Zeal of age- Part 1

During school days, Aradhana, a charming, talented, bright, and well-bred girl, was in a trap of flooded minds. In between those immature minds, her ethics were molded, and social norms were challenged as her heart became ambitious, as well as eyes dreamy. An incident left a black spot on her character and mind that happened when she was in 8th grade. She got attracted to a charming boy named Arvind.

Then their hookups were discussed as hot gossip among her closest friend circle. She belonged to a very traditional Indian family with an open mind; however, they chose to embrace Indian values rather than Westernized thoughts. Also, she had only an elder sister. The relations she had with her classmates were very good, her name was Amanat, like an angel for her, and always supported her whenever she got struck in troubles. They knew each other very well as both studied together in same class since primary school. Even their mothers were good friends. She was sporty and was good at basketball, but being in company of other toxic classmates, her behavior got changed a lot. Arvind was like a young dandy, handsome boy with athletic qualities and had a sharp business mind, however he had once ditched his own friend. Hence Amanat didn’t used to like him much.

On one fine afternoon, in class an announcement was made from our supervisor, ‘Mrs. Mausmi Rawat.’ She sent a message for all of us, “All students are ordered to gather for a magic show in corridor, right in front of my room”. We all then enjoyed the various unique and tricky tricks played by the magician. He mesmerized all of us with his tricks. In the end, he was honored and praised through a speech by the anchor. Then we all were asked to wait for an important cause told by our teachers, and all eighth standard was eagerly waiting at that moment. The cause was gruesome for the Aradhana and further cause for her humiliation. Our supervisor told about Aradhana and Arvind ‘s section had changed as well as now they were barred to meet with each other now.

Two days before, someone had come to inform that supervisor ma’am was calling Aradhana in her room. On that moment our fifth period was about to start and after that was recess time. We all got alarmed that she was called and in our minds, a rain of tense questions started. The foremost question‘s answer to all questions would be why was she called after the class was over. All students got busy in having their lunch as yet she had not came back in the class. Her friend circle decided that they would stay outside the room in order to wait for her. Then a sudden hustle-bustle started which resulted in state of panic and Amanat decided to infer about it and would tried to understand the whole situation. But in some time, every student from outside of their class was gossiping about that Aradhana had been in a relationship. After sometime, she decided directly to ask Aradhana and got to know that it was true.

She was herself not aware of this matter. She was in relation with Arvind, but due to some minor fight and jealousy, the story had took a sharp turn. Arvind asked her to pay some large amount of money in order to continue this relationship as Aradhana had kept it secret from everyone. Except her friend circle because of conceit in her heart for him. She decided to steal some amount of money from home and would give him, but she was not aware of his deceit and moves. Aradhana told the whole matter after discussing with her group to Amanat. Amanat said to her that she had taken a bold move . But in haste and wrong step as she committed theft in her own house in out of love-lust. Amanat was shocked and terrified in her heart as she could foresee her state was going to be very horrific now. She tried to console her emotionally as being humble and polite. This incident had made her realize that doing wrong for right causes is good, but also at right place and time. She further told her scene that Arvind told her to meet at canteen near ground, where she gave him the amount and he threw that money away scornfully. In anger and in order of recovering back the sum, she tried to manipulate the situation as well as had lied to teacher. They said that her money was stolen or fell in ground. When a search took place, the teacher asked the shopkeeper and he was the sole evidence of the scene, hence the secret got revealed. Thereafter, principle Ma’am called me to inquire about the cause,

and I lied again. But when Arvind was called upon, he told all the truth and said ”I love her”.

Now the horrible moment came that her parents and Arvind’s parents both were called upon to meet the teacher. At last, lots of screams out of fear or dismay and tears of guilt or sorrow shed on both sides, and in return was the scolding and humiliation they got from everyone.

After that day, in the morning, all classmates inquired about what happened at their homes from Aradhana and her friend circle. They told that now in future they would not be indulging in relationships. All secrets were revealed as well as their phones were checked and was taken away from them. At that crucial moment , their pain and suffering could be felt by all. As their blank faces with lined foreheads showed. We all tried to light the environment and hollow advices to forget the scene. But who knows what punishment would be remaining still as constantly threats of suspension were given to her, also warned not allowed to meet that boy for any reason .

However, once Arvind came to meet Aradhana in recess time and said “I am sorry. I was playing with your emotions”.

These phrases just struck as lightning to her heart and she fell on her knees crying. With very much difficulty and help of our counselor teacher, we made her stop weeping that day. After that day, mam allowed Aradhana to return back in old section.

Towards the end, we all thought that now fire of that ‘incident’ was extinguished .But not fully yet, as heat in shape of societal pressure had taken place in hearts of her parents. She had blind faith on her toxic friends and shared everything to them. So, they advised her to see for a counselor teacher ‘Miss Priya’. She asked them for accompanying her but no one was ready. Hence ,she asked Amanat, who agreed to accompany her.

In the end, Miss Priya told that she should talk directly to her sister as well as her parents. During that span of time, every second her heart beats could be heard until she went home back from the school. At the end relationship as well as her toxic friends, lust or immature thoughts that were results of age, all got demise as her soul.