BEST WEAPONS

Chapter 2- Flash Back

I must mention I have never really found my calling in being an accountant. After finishing high school with a valedictorian's air, I lost my footing in accountancy and barely scraped through the exams conducted by AICPA that qualified me to be a public accountant, but a below-average one at that. This is still a major source of anger and remorse in my mother's heart as my heart deviated from accountancy very early to move towards history. Thus, after managing to complete the course and becoming the holder of a stable degree that could provide my mother the assurance of me having a stable job, I decided to pursue an M.A. course from Wentworth University in history. Little did I know, I was to change my life.

On the first day, as we were introduced to the course and the class. I was significantly older to almost all the students, so I gave up all hopes of romantic pursuit and decided to concentrate solely on the academics. I loved the classes and for once, was actually interested in what they wanted to teach me. I even liked the projects they gave us. It was like returning to being a nerd in high school, at 21 years of age.

The first year went well, I graduated among the top 5% in the class and had that proud feeling like I did when I played the role of a tree in the school play; my most significant role thus far. It was the second year that brought him into the picture. Jon Montana joined in the 1st semester of my second year as assistant professor in the "Commerce" department that had no linkage whatsoever with my history course. What I did not know then was that he and I were going to have more than just a small linkage.

He and I had our first interaction on the sunny morning of June 02, I had my sunglasses on as I sat in the Sun reading the book "The Painter of Shanghai", even as the one in my course was "War, Rebellion and Discontent in Modern China" that lay by my side. Jon saw the book and commented, "You must have some free time on your hands that you can afford to miss class and read an unprescribed book"

I must confess I had lost track of time and forgotten all about the class as Jennifer Cody Epstein's social drama mesmerised me. I must confess that after seeing Jon for the first time and hearing his husky voice, I lost all track of Jennifer's attempts at trying to mesmerise me. I sat spellbound for a moment marvelling at the handsome creature, through my tinted glasses.

Not knowing how to deny my untoward fortune of having missed class and gotten to associate with Montana, I just stood up, said sorry and started making my way towards class.

He interrupted me and said, "I did not say you had to leave and besides, it would do you more harm than good if you show up this late."

"So, what do you suggest I do sir?", I asked, with a bit of irritation in my voice.

"Tell me your name and do not call me 'sir'". I did as he asked.

"Do you like history?", he asked me.

When I replied in affirmation, he asked me why.

I answered, "Because history repeats itself. I would just like to be more prepared towards facing the future if I know how the past was." I have to admit I felt proud of myself for having crafted a reply that I wasn't even able to give to my mother when she had asked me the same question.

"So, you always like to have a plan? Be fully prepared? Because if you do, you are really boring for your age.", he said, condescendingly.

"Well, I am not the age you think I am. I am much older than every other student here and as far as plans are concerned, I had planned my life to the T. Actually, rather my mother did so- what school, what institute, what course and what job. But, I turned a deviant and now I am studying history here, with no job, barely any more money left on me, a degree I want to make no use of and 4 years of life wasted in getting the same. I do not have a plan, but I am still not as much fun as learning from other's mistakes that history provides me with."