Was That Love?

New Year's Fete

It was the 1st of January 2011 and like every year there was a fete competition for the senior batches and a fancy dress competition for the cute little junior at the school. Seven months had passed and I and Kritika had constantly been stalked by those jerks till then but none of us ever reacted to that. They silently kept following us and we silently kept ignoring them. Things were going well but then the new year arrived.

My younger brother Shashank was to take part in the fete competition while I was given the responsibility of managing the fancy dress event. Kritika was not with me that day. She was out of the station with her family for the new year’s celebration. But anyway like I said I had to manage the event so I went to the school a little earlier. That day nobody followed me to school. Maybe those idiots were too lazy to get up that early in the morning. That feeling of not being stalked was so relieving. my new year had a great beginning so far. As I arrived I saw many of the teachers were already busy managing their own part of duties accompanied by the badge holders seniors helping them. I parked my cycle and went to Shikha Mam to take over my part of the duty. Shikha Mam was our Hindi teacher. Apart from being strict and boring she really had a very weird tone of talking which sounded more like a musical tone. But when it came to teaching Hindi no one could ever beat her. She had a record of making students score the highest in her subject in board exams. “ A very good morning mam, wish you a very happy new year.” I tried to sound as obedient as I could. “ Same to you Parthavi” she replied without even turning her head toward me. Although she did not have much to do but still was pretending like the whole new year’s event was on her shoulders and only she could save the future of the school. I literally hate her at times for acting like a hypocrite. “Excuse me, Madam Curie, I am still standing behind you waiting for orders. Will you please command me what to do or you want me to roll down to your feet first"  thought I.Of course I did not have the courage to speak that to her. I had no plans of getting kicked out of the school in any manner. I tried again in a humble tone, “ Excuse me mam, where am I supposed to start from?”. She turned her head rolling her eyes all over me. “Beta chhote bachcho ko aane me abhi time hai tab tak ja k apne seniors ki help kariye Christmas tree decorate karne me”. and turning her head back she again got involved in her utmost important duty. “ Wait! what? A Christmas tree? who the hell decorates a Christmas tree in the new year?” wondering all I moved towards the Christmas tree. Some of the class 12th girls were busy decorating the tree.

 “Good morning di” I wished them. “ Good morning Parthavi and happy new year.” one of them replied smiling at me. I don't know why but I have always been favorite of my final year seniors. It feels so good being someone's favorite. “allow me to help you in this,” I asked them. “No beta we are almost done so it's okay you can rest,” they said. So, for now, I had nothing to do except to sit and wait for our little performers to arrive. I turned back to find myself someplace to see. I saw a group of class 10th boys coming in from the school gate. Priyank and Daksh were also with them. I instantly turned my head to the other side and pretended not to look at them.

After about an hour the competition started. I helped teachers and other guests to settle down to their places before the fancy dress competition started. after settling everyone down I went to the back end where other badge holders were standing. “Parthavi”, someone from behind called my name as low as possible. I turned around to see who he was. Manik, one of the seniors from class 10th was standing behind me looking a bit nervous. This was the first time ever he said anything to me.i was looking shockingly at him waiting for him to say further. “Parthavi, he is calling you in classroom number eight” he said breaking the silence. “He who?” I asked. “Priyank wants to talk to you so he is calling you there”.he said. My heartbeats increased as of sensing some danger, my body went totally cold, and knees went trembling. Nobody ever talked to me like that. I always saw my seniors as my elder brothers and never expected anything like that to happen. I felt so uneasy and restless. “ Sorry bhaiya I don't know who you are talking about and I am not going anywhere. Please don't bother me.”I said. Words were hardly coming out of me. I wanted to rush back home as soon as possible but couldn't because my duty was not over yet. I felt like hiding myself somewhere so that no one could find me.

I stood at my place with my eyes dug down in the ground. After some time the fancy dress competition was over. I made the kids stand in a line and took them back to their class. As I entered I saw Priyank, who was already standing there with a greeting card in his hand waiting for me. Before I could do anything he moved and kept the card on the desk near me, wished me a happy new year, and ran out. I stood numb for a while. It took me time to realize what just happened. I regained my senses and went out of the class as soon as I could leaving the card and children behind. I hurriedly went to Shikha Mam asked her to grant me permission to go back home and she said yes. I took my cycle and rushed back home. I don't know if anyone followed me or not. I did not notice, all I wanted was to reach home as soon as possible.