June & July

Chapter 4

JULY

4. Changes:

" When life brings you changes, it is ready and prepared to challenge you, test you and dare you by scrutiny and introspection and show you something completely incomparable and matchless, that is beyond your expectations"

The swing continued to oscillate and sway gradually and leisurely on which I was settled, my hands holding one of its chain firmly and securely along with my head tilted in the same direction, my silky long hairs entirely covering my forehead and some layers reaching and touching my unibrow which unfortunately I didn't liked much since it was another thing that and separated me from others, plus my long stretched and extended legs like a horse, I must say, that slightly touched the rough and potholed base in between, bumping the tip of my black school shoes on its uneven and jagged surfaces. My hands moved up and down the metallic chain continuously and incessantly with ad infinitum and soon they became clammy and sticky, but still I kept my moist and sweaty hands where they were, thinking that at least something was under my hegemony and range.

I sat far away from the ground looking intently at the students involved in and practicing for the finals of the cricket match but I didn't had as much as necessary or enforced audacity and valor to move a little or by a whisker closer and have a view that is explicable and comprehensible. 

Several times, I blinked my eyes behind the rectangular frame over and over again thinking that when they open up again, I would found myself near the pitch where everything would be clear and better. When this simple desire wasn't fulfilled I extended my neck as much as I can but it proved to be fruitless and ineffective, producing feels that I would always remain unsuccessful and hapless. Numerous times, I also imagined myself playing in the field receiving and achieving compliments and applauses full of cheers and hooting.

Unpredictably, against my will and desire, my thoughts diverted and sidetracked to flashbacks of the day before yesterday, which ran through my deliberations blocking every single consideration in my mind. I might have been in the past but thankfully came back when I felt someone's gentle and soothing pat on my shoulder.

"Hey! You are the new comer ... right??"

There was something in his harmonious voice that was mellifluous and honeyed giving rise to his humanitarian and compassionate personality, in company with his good looking appearance that indicated that he was affable and friendly. I swiveled and rotated myself to the back a bit and observed like a monitor of a robot keeping an eye on him and looked at the boy of my age with attractive and eye catching features shyly. But I didn't reply or respond like someone had flawlessly and impeccably, without blemish sewed my lips since I was too edgy and apprehensive to answer or retort. Panicky, that he would in next to no time figure out that I am a stutterer and soon, would do the same like the others in the previous and foregoing schools I left ... bully.

I was still thinking that he would harass and torment me as a tough oppressor or autocrat but once again, his smooth and soft tone reached my ears making me forget everything. My eyes traveled from his polished and gleaming shoes back towards his pleasing and spotless face on which sun shone, making his complexion brighter and looks unadulterated and pure, but abruptly came back in the middle where I saw him ardently or fanatically holding his hand out for me, with keen expressions on his face and a one sided smile that reached one end of his gorgeous face.

"I am Harold, by the way" he said with sparkle of happiness in his small eyes.

Bashfully, I released my tight grip on the swing and fretfully and neurotically offered my damp hands covered with sweat, which he shook passionately and fervently like a sincere confidant.

"What's your name? I actually didn't catch it when Professor Rustle was marking attendance" he said scratching the pores of his index finger at the corner of his temple where I noticed a mole, quite larger than an 

ordinary one.

"He is our physics teacher, if you remember" when he saw me looking at him absent mindedly and forgetfully, he decided to add an another phrase innocuously which faded the tentative and faltering look on my face in addition to my uneasy and hesitant actions and measures. My legs that were moving erratically up and down tensely were now on pause and the stiffness in my perfect jaw line soon loosened in association with my hands that were joined together firmly, like they were fixed with some sort of bonding agent, rolling my thumbs patently and relentlessly with ill at ease on each other. Unanticipated, without any indecisiveness, he all of a sudden sat in front of me, on his knees. With an indication of shocked expression on my face I looked at him dubiously but all I saw was serenity or calmness, plastered on his charismatic face.

"Don't be so lonely ... when you wouldn't have anyone by your side you would find me there" I was still quiet when he said the most beautiful thing that I have ever heard and without any waste of time, I stopped my swing that was yet moving but rather slowly. I don't know from where I gained enough daring, but I held Harold from his shoulders and made him stand 

up along with me. I stood holding him firmly, since I didn't wanted him to leave without my response for a few minutes like a statue or sculpture, like I wanted his support forever and probably that was the truth and eventually, at last I said something to the seraph in front of me that I never imagined would happen today. Everything that happened today was further than my desire, beyond my expectations. And finally, I uttered something that brought a warm smile to the angel, facing me with cherubic characteristics.

"I – I – I am ... July" I stuttered with a huff knowing that I said 'I' thrice and then with a slight nod of my head, I smiled not only outwardly but inwardly as well.

Later, I found myself on foot towards the pitch with Harold beside me, gawking at him like I was without doubt sure that I would always have him beside me as a backer. I continued to walk with my hands in my pocket and a peaceful smile on my face, ready for something that life brought to me ... change.