INDI A

SINGAPORE

M A L AY S I A

Notion Press No.8, 3rd Cross Street, CIT Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600004 First Published by Notion Press 2021 Copyright © Kshitij Mathur 2021 All Rights Reserved. ISBN 978-1-63781-457-4 This book has been published with all efforts taken to make the material error-free after the consent of the author. However, the author and the publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. While every effort has been made to avoid any mistake or omission, this publication is being sold on the condition and understanding that neither the author nor the publishers or printers would be liable in any manner to any person by reason of any mistake or omission in this publication or for any action taken or omitted to be taken or advice rendered or accepted on the basis of this work. For any defect in printing or binding the publishers will be liable only to replace the defective copy by another copy of this work then available.

Not always but eternal, happy but sadder. To all those bonds lasting forever…

Chapter 1

T

ime was best and worst with bright days and full moon nights, where Dhruv, in his adolescence, was all settled and ready for endeavors. It was 2:00 p.m. on one such day, when the hustle and bustle in the house were more than usual. The aroma of routinely cooked theplas, cooked by none other than his very own beautiful mother, dressed in a brown cardigan over a white cotton gown, filled the atmosphere. I remember it was December 11, 2018, as from what he had told me, he was happier than usual because he was all set to experience hostel life. Unlike other kids who felt the pain of separation, he felt quite the opposite. With the help of his five long and thin fingers, he filled his stomach with his favorite combination of dal chawal achar and was finally ready, with a big suitcase in his left hand and a duffle bag in his right, to enter the gates of the boarding center. He took his first steps into the premises and was welcomed by the vice-principal and the warden, the way a cat welcomes a mouse. Even though these two ladies wore an outer shell of anger and severity, they were tender like gallium. Just like a teacher should be at this point in time, when the student’s father thinks that their child has lost track and needs guidance, they guided him perfectly, showing him the strictness of a teacher and the care of a mother far from home. A worried father couldn’t satisfy himself by just dropping his kid off at the porch, so he 6

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turned around and decided to help his sweet little boy unpack and then leave. He took the stairs to the second floor where Dhruv was allotted a bed and on the way there, he looked around, to double-check and satisfy himself a bit more. He looked up at a wall which was decorated with individual pictures of each hosteller living in that particular building. He saw a familiar face, but a face which made him worry more instead of calming him down. But this face was going to play a huge role in Dhruv’s life soon. Okay, so let’s get back to the second floor where Dhruv sat with his pile of clothes and accessories, all well arranged. It was so well arranged that he looked like a seller amidst the extraordinary clothes on sale, where all the other hostel mates had gathered to settle amongst themselves which piece of cloth each was going to take. “Within a count of ten, everybody in the dining hall or games canceled,” yelled Devi ma’am, the warden. So there he was, having his very first dinner in a hall surrounded by cupboards and windows, which gave an exquisite view of the richest Ranthambore forest, where the nights were as beautiful as the days and Dhruv had lived heavenly nights there. That day ended with a sweet yet tingling tone and the next day started in a way he had never pictured. The clock had moved one eighty degrees, making it 6:00 a.m. Jamel, the second warden, yelled, “Wake up Bhavya! Aman! Rahul! Wake up.” Devi ma’am and Jamel sir were like their personal timekeepers with an 7

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inbuilt reminder and alarm. As soon as the alarm yelled his name, he woke up all exposed to the chilly morning breeze, in his shorts and t-shirt. Gently, he woke up, put his bed sheets and pillow back in position and rushed to the washroom. Just as in the movies, students were awaiting their turn and some even got VIP access from their friends who were already inside. Being the new kid, he was back in the queue, denied any special treatment. Thus, he just waited and waited. If I remember it right, he finally got to pee after fifteen long minutes. He took a bath and shaped himself like a gentle boy, in a lemon yellow shirt, gray trousers, a tiger print tie and blazer. The only pleasing part for him in his morning routine was brushing his teeth with warm water in that chill, but this moment of happiness was also interrupted when the alarm rang again. Devi ma’am had called for him. For once, he was scared because of the sudden call, but then it was all fine as she had called him for last night’s review and to give him a few other ground rules. At 7:00 a.m. sharp, with a cup of tea and two GoodDay biscuits in his hand, he tried to mingle with other hostellers during tea time. The bell rang this time for early morning class and he took his backpack along with him to every student’s favorite teacher, Sachdeep sir’s tuition class, especially conducted for hostellers. Even though he taught English, he was thorough in every other subject, be it Biology, Physics or Geography. The school 8

