A small orchestra was playing soft music. The beauty of Southern France was mesmerising. Couples were laughing in the background. A dull lighting and soft pastel walls were enhancing the charm of the ball room. I stepped forward and bowed. "You are looking quite ravishing milady. May I have the honour of this dance." The beautiful maiden was looking at my shoes. As she started to straighten her face, excitement inside me grew. It felt like butterflies were flying inside my stomach. My heart beating twice the normal rate. "Yes, good sir" she said. I looked at her now visible face and a chill ran through my spine, Tanya!
I woke up, heavily sweating, my heart rampaging throughout my chest. Lost in the line of very wrong thoughts, I quickly turned on the bed lamp. The clock on the wall, showing early hours of a hot Monday morning." Phew, it was a dream" I exclaimed. But why was I dreaming about her. Quickly brushing any stray thoughts that a decent minded teenager shouldn't have, I went back to my now disturbed 'beauty' sleep.
Few Hours Later
It wasn't the best start to the day. An early morning nightmare, faulty water supply to the locality meaning lots of deodorant and burnt breakfast. My mother was more suited for a 12 hours office than 24 hours house maker job. Curse those Vogue magazines, she thought it would be an awesome idea to cook today. After two hours and three burns, I had to eat a burnt omelette, soggy salad and boiled milk. I gladly left the tiffin back home.
Despite being July, the temperature was scorching. The air was still but yet it felt quite rough. I stood before my new school, New States Academy. The building was swanky and the gardens were lush green but they were lacking emotions like children never played in them. Everything seemed so mechanical in contrast to my old school's not so imposing building. My old school felt more home than my house. 12 years of education had cultivated a special bond between us. The desk with the engravings of many generations of students were priceless, the memories of hiding in washrooms to bunk assembly, the ever crowded canteen and the smiling face of guard uncle that welcomed us everyday. From swimming pool to science lab, from the library to the kissing corner, every centimetre of my old school was just in replaceable. Setting aside the line of thought, I strode forward and passed through am unfamiliar iron gate. The security guard glaring me with disgust. How cold the setting seemed to be, almost radiating emotional poverty.
I walked briskly and entered into an ornate reception.
"Good morning ma'am, this is my provisional admission card which I was told to carry and give it to you." I gave my most innocent looking smile. The lady wearing a heavy Kanjivaram saree smiled, exposing her yellow teeth. "Take this to your class teacher and give it to her. Sign at the places where I have crossed" she said. I thanked her and turned back. As I was about to leave she chipped "Go fast, the bell is about to ring, your class is on top most floor". I looked at my wrist watch, 7:58 AM. "Shit!, What a bloody impression I will give on the first day" I cursed and ran. Two minutes and about 50 stairs, I ran like a madman. Skipping a stair at a time, I raced against the time.
7:59 AM, I checked my watch., I was on the topmost floor. I ran without concentrating on the surroundings, like an Olympian in a 100m race.
I was so close to the finishing line, when the tragedy occurred. I collided with someone or better say a girl and due to high momentum I tumbled down. Due to collision, her balance got disturbed and she fell with full force on me.
Bless my football field trained reflexes. I caught her in mid air. We were just outside the classroom in a questionable posture but fortunately not visible by the denizens inside, saving us from a very embarrassing moment.
We both got up, she was picking up her books and I was panting. As the adrenaline receded, I quickly bent down picking the books for her and also contemplating the best apology when she said "Armaan, oh my gosh. Are you hurt". I instantaneously looked up. Those brown eyes, the face which I dreamt about was standing before me, her expressions alternating between worry and surprise. " I am so sorry Tanya,I wasn't looking. Are you hurt, should I take you to infirmary" I asked, my voice slow and guilt ridden.
"Woah, chill Armaan. I am absolutely fine. Let's go inside, I think ma'am would be around the corner" she said enthusiastically. I nodded. "Ladies first" I said. She smiled and we both entered the classroom marking the start of our never to forget high school life.
As we entered the class, I understood what animals feel when humans watch them in a zoo. We felt like walking specimens as we strode through the class. Everyone was staring at us and whispering among themselves like Angelina Jolie walked in with Arnold Schwarzenegger in terminator attire. Seeing that Tanya was getting uncomfortable, I gave them a deathly glare, somehow trying to say 'Back off and don't stare at my err... tentative friend'. Sighting a empty table, I asked her " will you like to share a table with me?" She gave me a confused look and said...
To be continued...
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UNTIL THE END (#Watty's 2017)
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