Half Girlfriend

right to left. The crowd had stopped clapping and were now waiting
for me to speak.
I took the mic in my hand. It slipped a little in my palm, which was
sweaty with nervousness.
Not a word came out of me. Nothing. I saw the sea of people. Even
though I had practised the speech a million times, I couldn’t say a
thing.
People were beginning to look a little puzzled. Was it a mic
problem? they wondered,
I saw Riya in her pink saree in a corner of the front row, her eyes
on me. Slowly, she stood up. I felt anxious. What would the crowd
think? However, she simply changed her place to come sit right in
front of me, I lip-read her.
‘One line at a time, go slow,’ she mouthed. Her presence kick-
started something within me. I blurted out:
‘Distinguished guests of the Bill Gates Foundation, respected
dignitaries, my dear students and parents, welcome to the Dumraon
Royal School,’
The crowd cheered. Most did not understand English, but the
mention of Dumraon was enough to set them off. The Foundation
delegates looked at me with attention.
Okay, I can do this, I told myself, Just like at the rehearsals with
Riya. Just imagine only she is here.
I gazed at Riya. She gave me a nod and smiled. Encouraged, I
continued:
‘Mr Bill Gates is here with us today. He is the richest man in the
world. I am sure he is sick of being told that all the time.’
From a distance, I noticed Bill Gates smile. He is listening to me, I
thought.
‘Sir, you know that rich in terms of money is not enough to have
the richest life. That is why you are here. In my Bihar, which, even
though we love it, is one of the most backward places on the planet.’
Riya was nodding after every line.