Sushant Chaudhary’s World

15^th August 2009, Dombivli.

I was very happy to see my chumps back to school after 11 years. On 29 June 1998 we got our SSC mark sheet and there after I guess many of us never turned back to school.

Me and my friend “V” co-ordinate and made  contact with at least 40 people. It wasn’t just making contact but tracing majority of them. An effort put forth was more than a month to trace 40. We still have many like, 70 odd chumps to be traced. And I think we should be there by year end or so. While just talking we decided to go back to school on Independence Day. And all chipped in.

Even though we wanted, effort was huge, as there very many lazy bumps which were needed to be dragged out of bed early on a holiday. Few were too lazy to respond and commit. Many were/are least bothered about school friends. While some were all set to give surprise by being there, only managing to find themselves at home or in bed in dreams the entire day.

With all the glitches pushed to the back of my mind, I was very much excited, too see my school mates. I have spent my very starting days of my life with them. 7 o clock was time to meet. I was at School gate, and was waiting for at least one to turn up and be there, and then walk together inside school.

School was all set preparing for celebration. Rangoli all over, things were very clean, even though its monsoon. The school band was also in early and was rehearsing the march to the flag and salute to the Tricolor Flag.  I was early to school and so were few others.

People started chipping in, there were bear hugs, high five with each person coming in.

Soon we got to make comments how much one has change. School and class room stories were in full swing. We walked inside school. Playground was first we entered and all were happy to take a swing at kho-kho pole. School had not changed much then what we had seen earlier in our schooling days. We had small garden where we used to have our gardening lessons. We walked in to Auditorium. Place where we used to have various cultural functions. Place where we had our share of appreciation and punishment as well. Now we have our group photo there standing in pride and utmost Joy or being together.

Flag hoisting function took place. All people were standing in line as per their classes. With the Swine flu epidemic, not many kids were making it to school. It helped us to take away pride of class with maximum strength present. By now, we were 25 in number.  After function we went inside to our class rooms, Computer labs. “Dekh dekh ye abhi takh hai!”was the cry all heard, and we found attendance check box at the rightmost corner of the board.

It gave details, of Boys (B), girls (G), present (P), Absent (A) and Total (T). Mean while Tea was served to all of us by school. By this time we had made a visit to canteen from school. Canteen has been closed for years now, but PushpaBai  who used to serve us was still there. Many of us still savor the taste of her delicious Pav Bhaji, Vada pav and Chatni sandwiches.

While all my chumps were busy catching each others life’s and current happenings, I walked into a room, which we never wanted to when we were in school. It was principal’s room. Nothing was scary inside. Except for school principal who was sitting in big fat chair. I saw one of the most respected individual of my entire life. Her statue was in marble, ad was very recently painted.

I miss you I said, bowing taking her blessing.

 

Back in class room, all were busy making acquaintances. Some really found it hard to identify people. There were many people who had changed in physical appearance; some were not able to recollect names correctly. All this was happening and it was all fun. There was a ring.

 RING! RING! RING!

The bell ranged. We used to spend endless hour waiting for the Bell to ring. That day bell rang hours earlier. Each one noticed bell ring. But no one wanted to get out of class. Security stepped in asking us to move out as school was closing. With heavy feet we had to walk out of school.

Miss you, I said. 

 I shall see you very soon. 

 I made a vow. 

 Now I won’t let you off my sight. 

  

I kept repeating few lines which I wrote a month back,

 

We want those days back, 

When only book of nursery rhymes in the sack, 

With charts and games on the racks, 

Only singing ba ba sheep black, 

I want to miss those days’ of beating drums,  

When PT was only done for fun, 

Days when boys were always on the run, 

When flirting, the girl’s thing was only done. 

Guy for a girl, girl for a guy,  

Only logic we could apply, 

Making us learn the teachers try, 

Time just went on the fly. 

With marks on the sheet out we go,  

God only knows when we are goanna show, 

Some made a fortune, some were low, 

Name is KIDLAND to which we are going to Bow! 

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Experience, Poem 1998 batch, homecoming, reunion, school