The sky crushed on me. Would I have to sit beside her throughout the session? It was Mission Impossible for me. But there was no suggestible alternative either. So, I grunted angrily and hastily but unwillingly headed towards the seat beside my sworn foe with continuous huffs and puffs. The day ended with no conversation between us. There was no improvement on the second or third day either. The next week, it was she who first broke the silence,
" Can I borrow your pencil? " she asked.
     Without any words I pushed the pencil towards her with my thumb. She took it and used it throughout the day without any more words. At the last period of the day I finally decided to take back the pencil. But how? I had no mood to talk to her. But at last I decided that as I would never be able to change my seat eversince it was better to befriend her. Gathering courage I finally spoke out, " I heard your name is Riya Mitra. "
     " You have heard correctly. "
     " Hi. I'm Anil Sen. Call me Neel, if you ever do. "
     " I was well aware that I was sitting beside Anil Sen who prefers to be called Neel. "
     " I however don't care whether you knew or not. I wanted my pencil back. "
     " Oh. Thank you. " She handed the pencil back to me.




     My father was waiting outside the main entrance to escort me home. I could see him struggling forward through the crowd. The gate-keeper read out my name from my Identity Card. I walked forward to my father who smiled at me.
     " How was the day dear? "
     " Fine Dad. " I dumped my school bag over his shoulders and walked out through the gate. I looked back and saw Riya on a rickshaw. I turned my head quickly before our eyes met. And on the way to home, first time since 3 days, I found myself smiling.

RIYA MITRA

        I and Rahul used to be fun-freaks. Jay, though enjoyed our company, did not at all enjoy the kind of fun we preferred. I had just been promoted to class II after the finals. Myself & Rahul used to be total jerks, messing around the entire class, throwing paper aeroplanes or stuffed newspapers or even crashing deliberately with girls at their full sprint! Hey, no need to ring the bells so early! I had not entered my adolescence then. It was just a kind of lame joke.
       In one such occasion during the Zero Period of the school (15 mins were allotted before the 1st Period which we called as Zero Period) the entire class was busy throwing paper balls or aeroplanes towards each other creating a hideous pandemonium. In spite of being the class-monitor, I gently walked out of my
'PREFECT' image and let the class continue with the hue and cry. In fact it was me who threw the first paper ball at Anand's head !
        We were tiny gallant warriors bombing enemy squads with fighter planes or paper bombs. But all of a sudden, a paper aeroplane glided towards 'Anil Sen International Airport'. At once I turned back. But I was totally perplexed when I found a pretty blonde girl with plaited hair quickly turning her head away clearly hiding a grin. I was in awe! I had never before even talked with the gal. How dare she throw paper planes at me? I picked up the aeroplane, grabbed it tight within my index and thumb and strode straight towards the girl.
       " Why did you throw the plane at me? "
       The girl did not respond. What pricked my temper was that I could see a broad grin on her face.
       "  Hey you girl. I'm talking to you. I asked why did you throw it at me? "
       The girl looked up, confused.
       " Me? I did not throw anything at you. "
       " No need to pretend a goody-goody. Just reply straight forward. "
       " I have already replied ", the girl turned her face away.
       " You bloody liar. I saw you throw it at me ! "
       " Then you must contact an eye-specialist as soon as possible. " The girl's answer amused one of her pals so deeply that she almost rolled over the floor laughing. I felt my heart would explode with anger. I could barely resist my arms. I could feel my blood getting warmer. I could help myself no more. I crushed a plane and made a good ball of it and threw it hard on the girl's face.
       This disgusted her too and she threw it back at my chest. A violent row was on an approach. The entire class was now fencing us, keeping a circular arena amidst them.
       " You nasty girl ", I threw the paper back, this time harder.
       She did not give up either. I felt my prestige puncture with the entire class as audience, being avenged by a mere girl. So this time I gathered a few more paper, created a bigger one coalescing them and bombarded her face with it. I could hear the school bell ringing. But I did not care. I won't give up until she gives up. So, it continued. The audience enjoyed the unexpected ' TOM and JERRY ' show. A few threw words of encouragement. I found that even more insulting. My ears turned crimson and every time I threw back the ball, harder than the previous throw.
        Suddenly, our class-teacher Mrs. V. Francis entered the class. Pin-drop silence. Everyone had raced to their seats. Everyone except the two of us. And you can well imagine her reaction when the class-monitor was caught red-handed throwing paper balls at his fellow-mate.
        " What's wrong Anil? " she asked. I could read displeasure in  her eyes.
        " Ma'am! This girl threw paper ball at me. "
        " No ma'am, he's lying ", she protested, " I just saw it hit him and couldn't help my grin. So he . . . . "
        " Shut up you idiot ! I saw you . . . . "
        " How dare you call me ' idiot ' in front of ma'am you rascal? I would complain . . . "
        We both were manufacturing needless disorder. So Ma'am roared, " Shut up both of you. Just sit down! How come you fall in with each other over these silly matters? Shame on you! You both should be sent back to 1st standard. " She paused for a moment and then said, " Both Anil and Riya bring your bags and sit right here in front of my nose ", Mrs. Francis indicated towards the first bench, " And listen clearly. Both of you would sit right here beside each other throughout the session. I need to really check out how much you can fight. "