The holidays came as a reward for the trauma the exams cause. Senthil lent his zoology notebook to work on the holidays. I have to admit, it got boring in just a few days. There were no places to go in the village, no malls, no restaurants, nothing. Even if there were any, I had made zero friends to hang out with.
My patti took me to the only movie theater in the village but they only played old Tamil movies. She enjoyed the film a lot, sadly the same thing wasn't true for me. I might have enjoyed the movie, if Senthil had not ruined it for me, by putting me in such a bad mood.
On the way to the movies, I spotted Senthil. He was talking animatedly with two girls, they were both giggling. He didn't see me come. I shot him a murderous glare as I passed, one girl eyed me curiously while the other returned my glare. I passed him before he could see me.
I couldn't stop comparing myself with the girls all through the movie. Both were shorter than me, maybe he liked short girls. They had darker skin similar to Senthil, am I too pale for his liking. Blame Canadian cold weather for it, I am sure I too will be dusky if given little time here. They had long plaited hair decorated with flowers and wore a typical south Indian dress 'dhavani'- a full length skirt and blouse draped with a shawl. Maybe I'm not his type. I never felt insecure about my looks.
I couldn't stop clenching my teeth, the image of Senthil chit chatting with those girls flooded me. It was hard to admit but I was jealous. Only consolation was that he maintained the same four feet distance from them as he did to me.
Movie ended, my paati clapped for a full minute as the hero ran holding hands with the heroine on the beach. When we came out Senthil was standing outside a tea stall sipping tea from a paper cup. I ignored him.
Or rather I tried to ignore him and failed miserably. When I looked up angry and hurt desperately trying to turn my face away from him, he did the one thing! The one thing that melted my heart. He looked me in the eyes and smiled. I forgot I was angry; I forgot I was hurt; I forgot everything.
My face broke into an even larger grin. I am sure I looked like an idiot. Do you see something hurtling and flying away, yes that's my self respect and resolution. I am sure they won't return for a while. He walked towards us.
"You bought Ananya to watch your favorite movie," he said to paati, turning to me he added "Did you enjoy it?"
"Yes." God! Do I have to sound so breathy, why can't I be breezy.
He bid goodbye to my paati and without a backward glance went his way. Was he waiting for me here? Maybe it was my hurt ego talking.
Finally the school day, I wore a uniform, plaited my hair both sides and tied up with a matching ribbon. Sai had a full five minute breakdown when he facetimed me.
First class was tamil and Mrs. Lakshmi announced each student's score before handing out the papers. She must have saved mine for the climax. Well, it was really anti-climax for me as I already knew I had scored a zero. She made all the failed students stand in front of the class (it's scoring 80 or less out of 200 if you really want to know). And she lectured the whole class what a disgrace we were to call ourself Tamilans.
My class accepted me as a normal human being after that and the girls included me in their conversation and invited me for lunch. Scoring zero really warms people towards you.
Senthil was a no show that day and for the whole week. I cornered Saranya at school one evening.
"Is Senthil alright?"
"Yes, Anni. What happened?"
"He didn't come to school. I have to return his notes and discuss a few doubts with him."
"Anna... Anna has quit school," she hesitantly.
"What? Why!"
"He has to work."
"He works? Where?" I am not usually inquisitorial but I didn't want a perfectly fine student to drop out.
"As a construction worker."
"Can I come with you to your house today?" She nodded hesitantly.
Senthil's house turned out to be a hut, a small single room structure. Senthil's mother was lying in a corner.
"Amma, Ananya anni has come," she said and helped her mother up.
"Aunty, how are you?" (You don't have to be related in India to call someone Aunt, you even address strangers as aunty. Even though I didn't like it, I had not much choice but to follow the crowd)
If you haven't met Indian Aunties I am warning you, never ever engage in conversation with one, just run the opposite way at top speed. I learned it the hard way. She started with her life history from birth till this day which lasted for an hour. Maybe I am exaggerating a little but it felt like an hour.
The gist is, Senthil's dad ran away leaving both kids and Radha aunty penniless. She worked hard to raise them but now she is extremely ill and she thinks it is her menopause. So Senthil had to quit school to run the family.
"He doesn't want to work in your grandparents' farm as they pay 300 rupees per day, but construction workers get 500 rupee a day," finished Radha aunty (500 rupee is 4 to 5 dollar, I don't run foreign exchange so it may not be accurate, just google it).
Senthil walked in looking extremely tired. He stood rooted to the spot when he saw me.
"Hi" I said tentatively; he didn't respond, just stood staring at my feet. He was back to not looking at me, my heart felt a little heavy.
"I came to return your notes and your mark sheet."
I dislodged and dropped my marksheet when I got Senthil's.
Saranya exclaimed as she picked up my marksheet. "You got a zero in tamil and you failed in physics and almost all subjects."
"How much did you score in maths?" Senthil asked.
"196."
"You got 196 in maths with just 5 days prep, that's great," he said pointedly at his sister.
"Thanks," I mumbled, I could feel my cheeks grow hot, he was defending me.
"I have a few doubts and I thought I would borrow some more notes."
"You can have them all. I don't need them anymore."
"Senthil," I called, he turned and looked at me. My cheeks grew hot, damn it! Why am I reacting to this boy like this! Yes I forgot I'm a sucker for hot guys!
"I am looking for someone to help me with Tamil and other subjects. Can you teach me? I will pay."
"I don't know, I have to go to work."
"I will pay you the same as your current work, just teach me in the evenings."
He looked hesitant, before he could reply I handed him the 500 rupees from my purse.
"This is your advance, see you by 6." I ducked out saying my goodbye before he could object any further.