PEHLA NASHA X 3 [Short Story Series]/Part 3-A

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

Part 3-A: Lens Love

After 7th class, Mannu, his parents and sister shifted soon to Mumbai. It was summer holidays so they got time to settle down and roam around. This family was enjoying their initial days in Mumbai – a city that never stops (as people say). Even Mannu’s father was thrilled and so he used take the family out daily somewhere or the other, after his office hours till the kids had their holidays. Unlike Vizag, this city offers a lot of ways in which a family can entertain themselves. They all started adapting in their new life in this new city.

Soon after holidays it was time to go to school again. But it often occurs to most of us, when we change a school or college then it feels like going to the school for the first time, again. Either we are nervous or excited. Mannu being a shy fellow felt excited from inside but was nervous mostly. He woke up early, but was lost in the thoughts about his first day in the new school. After getting ready and finishing breakfast his father took him to his school. Well in Mumbai the local trains are the fastest and cheapest option for transport. So, Mannu’s father took him by train so that he can know how to travel in them, because it was not like Vizag, where u can simply take a bus or a bicycle and reach your school easily. Mannu’s father already got him a daily pass. Well, Mannu will have to travel daily from Dadar station to Bandra station from where his school was half a kilometre, which can be covered by walk. But that was not his problem. He was still nervous on his first day in the new school.

Mannu reached his new school where his father was allowed till the office and later a staff member guided Mannu to his new classroom 8B. He was left at the door by that staff member, where the teacher noticed him and asked him to step inside the classroom. She stood up and introduced herself, “I am your class teacher, Ms Sakshi” then she continued “dear class, this is Manoj Kumar, your new classmate.”

Then she looked at the boy sitting in 2nd row 3rd bench and said, “Sunil, Manoj will be sitting with you, please make some space for him.”

“Yes madam” replied Sunil and smiled at Mannu.

“Go and take your seat Manoj” said Ms Sakshi. Mannu went and sat there and then the teacher continued with her lesson. He was silently listening to her but his eyes were moving everywhere like a scanner in that room, taking a glance at each and every face in that room, the door, the windows, the blackboard, the walls, the fans, the lights, etc. He was given a set of new text books by the staff member who guided him to the classroom. Ms Sakshi was teaching English, so took out the text book and then Sunil help him with the lesson that was being taught.

After couple of periods, it was lunch break and everyone opened up their boxes to eat. Mannu and Sunil also opened up their boxes and started eating. Mannu noticed that everyone in the classroom were eating silently but were giving strange looks to Mannu, which made him uncomfortable.

While eating, Sunil asked, “Where do you live?”

“Dadar” replied Mannu.

Then Sunil said, “Nice. I live in Andheri.”

“And I live in Mahim” said a girl from back seat, “Hi, I am Priya” and offered a hand shake.

Then from left side a boy said, “Hi, I am Ashok” and also a girl turned around from the seat in front of him and said “I and Minal”

Later on everyone in the room introduced themselves one by one to Mannu as if they were waiting for someone to start talking with their new class mate. Then there was a wave of smiling faces in the room which was a relief for Mannu, who was nervous since morning.

So, his first day in school went pretty well. His father picked him from his school and they returned home. His mother and sister asked him about his day and he narrated each and every moment in his new school. After dinner he went to bed, but instead of sleeping he took out a notepad and a pen and started writing a letter, to Anna (from Part2). Actually, the city changed but they were still in contact through letters. This was his 5th letter to Anna in Vizag from Mumbai. In his last meeting with Anna, she asked for sharing the new address and phone no. and there Mannu felt like he lost her.

But same evening his sister said, “You fool you can still be in touch by writing letters to each other. So, chill.”

That’s how they are not missing each other, being in different cities. Well in his first letter he asked Anna to reply to the message written in that heart shaped card. Anna was a smart girl so she replied in her letter that she would express her feeling soon after they pass their 10th class exams. He was delighted with this letter and waiting eagerly for that day.

After two years, Mannu was in 10th class after wonderful 2 years of learning and fun with his new gang – Sunil, Priya, Ashok and Minal. He was friendly to others too but these four were his best buddies by now. By this time everyone had telephone connections at their homes, so they were all well connected; even the old friends of Mannu in Vizag and especially Anna. Life was wonderful till now and this year it was time to study hard for 10th class board examinations. They all studied hard and appeared in exams under tremendous pressure and at the end the results were out in which they all passed with flying colours (as most of the teachers say).

