My Dreams

I'm Rimi. 12 years old. Read in Class VI. I am a very ordinary student. There is no need of worry about passing, just as there is no thought for running behind the rank in class for myself. I like extra-curricular activities more than studies in school. I never miss the school before any function, when many friends don't come to school anticipating that very few classes will be held. Of course I’ve 100% attendance in almost every class. There are many extra-curricular activities in my school, such as chess club, karate club, kabaddi club, dance club - I am everywhere. And yes, I love to dream too. When someone asked me at a very young age, what I wanted to be when I would grow up - I would answer without hesitation - I would be a 'mother'.

Some of the friends around wanted to be doctors, teachers or drivers. I dreamed of becoming a mother - feeding, cuddling, playing with the baby. Maybe I wanted to fulfill my dreams, I expected from my mother who was busy with office. I grew up a little. I started learning drawing. I noticed my drawing tutor going from one house to another riding a bicycle and teaching painting to the children. I dreamed of getting rid of the trouble of studying. I became a teacher of drawing - teaching painting to children. Is studying very important for being a drawing tutor? I asked my mother and found out that if one wants to be a good teacher, one has to study at Art College. And in 12th standard, if one does not get a good number, one will not be able to get admission in Art College. The untimely death of the dream happened. Grew up a little more. I went to a new school in Class III. Here the assembly is held during the morning prayer. One by one student conducts the assembly every day. I am also very willing to conduct assembly. No one knows me at the new school, so I don't get a chance.

But in the dream there is no one to stop me. I conduct assembly by satisfying my desires. Parents sometimes say - "What do you say in your sleep, that also leaving Bengali, in English!". I only know the secret. Then when the class teacher really gave me a chance to conduct assembly, that dream ended there. Inter House Kabaddi Competition is knocking at the door. Sad thing is that, they didn't take me in the team. They practice, and I sit and watch. One day I was playing a great game. I went to the attack and got out two and was returning to my court - I almost reached the middle line, a little bit to touch the line - the opposing players were pulling my legs - and I am lying on the bed!! Mom is shaking my legs - it's seven o'clock. I have to go to school. There is kabaddi match today. I can't play, but always I can encourage my House by cheering.

The House Competition is over. In the final, my House lost and became runners up. While playing, a boy of senior class broke his leg. My mother got relief when she heard that I was not taken to the team. School's Annual Function; I'm anchoring with three more fellows. Very excited; I couldn't sleep the night before. As soon as I became sleepy, I dreamt of getting stuck while anchoring on the stage in front of the crowd. I was waking up in tension and was starting to say the whole script in my mind. The same thing repeated few times and it was almost dawn. The lockdown started in March. I haven’t seen the face of my school for a year long. I only dream - going to school by the school bus, sharing tiffin with friends, teaching of sirs and madams. The Headmistress Ma'am whom I fear so much, try to keep myself away from her way, she also comes to my dreams. I don't feel bad about studies in school in my dreams now. I even like sirs’, madams’ reprimand very much in dream. I don't know when I will get rid of this dream; I will start to see a new dream again.