Too much talking

June 1

Today is June 1. In Kerala, June 1 is the beginning of a new academic year in Schools so as the most assured rainy day. Just like every kid, I also used to be very much excited to go to the new class and meeting friends after 2 months gap. We were supposed to sit in our old classes first and the teacher used to announce the names of those who were promoted to the next class. The next item in the agenda was to march to the new class room where our new class teacher would be ready to welcome us.

Then comes the fight for seats. I always wanted to sit in the extreme corner of second bench. Since I was one among the taller categories, in some classes I was forced to sit in the back bench to ensure that all those 'pokkam kuranjavar' can see the board clearly. I used to feel so ashamed to sit there since back bench used to be for repeaters. Yep, these back bench days got me a few friends who had 2-3 years experience in the same class and elder to me by 5-6 years....:-).

I loved the smell (I would say it a fragrance) of new books and used to enjoy it till they become older and get the smell of the leaked curries from my lunch box and wet school bag.

Covering books and pasting name slips (we used to call them labels) on them were two of the most pleasant activities. We used last years calendars for covers and get brown papers for covering composition books. I used to possess a nice collection of name slips from Poompatta, Balarama and Amar chitra Katha. Me and my sister used to have tough fights to get the best name slips and calendars.

June 1 was supposed to be a half day for us and it used to rain heavily when we go back home. Still, I am confused about this phenomenon.

Over the years, the school reopening dates were changed and so as the commencement of rainy season. But, still the child in me love shivering in those wet uniforms, excitement of going to new classes and the never-ever disclosed pain of going school after 'valiya vacation' (long vacation).

"Oruvattam koodiyen ormakal meyunna
Thirumuttathethuvaan moham"

posted by Lekshmi @ 12:16 AM