The school bell had rung,and the afternoon school prayer had been said. Our bags were packed and already loaded on our shoulders… Sky blue skirt and white shirt uniformed students roamed around in the classroom.. The teacher called for us,and we stood in our respective places in the class line.. .. ..

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My class-partner held my hand,my bottle hung around my neck,my little black shoes retained its shiny polish,even at the end of the day.. We walked in a line,behind our class-teacher,towards the school gate.. We had already neared the school gate,when the students had already started dispersing among the waiting parents… Someone’s mother, Another’s father, Someone’s brother called out.. I could hear so many names of my class mates being called out,…and I wondered if they had heard it too….

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I still held on to my partner’s hand.. She was searching for her mother..

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I knew,it was useless,yet just the same,like every other day,I looked into the crowd,searching for the face of my mother.. I knew she was not there,but I wanted to see her there.. .. .. . . . . . Just like every other day,I had wished the same,today too….

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Suddenly,I felt left out..alone…I looked to my right and realized, my partner had just left my hand and was running towards her mother..She had found hers,but I hadn’t……She was running,and just about to trip,when her mother caught her and held her up,in her arms…..

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I saw her mother…She was in a green sari,with red flowers printed on it.. She always wore two shining golden bangles on her left hand, and one silver on her right.. … On some days,she tied her hair into a bun,or braided it.. On other days,she left her wet hair open,just like she had done today… .. OH! She had caught me staring at her,and she smiled at me.. I forced a smile,and smiled back at her..

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I turned and walked to the bus stand. The bus came,and I got a window seat too. I paid the bus conductor a penny.. .. and then I rested my head on the bag,which I had placed on my lap……….and…I drifted into a sleep……

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May every soul rest in peace.

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-swasTIKA

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