Here I was, standing in front of my class-teacher, I staring at the mosaic tile of the floor...rubbing my shoe against it. And my teacher staring down at me.After moments of torturous silence, the inevitable rain started pouring,"I am really upset with you. You are a bright student, why would you do something like that ?" And look up, when I am talking to you !!" I was made to feel like a serial killer, who had appeared in court to plead guilty.
It was Diwali season, and as a tradition somebody had to plant a cracker-bomb in the boys-toilet. And this time, I had to do the honors. Or rather I took it up on me to prove a point to my stupid, idiot, and "self acclaimed cool" friends. So, on the destined day, with a pounding heart and shaking hands, I planted the bomb after lunch, with a lit scented stick to act as timer and left the scene. But, unfortunately the fragrance of the stick was too good to get unnoticed and the sweeper of the school, who usually played the "sniffer dog", foiled the plan. And still dont know, who traited me and gave my name to teacher or I swear to God, I would have demonstrated my karate skills to him without hesitation.
And now it was fire-fighting time. I looked up, gathering all the courage left in me, and all the innocence almost ready to pour out of watery eyes."Ma'am I did not do it, I am being dragged into this matter unnecessarily!". It worked but not much as I was not used to such kind of trials. She lowered her tone,"Now the last thing you would want to do is lie to me! Accept you did it with dignity and I may reduce your punishment. Or tell me the name of the guy, who did this". Woah, I was offered a deal, either to get my head shaved or stab one of my stupid, idiot and "self acclaimed cool" friends. I glanced at them, but to my surprize, their faces seemed to be as innocent as I had not seen in my lifetime! Their eyes, made me feel bad about the very idea of betraying them and giving their name as mastermind.
I was feeling the cold sweat running down my back and on palms. I had no choice but to plead guilty, for the crime which never happened ! So, with a heavy heart and embarrassed voice I nodded my head and said," Sorry Ma'am, I should not have done this. I apologize for the mistake I have committed. Please forgive me."
But has anybody seen roadways-bus-drivers giving way to dogs ? None. But the miracle happened. To my surprize, she calmed down and touched my shoulder and said," Since you have accepted your mistake and considering your good records, I have no doubt that you would not commit such a heinous thing again. But.....". The but did put breaks on my increasing happiness. And a question mark floated in my eyes, whats this but for?" She continued," But you ll have to monitor that until Diwali vacation starts, nobody from this class does anything like this again." her words dropped like Hiroshima bomb on my ears. I wanted to shout, punish me but not like this. But instead, I thanked the teacher for her kind nature and came back to my seat.
The damage was done. I turned my head towards my friends again and saw those innocent faces turning into demon faces again. And by courtesy of my stupid, idiot and "self acclaimed cool" friends, I had to monitor what janitor did, play "sniffer dog" !!
