Fri-ends

The cold wind was giving us goosebumps. We all were sitting in our assembly area. Monday, the month of July. Surrounded by 2 large walls and the other 2 was open with round pillars. The rain was jerking inside. As the rain was making the floor wet, all the students were squeezing front. We all were waiting for the assembly to get over. Our principal, Mr.Cubas was telling something important. I can’t remember what exactly he was saying. 

My stomach makes some churning sound. I get very bad period cramps. I didn’t want my sanitary pad to get wet. So I get up from my place and stand with others standing crowd of students. I just imagined how disgusting it would look, a used pad with blood gets completely soaked with water. Then I have to clean my self and my clothes.

      

I looked down at my friends, Seema and Jyoti. They are shaking and chattering their teeth. I could see on their face how desperate they were to go and get wet in that heavy rain. I smiled to myself, after a long time I have seen their happy glowing face. The white cloudy fog covers the atmosphere. I could not see clearly who is where? I could hear the relaxing soothing sound of rain. I could listen to trees moving due to wind and rain. I Could take in the Petrichor mud smell. I also hear giggling and talking of students in the background but I ignored them and focused on the rain again. Jyoti says to Seema with enthusiasm,” Seema….! We will go” signing her eyebrows towards the open field and stairs where a small stream has formed. Seema giving her brightest smile, showing her teeth, Replies,” Yeah! When will this (assembly) get over, com'on get over quickly”

       

Finally, the bell rang, tang-tang-tang. People dismissed. Mr.Jafar says,” you can head towards your demos for Trimester 2, you have 8 minute pass time” We have to give our preference of our special for next Trimester, for that we are attending demos of our choice. Teachers are running with an umbrella to different buildings. A crowd of students is rushing to different buildings. I was busy thinking about which session to attend “Music, Dance..” I look around and tapped a girl’s back who was right in front of me. I said, “Where should we go guys?” The girl turns and she was like what? I said nothing and started to search for Seema and Jyoti. I looked down at the floor and found Jyoti’s navy blue color sweater. I pick it up. I looked around but I couldn’t spot them. I saw girls with the same uniform in different size shapes with different Hairstyles. I was going to step out then I remember. No, I have periods. I took my foot back. I could feel the blood wetness on my underwear. Normally, we decide and go anywhere TOGETHER. I stare at girls playing in the rain. I love rain, even I want to go and get my soul wet. Unfortunately, I couldn’t!

Where are these girls, I was getting frustrated finding them I kept finding them for the last 10 min? Then, I hear Seema’s and Jyoti’s cheering voice. They are running all around, playing in the rain with each other. Their laughter echoes in my ears. Jyoti says, “Come, let’s go their” and Seema follows her. I was about to call them but I held myself back. I thought why should I destroy their enjoyment. There was a lump in my throat for some reason. Just right upstair was Dance demos going on. I am not so much into dancing. I had no other option. If I go to another building I could have gotten wet in my periods. So I tied Jyoti’s Sweater around my waist and head upstairs to the 1st floor of the building I was in. 2 minutes was still left for the demo to start. I place my hand on the railing and watched my 2 close friends playing in the rain. A teacher came and stand and says something. I don’t get what she is saying. She looks at me with some weird expression and I just smile. I know she is thinking about how weird I am. Right now I don’t care.

         

I attended the session and the rain had also stopped. I head to my second session which was in TCS building. I find Jyoti on the way. She was completely wet and water was dripping from her hair. “Where are you going?” she asks. 

     “ Music band demo”

“See na...The rain has stopped”

‘Hmm..” I replied.

    “ You know, aunty was shouting at us for getting wet! We told her, we were finding Anjali” She says, laughingly, “ We acted like we are finding you, calling your name- Anjali ..Anjali”

   She didn’t even ask where I was

   I silently walked to the 3rd floor of TCS building and Jyoti followed me. 

   “Where is Seema,” I asked 

“I don’t know,” she said

“She was with you right”

‘Yeah, then she went somewhere”

“Oh, OK”

I remembered she was supposed to have a check-in with our counselor, Ms.pooja. We both attended the session and school ended. I dropped Jyoti to her hostel building and took my luggage bag and again head to my TCS building where I stay in the hostel. I waited for Seema. We both live in the same building. She was busy chatting with her favorite teacher. I waited and waited. She didn’t even realize I was waiting for her.

     

Mine and Seema's conversation last week was still fresh in my mind. She was telling me she doesn’t like me being alone. What she did was just the opposite of what she said.

    

The whole time I was thinking if I had true friends they wouldn’t have left me alone as they did. That day I realized that my so-called close friends don’t care really about me.