” Wow ! I can’t believe i am here ” exclaimed Ankit while peeking out of his bus window. His eyes widened as the bus passed through one huge building after another.
“Are you seeing this Girish ?” asked Ankit while his eyes were still glued to the window. Not getting a response he disappointingly removed his gaze from the window and towards Girish. But to his surprise , Girish too was flabbergasted by the view outside the window . It looked like some one had hypnotized him , with his eyes wide open. His mouth was competing with his eyes.
Ankit smiled and shook Girish, to which he suddenly came to his senses , shaking his head left right , he looked at Ankit ” Is this Heaven ?”
To which Ankit started laughing and replied ” I am sure this is even better than heaven ” Both started laughing and high-fived each other.
Girish and Ankit were staying in a small town called Chinchodi near Ratnagiri . Both were studying in 7th Std. Being from a lower middle class family , they had spent all their childhood in this town and occasionally used to visit their Grand mothers home at Sangli and Satara. Ankit and Girish were close friends . Both were dusky skinned , skinny but Girish had curly stiff hair which he hated . Ankit had straight hair but they never used to settle down . he tried all that he could to douse them down but all in vain. Hence in school everyone used to call Girish “Noodle” and Ankit “Shock”.
But both of them were excellent in Quizzes. They had won almost all the quizzes held in their school and this year they had even won district level quiz thereby qualifying for state level quiz which was held in Mumbai. Ankit and Girish had started daydreaming about Mumbai since they heard the news of their qualification.For them “Mumbai ” was a mecca where dreams come true. They were fascinated by the pictures they used to see of huge skyscrapers and sea link bridges.
“Do you think we will see Salman Khan anywhere in Mumbai ?” asked Ankit while sitting at a beach which was in their backyard and staring at the sunset. His both hands diagonally placed with palms thrust in the sand supporting his posture while legs spread out . There were occasional waves which used reach his toes that made him giggle. “You think he travels that care free? he must be travelling in big cars with black windows . We wouldn’t even know if he passes us ” said a realist Girish. He too was aping the same posture of Ankit.
“Mumbai Central” yelled the careless conductor swinging his hand towards the exit door.
“Thats our stop ” yelled Girish and sprinted to catch his bag in one hand and grabbing Ankits hand on another. The School was right in front of them. It looked no less than a royal castle. Made of Stone with cylindrical pillars and conical domes. The Entrance read
” Saint Mary High School ” Both Ankit and Girish felt the pride of entering a convent school while taking a deep breath. The entire campus was neat and tidy. There were banners hanging from the walls that showed various events happening . They immediately found out their Quiz banner “QUIZZOMANIA”
They immediately entered the classroom below the banner. They could see students from different school who were already present there. Everyone had their own different colored school uniforms. Some had white shirt and black trouser/skirt , while some had White shirt with green stripes with green trouser/skirt . Ankit and Girish were wearing their school dress, white shirt and brown trouser.
” I am sure students studying in this school would be awesome” exclaimed Ankit adoring some students who wore white shirt with Saint Mary’s Logo on their right pocket and dark blue trouser/skirt. “Should we go interact with them ? ” asked Ankit with his eyebrows up and looking at Girish for approval. “I dont think that’s a good idea ” said Girish while rolling his eyes down with his left hand on the back of his head scratching showing his awkwardness . ” You have seen the huge buildings and beautiful landscapes , right ? ” asked Ankit to which Girish nodded in approval. “So when we , who come from such small town are so helping to each other , i am sure these students who have been in such a great atmosphere would be having a great attitude” Said Ankit with a convincing tone.
Girish was still unsure , but before he could react Ankit started walking towards the group of students who were standing in the corner of the classroom. Girish started following him trying to catch his speed . “Hi , my name is Ankit . I have come from Navodaya School from Konkan. We are here to participate in the Quizzomania contest”
The entire group looked at Ankit. 3 tall boys and 2 girls , all had that unwelcoming look on their face. Girls started whispering to each other while giving a sarcastic laugh and occasional looking at Ankit and his attire. Girish froze when he saw the reaction of the group. Ankit unfazed by the lack of response continued ” Your school is so beautiful ! and your school uniform is also pretty . I am sure you have great teachers and laboratories ”
One of the boys who was fair with a thick dark hair that was very neatly styled . His tie knot was loose and sleeve folded . He leaned towards Ankit and said ” What is a village boy like you doing here ? This school is not meant for people like you . Go away ! I have seen people like you work in nearby Chai Tapri. They too have the same uniform . I am sure your School name is TAPRI HIGH SCHOOL ” said the kid and the entire group started laughing while pointing fingers at Ankit and Girish.
Girish quickly rushed towards Ankit and dragged him away from the group. Ankit was frozen by the unexpected reply from the group. Girish had put his arm across Ankit shoulders and took him to a bench where he could sit. They could still hear the unbearable laughs from the group while they were sharing the same joke with other students from their school.
Ankits eyes had gone blank and when he came to his senses , tears started rolling down from his eyes. Girish immediately hugged him and said ” Don’t think about it dude. They are bad kids ” to which Ankit replied while his head still down looking at the floor ” But such a great city and such people ” to which even Girish had no reply.
The Quiz started with one round after another. Girish and Ankit had lost their confidence and interest and just gave up in the first round itself . As soon as it was announced that they lost the round, Ankit immediately got up along with Girish and headed straight towards the Bus stop. Everything which was looking colorful in the morning , suddenly started looking pale and monochromatic.
Both didn’t speak to each other in the entire journey , and as soon they reached their town, Ankit bid good bye to Girish and went home. Ankits Mother was waiting for him at the veranda and was very excited to see him. But Ankit was walking with his head down. He gave his bag to Mother and went inside. Mother followed him and asked the obvious question “How was Mumbai , Ankit ? Tell me ”
To which Ankit replied without any expression ” Huge Buildings but small people…. Mom”
