Day 7

It was technically not really 7th day of my meeting with Leelavati but, it was the seventh day of my life when I had complex and ambivalent feelings for Leela (Yeah, with time I also picked up this name for Leelavati).

It was my 16th birthday. We have been up and close all these years as schoolmates, classmates, neighbors and lastly, and definitely more importantly as friends. She was there for me in all those conditions where I had least expected her to be as a child.

She was my 'shopping stuff final opinion-giver', 'last minute exam-stress-buster', 'gossip-sharer', 'note-book-lender-on-absent-days', 'those-days-buddy' and what not. In fact she was the one who noticed the change in my body language and way of talking whenever Siddharth was around. She was the one who started teasing me on this little secret of mine though in private but, yes she was the one.

When eventually, Siddharth also noticed this thing, she was the one to initiate the talks. And, now on my 16th birthday, I am again dealing with such a dilemma. No doubt Leelavati was always an enigma!

Shradhha saw her with him. Twice in past week. While she liked him and I know they were friends but, never like this. Neither did she mention nor did he that they met in private for such a long duration or any sort of talks. As if it never occurred.

I am wondering should I invite her to my birthday treat tonight? Was all that for just this day? What a wretched day it is!

Oh dear God! Why am I suddenly feeling so sick.

Day 6

As I was walking towards the bus-stop to board the school bus, I was in my deep thoughts to handle this strange situation of my life.

It sounds very peculiar to me now that a young girl of 12 years who was actually very innocent compared to what was happening in the adult world of mid-90's is wondering about dealing a simple situation of talking to an enemy.

The enemy who is more or less like her. The enemy who is neither a saint nor a devil. The enemy whose abilities, determination and sincerity towards a task have suddenly become intertwined with her own. If they pull this entire thing off they have a success feather on their individual caps but, if they act immaturely then all they have is to wait for a next opportunity which might come or never come at all, considering their current behavior with the people involved. After all, Rati madam is a highly revered teacher in the school and many teachers and students, do take her advice in high regard.

Anyways, I walked to the stop and, kept contemplating. I hardly remember that if I looked at somebody or noticed any early-morning antics being performed by hyper-energetic students.

Soon it was there. The bus. Just right the corner. And, I suddenly found myself getting hold of the 'escapist syndrome'. I so very much wanted to miss the school and, send a sick leave for next seven days to Ms. Rati instead of showing up for play practice, with Leelavati!

And, before Driver uncle could fully push on the brakes. I was calculating the odds of the entire plan and the subsequent consequences. Suddenly, it clicked to me that if Leelavati is present today then only I need to take an off. In case, she herself is absent then I would definitely not need any such 'sick' designs and, I would be present in Ms. Rati's good books also, and that too, ALWAYS!

Phew! I am proud of myself for being such a quick and smart thinker!

Task 2: Look around for Ms. Leela now!

I got my eyes working and brought my brain in the current space and time. I looked around the stop and as if God has planned it. She was NOT there. Yayy! It can never get better. Now, no more planning and no more worries.

And, with that happy feeling and consequent expression my school bus came to halt with a screech. As I was too contained with my thoughts earlier so, I did not realize that I have been pushed at the end of the wait queue. Anyways, it is the first stop and, now I am happy so, it hardly matters. I would get a seat and now, I have peace of mind.

Fourth last boards the bus, third last has climbed up and here it goes the second last. And, I am, I do not know why I had to look to my right, right now. There she is coming. Sprinting as fast as she could with all her heavy bag behind her back and, her huge water bottle hurting her right thigh. (Oh! that water bottle was very huge!)

There was a brief eye-contact. And, I climbed up bus stairs while pretending that I have not seen her at all. And, started looking for nice seat. But, with all that contemplation in my mind before I developed that 'Sick Leave-Leelavati Absentism' logic, I was having a strong urge to tell Driver uncle to stop the bus. But, how? For we had this historical animosity and every student in the bus knew that too.

So, I did what appeared best to me. I told the nearest student that I in a hurry saw somebody sprinting towards the bus and I am not sure if that person is from our school so, just check once and tell Driver uncle.

And, now I think that it might be the ignition point for our successful play and, end of the animosity. And, well! the friendship part, I am not sure if I know Leelavati even now. The relationship I share with her now, is by all means more than friendship.