

'Hi Mehansa baby...' Pasan ayya got up from the chair and ran his fingers through Mehansa's short hair.

Mehansa was like everyone's sister. She became a regular member of the prefect's room as I often took her there.

Mehansa smiled at Pasan ayya and tightened her grip on my hand as if to move away from the touch of Pasan ayya. I held Mehansa's shoulder and made her sit in a corner seat. I signed the prefect signature book and went to my bag.

When I was putting the books in the bag, Sahesh came there. 'Mehansa is in trouble?' Sahesh asked me.

'A little problem in class. Not a big deal.' I said.

'Is it a trouble with her term test marks?' Sahesh asked pressing his hand to the table.

I didn't say anything. I didn't need to tell anyone about any of our personal problems. Although it was true that Sahesh had been my best friend for years, I didn't want to say anything even to him.

'It's okay if you can't tell.' Sahesh said as I shouldered my bag.

I tapped him on the shoulder. 'It's not a big problem, bro. The term test marks has decreased a bit. That's why teacher called me. If you like, come to our house this evening.'

As today was the day of school holidays, we were all barely able to breathe for a month. However, the fact that prefects have to go to school even during the holiday month was as certain as Pythagoras' theorem. We knew that Pasan ayya would find a job somewhere and call us back to school and we were well prepared for it.

I was pulled out of my thoughts when Sahesh put his arm around my waist. I felt butterflies in my stomach. He pulled me closer to his body. As Pasan ayya was chatting with Mehansa, I was sure that no one was watching us. I turned my head and looked at Sahesh.

He smiled. My second favorite smile is Sahesh's. A pair of well-set teeth and thin lips gave him an attractive smile. I also smiled awkwardly. He leaned into my ear.

'Your waist is so small, Miniru...' he muttered.

I was stoned. I couldn't bear that unexpected incident. I put my hand on his body and moved away. I felt blood rush to my face, like I was on fire.

'You two are just like a couple.' I looked back in shock when I heard Pasan ayya's voice.

Mehansa, who was sitting on a chair behind Pasan ayya, looked at me blankly. I gulped and looked at Sahesh. Sahesh was smiling casually like nothing serious like a child.

I am 100 percent sure that he was not aware of my feelings. If he had known, it would not be necessary to say that our friendship has ended. I smiled at Pasan ayya.

'We have been friends since childhood.' I said it was a valid reason.

'However, if we look at you guys carefully, it looks like a couple who are about to get married.' Pasan ayya walked towards his seat.

At the same time, our head prefect  Sandaruvani akka came in. She was holding a story book in her hand and was followed by the girl with that odd name.

'Today I will buy this book that this boy was reading...' Sandaruvani akka said placing the book on the table. 'It's okay to read this, it's a mistake to bring it to school.'

I pushed away from Sahesh to see what the book was. 'Fifty Shades of Grey?'

That girl ate her own fist like a meme on google. 'I won't get pregnant after reading that.'

Sandaruvani akka slapped her. 'It's true that you won't get pregnant just because you read it. But what if a teacher saw that?'

The girl with the strange name mumbled something that neither of us understood.

Pasan ayya handed the book back to that girl. 'Today is the holiday, so send it home, Sandaruvani. Arrest the book if she brings it again to school. She can read it in the holiday month.'

That girl hugged the book to her chest with her hands. 'Thank you ayya...' Next she looked at me and smiled. Before I could smile back, she took the book in her arms and ran out of the room.

'A crazy wench.' Sandaruvani akka said while taking her seat. 'She's in Mehansa's age, isn't she?'

I looked at Mehansa. Mehansa's eyes widened to show that she didn't know. I smiled. 'She doesn't know anything, akke. It's no use asking her about anything.'

'I was about to meet Miniru.' Sandaruvani akka took a sip of water and looked at me. 'Few of the prefects will come to our house tomorrow to play some games. If you can bring Mehansa with you. Yeheni will also come. That girl who went away the book. Ask Sahesh to come over too. Shanalka and Akindu will also come.'

I shook my head. I knew that even spending a day away from home with Mehansa was liberating. 'That's good akka. I will bring her.'

'Bring something to eat when you come.' Sahesh slapped my thigh backwards.

I gave him a puzzled look. He smiled and looked away.

A few minutes later I was in the bus with Mehansa and was heading home. 


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TERAS

2022. 07. 29


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