When The Clock Struck 7

“7:45 am” was the first thing I heard on that hot, sunny morning with the sleepy eyes unable to open even a millimeter and the bed-sheet still warm and comfy. I finally terminated my sleep and without second thoughts, jumped straight into the bathroom for a quick shower. And so it finally happened that I would eventually be late for the very first day of school. I zoomed across the roads in my cycle and despite my valiant efforts, I was still late. A completely filled classroom welcomed me with the teacher in a bob-cut hairstyle and eccentric lipstick kept staring at the boy with uncombed hair, un-tucked shirt, flip-flops and just a book in his hand. Not surprisingly I was called out to take a place in the first bench and I hesitatingly sat down. A quick word with my friends and my eyes kept searching and searching for the elusive one that I’ve been searching for, for quite a long time. It finally happened and within the next fraction of a second I was instructed to draw the bloody electromagnetic field on the board. Not the start I expected to my day. I kept peeping behind for help but sadly, everyone knew only what I knew, NOTHING! She kept smiling at me. Were my eyes seeing something unreal? You never know.

       I was tempted to talk to her in the break and when I finally strung all my guts together to walk towards her; Machan eppidi da irukka? from my friend put an end to my hopes. The rest of the day followed suit and it was 3:30 when my time really came. A flat tire in my cycle and I had to trudge my way back home. I was helplessly lumbering along when a Hey, mind if I help popped in. It was HER. So busy admiring her eyes I was, it took an eternity for me to let the feeling sink in. I thought you’d come and talk to me in the break itself but I suppose, your friends kept you busy. How did you know that? I asked, staring disbelievingly at her. Something made me feel so, she responded. Maybe it was written all over my face. Sweeter lines began to flow from her larynx while ARR and Ilayaraja were kept busy playing their best tunes in my heart and ears. We lived close by, which meant her pick-up and dropping duties were unofficially handed over to me. Ashvitha. The name kept echoing in my mind. Her smile is still etched in my memory. The first sign of love is a smile, husband to wife, mother to her son or a boss to his secretary. FB chats, secret phone calls lasting over an hour, weekly hangouts etc.

      Guys in school started congratulating me for no reason whatsoever. Quarterly was fast approaching. Chemical bonding, laws of motion, it was all going over my head. Physics - 28, Chemistry - 28.5, Computer Science , well never mind :P. Harder times were to follow and she was keen on helping me get through. The thought that a boy and a girl can never be good friends crossed my mind more than once. Sometimes the heart sees things that are invisible to the eye. Being loved by someone gives you strength while deeply loving someone gives you courage. I kinda like you, A LOT. It took a lot of courage to tell her but her response which said, It took you so long to confess made me feel like an idiot. 6 months into this special relationship led to sneaking out of the house at odd hours, poetry, art, guitar, gym. The list goes on. How long will you remain the same way with me? she asked and I said, I’ll give up on you and our love when the sky touches the ground or when the moon stops hiding behind the sun or when I finish counting the number of stars in the sky or when apples grow on mango trees on the 31^st of February. The trademark smile beamed across her face but those glittering eyes said something was not right. I hugged her and told her not to worry about anything and safely go to sleep before 10. It was the first time in 180 days that I had not walked back home with her. 6:45pm, August 13, 2007. Banging on the doors , cell phone ringing and people screaming at the top of their voice. Oh my God, I was running late to school as usual, a slight glance at the newsprint and again, I had to huff and puff my way through to class and to my surprise, found her missing. Worried look and much faster heartbeat carried me through the day. My brain virtually stopped thinking. A sudden thud on my back and all of a sudden I was in a van with a built man. *Collapses*. Where were you last night? and another huge slam followed with me wincing in pain.

     

Me: I WAS HOME; ASK MY PARENTS IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE ME.

Man: We traced the dialed calls to your number and we know you have some relation to that. Did you hear about the accident between the MTC bus and the Scorpio?

Me:*REWIND* Thinks about the glance at the newsprint where a woman's face who was screaming had some relation to a person he had already known. No, But I remember seeing a picture in the morning paper.

Man: We checked the mobile of the deceased and tried contacting you but we just could not reach you. Iam sorry to say .. but ..

Me: *Spinning around and in a complete daze* Are you serious ? Don’t tell me it’s her. You’re joking, aren’t you? I cannot believe you officer. This just cannot be true. No. Nooooooooo. God, are you kidding with me? Why does everything like this happen, ONLY TO ME? I hope its not true. Officer please, tell me you are lying. I cannot believe this. Is that why she asked me such a question before she left me alone? Is that why something kept bothering her always? Did she know what was going to happen to her? Is that why she told me she knew I would talk to her in the break on the first day of school? Did I fail to see the tear drops in those eyes? Was she psychic? Could she predict the future? Why did she have to LOVE ME? A—Ash—Assshhvv—Assshhhvvviiiiiiiiii ……

        Krish, Relax . Relax. *Passes current to the electric chair in which he’s seated.* He groans in pain, AGAIN. Slowly come out of your senses. Now relax, calm down, don’t think about anything else, control your mind. The Psychiatrist slowly removes the hypnotizer from the white screen in the dark room and walks towards Krish, seated on the electric chair. Are you alright, Son? He asks him. Krish gives a lunatic smile and whispers something to the psychiatrist; “7:45 am” was the first thing I ..

# Dedicated to everyone IN and wanting TO BE in LOVE :) or rather, the remaining people other than the above mentioned two categories :P CHEERS! :)