Schoolmates Read Online Free PDF Page B

the adjoining row. Now all during the examination he kept looking at me for answers. To his surprise and later anger, I gave him none. He interrupted me many times, asking for pencil and scale and many such trifles, asking questions but I din’t respond even once.
    That day I knew he was angry. He walked up to me as I sat on the steps that day and dumped his bag right at my feet.
    “Great madam . . . thank you very much. I was expectingnothing else from you“ When I din’t say anything and asked formy Chemistry register back he had kneeled down, to open his bag dejectedly shaking his head.
    “Why did you expect me to allow you to cheat after all the work we have done together? Why din’t you study Kabir?” I asked softly.
    “That does not matter. You were there and I asked many times and you din’t help. Why?” He looked earnestly at me.
    “Because I don’t want you to develop this idea that I will let you cheat. I will assist you in studies and finishing any assignment, but will never let you cheat. Fail if you must, but be honest at least in that.” I said.
    “Stop this crap Riya. Don’t lecture me. You won’t help I understand ok.” He handed me my file and began to walk off. I ran up to him and said, “Kabby, tomorrow is submission of history notebooks. Here, my work is done. Finish yours.” And before he could refuse I slipped it in his hand and headed back. Kabir knew he wanted my notes and so took them with much trepidation.
    Ayesha had seen that we were friends again, and she din’t like it. She had a crush on Kabir (most dames from all six sections did, some even from the lower classes). And I and Ayesha were . . . to put it clearly, land & sky. We did not see eye to eye. Kabir, the sweet heart, knew this.
    Early on that day, he sat next to Ayesha and flirted with her to her great pleasure. And Ofcource, he was sitting in his favourite seat. Anjali sitting next to me finally said, “What happened? Why,O lord, is Casanova angry?”
    “Madam Curie din’t let him cheat. Casanova is smouldering!” I smiled and replied. To this Anjali laughed loudly, such that it drew Kabby’s attention. He looked at me and saw my smiling face and his ears turned red. My job was done. Before the day ended he had been scolded twice for misbehaving and once for non-submission, of History work. It was the last Saturday of first term. Next Monday, the first terminals were beginning. I knew he would speak to me. And he did, much to my delight.
    “Listen, I need that Maths register for one day?” Kabir said that day when we met at our spot.
    “Why? Ayesha has refused to lend you hers?” I asked in an innocent tone.
    “I did not want you to be left out or feel cheated as cheating is an issue with you.” He sat down opening my bag. I don’t know when he had developed that liberty, but even I was unsure now.
    I recall clearly, we were both sweating but sat together without speaking for 35 minutes. Delhi is sweltering in summers .Kabir was copying answers from my maths register and I was revising Physics theory. First paper on Monday was Science. Kabir was not going to pass, I knew, but he was making an effort, even this I knew. And looking at his back, I knew I would help him enough to pass one day . . .

CHAPTER-9
    D o you recall your examination days? Let me remind you if your memory has faded. It begins differently for all pupils. Some stay up late night while others get up early. Some always boost of grand preparation while some (mostly the toppers) always claim they would fail. And then there are the third kinds . . . they hardly know anything but would explain the entire battle of Panipath to a damsel in distress. Kabir exemplified such bonds.
    No matter how strict a school makes its rules for invigilation, the students always device new and mind boggling ways of cheating. Kabir was popular for such acts. However this time I had hinted how poor it would be for the basketball star to be expelled from the team