For the time being, we lurked around the campus; for the first class was not ours to take. Draco proved to be a perfect companion. He only talked when it was appropriate to, and I liked that. Out of all the friends I had during my academia, Draco was far more interesting, even though it was our first day with each other. We acted like we were best buddies for a century. He looked as if he sought joy in this dull place; both of us actually. But neither of us had an idea of what to do with ourselves. "Finding purpose is actually really hard, perhaps that's why our preferences change over time." I said.
'I guess.' Replied Draco, with the same demeanor.
'If it's for money, we head for more of a mechanical pursuit. If it's for genuine curiosity, we head for artistic or literary pursuits. But do I care about money or interest? That's what really puts me in an odd position, a totally clueless one.'
'When it comes to money, I'm the most perplexed one.' Replied Draco, with such innocence that I believe him even more.
The bell rings for the second class and we head for it. Neither of us had any clue regarding the English teacher; it wasn't mentioned anywhere on the website. To our surprise, it was our Headmaster, Sinister Green.
'Ok, boys and girls, do I need to give an introduction? No. My work shall do that job. As for you all, write a poem of your own. You may keep in mind what you may. Love, nature, or even God. So get it started. I don't expect you to write a masterpiece in 15 minutes, for it might take a lifetime's suffering.'
I'd talk about how I reacted to that situation. Sir had really put me in an uneven position. It wasn't like I didn't love poetry, but it required my utmost dedication. So firstly, I relaxed and took a deep breath. Satisfied by the environment, I started out with a verse.
'Keeping mere memory of yours is not enough;
For this feeble self of me yearns your presence.
Not that I could cheer you up even while I cough;
I shall do it even in your absence.
Yours truly shall we be soon, O Love!
Many more sheets will be devoid of your light.
Your heart's as clear as the white of a dove;
In your memory, I shall spend my days, aye.'
Well, it felt so bad. It felt like I was just trying to rhyme while still not being able to convey the actual message. Not that I think there shouldn't be a rhythm in a poem; for it wouldn't be a poem anymore. But I think that you should be able to convey your message, unlike me.
It was happening, Draco started his a minute ago. As I sat for the next five minutes, I tried to judge Draco's subject for the poem through his countenance. He made some remarkably abstract faces, I'd say. It wasn't about my poem anymore, as I was more eager for his to finish.
He still sat as the time ran out and I felt as if he wasn't writing anything. Sir Sinister approached everybody by row until he reached me, still brooding over Draco's poem. He then called me by name, even though I didn't tell him. I went on to the class's front and handed him the paper.
'You've got spirit. But I'd say something, keep it up. No matter what writing advice I give you, you and your poetry won't live until your poetry comes from your heart. Make it such that it feels good to read it yourself, and that it consummates itself with your life,' he sighs after a little pause and glancing over the page.
'And that it is not for nothing; rather it's for people around you. It's a tragedy for a poet not to bloom someone's flower with love.'
This little sermon of him, to every cell of my body, felt like a guiding light. Even though I already knew the things he had said, I think they laid buried somewhere in the grand graveyard of memories inside my head. The place where all knowledge is buried, waiting only to be resurrected by a single word.
Indeed, I was very surprised by Draco's poem. He kept it straightforward whilst also delivering a ton of stuff with it. His choice of words, his rhyming, and especially his tone were splendid. I showed him mine but he didn't say much about it, but I can assure you that it was totally due to some impersonal reason.
This silence amongst us kept our academic life balanced. When I acted timidly, he understood. He compromised many of my weird mood swings. I didn't have the chance to do so because his mood never altered. It was as if he was born silent, and perhaps, would go silent. This is how we spent our first week at the high school.
About Sir Sinister Green, he truly did an amazing job as a teacher throughout this week. His thorough understanding of the language enabled us to develop a literary and grammatical sense of English. Anyhow, it was now Monday and we were back. Now, what I did yesterday is mostly of no use whatsoever, but there was one incident that kept me up all night.
I had relaxed a little due to the nightmare's burden being off my back for a week straight; it occurred the first time after it started. I slept with great satisfaction, but then, it came back. The same words were uttered, with me sweating all over, but there was one sentence added and it brought even greater contempt and confusion.
"Stop stretching your sorrows even when they're not meant to be. Keep them to yourself. Sharing has led your fears into even darker abysses of despair. You shall not pass your fears unto them. Save her, his saviour, the one who shall mean the world to your soul."
'Who in the ten hells shall mean the world to my soul, and why?!' I thought immediately after waking up.
'Isn't it queer for us to talk to him already?' Said Draco with perplexity. No wonder, because what I said would leave anyone perplexed.
'I think we should talk to him, maybe he can offer some solution. He will understand. I'm sure.'
'But what if he treats what you say as nonsense, what'd you do then?'
'He won't.' I replied, as if I'd bet my fortune on it, even though I had none.
'Do as you may.' He says after some time.
We head to the Call Centre and request access to the other side of the school. After a little talk, we are given access and we were to be led by the same guard who came into the classroom on the very first weirdly weird day.
Now, as I suspected, the one we're there to talk to isn't there. My first glance fell on the centre of the room where a fairly large desk was held with lots of papers upon it. A lot of books were present upon the shelves on the wall. The overall environment gave us the feeling of a '90s movie.
'A pretty room, isn't it?' I say while still analysing the environment.
'Truly, this is my ideal room for work, to be honest.' Replies Draco with the same curiosity.
'Oh! What a surprise.' We heard the door open and a voice that we'd recognise anywhere, after all this time, Sir Sinister Green's.
'Mornin' sir.' We both say with utter respect.
'Well, sit down, gentlemen,' Replied Sir.
'And what'd be your purpose for coming here?' he asked us after we had taken our seats.
'First of all Sir, we thank you for letting us come here.'
'No need to mention it, Shelly, you may go on.'
'Sure, sir. So, basically, what I'm going to say is a little personal and holds great importance for me, for it has driven me mad several times.' I took a big gulp of water and started telling all about my nightmare.
Sir had a confused countenance all along the talk. After listening keenly, he finally said:
'Shelly, whatever you're going through, I know, holds great meaning to you. But I'm equally perplexed because according to you don't share your fears with anybody.' He started rubbing his forefinger up and down his chin for some time.
I nod with equal confusion.
'As far as I could make of it in these minutes is that you, Shelly, might be sharing a dream with somebody.'
This realisation struck me harder than a truck with a cheetah's speed but with the same momentum. No matter how I look at it, it still forces itself into every vein of mine.
'Shelly, wake up,' I heard Sire's voice.
'It's rare but not impossible; sharing your dreams with some intimate relation. Does anyone else in your family or close relatives see this same dream?'
'I don't think so.' I replied with the same surprised face.
'Hmm, so it is.'
'What Sir?'
'You share the dream with someone who faces such problems as yours and perhaps, sooner or later, fate will pave the way for you to meet each other. That person is going to be someone really close to you. 'Her', in my view, indicates that you'll meet a girl, or have already met and that she will mean the world to your soul. Simple, isn't it?'
'Simple enough. But how do I know who that person might be?'
'You have to leave it to fate.'
We ask permission to leave and both of us are truly mesmerised by this theory. No wonder, it's her. It could've been Draco that fate wanted me to help, but obviously, Draco's nature is the complete opposite side of the spectrum. But now I realise. I have to find her. The one who shall mean the world to my soul. If she means the world to my soul, then, she means the world to me.