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was convivial to Dhruv all because of such teachers. Those six hours drained his energy with the blink of an eye. Spending the winter of perhaps the last year of his school life with people he hardly knew, was beyond his imagination. To bond with certain people with whom he would struggle to form a relationship, was an effort. That particular day, when he came back from school kind of happy and tired, he was asked to stand in a queue along with other hostlers, which was a sort of post-school time ritual, where Devi ma’am would interact with all of them, instructing them of the timetable for the day ahead. He later took his laundry and carried it up to his cupboard and then went to the study hall with a radiant face and zestful body. He kept his bag there and straightaway went to the dining hall with a hungry stomach. I don’t know exactly what he must have been thinking as he pleasantly smiled at every other teacher on the way, but he looked like a happy bunny. That happy bunny then sneaked in a chocolate and kept it under his pillow and with turtle steps he sneaked out, as if he had never entered the dorm. Walking slowly out of there, he had started his naughtiness from day one and was caught by Neetu ma’am, the vice-principal. She often caught him doing mischief and consequently, he had to complete extra assignments and run ten times around the football field as bonus. Even though he seemed naughty and kiddish he was sentimental. I had seen him struggle and battle with his own thoughts and emotions. There are many people 9

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who play with someone’s love and care for their personal benefit. Isn’t it preposterous? Somewhere, because of all this, I found him anxious about himself and his future. He played more and studied less. Yet, he was not at all into sports. As I said earlier, he was mischievous. Walking around the peaceful corridors and back gardens of school was his other thing, along with helping teachers and enjoying seeing other students score prior to the results. So, therefore, he is a package of fun and emotions.

10

Chapter 2

A

nother morning, the same schedule, and the same reminder with an alarm! He woke up with a vivid glow on his face. Maybe it was the day that something uncustomary was about to happen or perhaps he had no pending work, although waking up with no pending work was something he would only see in a dream. On the contrary, he used to have nightmares of Seetha ma’am, the social science teacher, whenever he had not completed an assignment or his notebook was still unchecked! Tuesdays were so terrible for him, as his favorite teacher and subject was the first period…oh wait…that was sarcasm. I just never understood why it was so difficult for him to complete his pending work on time? “We have books!” he used to say, whenever his mother asked him about his class notes. But obviously, he couldn’t give the same excuse in front of Seetha ma’am. So, he had to relive those nightmares every Monday night. That day, he had attended her class without his notebook and textbook, but then, did he actually lose his notebook or was his homework not complete? It was a mystery that will forever remain so. The class had ended and then Mathematics was followed by Physics, Chemistry and at last Biology by Elissa miss. As far as I remember, this teacher would get very irritated with this boy! He was so nasty to her! She literally never liked the sound of chairs and tables on the floor. Trrrrrrrrrr……. cirrrrrrrrrrr! “Make that noise at your home! On your 12

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expensive tiles! Is this what you’ve learned while eating at the dining table? Disgusting class! God knows how the hell you guys jumped to Class 10!” This was her favorite discourse which made everybody giggle. She was an amazing teacher, the most erudite and senior-most, after Seetha ma’am. Dhruv was demented, he always argued with her. I think it was because he wanted to pass the time or maybe it was because he liked the way the teacher got irritated and dragged him to the vice-principal’s office. And then what else? Ten times around the football field and extra assignments, that’s it! But today, something was unusual, as previously mentioned. He ignored everything, every punishment and was simply happy. There was a glow and constant smile on his face. The school bell rang at noon and it was time for the same routine where Devi ma’am would instruct the boarders. While busy talking to Ahmed, one of his close friends in the dorm, he was noticed by Devi ma’am and was asked to come out of the line and wait while the others were allowed to take their towels, clothes and have lunch. After twenty long minutes, Devi ma’am came back from the vice-principal’s office through a small iron gate, with a paper in her hand. Handing the paper to him, the warden said that she wanted him to complete his work as soon as possible or else she wouldn’t allow him to attend school. That was exciting, but sitting alone in a huge hall, dressed in your school uniform, on the same chair for six whole hours, studying a particular book, was 13

