LOVE STORY 99- SCHOOL “LOVE” SELDOM IS FORGOTTEN- PART VI

It was a week now, Fio did not call. I would keep staring at the silly BeeTel phone while doing my homework, as if it was going to ring the very next moment.

One Saturday afternoon, I just had returned home from school. I had a hurried lunch as I was to go for a practice match at 03:00. We had a cricket tournament the next day from morning to evening. Just then mom called out from the Hall room,

"Phone...for you...Some FEEOh LA" She said in her funny accent.I quickly picked up the parallel line from my room and answered,

"Hello...".." Mom..please keep the phone, i have picked it up from here.."
I bet she was trying to eavesdrop on our conversation, she hasn't seen too many girls calling me.

"Hi Fio.."

"Ramm.." She whispered..I had to strain my ears to hear her.

"I can't talk for long. Dad got to know. He's..He's gone mad man!" She was no longer whispering. And I could sense she was on the verge of crying.

" What....What happened?I mean..exactly.."

"I am alive, that's a MIRACLE!! Lucy Aunty exaggerated and added masala..just as I expected. Dad's not been allowing me to go to school alone. He drops me every day and has Mom pick me up from school... It's a JAIL..Oh.."

"Fio...I.."

"Listen..I called to say that we shouldn't be meeting or talking at ALL. If I do, I sure will be dead. Ramm, please don't call."

She hung up. She didn't even wait for me to utter a word. Needless to say, I did not call her back. She called after so many days, and only to say "DON'T CALL" ? I knew not what next would happen, but I knew one thing for sure; this is definitely not the way this will end. I just knew it.

Months passed by. I had started my preparations for my state board examinations for Class X- Exams that were to determine my fate, or so I was convinced by everyone. At the time, people swore by one name in the field of private tutorials- Mahesh Tutorials. They had recently opened a branch in our area and my parents decided that I will attend Mahesh Tutorials to "ensure my success" at the examinations. The worst part of the classes were they began immediately after our final exams for Class IX. So, we had no time whatsoever to relax; worse we had to endure seven hours of classes with only a 25 minute lunch break in between. The very thought would have killed most students, i thought as I wondered how to get through all these hours without sleeping.

The first day's class
I entered my designated classroom at sharp 06:45am, fifteen minutes before time.I had mentally prepared myself for a very grueling schedule in the year ahead.

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What I did not prepare myself for was whom I would see sitting on the fifth row's second seat. Fiola! Our eyes met, there was a big glow on our faces. Anyone who saw us could make out we were friends...err..maybe more. She saw me in the eye, with that lovely big smile of hers,shrugged her shoulders and said Hi. I only returned the greeting and went on to sit on the seat available in the second last row.

We met in the lunch time, and sat together having our lunch. I could now observe her more closely. She was wearing a body fit light pink capri pants (capris) with a white top that had a short sleeve. She had pinned her hair with a fancy clip so that her brownish hair would nicely fall on her shoulders.

"What are you looking at?" She winked and smiled as she said.

"Umm..Nothing...Nice to see you after such a long time.."

"See...things worked out on its own! And now we get to meet every day, right?"

"Yup!So..your dad's gotten over it?"

"Ya YA, but that doesn't mean we test him ok? No phones please."

" ok, who said anything about calling?"

"Sorry, I didn't..I mean..I am just cautious Ramm..That's all"

"No worries.."

We chatted and chatted, we couldn't obviously finish what we had got to eat. There was so much to talk about. And neither of us felt hungry enough to leave our conversation halfway. So when we were asked to get back into the classroom, we were really in no mood whatsoever.

This was our routine every day. We both had a very strong incentive to make it to class and before time. That way we got some more time to talk. Strangely enough, it helped our studies. We studied well at home and ensured all homework is taken care of at home. All so that we can spend some time in the morning and lunch break. Plus, we couldn't have allowed ourselves to be embarrassed by any teacher for not having read up on the subject.

