PEHLA NASHA X 3 [Short Story Series]/Part 2

(Disclaimer: This is just an imaginary story with imaginary characters and published for reader’s entertainment only)

Part 2: The Girl Next Classroom

After realizing the fact that the gift box that Mannu took to school for Ms Tamanna (Part 1) was left by mistake in the school on my desk, he couldn’t sleep all night and wanted to start early next to go to school and get that box. But the next day he was not lucky and woke up late because he fell asleep at some point in night. Even then he got ready fast and rushed towards school. During breakfast his sister said that the gift box will not be there so no point of hurrying. And that happened exactly like she said. Anyway the gift box was not important than the person for whom he got it. Very soon he accepted the fact is that she is gone from his life.

Years passed and he was in 7th class now. Again everything was usual in his life.

But during the mid year another magical moment occurred in his life. One fine day the Maths teacher was on leave so it was a free period. Mannu and his classmate went out to playground for playing football. Mannu always used be the goal keeper but this time he went forward. During the match he got a chance to score a goal and carefully observed the goal keeper of other team and kicked the ball real hard. But to his bad luck the ball hit the edge of the goal post and bounced out site the field. After missing it he kneeled down, closed eyes and hit his head to the ground with anger and said, “Oh shit”. Then when he got up he saw that most of the classmates gathered at the side walk near to the field. He was curious and got up and ran towards the crowd. There everyone turned towards Mannu started staring at him. One of the girls from his class said, “Look what have you done, we are going to complain about it to Principal Sir.” He then moved in and saw a girl sitting with her hand on her forehead and crying because of pain. His classmate whispered in his ears that the ball you kicked had hit her after bouncing from the goal post. He again said, “Oh shit.” “It happened accidently. It’s not my mistake.” Mannu told to all. But they were in a disagreement, especially the girls as if I have done it intentionally. This started an argument between the boys and girls of the class after Mannu strongly said that he didn’t want to apologize. Meanwhile he went in front of the girl as she was facing her back to him and bent down towards that girl to see her condition and suddenly he lost his senses. Now he could not hear the argument of his classmates because he was into a magical realm after looking at that girl properly.

“I am sorry”, said Mannu to that girl.

Now literally there was a sudden silence among his classmate when they heard him apologising. Mannu said, “Let’s go to our PET (Physical Education Trainer) and get the first aid.”

Now all the classmates with their eyes wide open could not believe hi behavior.

“It’s OK we will accompany him to PET room.” the girls said and moved out of the playground with that injured girl.

Now he turned back to the boys who were not happy because they lost their argument with girls. So they asked him continue as goalkeeper again. But from that moment he lost focus in the game and was thinking of that girl all the time, as if she is sitting next to him.

During the lunch break he asked the girls about that girl and was happy to hear that she was fine, but PET sir told her to go to home. So she returned to her home. Mannu went to his class monitor Shikha, offered her a bite from his lunch box and asked, “What’s her name?”

“Anna Thomas. She is from class 7A, the classroom next to ours (7B).” Shikha replied. Mannu smiled and moved back to his desk and was thinking of meeting Anna soon next day. The whole day he couldn’t forget that lovely glimpse of Anna near the playground, and was feeling bad as she was injured by the ball he kicked but still it was magical.

Next day he arrived early to school and waited near Anna’s class. Anna arrived at her classroom where Manu waved his hand and said, “Hi! How are you feeling now?”

“Alright”, Anna replied.

Mannu wanted to ask something else but kept looking at Anna, speechless. “Okay, see u later”, said Anna and entered her classroom.

After this Mannu couldn’t resist and daily stood in the same place and greeting Anna every morning. Also, on some days he started giving chocolates and candies to her as well. He didn't wanted to miss at least one glimpse of her.

One day he saw Anna wearing a sky blue frock and she was looking like a princess.

Mannu asked, “Is it your birthday today?”

“Yes”, replied Anna.

Mannu said, “Happy Birthday” and returned to his classroom.

The next moment Anna was in front of Mannu’s classroom and signaled at Mannu to come out. Mannu rushed towards her and asked, “What?”

Anna took out two chocolate candies from her pocket and offered him saying, “Thank you for your birthday wishes” and turned back but Mannu said, “Stop”.

“Do you want more candies?” said Anna.

“No”, replied Mannu and said, “Friends?” with a handshake gesture.

Anna smiled at him and shook hands and said, “Can you come to the party today evening at my home?”

“Sure, I will be there.” replied Mannu.

Whole day Mannu felt like heaven and waited eagerly for the evening party. After school, returned home to changed clothes and ran towards nearest gift shop to buy a birthday card. Then he reached Anna’s home and rang the doorbell. Anna opened the door and this time looked more attractive in her white frock than the sky blue frock she wore in the school. She took him to her parents and introduced to them.

Her father stared seriously towards Mannu and said, “So, it was you who hit my daughter with the football. How dare you?” and started pulling Mannu’s ear.

Mannu screamed real loud in pain and there was flash of light.

Actually Mannu was day dreaming at Anna’s door step. Anna opened the door and asked, “What happened? Why did you scream?”

“Nothing” replied Mannu, took a pause here and said, “I think I saw a lizard.”

Then everyone in the party laughed out loudly at his reply. Here Mannu got nervous because of his short dream and thought of avoiding Anna’s parents. But, everything just went great in the party and Anna’s father was cool to him. That was a great birthday party he ever attended.

