Friendship Cause Heartbreaks Too

Chapter - 10

Just like me there was another girl, Talia. It's actually safe to say that her condition was worse than me. Even after so much time, she didn't have any friend. And she used to cry all the time, even fainted sometimes.

So, one day our principle Mr. Bill called me and Vickie, and said, "Emily, Vickie, both of you are bright students. I want you to take the responsibility of Talia. Make her feel comfortable, befriend her, make her enjoy the school life"

There were other teachers too, so we didn't deny. We were, actually, honoured that he even thought of us. 

And we did what he said. Vickie and I, along with Alice and Sanya started talking to her, asked her about her previous school, her old friends. She used to be happy talking about them. Gradually we started sitting with her at lunch, so she wouldn't feel overwhelmed with so much attention all of a sudden.

Sometimes, we would leave her with Shirley, who tried to talk to her since day one but didn't get any response. She was slowly coming around. She would crack jokes, and sometimes she would give witty replies. That's how we got closer to all of them.

We were a group of 7-8 girls, Vickie, Alice, Sanya, Shirley, Talia, Shayla, and me. 

Despite being very nice to me, Arianna and I got into a fight, I don't know about what. It's not that I don't remember. It's just that I really don't know why I fought with her. It was all just a misunderstanding. And I did say some mean things to her. I regret them now.

And after that I cut myself off from her completely. Just a word or sentence here and there, if necessary. 

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There was a handwriting competition and only one winner was to be chosen among all the students. And it was mandatory for every student to participate. I have a nice handwriting naturally. So, I didn't have to put extra efforts. We were supposed to write with one color pen, and in our usual font, which we use in our daily lives.

I won the competition. And the winner was to be given a certificate and money prize. My father was invited and Mr. Peter gave me the prize money. Some of his guests were there too. 

And even then, he appreciated not only my handwriting, but my singing too. His exact words were, "This girl has a very nice voice. Just amazing. You should focus to make a career out of it"

I thanked him and everyone else and went back with my father. I can never forget any word of appreciation said by Mr. Peter. They are way too precious for me.

And just like this competition, many more contests were to be held once every month. Sometimes twice. So that students can get a break even if just for one day.

But I never got any desired reaction from my closest friends. Vickie, Alice and Sanya. They'd behave like it was just another day, nothing special. It used to get hurt for a moment, but then I used to shrug it off.

I was still lacking in studies. And I didn't realize how bad it was or how much I needed to get back on track until after one day, when Ms. Josie came to the class as a replacement for some teacher who couldn't come to the class.

Unlike other replacement teachers, who used to come and do their work and ignore students, she tried to engage with students. She tried to get to know them and tried to teach. Anything.
She chose the topic of 'Hostel life'. She divided the students into two groups, boys and girls, because of difference in thinking.

Girls were to tell the advantages and boys were supposed to tell the disadvantages. We started discussing, and we were just able to list 2-3 advantages when Ms. Josie started the debate.
Alice answered. Sanya answered. Others answered, and then Vickie said, "I'd go first" and I let her. I didn't mind because I wasn't paying that much attention, but Ms. Josie were.

She interrupted and said, "Emily, I was expecting something from you. I didn't expect from others, but I did from you" I was speechless. I had no answer to that.

That was when it pinched so hard.

Maybe, it was my attitude that I participated in every activity, and was active in everything, that she expected me to be best in brain-y activities. That was when I realized how careless I was being.  How I ignored it, and let someone else take my place, no matter best friend or not.

I was losing my true self while focusing on my friendships with Vickie, Alice and Sanya, and the responsibility of Talia. I focused on their lack of happiness towards my win, their lack of excitement for me.

So, after that particular incident, I focused on my academics more. It was hard coming back to that track after being careless for a significant amount of time. It was like Ms. Josie was unknowingly pushing me towards my best potential, academics as well as extra curriculum. 

I started getting distracted from my destination, best academic grades, best in everything, and then a bright future. But Ms. Josie pulled me back on the right path, and kept me there all along the year. My relationship with Mr. Asher developed more. We were like real siblings, but only when there were certain people around. 

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It was Teacher's Day, and Mr. Bill announced all the teachers will perform anything they want. But they had to present something.  

And Vickie and I were chosen to host the event. It was my second time being a host of an event. I did it once in 6th grade, just for a couple performances, not the whole event. But now I was given the opportunity to manage the whole event. I was very excited. Vickie was too. We wrote everything together, gathered all the information, and just everything.

Every teacher came up with some great performances. Some presented dance, some presented skit, some were interested in singing.

That was when I got to know, Ms. Josie was a fabulous dancer, an amazing actor and a great singer.
She was like a complete perfect package.

I was starting to wish to be like her. Like, how can someone be so perfect? Perfect looks, perfect dressing, humor senses, perfect talents. I really wanted to be like her.

But now, I don't. She recently got married. Her husband is a nice person and they look so adorable together. I was again wondering about her luck.

But then, I got to know her father passed away after seven days of her wedding day. Because of cancer.

That incident forced me to think, sure, god gave her a nice husband, but took her dad away in return. What else did she had to lose to gain all the things she has now?

Everything looks good on outside, but upon getting close, we get to know the details. The pain, the suffering, the reality.

We always compare ourselves to others. It's natural. We think others have better life, but it's not true.

We have what we need, and that's enough. I'll never ever want to lose my parents over anything.

The event was great! Everybody praised us for our anchoring. I still have the hard copy of mine and Vickie's picture clicked during the event. 

After leaving her, I got rid of everything she ever gave me, friendship bands, cards, wishes or anything that reminded me of her, or our memories. But I couldn't bring myself to throw that picture, or other hard copies of very few events. I like to keep printouts. They feel more personal and sentimental. At least to me.

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