A day in School again...

I NEVER liked going to school but coming back was the best thing to happen that day.
I was invited to my school — Victoria H S, Mahim — for an inter-class advertising competition, since I am a media person.

I was hesitant to take up the task of judging the students but after some insistence I accepted the invitation.

By my experience, I was fortunate, as the sweet childhood memories came gushing back to my mind, just like re-living the golden period of one’s life.

And what a coincidence, it was!

I would either reach school just a few minutes before the final bell to go or be late always. Apparently, it happened again on that day. Because of late night shift at work I could not make it on time. I reached half-hour late from the scheduled time 9 AM.

I ran non-stop to school the moment I left my house. Ditto every morning during my school days. Even the teachers had a great laugh, when I told them.

It was a nostalgic moment to meet my teachers after a long time. Some couldn’t recognise (though they tried their best), as I have changed physically in last eight years.

I did not feel bad because neither was I a topper, famous or naughty. I was a shy and an introvert person in school. I would be lost in my own world with my best companion — music.

But there was a teacher — Miss Agnees — who I knew would recognise me. She was my class teacher in Class IX and X. Miss Agnees was touched by the gesture that I came to meet here. Emotions were high on both sides.

She was awesome because she made me do all those things that I liked. In fact, she knew the interest of maximum students in her class.

I remember she made a surprise announcement during the farewell party that I will present a song. I was not prepared but she gave me the confidence, which was very vital in my development over the years.

Well, coming back to the advertising competition. I entered the school premises of the primary section. The staircase is still the same — huge ones. I remember we would slide on the side bar on the staircase. We had got many warnings to stop it.

Then once I was the Blue house captain (there were four houses like Red, Blue, Green and Yellow). I got it after making many requests to my class teacher. There would be a batch that we proudly tug it on our chest. My job was to maintain the discipline of my house. It was great fun.

We also had some powers. The feeling was incredible. I would actually feel like a King, but sadly only for a month. Because there were others waiting in line for their turn to be king.

There was this special classroom on third floor. I would sing a song ‘Aaja meri gaadi mein baith jaa’ almost everyday during recess. The Baba Sehgal track was a hit among my friends, especially with girls. I would often get request for it.

The toilets used to be a great place to play all the pranks. Once a boy from other class blew a rassi bomb in the toilet. There was lot of damage and some pipes got leakage.

The canteen is still the same, very EXPENSIVE. To eat a Vada Pav meant saving your whole week’s pocket money.

But the aunty is still there… as sweet and charming like before. She had harrowing time during recess. Students would flock for here hot vadas and samosas. It is still the same even today.

Later, I realised the school was renovated and got a new paint. But still something’s never change. I miss all that very much.