We loved classes. And we loved it even more when school re-opened. Fio's school was on the way for me if i went to class directly. She would wait for me after school and I would come on my bike to Our Lady of Good Hope. We would then pedal our way for some distance, and walk the cycles the last few minutes- we wanted to reach as slowly as we could. I made attempts to be funny- yes, attempts- just to see her laugh the way she did. I could feel the Yash Chopra movies coming to life every day on our way to class.

LOVE STORY 99- SCHOOL “LOVE” SELDOM IS FORGOTTEN- PART V

Next morning, I was waiting for her outside school. She was pleasantly surprised that I was there to greet her.
"You didn't go in?"
"er..waiting for you.."

"Oww..so sweet.." She pulled my cheeks saying that.I liked the way she touched- hell, what guy wouldn't!

I was walking with her toward our building. I snatched a few glances around just to be sure not many known faces were around; and pulled her hand to stop her.

"This is for you.." I said handing over a bar of Dairy Milk. (Those were the days where an extra bar of dairy milk would put a huge strain on the pocket money! I missed two cricket matches where we had to make contributions to participate, just for that one bar of chocolate..i would later realize it was all worth it)

"Hey THAANK YoUUU!!! What is this for??"

"Well...uhh...Cos today is a big day..so you know..just as a sign of good luck!"

'Oh..ok.."

We just walked; we kept a distance so that sister Nivvy doesn't poke her nose in between!


Our Lady of Good Hope High School Auditorium: Announcement of results of the Inter School Events

"....Winner of the Einstein Quiz- St.John the Baptist...." IF the sister reading out the results did indeed say anything between the contest and winner's names, they were for sure lost in the thunderous applause that gripped the auditorium.

"...AIDS Awareness contest- Second Prize- Bal Vidyamandir English Medium School..."

We all held our breaths- Me,Aryan and Jug..

"..First Prize.."

Sh**!..this is it...this is it..God Please..God Please...God ..pl..

"Our Lady of Good Hope!!!"...

Our Hearts sank...We had held hands, and we suddenly let go of each other. Aryan already had tears in his eyes, for this was a project we worked very hard to win. Jug stood up and walked away, I believe he headed toward the washroom. I managed to console Aryan..But i myself needed a shoulder.

Some time later we saw Fio and the team celebrating outside the exhibition room as we went to collect our model. Fio Saw my eyes, and her expression changed.

She walked towards me...I managed to be a sport and extended a hand to congratulate her.
"Ramm,it's ok... Happens all the time yaar.."

I had such a pathetic expression on my face, Fio would later mimic it all the time and laugh out loud.

She took my head in her arms, inviting me to rest my head on her shoulders.WOW! Losing can have its benefits after all...Haar ke jeetne walon ko..well..forget about it..!

I suddenly felt emptiness in my life. No more meeting Fio; the project is over and with that ends our entry into the Lady of Good Hope School. :(

I did call her within a couple of days, but we both could feel emptiness in our conversations; suddenly we felt we had nothing much to talk about. I even thought to myself, "Was is just a three day fling?All that attraction would never get converted into anything more concrete?Would we even continue as good friends?"

This continued for days till i could count months, and gradually i realized that there is very little left in our relationship. May be she is dating someone else. Maybe her interest was never the same as mine, I believed I misinterpreted her actions to deem to be something beyond Friendship.

"God, one Girlfriend i got, or almost got...so close.why do you do this to me?" I still laugh when i remember these prayers of mine. But the grooming at home told me God sets everything right. So i approached the best Person for help. Amma was happy that her son started becoming religious. If only she ever knew the prayers' contents.

CHRISTMAS VACATIONS

"Hello? Hi Aunty,Ramm here. How are you? I am sure Christmas Celebrations are going in full swing...yes...no aunty...My classes begin in April..Yes Aunty...sure, I will Aunty....um...is Fiola.."

Aunty was sweet. Always kept inviting me home for cookies or something. Not because she liked me especially. In fact she had never et me then. Fio had mentioned that I was in her French tuitions and that I help her with the notes and the study. Hell! I did not even opt for French in school. She just needed someone she could offer her freshly baked Cookies.Her cookies were popular in the entire Antariksha Building- Worst tasting cookies known to man! So I heard Fio saying once. We laughed a lot about her Mom's cooking experiments and how she would become the guinea pig.

