I am Sorry... Episode #8

#CollegeDays

Two years of my college days had passed. I had great fun with Aasha and Ashwin and eventually we all became close friends. As a custom, we used to surprise each other on our birthdays, hang out together and did many exciting and crazy things together. Aasha and me, our fights and her cries and her smiles and laughters became my routine. The fights between both of us would come and go in a jiffy, yet those brought really close. Finally, both of us were falling in love with each other, we just had to propose. I was waiting for a suitable day to propose and that day finally arrived, valentine’s day (I know what you guys think, but still the craze for that day is alive in girls, believe me.)

Also another set of lot of things happened in these past 2 years. We did party with the outside world, other than just three of us. Also we indulged in few fights. Fights, especially between Aasha and Jessica Magnus, which got worse day by day, and in the end they didn't talk for a complete year.

That day, I entered the class and it was quite dramatic. Everyone was in colourful dress, excitement bubbling in most of their eyes; also many had gifts for their loved ones, why is every one so explicit?, its okay, because it makes me feel comfortable. I was early to college that day, than usual. I relaxed on my seat. Then I got myself engaged in peeking into other’s bags in order check out the special gifts that they had brought for their loved ones. I had to wait for my girl as she will be obviously late, as usual.

Later I noticed something protruding from the bag nearby. It was Ashwin’s bag and it had a pink colored chart, probably his gift for his lover. But who could it be? Surprisingly, I couldn’t make a single guess. I had thoughts of opening that and suddenly Aasha entered the class and sat near me. She was wearing a saffron colored pattiyala with white stripes on it. It looked like she too was ready for confession. I was waiting for that moment and she too seemed tensed. I turned towards her and said, “Hi…” She simply nodded with an unusual smile. She looked confused and tensed that got me wondering for all the reasons that could make her worry. Later I found out that it was one of her usual simple worries, this time she hadn’t prepared for our class test supposed to be on that day’s evening. I realized that wasn’t the right time to confess and decided to wait.

Class begun and everyone busied themselves in their works. I felt that Ashwin too, looked frustrated and disturbed. He was unusually nervous and I had never seen him like that in my past years with him. He too might be worried about his proposal to his loved one. I didn’t have any clue about Ashwin’s girl, Why would I ?, we both were in equal terms that all Indians are our brothers and cousin sisters, So she might be the one among the million or the start for the millions, yet to come in his life. Now, I have my own thing to worry.

Lunch bell rang. Aasha and I headed for the canteen and Ashwin wasn’t with us, might be meeting his girl friend. I weren’t worrying about him and his girl but myself and how I should express my love to Aasha. That’s the only thing on my head but she still looked upset. I slowly started, “Hey Aasha, I have an important matter to tell you.” She nodded without looking at me as if I were gonna ask her some potato chips from her plate. I could see that she was completely out in her own world and couldn’t realize what was on my head. I stopped my conversation and stared at her. At last she turned towards me but asked, “Is there gonna be an exam today, for sure?”

God! She had completely forgotten the Valentine’s day. I realized that I had to calm her first. Suddenly a big plan popped up on my head and so I said, “No, there won’t be any exam today.” She jolts back on her seat and stared at me curiously with her bright big eyes full of surprise and asked me, “How?” I smiled and stepped towards the class. She started hopping around me with curiosity and excitement asking multiple questions about the exam. At last I asked her, “If there is no test today, you should accept whatever I say, deal ?” She had a cute smile on her face as she moved towards her desk. I went near her and asked again, “Deal or not?” She faced down, smiled shyly and said, “Deal.” I realized at that moment that she already knew what I was gonna tell her.

It was Chemistry class and everyone was pretty much interested on the other chemistry on that day. Mean while the hour after the chemistry class was the chemistry unit test as they said. It was only few minutes away from it and the girl near me is pretty much eager on watching what I am going to do. The thing is that I am not gonna do anything because I have no idea but I made a promise to her. But how?. Suddenly Ashwin entered the class. He was bit late to the class after the lunch break but it doesn't matter on this chemistry class because this particular staff has a particular sets of skills. Skills that makes everyone die in  laughter. Yes, she(the staff) is quite a funny lecturer and she always make everyone laugh by sleeping in the class as if she is reading both organic and inorganic chemistry at the same time. Now you might understand how silly , Aasha was. She was afraid of this staff's unit test, that evening. But the real thing is I like her innocence and that makes me love her deeper and stronger.

 Its already time for the unit test. The staff was ready to go for it and I was lacking an idea. I suddenly turned towards Ashwin and I narrated the situation to him. He was serious from the moment he reached  the class as if he missed something. But all of a sudden when I asked him for an idea, his face became fresh and he started to think for me. I didn't know what was the problem with him. He is really serious before but only for my sake he was up and ready with a smile to help me. I felt that I had the greatest friend.

Bell rang and the final hour starts. Now Ashwin was ready with an idea and he wants me to lend my ears as if he was going to tell me a military secret. I heard his idea and then I had a niggling smile. By seeing both of us Aasha went mad and started asking both of us,"Hey you idiots! Tell me.. What's the plan?". We continued laughing.

With a rough voice the staff added,"Come on students! Its time for your exam.". After she announced, there was a loud chorus from everyone, asking permission for 5 mins to prepare well. With a stiff voice she replied, "Okay. But only 5 mins and after that you must start writing."

