RiKara OS Gallery: A Beauty Undefined

School Days

OS#2: School days

I was in tenth standard when we first met. He was my class partner and other then the fact that he was undoubtedly handsome, I knew nothing about him. He was very quiet and i being the chirpy chirayya was not quite used to being given the silent treatment. We became those awkward partners who seldom ever spoke to each other. His focused attitude and quietness kept him a considerable distance from anyone and except for the customary Hi' , Bye' and Can i borrow your book, i forgot mine?', he hardly ever opened his mouth. However, I would often watch him go about his work. He was so systematic, so precise that sometimes I would shamelessly stare at his perfection. He wasn't the kind to fool around with and he almost never got into trouble. Probably that is why he was in most of the teacher's good books. From his attitude itself, I came to know that he was actually a very simple guy. Sure, he came from a rich family, but his goals were simple. He was very focused on what he wanted from his life and he work tirelessly to achieve it.

As time passed, I slowly began to get used to his presence. When he was absent, I would long for his presence and when he used to speak those few formal lines, my heart would jump at his deep and gentle voice. He always managed to leave me slightly surprised with his carefully woven, artistic and intelligent words. I distinctly remember a class activity in which he was supposed to speak on the topic My Class Partner' for class. I had turned bright red at the mention of the topic wondering what he would say about me. But he did not seem in the least bit affected. He thought for a few minutes before talking in his strong, sure voice.

"Well, to many, she might seem irritating and to some too chirpy, but to me she seems to be the perfect individual. She is warm and friendly to everyone she meets but still remains secluded enough to hide her true feelings. She tells you everything there is to know about her but still keeps her darkest secrets to herself. She knows her goals and strives to achieve them even though she outwardly portrays a don't care' attitude. She remains focused in the hardest of times and draws inspiration from even the simplest of things. She is very sure of herself and hates it when anybody criticises her because it makes her feel insecure about her abilities. And last but not least, she is pretty. She doesn't think so and i know it isn't false modesty but it is still stupid because she is pretty. So all in all, she is an amazing individual and someday, i aspire to be like her." I did not pay attention to the applause that followed, instead, the glint in his deep coal eyes seemed to catch my attention as the teacher nodded and smiled.

Since that day, we became friends-the hi-bye' types. He would often smile softly at my laziness to do work and i would laugh at his occasional jokes which always managed to lighten my mood. When time would fly by, I wouldn't know. One day, he came finding me in the lunch break and telling me it was urgent, pulled me into a secluded corner of the school.

"Here" he said and in his hand lay a simple, red, friendship band.

"I know today isn't Friendship Day, but we do not need only that day to start or renew a friendship, do we?" He then tied the friendship band softly on my wrist and asked me, "Will you be my friend?"

"Of course"

After that the band never came of my wrist and it proved to be really lucky too. I seemed to understand his unspoken words on most subjects and he would understand what was going on in my mind by just looking at my expressions. Be it books, talk or play, he was always with me by my side. We became
so close that when we passed tenth grade, he went to check my results and i went to check his. We had both passed with flying colors.

I could not forget that summer vacation following our tenth year. We would often spend hours on the beach or on Marine Drive talking about our ambitions, our dreams and our future. He told me that no matter what happened, if our colleges get changed or if he would move to another city, he would be with me through thick and thin. He touched the friendship band still on my wrist softly and whispered, "Never forget me, buddy. Never do. Your one call and I will be there for you because unlike all, i am your TRUE friend."