Masks #2

It’s close to 9 and everyone’s in a hurry. But they still get time to greet each other… I look around and there isn’t anyone that I would say ‘hi’ to. Okay, there actually isn’t anyone in this whole school. Why bother? I run for the assembly. Assembly prayer finishes by 9:15 and we are dispersed for our classes.

First period : it’s Maths. I pick my books out and keep it on my (first bench, of course) table. Our Maths teacher enters the class and we all stand to say (that chorus) “Good Morning Maaaaaaam”. (“it’s a tradition you know, way back from 0th BC” my brainy says lips upturned)

Today’s topic is Algebra and she goes on and on and on filling up the entire board. I don’t know what the hell that was. My mind went in circles around nothing in particular. Sometimes it was about Gravity and Escape velocity. Sometimes it was about the empty bench of mine (except me, of course). Or sometimes the Shakespearean Sonnets. My mind could be in blazing chaos or stunning calmness. My face would reflect nothing. It would just be attentive…

The day drifted by. It’s already 2:15 and the last hour for the day. One nice thing, it is English period, my favorite. Now, I could actually involve…

At 3:15, I breathe easier and yes the day ended well. We had Shakespearean Merchant Of Venice in English class and that made up for my entire day. I pack my bag and get ready to leave for my bus. By the door, I look back at my class. We are 36 in our class and all this while I’ve been only aware of myself. Now it feels like a dam had been opened and it’s flooding…their laughs and their presence…

And there he is, Ritvik, at the back of the class. I can understand all these people. They’re just the normal kind filled with words and thoughts just to show that they’re stuffy. But him…I can’t quite figure him out. No, I’m more of an observer of people, and I know people – rather distantly – but yeah I do. His striking manners and straight glance and sweeping gestures! Oh, there is quantum physics too. I can’t quite figure them both out, quite right, yet!

I shrug and get back to my bus and continue the routine journey back to my home. Mom smiles at me as I enter and I return that smile. “Really, what do you seek of me? Just my (perfect) existence, mom?!” brainy asks quite curiously, silently. I freshen up and eat the rice cake she’d made.

I could discuss about my day and what I thought about things with her, you know, about everything…but I just shut myself up against that thought. It’s unlike me (they say!)

“Finish your home works and revise your lessons before dinner, Janu”, my Mom smiles. I smile back and ran up to my room. “I would do that anyway”, my brainy throws back.

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Well, that’s my today’s encounter, Ray – my best friend (maybe my only one). I spoke like, what, twenty words today (excluding you).

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- Sp -