"Hi Fio"

"Hi"

"Long time...kaisi hai?"

"Achchi hoon"

PAUSE

I hate these pauses...

"Why are you...behaving so.held up these days? I mean...u aren't talking as freely as we used to pehle and all.."

"Then wat? You behave as if you are some Son of the God Knows Who and throw around attitude and..what do you expect ya?"

"Attitute..and...." I couldn't control laughing 'What's..SON of GOD KNOWS WHo...." I was laughing so bad...i could hear her giggle at first....control herself..but she joined in soon...

"SON of GOD KNOWS WHOooo..hahaha" I teased her.

"Stop it ok..." Her voice was loud, but she was far from angry. I could sense that.

"OK...huff.." I was still panting from laughing hard. onest to God, I loved that.

"Fio..Sunn Na..Barista opened here in Reclamation Road."

"So??"

"So..I thought you would want to meet the SON of GOD KNOWS WHO..what better place than coffee shop.."

" You Stop watching this Friends and all huh?All this Coffee Shop, friends and romance stuff...and anyways, they are so expensive!!"

" Arre that I will manage, you say, will you come?"

"Rich Spoilt Kid you are..."

" I won't say spoilt..."

"hmm..Ok, when?"

" I have no trouble about the time. Cricket matches can be held anytime of the day. What time do you normally have French Class?"

"03pm...but no classes now! Vacation dumbo!"

"Extra Classes..."

So it was done. Her dad never knew which classes she attended or when? Just like my dad. Never bothered about these "petty" stuff. And mom's are sweethearts. You can play them. I asked mom for extra money on the pretext of the tournament. It was a bit tough to order stuff with just Rs100 in hand, what with every coffee being over Rs.40. I ordered the Espresso, the term i read in many novels and heard in movies, but never tasted. Plus, it was just 40 bucksm the cheapest coffee on the menu. Fio went in for a Cappucino,Rs.55. I calculated I ws just within the budget!


We started meeting every fortnight in this way,sometimes Barista, sometimes the Panipuri near Elco Arcade. With each meet, we started getting closer, and the emptiness that had temporarily set in had vanished. We never seemed to get bored of each other, on the phone or in person.

Till that saturday when we met, all was well. We were at Barista's, me playing the cricket match and she, of course, taking French Lessons. It came to a situation where she started bunking her Saturday classes and I was thrown out of our cricket team.We had got accustomed to holding hands while chatting over coffee.

"You really think we shouldn't meet..Fio..I..I really like you...i mean...like these meetings.."

"I know, me too. But I just have this bad feeling that we..

F.U.C.k!!!!!!!!!!!!" She shouted

Before I could react, she got up and stood away from the table. And she started walking away. Almost galloping away I would say. I gave the Rs.100 at the counter (bill never exceeded that!) and ran behind her.

"Fio...Wait...What.."

"Shit!Shit!Shit!" She was on the verge of crying.

"Arre but hua kyaa!"

"AUNT LUCY AND HER DAUGHTER SAW US!!! HOLDING HANDS!!OHHHH GODDDDDD....!!"

"Who..Who is Aunt Lucy?"

"MY AUNT!"

I stood there, staring at her looking stupid. But she calmed down a bit and said,
" She's my Dad's elder sister.BITCH! Now she gets an opportunity to tell Papa that Mom isn't being a good mother..her daughter is...OH GODDDD!"

I feel pathetic today to think that I just stood there. I didn't know how to react. I tried to hold her by her shoulders, but she so violently shrugged my hands off, my ego got hurt! I didn't say a word.

" Listen, Don't call me, ok? I don't know what this woman would tell Papa or Momma, but you don't call. I would call you? Ok?" She was demanding in her tone. But I knew she was all tears from within.

