The days went by this way. Me and Fio would walk down after school and to the classes. The most amazing days were the rainy days, when we would walk very close owing to the fact that we had just one umbrella. (no brownie points for guessing who forgot his umbrella every time!)
We would talk about the professors, their jokes, make fun of the few serious types. Now I would never leave an opportunity to mimic one of the professors,Sunderraman Iyer, for she would laugh non- stop, sometimes rushing to me to cover my mouth with her hand as if to ask me to stop. All along, we were aware that we were being watched not just by our friends, but also professors and teachers. Somehow, we were emboldened with the passage of time and believed nothing will now come in oru way. That is, until the Principal, Mr. Chetan Patel informed our parents about the relative "drop in our performance". Mr. Patel's version of drop in performance meant we fared poorly in 3 class tests in Geometry and Biology- scoring an average of "only" 47/50!!
The Little Boy and Fat Man were dropped. The castles we were building were now destined to be demolished by our parents' fury.
20:00 hrs... MY ROOM
"Rascal!! I send you for studies, and this is what you do! Is this an age? You..you bloody....I'll Kill u i say! Kill you!"
So went my father. My mom did bother to interrupt with " Please it's ok, now he will listen and be a good boy, right kanna? I will..."
"Stop spoiling him Kaveri. You are supposed to ensure such things don't happen. I toil hard all day, and this is what I get to read!!" And now turning to me, he warned," If you don't get into IIT, you see if you remain in one piece. Look at Lakshman Uncle's son! He toiled hard for 3 years, and now will be passing out with an M.Tech from.."
"I am not Sriram, ok? Please Leave me.."
I was interrupted by something that for a moment stalled my hearing abilities. My dad had just landed a hard slap on my poor cheeks. I had tears in my eyes, but then, which teenager allows himself to cry out loud! I held them back.
"Don't u dare interrupt me when I'm speaking, hear that? Spoiled Generation....all of you...Good for Nothing!!"
He left my room and went to his bedroom. My mother stayed there, feeling helpless. She maybe wasn't sure how to react. She know my father had always blown things out of proportion.
20:15 HRS FIO's HOUSE
"Is this the same guy?"
" I told her to.."
"I'm NOT talking to you Remy! Speak up.. Don't just sit there like a bum now. Answer me damn it!"
"I...Dad..That..."
"yes or NO Fiola!"
"Yes"
"What in the name of God were you two doing that called the attention of the classes Principal? Huh! I warned you to stay away. You will lose focus and so will he! if you misuse the liberty I offer you, You will be at home. Hell with your classes! Learn what you can in school!"
I was not sure if I should wait for her outside school. I was worried someone may accompany her even from school to classes. Fortunately, she walked out with Binaifer. I rode towards them.
"Hi Binaifer, Fio..."
The girls exchanged a look as if communicating via telepathy. Fio did not look at me at first, then faced me:
"Look ya, this won't work. Dad went bonkers when that rotten Patel opened his foul smelling dirty mouth!"
"Ramm, I think you should go now. The last thing.."
'Binaifer, i was beaten up by my dad, ok. I don't want trouble either. Just wanted to check if she's ok."
I just left. I exaggerated a bit, the slap became beating, but then, I had to make it seem I endured a lot for her. I reached within 10 mins. Gosh!We must have been walking so slow to reach in half hour every day. For a moment, I stood there not parking my bike, thinking of Fio, until Jag interrupted.
"Kya hua saale? U look as if someone beat you up!"
"Ya, my Father!"
"What? But...over...Why???"
I just looked at him, and Fio and Binaifer came to the classes. Binaifer and Jag were in the same batch. Jag looked at me, and I guess my face was like an open book. Any passerby could have read my expressions.
Jag just put an arm around my shoulder and walked me till my class entrance. "Happens re..."
Ya, shit happens, and happens with me all the while, I thought.
Two weeks passed by the same way. And much to my parent's dismay, I was faring worse in studies. teenage: when you feel your problems are bigger than the ones at the hands of the country's finance minister! An age where you find it difficult to prioritize between friends and academics. I had resigned myself to any fate thrown upon me. Well, I blame such overacting on my part on the movies. Kahaani was poori FIMLY, but as the famous line goes: PICTURE abhi baaki hai mere dost!
I picked up the phone and dialed a number. The conversation lasted 20 minutes, and I, for most part, was listening. I made a small note on the writing pad next to me. I made another call now. This one was shorter-4 mins.
Next Day, I was waiting at the Jain Dairy farm at 18:00 hrs. Fio and Binaifer were walking after school and now towards me. Binaifer stopped at a certain distance, and Fio came alone, just as I had instructed Binaifer over the four minute call.
"Hi"
"Fio..we got very less time. Now, I must say- I am in love with you! I...I really am. I.."
"Ramm..I dunno...I do really really like you and miss you terribly dear..but, my dad.."
'Ya ya...I know..just..just meet me after class every day, let's not get out. We will keep books open and pretend to discuss. That will give us sometime, right?"
"Ramm, im not sure..it might be too risky.."
"Look, are you happy the way things are going? I mean, come on..."
"Ok, but I cant promise everyday ya. Depends on the situation.."
"Okk fine..chal, you go, i'll pedal up too...see you in class"
And as planned, we stayed back in class. There was no batch after ours, we waited till people left, and pretended to keep our books open and discuss "problems".
We just started this so as to not let the emptiness drive us crazy. I realized Fio was affected too by whatever happened. SHe seemed so strong outwardly, but she was delicate from within. And yes, she needed consoling. We would talk sometimes in class, sometimes near the Jain Dairy. We tried not to make any place a regular one, although options with us were severely limited.
Over the past two weeks, we had grown emotionally very close. Fio would discuss her elder brother's job in Australia, her mom's health problems, the church choir meetings.. She would tell me how helpless she feels when dad shouts at mom. I could relate with that, and I would just hold her palm in mine and hold on tightly. These things are not taught, you somehow know how to give that emotional comfort.
"How I wished these beautiful 5 mins lasted 24 hrs ya..." Fio Said, as she started to get up and walk out of the class, so as to not arouse suspicion. I stayed put, as there was something going on in my mind.
"Ramm.." She called out in a hushed voice." Lets gooo"
I didn't say anything. I walked to my bike, removed it from the stand, pedaled a bit and then stopped. I was lost in thoughts. Then suddenly, I started pedaling real fast, and faster. I was in such a hurry to get home, I could have defeated Lance Armstrong if he were to race with me.
I threw my bag as I reached home. My socks flew in one direction, and my uniform in another. Mom would have been mad if she was around, but I didn't bother at the moment. I just rushed to the telephone to make my call.
The voice at the other end said,
"What! No..NO..NO..NO..NO..NO..NO..! Are you f**king mad!"
"But u could at least ask him?" I pleaded.
"NO! My brother will kill u n me both! Plus, Have you told.."
"No..Please Aryan..Please do this, do it for me this one time na."
"Arre yaar!..Ok..Lemme See"
He called back an hour later. Fortunately, I was alone in the room then. There was a long discussion on the phone. After that, I hung up.
I met Fio the next day at Jain Dairy. As usual, she walked up to me, and she was looking especially cute today. She had gotten a cute haircut done, and I noticed because she had been telling for days that she wanted to do that.
"Looking very cute! Loved ur haircut!" She gave me that million dollar smile in return for my compliment. But the very next instant, my face grew serious. I told her why.
Her eyes widened, and her mouth was wide open! She couldn't believe what I just said.
(Continued on Part VIII)
