(High-school)
After
S.S.C, I had to select from Maths and Biology depending on the career choice.
Though I had no particular passion for any field, I selected Biology because it
was my mother’s dream to see me as a DOCTOR and it’s a son’s duty to fulfill
parents’ dreams. Still Physics and Chemistry were common for all. Anjali had
selected the Maths group.
(In Physics
class)
Mr.Verma,
our Physics sir, while explaining any theory, always said, “Physics is the
study of nature. So whatever you study you must co-relate with your routine and
surroundings. Only then you can understand Physics. You can never cram it.”
He was
explaining Newton’s Laws of Motion.
“So
students, every two bodies on earth exert a gravitational force over each
other,
F=G*m1m2/r2
where m1 and m2 are masses of the two bodies &
G...................; r………………
A piece of
chalk hit my head and I came back to the real world.
“Yes sir?”
I stood up and asked.
“Answer my
question.” He commanded.
“Can you
please repeat the question, sir?” I had not listened the question as I was lost
in some other world.
“No, news
bulletin are over. No repeat telecast. Ask any of your friend who can help
you.” He said
I was
completely confused. I scanned through the benches to search the friend who can
help me. My eyes first stopped on Rudra but his facial expressions clearly
stated that he too was not attentive and that I must not make him jump into the
well along with me. My eyes then went to Anjali. I was damn sure that she was
attentively listening.
“Anjali,
can you please repeat the question?” I asked. She stood up with a hint of smile
on her face,
“What does
G in the formula stand for?” She said
“So now
answer the question.” He said juggling with the chalk pieces in his hand.
One thing
that I knew was that G stands for Genius in Parle-G, but in the formula…….no
idea.
I made a
wild guess, “Sir, G is for gravitational force.”
“Then what
is F?” He counter asked.
“B...B...”I
was literally stuttering. I had already said ‘force’. By no way I could have
said’Fuck.’ At last I said, “Field, sir, Gravitational field.”
“Have you
seen Mahabharata?”He asked.
Now what
kind of a question was that? I wanted to confirm that my ears listened
correctly, “Pardon sir.”
“Have you
seen Mahabharata TV serial?” He asked.
“Yes sir.
Actually, its my favorite epic.”
“Do You
know, while in war, before shooting an arrow
what Arjuna used to do?” He asked.
“Yes, sir.
Before shooting an arrow he used to touch the arrow to his forehead and think
for a while.”I replied.
“You see,
before shooting an arrow one thinks a bit then don’t you feel that before
giving an answer also you should think a bit. Do you get it?”
The whole
class went roaring into laughter. I nodded my head and sat down. After the
class, I kept on asking myself, “Where was I? Why wasn’t I attentive? What was
I thinking about?”
I pressed
the rewind button of my brain and played it again. What I found was surprising.
It was Anjali who was playing on my mind. I was visualizing the last
conversation I had with Anjali 2 days back. ‘But why was I visualizing it?’ I
left the question unanswered.
(After the
school)
Rudra came
rushing to me and said, “So, Raaj, where was your mind during the class, Ha?”
“Nothing.
Just lost somewhere.”
“Somewhere
in Anjali, right?” He asked.
“No. not at
all. What are you talking? And how can you know what was going on in my mind?
Are you a mind-reader or something?” I said irritatingly.
“Then why
did you select only Anjali from the whole class; to get the question?” He
taunted.
“Its just a
co-incidence. Why are you always searching something to pull my leg?” I
replied.
“Ok.Ok.
Calm down.” He stopped his tongue and I felt relaxed.
I continued
my quest for,” Why was I visualizing Anjali?”
After some
days of self-analysis, I realized that I was getting a bit attracted towards
Anjali. Actually whenever I talked to her or saw her passing through, I could
feel some kind of energy surrounding me pushing me towards her.
‘Do I like
her? But how can I suddenly like her?’ I asked myself.
“Is this
some kind of liking that Raaj (srk) had for Simran in DDLJ?”
“No.”
answered my conscience.” This is not liking.” He commanded
“Then
what?” I asked.
“Haven’t
you studied previously about androgens, the sex hormones? Their levels rise
during the teenage period.” He said.
“So?”
“Because
the newly matured factory of testosterone in you is secreting its product at a
faster rate, you are feeling these changes. One of them is-“Attraction towards
opposite sex.” He explained.
“Ya
correct. So, this is not anything special. Its common, right?”
“Yes” He
replied.
“I
shouldn’t give attention to this. The changes will keep on occurring, right?” I
asked
“Yes,
instead you must concentrate on your aim. What is your aim?”
“To secure
excellent marks so that I get admission in a Medical College and fulfill my
mother’s dream of myself as a doctor.” I replied.
“Correct.
Don’t ever forget this.” He ordered.
“Never.” I
assured.
“Also
remember, the testosterones will tempt you to develop liking for Anjali, but
you have to resist the temptation. Every frit is borne only after some
sacrifice. Sacrifice your liking for Anjali and receive the ‘Marks’ as the
fruit. Do you remember the Vishwamitra-Menka episode of Ramayana?”
“Yes, I do.
Menka had disturbed the penance of Vishwamitra. But I won’t allow Anjali to break
my concentration. I shall remember your words.” I replied.
“Ok then. Whenever you feel like getting weak in your
determination, call me.” He said and disappeared.