Half Girlfriend

I moved to class IV and then to class V. Forty minutes into the
class, I sat down for a break. I had finally managed to keep all three
classes busy with their respective work.
‘Madhav sir,’ a ponytailed girl next to Shabnam said.
‘What?’
‘Bring your friend to class.’
‘Why?’
‘Please.’
‘No. This is study time.’
A couple of other girls followed and started the ‘please’ routine
Soon, the whole class chanted ‘please, please, please’ to me. I had
taught them about manners just the previous week. Now they were
using them against me.
‘Fine, I will get her,’ I said, ‘provided you stay absolutely quiet and
work.’
Everyone nodded and placed their fingers on their lips. I left the
classroom. The class burst into noise as soon as I stepped out.
My mother and Riya sat in silence, each busy with their stack of
notebooks.
‘Riya, the students want to meet you.’
‘Me? Why?’ Riya looked up, surprised.
‘Just curious, I guess.’
Riya looked at my mother. Ma didn’t react. I pulled Riya s arm.
‘Come, no,’ I said.
Riya and I stepped out of the staffroom.
‘How is it going with Ma?’ I said.
‘Why do you ask?’
‘She is sweet, no? Comes across as strict, but is a big softie.’
‘Why are you telling me this, Madhav?’ R iya said.
‘Just.’
We reached the class. The students broke into applause.
‘Hi, I am Riya,' she said. She knelt down to be on their level. ‘You
are so pretty,’ Shabnam said shyly.