There was a clock hanging on the wall, at the back of the class, which was facing towards the staff. It's 3:00 pm. As I told before the staff started to sleep, as all of us were murmuring the texts. Then, Ashwin said ready, go. I silently went towards the clock and tried to take it from the hook on the wall. As I was 6 feet tall, it was quite easy for me to remove it from the wall. Everything happened as she was sleeping. All the students were eagerly seeing her and then me, they were curiously watching out for me, that she was awake or not.

I was sweating and curious in moving the minute hand in reverse direction. The actual time in the clock was 3:15 pm, but I reversed it to 3:05. Then I hung it back and came to seat in a second. As she woke up and was about to tell something but all of a sudden she saw the clock and said, "I feel today the time is going very slow and its also helping for your exam." Everyone with a giggling sound turned towards me, one bye one. Everyone was trying to act as if they were studying by having the book in their hands, but actually they were waiting for her to fall asleep again. But she was watching us with a bright face as if she just woke up from a morning slumber.

The time was already 3:15 in the clock. Turning aside, She was watching something outside the window. Everyone was tensed that she was gonna turn and ask us to start the exam. But it was almost more than 5 mins, she never turned. I didn't know what she was admiring. Ashwin slowly went up closer to her as like asking a doubt. Actually he saw her sleeping, facing the other side, all this time. He signaled me go again and modify the time in the clock. "Me???, Not again!!!", was my reaction. Everyone was bullying me with their looks to make me do this, now I have no choice . I must do. With all these interesting hilariousness going around, the girl nearby me is seriously praying for the postponement of the exam, typical Aasha. Once again I slowly stepped and tried to take the clock.

This time it easy for me, since I got used to it by now. I took it and I adjusted the time by noting down the reactions from all directions. Then, the time was 3:17, but I once again I reversed it to 3:07. As the clock was about to be placed on the hook, a huge vibrating noise broke out. It was from Akash, one of our classmate. He sneezed with such a strong sound. Due to the intensity of the sound, the clock slipped away from my hand on to the floor, the two batteries of the clock were rolling towards the corner of the classroom. Everyone froze and they turned slowly to see the staff. She woke up with a subtle jerk. There was no clock on the wall. I picked up the clock and was hiding it on my back and started to blink like Aasha. This moment brought heart attack to everyone of us. We almost thought everything was gone.

But Ashwin saved the day. Since, Ashwin was standing near her, when she woke he took his book in front of her and started to ask rapid doubts. Thank God !, If he wasn't there, certainly nothing would have helped us. Everyone took a deep breath. They turned towards Aakash and were staring at him. He laughed with a reaction symbolising that he couldn't help it and he told me to place the clock soon before he sneezes again. But this time I need to put it back on the wall, by having her looking at us. Ashwin had very few seconds to manage so I need to make it quick. From each corner they threw the battery to me and I placed it on the holder with shaky hands.When I was about to  place the clock on the wall, she scolded Ashwin not to ask silly doubts and made him to get back to his place. I was the only one standing straight in front of her, also holding the clock behind me. She saw me and inquired that why I was standing and what was I hiding behind me. I was totally speechless, not only me, but everyone. With all blah blah blah I start to blabber something.

Suddenly, Kumar anna came with the attendance register. With very little time, As she turned towards him, I hung it on the wall and with the same momentum  Aasha threw me the book as if I was holding it behind. Everyone started to clap at Kumar anna and many start to whistle too, for his timely entry. He smiled with a proud look on his face, as if he is in front of his fans. As he left, I showed my book to her and I told that I was standing and reading, in order to get it registered in my mind. She looked at me with pride, as if she was seeing a state rank holder. By then she saw the clock. With a laugh, she said, "See! its just three minutes passed, but I felt like half an hour". Akash, Vishok and Bibu reacted as if they were eager to write exam by saying ,"we are eager to write ma'm". Everyone was enjoying the moment, especially me and Aasha. Smiles on everyone face as if achieving a gold medal in Olympics. "Okay children. All of you start writing your exam".The very moment she completed the phrase, the bell rang.

She was totally confused and said why they rang the bell so early. Ashwin stood up and said,"let me verify with Kumar anna and report to you ma'm". As Ashwin was moving outside the class, she heard the sound of the students moving out of classroom from every floor. Thus, She turned towards the clock and was about to say something. Before she could even start, everyone started to overact and made a melodrama as if they missed out the test and many girls about to cry, acting of course. Her face turned more proud and she said, "Don't worry children. Its not your fault. The clock cheated us. Don't worry. I will bring a new set of batteries for your class ". By saying these words she went out of the class with happy tears. After she moved everyone started laughing, jumping and hugging me in joy.

Almost the day went like a thriller. My eyes were starting to search for Aasha, in this crowd. It was all for her. If it was not for her, this kind of joy could have never happened. My eyes found her. Gosh!, she is smiling at me, this is it. I started to move slowly towards her, in the midst of this happy roaring crowd. She also started to make little steps towards me. What a perfect moment to propose. She knew that I am gonna propose now and I too knew the result. She was just a few centimeters away from me. Almost I felt like I can feel her breath. With smiles and expectations on both the faces. I was about to say, "I......". All of a sudden Jessica dragged her from me and gave Aasha a tight slap. The sound of the slap penetrated my heart like a bullet. She threw a chart at Aasha's face and said, "how dare you filthy bi*&#. Why the f@#* did you stick my face on the door of ladies restroom". The chart slowly flew in air and was at my feet. It was a pencil sketch of Jessica's face. And it was a "pink chart".

Categories: I am Sorry