The next morning was just horrible in many horrifying ways. Firstly, Mathematics and Computer Science in respective time slots. Secondly, Less time I got to cover up the subjects and recover myself.
Although he helped me a lot with maths last night, I still feel like I'm forgetting. Then comes constant calls and messages from the morning from Sky, Lacy and Gray...
Sky called me up and was asking me some questions. And I had less time to catch the train. I caught the train and came to college with Lacy. There I called up Gray to bring my Maths copy that had gone inside his bag by mistake.I came in a few minutes. I took my copy from him and he left.
Actually he lives near the college in an apartment. And I came 2 hours before the scheduled hour for the exam. When the time was close, Lacy and I went upstairs. Lacy was still chatting with Brother Henry about their plan to meet and have a feast together. I went upstairs only to find Sky welcoming us.
As we sat on the stairs Sky was fondling playfully with Lacy's hair to irritate her. She had less hair and was so over conscious about her hair. I on the other side felt angry and jealous.I was thinking,"Is my hair not beautiful and curly enough to play with? Why is he playing with Lacy's silky hair? "
I was so angry that I caught Sky's and told him to leave her hair. But he misunderstood it completely. He again taught me to be a protector of Lacy and with that he took an awkward gaze at me. My hand slipped at his gaze and he again played with her hair despite Lacy's continued nagging. Being unable to control my anger and hidden tears borne out of jealousy I stood up and found a corner to go through the notes.
I was going through the formulas at the same time pondering over his obvious awkward gaze. The chill I had never felt before. The suppression, the anger and my silent tears accompanied with jealousy made me even more dejected before the exam. I was quietly going through the notes.He came to me and was telling, "Isn't it too hot today? "
"Nope, It's sharp. "
"What do you mean? It's so hot that I can't even take the handkerchief off my face. "
"I see. Yeah it's hot. "
"Why are you giving vague answers Sunny? "
"It's nothing. We are having an exam in a few minutes. It's just that I'm a bit nervous. Nothing else. "
"Oh I see. "
The warning bell rang. I kept my bag and entered the Hall. The moment I was inside the hall I was relieved. At least I didn't need to see him for some hours. I gave the exam and came back to revise for the second half. This time I felt really hot. I felt terrible with my hair all grown too much and even more problematic to handle since it's too curly.
Lacy and I were going through computer class notes. Sky came in and he asked, "How was your exam? "
"It is fine until nothing goes wrong. How was yours? "
"Umm.. mine was fine just like you! "
"I see. Today's weather is quite sultry. "
"I told you! "
"My hair is making it more difficult for me to sustain in this heat. "
"Cut off your hair and become bald. It will be perfect for you. "
"What? I won't. You will be bald. You cut your hair first then I will see mine. "
"Trust me. It will be the best for you. Money for shampoo and conditioner and what other stuff do you all girls use to maintain your hair? will all be saved. And with that amount treat me with food. "
"Just keep your mouth shut and start reading. "
"How can I read by keeping my mouth shut? "
"Ugh..Sky! you are now irritating me... Just read it mentally. "
"I didn't irritate you. I am just asking you. "
"Enough! Happy. Now I'm studying. "
"Granny and Nagging. "
"Who is the granny? "
"See Gray only the one who clearly understood herself responded out of all. "
Gray , Lacy, Sky and other students were laughing.I couldn't even refute.
I again went to the corner away from their company. This time I really felt like crying. I was studying but tears came trickling down my cheeks. I was thinking,
"Yes I am like a Granny always nagging even my mom says so but why do you need to point out and make fun of me at a time like this? People's lives aren't a joke .Is it? If you hate me so much, why make fun of me? Tell me directly that you hate me a lot and want to avoid me forever. I am a forever introvert. I don't know what other people do or do but why to make a ridiculous image of myself in front of many. Am I a cheap woman? "
He came so softly that I didn't even hear his footsteps. "Sunny."
I rubbed my eyes and with a hoarse voice I replied, "What? "
He looked at me and I shifted my gaze. I don't know why I couldn't look at him. He said, "Are you angry? "
"No no. Why would I be angry? You are always right and other people's laughter confirms that. "
This time my voice cracked as well as my heart of hope.
And I turned my face away from him pretending to be focussing on studying.
"Sunny, why is your copy upside down? "
"Oh by mistake. Thank you for reminding me. You can now go and have fun... I mean study with others. Go quickly, time is short for revising. "
"Sorry Sunny, I didn't mean to hurt you. "
I was thinking, "If a single apology can solve the humiliation of my tiny identity that I have carefully brought up in my college then life would indeed be pleasurable. "
I hurriedly replied, "It's okay. Bye. The bell had rung. "
I wrote my exam somehow. After the exam was over some irritating guys from my department were calling me "Yo Nagging Granny. How was your exam? "
I knew this would happen. I simply ignored it. This time Lacy shouted at them and closed my ears and said, "Don't listen to them."
But those nasty filthy thugs continued, "Granny is being escorted by Granddaughter. "
Saw the fate of the simple "sorry". A simple "sorry", is one of the worst words found in the dictionary yet useful in making one think that their shortcomings have been forgotten or forgiven. Sorry works only for particular situations where the other person is not severely criticised.
I shoved her hands from my ears and held her tight and sharply retorted, "Yes, I'm a person with depth of knowledge. Granny refers to a person who is sweet, knowledgeable and knows the rules of the world. One cannot be Granny by physical appeal but by maturity. And yes I'm much more mature than you all. And if a Granny nags means that she knows the right and that someone is in the wrong. In short, leading a person when someone is in the wrong. "
I released a heavy breadth. And they clapped their hands out of sarcasm, "Great Nagging Granny. Great! "
Sky came out of the hall and accompanied their clap. They all looked at him.
He said, "What a great show I'm watching after the exam?You guys are my real bros. But why are you interested in this Granny? I know even more hot people for you all to be interested in. She is just a common girl. Have your tastes gotten rotten? And don't call her Granny , Teachers might find out and think you are ragging her. Plus you might be punished. "
They thought for a while and replied, "Yes Bro you are right. She is really not up to our standards. Sonnet please don't mind us. We are not interested in you. So don't worry. "
I replied, "Um... okay. I'm also not interested in you all. "
I and Lacy left. I was thinking, "How dare he think that I'm below their status? I'm in fact above. But if this wouldn't have happened I would have never found out his new side. How he thinks and grades based on beauty and appearance. It's just gross. And thinking that I liked such a man makes me feel like vomiting. "
Lacy comforted, "Don't worry he didn't mean what he said. He only said that to clear up the mess he had created in the morning. Moreover what he thinks he is? I guess he himself knows he is not a film star or beauty pageant. "
Just to comfort Lacy I showed my fake laughter to accompany her. But inside of me was filled with bitterness and deep hatred. I came back home. With no worries about the next day since exams were all over. I straight away went to bed to hide my feelings and wept until my pillow soaked wet…