"FINE" I said, a bit rudely. Ya right, stupid male ego, I couldn't let go of it. Still cannot!

She walked home. I went toward my bike, and pedalled my way home. Pushing the pedal was harder today. I just did not know if and when she would call.

LOVE STORY 99- SCHOOL “LOVE” SELDOM IS FORGOTTEN- PART IV

The word dear lingered in my memory long enough to convey I am lost.

"hello???"

" Uh..Oh....I am very much here...sorry"

"hmm..tell me.."

Uh oh! What do you really talk about with a girl you have just met and hardly known for a day.

"So..Hows you?" God! I was so stupid to make such a lame beginning. What do you mean by How's you? you met her a few hours back man, I told myself.

"What do you mean by how am I ya? Mad or what?"

" No i just meant.."

"Forget it..Achcha..wat time you are coming tomorrow?"

"09:00 am.."

"Umm..how about coming at 08:15? There is a nice vadapav wala I know at the end of the road"

"ok Fio..then see you at 08:15"

We never had the vadapav the next day. But we did walk the road that was romantic in the morning- hardly any vehicular traffic and pretty silent (read lonely). our conversations went from the family to probable career options to idea of romance. God, I admit, even that day, I missed some parts of the conversations and I don't regret it- it was more than made up by her beautiful hair and lovely smile. I made a every effort to make her laugh; simply because each time she would laugh, she would just stop in her way,laugh with her left hand on her chest and the right one on my shoulders or catching hold of my arm. This project for sure gave me as much awareness about myself and my feelings for women as much about AIDS.

The time at school was usual-Day two was again a day of visitors coming to see our projects and no project evaluators appeared on the scene- which meant we went more often to the water cooler to drink water. Evening came by, we guys walked towards our bikes to go home, but there was Fio standing not very far from the gate. She saw me and walked towards me. I became a little conscious; there were some guys who stopped while walking to see whom Fio is walking towards; Picture this- if you can imagine what would have happened if Pooja Bedi of Jo Jeeta wohi sikander walked towards Aamir Khan in the Model College camppus, the situation was pretty similar; only I was no Aamir and she was way better than Mrs.Bedi.

"I just wanted to try your bike ya" She said as she came real close to me with her hand on the handle bar of the bike and the other on the seat,very close to my fingers.

"Sure..All yours dear" I said.

Now, mine was a Avon BMX Sports bike that Dad gifted for my last birthday. I was so glad that the bike's seat was a tad higher; it made her skirt slide back a long way. I was sure I wasn't the only one who enjoyed it, but she didn't seem to mind.

"Where do you stay Fio?" I asked as she slowly managed to maneuver the bike out of the gate and just stopped.

"not far ya, you know this Gandhi Road na, I live in Antariksha Building."

'Oh great, i was thinking if, you know...maybe..umm...kind of..like walk down together...I mean only if it's like not.."

"oh Chill maar ya...Why should i have a problem..chalo.."

I never enjoyed pushing along and walking my bike more in my life. I really forgot if there was a project I was working on. Things before and after Fio seemed non existent. But perhaps she liked my company as well,else we wouldn't have been standing for half hour a block away from her building's gate. The building was actually on a turn and the road was again a narrow one, less infested by vehicles.

I was about to just walk towards my bike as she was to make a move towards her gate. Just then, she walked back towards me and said,

"You know, i liked that you walked me home. Seems like the movies" She quickly kissed my cheek and turned around to walk into her gate.

I couldn't think clearly now. I wouldn't have been surprised if I would have been hit by a motor vehicle on my way home. I may have had my eyes open, but they couldn't see anything beyond Fio. 'Seems like the movies she said?' Hell, i felt I was in a movie right then.

"come on hurry da...stop watching TV and eat your meal." That was my lovely mom. If only she knew, I wasn't watching any of the stuff they were airing on TV.

"These days kids don;t reply to anything. You have to pay them to get them to even hear what you wanna say! Spoilt Generation..We never were like this.."

I figured mom asked me something, but i was in too deep a trance to hear anything. I just let her continue....and myself too...