While I was being appraised of the situation back home in my pretty much weekly parental calls, my Mom reminded me to talk to my nephew (Aditya) without fail today. It didn't strike me at first so I blurted out, "Aditya, why? Because it is Maharashtra Day or because it is Labour day??!!" . Mom's answer had me kicking myself in self realization. How could I forget what 1st May used to bring each and every year for 11 years of my life. Of course it was the annual result day!!!
In those 11 years there were not many 1st May's which turned out disappointing for me. I had this uncanny ability of some how peaking scholastically in the last exam of the academic year. Well it was not much of use from the annual prize distribution perspective as that would have already gone by with me standing behind the most decorated student of my class for that year. Nonetheless, upping my performance for the final exams gave me that sweet feeling which only vengeance and that too 'scholastic' vengeance can bring.
The part which was most cherished was after the report card was collected. This was the time when it was Dad's turn to keep up the part of the deal. So be it new shoes, or a much promised season cricket bat or even a video game. Me and Dad used to reach home before Mom could make it from her school. I still remember how she would tentatively get in and before talking to me I am sure there would be glances exchanged between the two of them so that she was sure that everything was fine.
A mark less here and there was catastrophic. The Borate household was held in the maze of tantrums, cries of anguish from yours truly :) and of course words of encouragement and soothing from his parents.
Post lunch, friends gathered in the building's parking lot. Friends going to different schools, a year or two elder or younger. Sometime was spent in sharing school gossip. I was especially interested in how some girls from a local co-ed school did. Being from an 'all boys' school I couldn't really beat the girls you see, which at that time I found really unfair for the girls' :). Then there were always a few who needed consoling because they didn't get what they thought they should have.
After school for a few years I made it a point to visit my 'Alma Mater' on this same day. Talking to teachers, just visiting classrooms. Trying to remember where each of my friends sat when we were in that class. Each time when I walked out of school I had a lump in my throat. Only if I could turn back time and experience all that one more time!!!
Guess talking to my nephew will be the closest I can get to the 1st May that I cherish so much :)
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Aani ho aaj Maharashtra Divas ahe tar ek vinodi prasnna (only for Marathi readers) :
Ek shetkari hota. Thyachya kade don (2) bail hote....
Ek mayla ek mayla, tar sanga thyachya kade kiti bail urle te??!!!
(Leave your answer in the comments sections)
Jai Maharashtra!!! \m/
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