Lalita's Ink

Examination

The school reunion had been arranged in Delhi. The class mates from Yashodhara Public School were going to meet for the first time after 10 years.

I was particularly excited, as I had established myself as a successful entrepreneur enjoying worldly pleasures. I owned a jaguar, a palatial house, was on foreign trips and was high on life.

Arun, Shiva, palash and I-Sudeep, were bosom buddies…. Though the 3 of us had been in touch, Arun was never found on social media.

We had recently got his phone number from another junior from school, and had given him a call requesting him to come for the reunion…He did not sound very happy or even pleased to talk to us. Upon insistence he reluctantly told us his address in Delhi and had hung up.

But his behaviour was upsetting…what arrogance!! What pride!!!

Palash and Shiva suggested that we should definitely meet him and show that we are no less…we weren’t toppers but still have made a name for ourselves. The school rivalry would surely be forgotten as a silly past now as we were all in the same social status in life now.

Palash was establishing himself as a lawyer and Shiva had finished his MBA and was in a good job.

Arun had been the school topper throughout.

He was the only one from our close friends, to qualify for IIT, and his American dreams had been realised. After he left, we had lost touch with him and it was only now that we could get to know his whereabouts. We were thrilled to know that he was in Delhi……

I wanted to meet him and all others. I wanted to know what they were doing in life.
Oh! how exciting everything was looking.

I suddenly went back in time reminiscing on my school days…….

*************

Every day at school was becoming a nightmare. As I was not very good at studies, every teacher had loads of complaints against me.
Look at Arun!

 Look at his copy books… Look at his hand writing.

Look at his project…
Oh God I was sick and tired of this comparison.

Shiva and Palash, my friends were also equally reprimanded.

Arun’s life had become a mark churning machine. He was more interested in getting his scores changed if he lost even half a mark. Gradually he was becoming more and more arrogant, looking down upon other children who did not score well. There would be a queue to borrow his notes and he would make many excuses before lending them. Sometimes he would give it with contempt,
“ what will you do with my notes? It’s not the notes…it’s the grey matter which matters.”

Every annual examination had his scores high in flying colours.
He had maintained, he wanted to be in a premiere institute like IIT and leave India for good.
“I wish to go abroad and pursue my studies there”, he would boast.

“What about you?” He would scorn at me….

“You can never crack big exams buddy. Just do not even try them. Be happy taking up any sundry job in this small town”.

Days and months turned into annual academic years and we soon saw ourselves reaching the 12^th class. This year was an important landmark as we all were set to give our 12^th board exams.
“This year is your deciding factor, students!” Our principal Mr. Shukla was addressing us before the exams. “Prepare well and you’ll have no regrets”.

He had a special liking for Arun. He smilingly looked at him, ruffling his hair.
So Arun! All well son?
“Yes sir!” replied Arun, confidence oozing out.
“I have great expectations from you son and I know you would live up to our expectations”

As expected, Arun had not only topped the school but had cracked many examinations including the IIT.

**************************

In the evening we set off to Arun’s house navigating with our Google map.

We had thought of paying him a visit before the main event, inviting him formally for the same.

As we adjusted our ties and tuxedos, we rang the doorbell.

A young lady opened the door and asked who we were. When we told her we were Arun’s classmates, she ushered us in and offered us chairs in the living room.

Then she went inside and came back

.

wheeling Arun on a wheel chair….

..

We were shell shocked….

What. had…happened…to

Arun….?

He had lost both his legs to an accident while in America and had to come back home.

As soon as he saw us, he started crying loudly like a child….

We were in tears …as we were listening to Arun saying…

“Life is the biggest exam….not board exams…not entrance exams….

Gear yourselves up to face life….

I never enjoyed the small joys in life. I never made friends with you all thinking that I was supreme because of my high scores.

Exams and marks are mere numbers which do not help you in facing the ups and downs of real life…Academically good also means becoming a good human being first.”

..

I found all my anger towards Arun melting…I found my tie and the tuxedo teasing…The Jaguar like a dwarf….as I thanked God for keeping me healthy and alive.