He's With Me

Disclaimer~ All the characters and incidents portrayed and the names used in this book are fictional and any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence. Any similarity or resemblance to the names, characters or history of any person (living or dead), is entirely and purely co-incidental and unintentional.

Copyrights of characters, plot etc. of this book belongs to the author. Rewrites without the author’s permission or guidence would be reported.

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I have always compared Indian education system to the Indian railways.

Fixed studying tracks, students sleeping on benches, classes have reservations and what not. The way bogies are laid back to back, in the very same way our classes are conducted back to back.

Since, we are so used to the system we really never got the chance to complain. All we heard were the cautions and warnings.

“If you attempt to deviate from the line, you will go nowhere,---don’t be left behind, Myra!” My parents warned.

“Turning points are critical, prepare well!” Teachers caution.

“The fees have increased, you have no choice!” blabbered the educational system.

Zoom in, and you will see the pitiful students juggling to impress all the above categories.

Coming from a Higher class family with an IQ of 180 and a photographic memory, does not help you improve your situation any better. After all, this country does not lack in intelligence. If you want a future for yourself you have to be a thriver.

After losing my month long memory in an accident last summer, I have drowned myself into books so much so that I’ve lost most of my interests and emotions, yet I can still feel this hole in my heart that keeps getting bigger and larger. It’s almost like I keep forgetting something very important to me.

“Myra! Thank goodness, I have been looking everywhere for you.” screamed a cheerful voice.

I look around to find Ria waving her hand like a mad-woman as she pushed her way towards me through the crowded hallways.

Yep, that’s my bestfriend Ria Singh. Trust me, when I say you won’t find a girl like her anywhere else. She is the perfect combination of beauty, charm, and intelligence; or at least that’s what I thought.

Yes, she is a beauty.

Yes, she does have intelligence.

If you count being loud, and oblivious as a charm. Then--yes, she charming. A lot.

“Hey, wait for me!” she called out for the third time.

We always had this bittersweet relationship, I still remember the day I first met her. It was the starting of the academic year, we were promoted to the 7th grade, and Ria was new in town. Everyone else had a bench partner, so our home room teacher made her sit beside me.

Ever since that day, Ria followed me like a lost puppy. Even after so many years, we are high school seniors and still friends.

“I don’t have the time to play around with you, Ria.”

“But, it’s important.” she whined drawing attention.

“Later, I have somewhere to be.” with that said I made a move to walk away when another voice caught my attention.

“Oh, Miss Das. This is perfect, I assume Miss Singh already filled you up with the details.” Mrs.Shah my science teacher, exclaimed in joy.

I received her enthusiasm with one of my confused ones.

Students were already filling out of the hallways as I looked up at her and then at Ria, waiting anxiously for their explanations.

“Details? On what Mrs. Shah?” I asked.

“On the Student Exchange Programme.” She spoke, looking at me and then at Ria, “I can now see that you were not informed.”

“What about the Exchange Programme?” I questioned while Ria looked away from us nervously, avoiding eye contacts.

“I-I was about to?” she stuttered fidgeting around from the intense gaze of our science teacher.

“Miss Singh, you and I can have a talk later,” Mrs. Shah sighed tiredly as she spoke.

“Is there something I should be informed about?” I spoke out loud.

“Miss Das, you along with Miss Singh, and one of the boys in the arts department are chosen for the Student Exchange Programme in America for the rest of your senior year.” she announced with a proud smile gracing her features.

Oh boy, this must be a nightmare.

~

You know the time when you desperately wanted your parents to support you? To back you up no-matter-what?

But they won’t? Entirely oblivious to your dilemma.

“But daddy, I don’t want to!” I whined like a hopeless child, “Please--can’t you just refuse?!”

“No can do, princess. This is a great opportunity for you and I’m sorry, but you have to go. I’ve already filled up all the formalities.”

“Dad..!”

He sighed as he came and sat beside me on the mattress. “Listen, you’ve got nothing to worry about. You’ll be living with your aunt along with Ria. She misses you both, a lot.”

“Hmmm.”

“Say, is it because you don’t remember the summer you’ve spent there an year ago?”

It was true, I don’t remember the time I’ve spent there.

That summer changed everything, I lost my memories after an car accident on my ride back home from the airport.

The cab driver died on spot, Ria broke her arm while I had an fatal head injury that left me unconscious for a month.

Deep inside, I knew I was forgetting something very important that---I still can’t remember.

“That is--it’s just that--I’m scared.” I confessed my worries, “I’m scared of meeting the people I might have forgotten.”

“What if I embarrass myself in front of them? What if they dont like me? What if I don’t like them?” I added, hiding my face in the palms of my hands.

“Angel, who in their right mind wouldn’t like you? You’re smart, beautiful, and most importantly you are kind. You’ve always been, and that wouldn’t change.” he spoke as he studied my face for a second.

“Besides, you’re my warrior princess. You can’t be seriously scared of something so trivial?” he added.

It’s true. I’m a fighter, a thriver! I can’t be a coward, and run away from my fears with tail between my legs.

“You’re absolutely right, dad. I refuse to be a coward.”

I sighed deeply and offered him a gentle smile which he gladly returned me with a reassuring hug, “That’s my girl!”

~