Days pass.

Last day of school before exams

But Manik has gone far away from me.

Though everyone has started talking to him,

We don't talk anymore.

Not a single word, no exchange of eyes, nothing.

We are just classmates who know each other. But wait, we don't see each other, we are not classmates, we are mere strangers. We don't know each other.

These two weeks were tiring. Daily tests, revisions and preparation of exams, we all are exhausted but ready for exams. Middle school after all! *flips hair dramatically*

Last day of school before exams should actually be declared as a free day. No studies, no tests, only games and fun. We played classroom cricket with pencil box and sharpener, we played pen fight, arm wrestling and thumb fight. Oh, did I miss? Yes, we played hide and seek that too with the whole class and the area was the whole third floor, including new building. That day was on heck of a good day.

Two days later exam started. The first exam was English literature where everybody was happy because the question paper came so easy. In the morning during seating arrangement, I was placed behind Mukti on the last seat. Invigilator was Mamta ma'am who was so lenient and stupid that she literally went out of the class to bring the sheet tying-thread and we good people, utilized the time in asking and writing the answers. XD

During geography, everyone did the map at last as Mohammad, the geologist passed his map to us and we all copied his, getting same marks for sure. Mathematics exam was examined by the Lord himself, as Sanjay sir blessed us with his presence in the class and we were forced to take calculated breaths. Nobody got chance for cheating and Lakshy got a big 'minus five' with red pen on his answer sheet for no reason. Chemistry paper had a lot of corrections as the paper was made by somebody else and question came out of syllabus. We literally fought with him to change the question. Fake coughs and dropping the question paper are the weapons for sneaking answers. XD

Rest of the exams went good and finally the last exam- GK. I bet nobody studies for that. I finished my test in just forty-five minutes despite the paper being of two hours. Mukti and I submitted the answer sheet and we passed the time by playing tic-tac-toe on the question paper, after taking the permission of course.

That feeling when the bell rang indicating time over! It just feels like the smell of Butter Chicken from the kitchen and you are savoring it with Butter Naan. Haaye!! And you then you put a morsel in your mouth and then your taste buds explore the taste and... *swallows the water in the mouth* (I am starving right now *crying*) Anyway,

So Exams are finally over! FINALLY!

Coming out of the corridor the hooting and clapping didn't go unheard. We came out of the school, went to the canteen and had sandwiches. While moving towards the bus, I saw Manik leaning on the pillar and into some serious discussion with Cabir.

Trust me, if they would be discussing the question paper, I swear I'll kick them in their guts and punch on their face. I mean, why? You will not get extra marks by doing that okay!? And if one of the answers are wrong, it equally pains like somebody has rubbed red chilly on a fresh bruise.

Cabir sees me and then Manik and then leaves us alone. Manik and I look at each other for a few moments. I feel like to go and punch him right in the nose for not talking to me when he didn't actually mean that.

I am not a fool to see that he gave his Trimax Gold (the craze of that pen during that time!) to me through Aviral when I and Dhruv were having pen fight and I was losing. I changed that pen with his and won the final match. I am not a fool to see that he deliberately came out from hiding spot while playing hide and seek because Isha was about to catch me. I am not a fool to sense him around when I used to talk to boys of other section. And I am not a fool to see that he wrote my name in place of best friend when Anisha of other section bought her slam book, which he filled three days ago. I deliberately checked that page.

Why are you doing this Manik?

Sensing the tears bubbling inside me, I break the eye lock.

Standing straight, he breaks the ice "How did your exams go?"

"Good. About yours?" I ask.

"Nice" he replies.

That's all what we talked.

People who know us would find it tough to believe that for the first time, we didn't have anything to talk about.

Loss of words with the fade of memories, not.

When nothing came from our mouths despite million questions in our head, I ended the conversation saying

"Bye Manik"

You took my name after 3 weeks, finally. Its sounds so good when you say it.

He looks up at me; eyes soften and then he looks down again. Inhaling a deep breath, he looks up in my eyes again.

"Bye Nandini."

You took my name after 3 weeks, finally. I feel so overwhelmed.

Turning back, I walk a few meters and then stop. Turning around, I see Manik still standing there, head held low.

As if he sensed me, he looks up again. I wave at him and he waves back. I gesture him to smile to which he does, a dull smile.

Waving again I turn and leave.

-x-x-x-x-x-

2 weeks later.

The day everybody dreads.

Results Day.

Parents Teacher Child Meeting.

It was ten in the morning and I was getting ready nervously. Daddy and Mon accompanied me to the school and I see students coming with their parents with pale and nervous faces. Some were happy and some were on the verge of crying. I am no different.

Let's see what is in store for me.

Going inside the class, I see Alya, Mukti and Dhruv standing in a corner while Cabir and Radhika are talking to Roshi ma'am. I join them.

Manik stood second in class with 96%, with only 0.2% less than Anushree, who stood first. I smile seeing that. My best friend topped the class.

With some praises and few fake complaints from Roshi ma'am, I get to know that I got 89%. Well a big deal for me. I am super happy! Mukti got 91%, Radhika got 93.47% and Alya got 88%. Cabir got 84% while Yash got 91%. Aviral scored a bit less than us, but he is declared as the star improver. Satisfying results!

"I can't believe we are in grade 7 already!" Radhika squeals and we laugh. After talking a bit and meeting each other, I come down when my parents decided to take something from the nearby bakery. I am standing outside the school when I spot Manik standing on the other side of the road. He smiles looking at me and I reciprocate.

Just then Daddy brings the car and I wave at Manik. Sitting in the car, I look outside the window and see him looking at me.

Waving at him, my car leaves taking a turn.

I'll meet you soon Manik.

_________________________________

A/N: I like surprising you people!

Everybody who got their results today, it calls for a party dude!