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.