First taste of love

Anandi was late as usual. I waited for her near the bus stop. It was rainy season. The first day of the school, 10th standard. There was a sense of pride in it. I had a lot of things to tell Anandi. Our school bus stopped dirtying my new school uniform. I grit my teeth and thank the pools formed on the roads. Anandi had not yet come. I run towards her home. It was very close to the bus stop. I could clean my dress and dry it too using her hair dryer. Those days I found her hair dryer nothing less than a space ship. She was very rich. To me, she appeared much richer than she really was. Her mother often dressed up in fancy saris. Her cosmetics were straight from the America.
She had a thin waist. Big assets. She looked more like a sexy lady in the cartoon. “Anandi! Get out fast. My dress has been soiled by that bloody bus driver. I call out at the top of my voice.
Her mother walked out stepping gracefully in her designer night gown. “Hooow! Look at you dear. Who did this? Did you fall somewhere?” she questioned in a fake worry tone. I often found her pretty fake.
Anandi rushed out of her home in a while. I explained her about the incident. She helped me in cleaning myself and the uniform. I sat on her bed. It looked like a doll’s room. Pink everywhere. We still had half an hour more for the school to commence.
Though we stayed very near, we never met during the vacations. Anandi’s mother was too strict to send her out with the mediocre people like me. She had another set of friends abroad. I had never met them. I had only heard that they are very cool.
“How’ s Sid?” I questioned with utmost curiosity. Well, he was her boyfriend since umm three months. They shared chocolates and greeting cards. He stayed in Singapore. I guess they talked over the phone often.
“Hussshhh .. “ she shut my mouth. “Don’t mention about him here at the home. We are getting late. Let’s go.” I obliged. On the way she told me about her boyfriend and all the sweet things he does. How much he cares about her. I dint know how to react. I guess back then, I felt jealous. She had everything I lacked.
My life was more about listening to Anandi. She had a celebrity like life. I was someone who would use to pass on the love letters to Anandi. Her beautiful image had over shadowed me completely. Umm.. maybe a bit remained.

“Hey new boys in the class.” Sitali winked at us. We had new comers in the school every year. Sitali often liked to make a note about the new boys around. She would collect the details very promptly.
The teacher entered the class. It was English hour. I loved it. We sang and wished her Good morning. We sat. I was busy turning the pages of my new English text book. Anandi whispered in my ears. “So, whom did you like among the new boys in the class?” There were 5 new boys. I was yet to see them.
I dismissed the thought and tried to concentrate on the class. “Tell.. at least have a look at them, dumbo!” she whispered again. This time I slightly turned at the boys. “ One in the first bench?” “Neah.. too short.” I dismissed.
“In the 4th bench?” prompted Anandi. “No. He looks okayish.” I answered.
I passed on two more like that.
“The one in the last bench? I guess he is cute.” Anandi declared. I had my eyes on him. I always believed Anandi has got a classy taste. Though it be dresses or umm boys?
I fear to completely admit that it was because of her that I happened to meet someone who had a long impact in my life ahead. Dimple cheeked guy. He was Tall, fair and cute. Okay, back the n I additionally found him hot.
“Ritika? Did you like him?” Anandi asked me with astonishment clearly evident in her tone.
He rose from his seat and pulled a book from the guy who was seated right in front of him. His name was ganesh. He turned and pushed the dim cheeked guy towards the window. Nobody knew that it would result in a wound on his head, leaving a scar which I would someday sit caressing and rewinding this day.
My mouth let out a scream. I saw the incidence as if in a slow motion. His eyes turned red. I thought he would cry. No, he didn’t. He wiped the blood and banged Ganesh’s head on the desk. I could see a grin on his face. He let out a droplet of tear. His face looked content. He glanced at me and turned towards me.
My fingers clutched my mouth I left a soft cry. I looked at him in amusement.
The teacher came running towards them. She called the peon, who helped with the first aid. All I remember was, they both were asked to leave the class.
I looked at the door. He peeped in and looked at me. He mouthed, "I am fine and smiled.

"Rohan! Get out i said." The teacher screamed at him.
"Rohan...." I repeated his name.
I continued looking at the door. . .

To be continued.