I generally disliked going to school but that day was special. The eagerness was such that I did not have a wink of sleep the previous night. I gazed at the sky the whole night through the window while my mind wandered at the possibilities that lay ahead the next day. The stars, glittering mightily in the dark sky gradually started fading away into the brilliance of daybreak. The new day filled my heart with a mountain of hope and a tinge of unacknowledged fear. I was up and ready much before the usual time. Instead of waiting for the bus I started walking towards the school, a good half an hour walk, I would still arrive early. I checked the neatly wrapped parcel in my bag, kept it securely in between the text books ensuring that there is no damage to the parcel; it should look fresh and appealing for it contained the most precious treasure I ever owned. With inexplicit thoughts hovering in my mind, I walked steadfastly towards the school.
It all started few months back when this captivating and sweet young girl joined our class. She came from a faraway big city and had elegant habits. Her ways not only caught our attention but also of the teachers. We poor small town boys looked in awe at her. But, in short time we all became friends and I was particularly drawn towards her for she also had profound interest in reading. I must have read a few books here and there but extrapolated myself to the league of readers and considered that we shared the same passion. My boy like demeanor graduated to more mature ways especially when she was around. Inviting punishments from teachers for lapses in studies was best avoided, so I started taking more interest in studies. A good and promising boy image had to be created. In one of our casual chit-chat she had mentioned that she is an ardent fan of Erich Segal and from there on my hunt for his books began. My meager savings from the irregular pocket money were just enough to buy his most popular novel, ‘Love Story’. It was an exceptional value for money, the most popular novel and also one of the most affordable. The more I read the novel, more I felt smitten, her face floated in front of my eyes and invaded my dreams and imagination. Days and months flew like water through the river and we developed a good bonding, more than friend I presumed. Two young boys and girls cannot be just friends. The romantic movies had started to influence my thoughts.
Once when she said sorry for something I blurted out, “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” She gave me a look of shock and surprise. I covered it up saying, “Your sorry reminded me of the famous dialogue from the novel of Erich Segal- Love Story.” She flashed the prettiest smile. And I felt even more smitten.
So, after all these months when she took me aside the other day and said, “I have something to say to you and also have a gift for you,” my heart pounced. I wasn’t really ready for things to shape up so soon and that too from her end. I blushed. Then she said, “Not today, let us keep it for tomorrow.” The tomorrow arrived finally but it appeared as if it arrived after ages. I thought gifting the novel-‘Love Story’ would be appropriate. With upmost care and earnestness I gift wrapped the book hoping to create yet another Oliver-Jenny love story.
I reached the school with palpitation; no it wasn’t because of the walking. The class begun but she was not to be seen, my heart sank. How could she be so rude? I was crestfallen and wanted to shriek to the world that, “What is happening?” But matters of hearts are to be endured. Just before the recess my eyes lit up spotting her, she wore a glamorous pink gown. She radiated happiness and my heart got filled up with exuberance. Soon after the recess bell rang bringing the moment that I had been desperately waiting for. We sat on the school boundary wall with our legs hanging, our favorite escapade spot far from the prying eyes of the teachers.
“There was brief silence. I think I heard snow falling,” my mind silently whispered the apt sentence for the silent moment from the novel ‘Love Story’.
She broke the silence by saying, “You know I am leaving school and going to USA with my parents; today is my last day in school.” My mind refused to register her words. I could only witness her lips moving but the words getting lost in my despair. She took out a gift wrapped parcel and gave it to me. I accepted it mechanically and then I realized I also need to give her the gift. I extracted it from under my shirt and gave it to her.
The bell rang and with heavy heart I started walking towards the school. I walked unwaveringly leaving her behind.
I didn’t see her after that moment. She must have left the school, the town, the country but not my heart.
On my way back home I unwrapped her gift. It contained the book ‘Love Story’.
Yet another dialogue of the book crossed my mind, “And then I did what I had never done in his presence, much less in his arms. I cried.”
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