When I first joined my present school, I hated it. I hated the atmosphere, the people, the class and even my classmates! I was so annoyed with my parents for shifting schools that I wanted to be isolated. Noticing that I was the only girl who was sitting alone, my class teacher, a pretty lady with a warm smile, made me sit with a girl. I didn't want to talk to anyone but, this girl, immediately opened up and started talking. "Hi! I'm Archana. I would like to be your friend. You seem like a very nice girl." Being 7 years old, I was very egoistic. I just nodded, shook hands and introduced myself. Even though I was avoiding her, she never gave up on her efforts to talk to me.
Days passed and I eventually started talking to everyone there. But I hardly bothered about Archana. Even if I had made a mistake, or even when everybody were mad at me, she was the only person who was ready to speak to me and save me from that bad situation. Eventually even I started talking to her. But who knew that 2nd grade would come to an end so soon? We had shuffling of classes and she went to the next section.
3rd grade was not that bad. I found myself kinda free. By free I mean, I didn't have anyone pestering me to talk to them. But I found something lacking in 3rd grade. When we got promoted to 4th grade, again shuffling took place and, Archana and I were in the same section. We started growing very close and became best friends very soon. We were in the same section till 10th grade and we have fought a several times. We've had major fights, and there have been instances when she refused to talk to me because of my mistakes.
When we came to 11th grade, I was more interested in science and she was interested in commerce. So, as a result of our differing interests, we were separated again. But still our friendship was very strong. Due to certain unavoidable circumstances, she had to leave the school after 11th grade and I've not heard of her ever since.
Recently, when I was scrolling through my mobile, I realised that I had saved her mobile number. Immediately I dialed up that number. Someone picked the phone. "Hello? May I know who this is?" I instantly recognised her voice and replied back, "Hey Archana? How are you? Its been about a year since we both spoke to each other!" Her reply, shocked me. "Sorry. I think you've got the wrong number." Shattered, I didn't argue. I politely said sorry and kept the phone. I was not her friend for nothing. For 10 years I've known her and I can never forget her voice so easily. So immediately I sent her text message :
Look Archana.. I know that its you.. Don't think I can't recognise your voice and also don't think I've never tried contacting you all these months.. And don't worry.. Henceforth I will not disturb you.. Thank you for being a very good friend for those 10 years..
I kept checking my phone every now and then only to receive another message from her which said :
Ma'am I'm sorry but you've mistaken I'm not Archana plz don't disturb me I'm Chelsea..
That message hurt me further. How can she so blandly lie saying that it isn't her? How can she think that I won't be able to recognise her voice? How was she even able to forget me and all those crazy things we've done together? I was hurt but also made up my mind never to disturb her anymore. That was the last text she received from me and ever will. She was a wonderful friend and like a well-wisher to me. People used to tell that we were like 'Tom & Jerry'. But circumstances changed and even people change.
Right now, all I can do is, look at those pictures of us and think how times have changed...