Mannu and Anna shared their results to each other over a phone call. Mannu also asked Anna to reply now about her feelings and she gave a positive reply too. Mannu being excited now wanted to meet her but she requested him to wait again till 12th class exams, because she felt it is more important for both of them. Anna also loved Mannu but she was taking it slow and steady, so made it clear to Mannu about no commitments currently. Mannu too understood and agreed with her. So, now these two lovebirds were experiencing the sweetest phase of their relationship, but we all know that future is unpredictable. If luck favours, they will continue like this or may get into a hustle.

So, after 10th class Mannu opted for Science stream and Anna went for the same too. Among his closest friends, they went for Science, except Sunil, who opted for Arts. Now there were no sections but groups based on streams. Once again same school, but all students started their new academic year with their choices and stepped in a new stage in their lives.

On the eight day, when the Chemistry class was going on, it was interrupted by one of the staff member knocking the door. It was Mr Atmaram, the person who guided me to classroom on my first day in this school. This time also he guided a newcomer to our class. Our teacher got up and called her in and said, “Everyone please welcome this new student in this class. Her name is Rupali Roy.”

She was told to sit with Priya and so she moved towards Priya slowly and sat there. She looked like a normal girl but wore a pair of glasses and dental braces too. That’s why all students started reacting strange at her entry in our class. During the Mathematics class she was asked about a formula by the teacher and her voice was quite peculiar which made others laughed at her. But teacher scolded them too. This may be due to those braces. She felt embarrassed at the class which Mannu noticed. He reminded his first day to this school which wasn’t that dramatic but still he was comforted by others.

So he approached her in the lunch break and asked, “Hi, where do you live?”

“Dadar” she replied. Mannu was happy to hear that because he also stays in there.

“By the way, I am Manoj” and offered and handshake to her. While shaking hands others jumped in and started introducing themselves, especially Minal who started asking about her braces for which she replied that it will be there for couple of months only. She was now comfortable as everyone in the class were friendly now and soon she was part our gang because she enjoyed being with Mannu. Now Mannu and Rupali used to travel daily for school and return back together. Rupali’s home was in east side of the station and Mannu’s home was to the west.

One fine day, Mr Pathak, the Physics teacher announced about a Science Exhibition to be held soon and the interested students were required to submit their projects or exhibits in a week. Mannu jumped in immediately to participate as soon as the teacher said the exhibition will be held in Vizag. This was a chance for him to meet Anna. Teacher also mentioned the project can be done in teams, with maximum 3 members in a team. Mannu teamed up with Ashok and Minal. On the other hand Priya and Rupali were a team. Similarly, others in class also made their own teams and started working upon their respective projects.

The day arrived when everyone was supposed to submit their projects. Mannu, Ashok and Minal worked upon Rainwater Harvesting as their project, with which they reached school early. Priya was also in the class with her project. Rupali was yet to reach. Mannu was curious upon Priya’s project because it looked strange with a long pipe bent at two places with a tripod stand. On asking Priya replied that it was Telescope combined with a Periscope at the viewing end and asked Mannu to look into it. Mannu looked into it while Priya was trying to adjust it’s lens for clear view. The device was placed at window facing the school entrance, so when the view was focused he could see many students entering. And then he saw Rupali entering but he was stunned to see her today because she was looking different today. Through this device he kept looking at her taking stairs up and then walking in the corridor towards the classroom. Then he left the device and look at her entering and walking towards him.

“Did you like our project?” asked Rupali to Mannu.

But Mannu was silent, looking at her and didn’t reply. Ashok gently pushed Mannu from behind and told, “She is asking something, you idiot”

Mannu was still looking at her face but replied, “Oh yes, really nice“

“Thanks” replied Rupali and smiled.

“Why are you looking different today?” asked Mannu.

Rupali smile again and replied, “Actually my braces were removed yesterday. Maybe that’s why.” Then she took a pause and asked “Anything wrong?”

“Not at all” replied Priya. Mannu said, “You really look good without braces.”

“Thanks” replied Rupali and they all sat in their seats.

Mr Pathak came to class and every team presented their projects one by one. Mr Pathak then wrote about the projects in his diary and went to meet Principal’s room. Now Mannu turned to his right side and tried looking at Rupali again and again till the time Mr Pathak was back.

Then suddenly, Mr Pathak entered and said that he discussed about all projects with the Principal and two projects were selected to participate in the exhibition in Vizag. Those two projects were by Mannu’s and Priya’s team. Mannu was really happy upon hearing this and also were happy too. The whole class congratulated the selected teams for exhibition. But it was more than an exhibition for Mannu. On the same day, just before returning home, Mr Pathak called both the teams in the Physics lab and said that only one member from each team can go to Vizag, so he asked them to decide among themselves and choose. Without wasting time, Mannu convinced his team that he will go and from the other team Priya already decided to go.