Mannu and Anna were soon good friends and enjoyed each other’s company in and out of the school. Especially for Mannu it was magical everytime he met Anna. He used to wonder that how come from so many years he never noticed her in the same school. It would have been more joyful if both of them were friends since beginning. So, he decided that after the exams he will express his feelings to her.

Well, they had lovely moments before exams too, because now both of them used to be together in school library and at each other’s homes in evening for studies. This happened when they came to know about each other’s weakness in subjects like Science and Maths; Mannu was good in Science but not good in Maths and Anna was good in Maths and not good in Science.

The exams started and one by one they all went well for both of them. After every exam day they used to share each other’s experiences.

Finally on the last day of exam Mannu was really excited and had numerous thoughts in his mind on how to express his feelings to Anna. The exam ended and they both met under a tree near the playground. Anna was talking about the exam that how confidently she answered the questions and how joyful she was when it ended.

Mannu said, ”Anna! I wanted to say you something.

“What?” asked Anna.

Mannu was clueless on how to start so said, “Let’s go out somewhere today evening and enjoy” “Yes where shall we go?” asked Anna.

Mannu said, “I was thinking of RK beach (popular sea beach in Vizag)”

“Great, then I will meet you at your home in an hour and from there we will travel in city bus because your home is nearer to bus stand.”

Mannu was excited. Though they used to hang out earlier for many evenings, but this evening is going to be special. He ran towards a gift shop first. He thought of same gift box with chocolate like he made for Ms Tamanna (from Part 1) but dropped that idea and bought an “I Love You” card. Then he rushed to his home, freshened up, changed clothes and got ready. He checked his pocket money and felt of like getting more money. So, he quietly checked under the mattress of his sister’s bed for her hidden money and then he took out few of them. Then there was a door bell and his mother opened the door. It was Anna, right on time.

A lovely evening started in a the city bus to beach where they enjoyed walking along the beach, played in the sea water, had snacks and then at last sat there for some time. After two hours, Mannu tried to speak but suddenly Anna said, “It’s getting dark so, let’s return or else we will miss our bus.”

Then they reached Mannu’s home. At the main gate, Mannu said, “Let me drop you at your home in my bicycle.”

Anna smiled and said “OK”

Mannu knocked his door and his sister opened and said, “Hey guys! Come inside. We have good news to share.” Mannu prompted,

“Are u moving to girl’s hostel?”

“Shut up. You are not that lucky. Just come inside.” They entered inside and Mannu’s father offered sweets.

Anna took a piece of sweet and asked, “What is the news Uncle?”

“I got promoted as well as transferred. We are moving to Mumbai next week because my posting is there.”

“Congratulations”, said Anna.

Mannu’s father said “Thank you and do inform your parents also.“

“Yes, I will” said Anna.

While everyone was enjoying the news Mannu was frozen and speechless.

Anna asked, “Mannu can we go to my home now?”

“Yes, let’s move” Mannu replied and took out his bicycle.

Though he was in shock but still he wanted to express his feelings for Anna. And then there was a moment where for the first time Mannu had his first bicycle ride with Anna. Anna sat in front and Mannu started pedaling in joy.

While riding Mannu said, “Anna, I wanted to tell something to you.”

“What?” asked Anna.

“Not here. Let’s go to some other place before your home.”

After a pause Anna said, “Ok”

Then they both reached their school, entered inside and reached the same spot where Anna was hit by football kicked by Mannu. Mannu took out the greeting card he bought and gave it to Anna with a heavy heart. When Anna was about to open the envelope Mannu stopped and said, “Please open this when you are at your home.”

“OK” said Anna. Then she asked, “But, why are you looking so sad? Aren’t you happy about your father’s promotion and going to Mumbai?”

“Not at all, because we will not be able to see each other.” replied Mannu looking straight into Anna’s eyes and stayed mute for sometime.

Then Anna said, “I will really miss you and never forget you.”

“Me too” said Mannu.

Then they both returned to Anna’s home. On the way they didn’t talk at all. Anna shared the news about Mannu’s father’s promotion and transfer.

They were happy and Anna’s mother said, “Wait, I will get some plum cakes for all.”

They all had the cake and then Mannu told bye to Anna’s parents and started for his home. Anna came down to see him off and said, “Mannu, do share your new address and phone no. in Mumbai”

“Yes” said Mannu and hugged her.

Then took out his bicycle and rode faster towards his home. Anna kept looking at him until she lost visual at the end of the street. Then she ran towards her room with the envelope Mannu gave and opened it quickly. It was a beautiful heart shaped card and inside was printed “I Love You” and below it was written by Mannu with a schetch pen “Forever”.

Anna smiled with joy and kissed the card and said “Me too….….Forever”

Mannu returned back to his home freshened up and sat on the dining table for dinner. His mother served him “Poori and Chhole Curry” and a “Rasgulla”.

He was sitting calm so his mother said, “You look tired. So, eat your food and go to sleep. We have to start preparations for our shifting to Mumbai tomorrow onwards.”

Then he ate his food and was about to eat his “Rasgulla”.

Suddenly he heard his sister screaming angrily from bedroom. “Mannu, did you steal my money under the mattress?”

“Oh shit. I am dead” said Mannu and immediately with his “Rasgulla” in a bowl went under the dining table to hide.

End of Part 2.

Part 3 Coming Soon.

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