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unimaginable. Thus, he rushed to the study hall as fast as he could, kept his backpack there on a cabinet and went up for lunch, while all the others were allowed to take rest or play games outside! I remember he said, when no-one else was with him, be it good or bad times, his closest friend Ahmed was there for him. Both sat at their desk, Ahmed trying to make conversation while Dhruv completed his homework. Dhruv and Ahmed had an alpha person in common. That alpha person was Ahmed’s best friend. Dhruv didn’t know him much, but yes, this was the only reason he was so excited as he imagined getting to know him. Maybe, he knew somewhere that his personality would play a vital role in the coming days! The bond, prior to that day, between the alpha and him, was in troubled waters, but he was too straightforward and had probably gained a kind of attitude after several things had happened. “Dhruv, Nitin tujhe bula raha hai! Apni class ke bahar tera wait kar raha hai!” Ahmed said. “Kaam usse hai ya mujhe?” asked Dhruv. “Usse bol ground me aaajaye!” Dhruv added. The seniors had a dominant role at school and Nitin was the boss, actually, a small-nosed boss who led everyone. He had met Nitin after around five years in a homely cafe, when Nitin was banned from school and Dhruv was on leave for a week or two as he was newly wedded to the hostel! Those were one of the seven days when they hung around on a regular basis, with Vinay of course. They 14

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roamed the streets of Sawai Madhopur! The very first day they went to a cafe with a mutual friend of Nitin. The excitement was created in Dhruv’s heart over the probability of making a good friend. His eyes looked at Nitin with hope. He desperately waited for Nitin to come back and join the thrills of the hostel students. So eventually, I concluded that he was cheery and yes desperately waiting for the alpha person who was Nitin. Although he never knew about the bond he would have with him, he was a hydrogen atom and it was Nitin who was his single, one and only electron. Monty (Manvendra) was an amazing guy! If I had to give an example of an everlasting friendship, I would definitely say it was Nitin and Monty! I had immense love and respect for their bond. Monty had a unique character and very uncommon vibes. His care, love and support for his friend was absolutely great. The way he turned serious moments into happier ones was dynamic. Manvendra always kept a handkerchief with him, not to use it for its actual purpose, but to use it as his secret weapon. During games period, a dwarf, with an unshaven face, a very small nose, a macho hairstyle, a unique sharpness in his eyes and serious look, which made him extraordinary, carried a small handbag in his right hand and walked as if on a ramp! He obviously had a different and stylish walk. Dhruv watched it all from his favorite spot near the school gate, where he would observe the incoming and outgoing vehicles. Nitin gave him a wellcrafted smile while passing by and at that very moment, 15

Do you really think Dhruv is the one and only electron always revolving around Ni�n? If not, he surely is going in circles, hoping to find the era of brotherhood. Old �mes or new ones, ba�les are held, someone loses and someone wins. There is no enemy but a ba�le with best friends. Is there a winner or who is the looser? When he moved to hostel, if only he had known that the turn he was going to take would change the whole radius! Though a blind spot is coming next, he may collide or may not… —————————————————————— - Friend breaks ahead Kshi�j Mathur was born on April 24, 2003, in the town of Sawai Madhopur and was raised by his parents along with two elder sisters. He completed his secondary educa�on in Fateh Public School. Even though he’s a science student, literature runs in his veins since childhood. His mother is a Hindi and Sanskrit teacher. Inspired by her from a very young age, he started wri�ng his first book in March 2020, with a mo�o to spread awareness about the true sense of friendship. He is stubborn about his friends, yet there is more to him than that. He can be fierce yet gentle. Further, he doesn’t like being pushed and has strong opinions. There is no task or challenge that is too big for him. He has endless reserve of tenacity, pa�ence and resilience. Like the �de on a shore, he keeps coming back to any task or person he has commi�ed himself to. He also reveres the material world and enjoys the possible luxuries offered to human life. Someone who is driving on an inclined road, and yet does not say a word when he feels �red and wishes to take rest, because he has to take his dear one sleeping in the back seat to his des�na�on, driving very smoothly and on �me. This is a perfect example of Kshi�j being himself. He is not flawless, no one is, but he surely is on the path leading to perfec�on. Price 299