Then as usual Mannu and Rupali started for their homes. Mannu was in a different state of mind today. On one side he was excited about going to Vizag and meet Anna and on the other side he was getting attracted to Rupali also from today. While returning home he kept looking at her whole time and for first time he accompanied her to her home and then returned to his home. The same night after dinner he called Anna to inform about his upcoming trip to Vizag. Anna was happy too and said that she has a surprise for him in Vizag. But after that phone call he again started thinking about Rupali and wished if she would travel with him instead of Priya.

After six days, the two projects were dismantled and packed nicely by both teams and in the evening they were supposed to board a train for their journey to Vizag. Mannu was on time with both projects and the school staff member Mr Atmaram who was travelling with them too. Priya didn’t reached station yet and Mannu was waiting for her. They had 30 minutes left for train’s departure.

Mannu spotted a phone booth and decided to call Priya. But Mr Atmaram stopped him and told to sit in the train and not to get out. When it was 10 mins to departure, Mr Atmaram asked Mannu to give the telephone no. so that he can make the call to Priya’s parents. He went and was back in 2 mins. He said that due to Priya’s bad health she could not travel. That means only Mr Atmaram and Mannu will be travelling. Just before departure Mannu stepped out of train to get a drinking water bottle with Mr Atmaram’s permission. While buying he gave Rs 50 note to the vendor but he was delaying in returning the balance Rs 40 and then he heard the train engine horn for departure. He asked the vendor to make it quick, but the vendor was too lazy to take out the money.

By the time he received the balance he heard Mr Atmaram shouting at the door step, “Mannu, come quickly inside now”.

Mannu immediately stepped inside the coach and took a deep breath and followed Mr Atmaram towards their berths.

There he was surprised to see Rupali sitting and he asked, “How come you are here?”

Mr Atmaram replied, “Oh, Mannu I forgot to mention that Rupali will be joining us in the place of Priya. She came in when you were out for buying water bottle.”

Mannu and Rupali looked at each other and smiled. Then Mannu sat infront of Rupali and both still kept smiling.

Rupali said, “Actually Priya called on my house landline in the last moment and convinced me to board this train in her place. She did this after taking permission from Mr Pathak.”

Mannu said, “That’s great. Now we will be able to showcase our projects nicely” and then offered water to her from his bottle. After drinking water Rupali returned the bottle to Mannu and looked at the window for the view outside. And so did Mannu and Mr Atmaram was reading some magazine.

Mannu started getting restless because first time he had no idea what to do and that too in front of Rupali. He just pretended as if he is relaxing but kept glancing at Rupali.

Suddenly, Rupali turned towards him and said, “Hey I have some snacks in my bag. Would you like to have some?”

Mannu said, “Yes, I would love to have them.”

Rupali smiled and took out a box full of snacks and offered some to Mr Atmaram first, but he said, “Thank you beta, but I want to have some tea first. That’s why I have been waiting for the pantry guys till now. You both enjoy your snacks.”

Then Rupali opened the foldable desk and kept the box on it and told Mannu to have it. Mannu was excited but he wanted to relax and eat. So, he soon opened his shoes and sat comfortably. The moment he was about to pick something from the box Rupali told, “Please stop. You have just now got your hands dirty with the shoes. So, please don’t touch the snacks.”

Before Mannu could reply anything, the very next moment Rupali picked a piece snack and put in his mouth and said, “I will help you to eat. You can wash your hands later.”

Mannu was just speechless and could not stop eating the snacks one by one from Rupali’s hand. His eyes were bright and wide open now and kept staring at her till the last piece of snack. Then he quickly went for washing hands and came back soon and again stared at her. Rupali also in return used to smile while they were chatting and enjoying each other’s company till dinner time. After dinner they both went for the upper berths opposite to each other. Rupali slept as soon as she arranged her berth, but Mannu couldn’t sleep soon. He kept looking at the glowing face of her while she was asleep. The view was irresistible for him and like this he kept on staring. At some point he slept but started dreaming about singing and dancing a duet song from Hindi film songs in 90s with her.

Something magical started happening with Mannu from the very moment when he peeped through those lenses in the project in school to this night in train; that totally diverted him from his actual purpose for this journey – ‘Anna’.

What else will happen?

COMING SOON (Part 3-B: Lens Love)

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