The Wink

The school bus sped past familiar streets. Kanika faced a window; she felt a soft breeze on her face & smiled. She enjoyed the friendly banter of other kids catching up after vacations. Kanika hummed the latest hit song, "Raja ko Rani Se Pyaar hogaya....". On her way, she saw her classmates cycling to school. She thought, every boy's dream, to be like Aamir cycling with Monisha on the front bar.

The summer heat had made her duskier. During the two months of vacation, Kanika had grown taller & lankier. She dressed in a neatly pressed black & white uniform with matching shoes. As per school norms, her jet-black hair was oiled & pulled back into a thick plait. She looked up the school building & knew what lay ahead. High school was going to be a long & hard hauled-days of long periods, where everything the teacher said bounced off student's heads. Evening tuitions to pick up everything that skipped during the day. Weeks & weekends spent on filling record books & assignments. The strict principal would cut off student's tails, even before they wagged. She took a deep breath & walked in with a smile to catch up with her friends.

High school was known for classmates notoriously pairing classmates. Everyone teased each other & laughed. No matter the strict environment, adolescence kicked in. Her classmates paired Kanika with every other boy in her class. She was one of the tallest girls, paired with the tallest boy Vicky. She laughed at the teasing & considered it as fun.

One fine day, Vicky took this fun to an extra length. While Kanika walked towards the school bus, Vicky came riding on his cycle beside her. He said, "Kanika, why are you walking to the bus?". She returned a puzzled look. Vicky said, "I'll drop you home; get on my cycle." He pointed to the cycle front bar, just like the song. A sea of kids around her laughed their heads off. He continued to ride beside her till she boarded the bus.

Kanika thot its one-time tease; she was mistaken. He repeated it the next day. Kanika's dusky cheeks turned red with anger & embarrassment. She was restless as she was not able to say anything in response & make him stop. After a couple of days, she had a Eureka moment!

Next Saturday, high schoolers had special classes for a few hours. After class, Vicky & a few boys stayed back in the classroom. Kanika had forgotten her assignment files in the classroom & had to go back. She took a deep breath & walked into the classroom. She ignored the boys & picked her files. As she stepped out, Vicky said, "Kanika, I'll drop you home." While pushing back her long plait, she turned towards him. She looked him in the eye & replied, "Not in front of these guys, Vicky! Let's go some other time." She winked at him & walked away with a smile. He was dumbstruck & the rest of the boys were laughing hysterically.

Take Away: Go ahead... Let your hair down, play along & have fun.