Clatter of the window panes woke me up. A cool easterly was blowing the curtains away. The sky was turning deep red, but the sun was yet to be seen. Koo-ooo, koo-ooo, a koel was singing somewhere. Ki-ki-ki, the female responded only after a few calls. I used to get irritated by this sound. Not now.
I glanced at the wall clock, it was still ten minutes to six. She must be standing there, under the mango tree, books clutched under her arms, waiting impatiently for the rickshaw. If I miss today, I won’t be able to see her for next five days. Damn these board people, why keep such long gaps between two papers.
I got up with a start and leapt out of bed. Ouch, my legs, they hurt.
“What happened” my wife asked turning lazily towards me, “why in such a hurry?”
Then I realized. It has been more than thirty five years, but Spring still reminds me of that dusky niece of Khanna Uncle, who came in our colony, to write her Board exams. She never came again, but her innocent round face with mischievous smile is still fresh in my mind.
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