Broken Dreams- Part2- Wonder girl Kalpana

Ezhil was grappling with superstition after his sister’s end and started contemplating incidents which may occur. He even had scuffles with his friends for saying this incident will occur. He once went to the extent of telling his friends that his mathematics teacher will die soon otherwise he will tonsure. Of course mathematics teacher did not die and he was beaten by his classmates. Years passed as usual and he got promoted to 5th standard. It was a norm in his village to celebrate every promotion of class because only a few students from his village used to get promoted. His village was gifted to have a river which used to taste salty and sometimes good. The river was used for washing clothes, sometimes children used to swim. Ezhil was fond of swimming but he was not able to learn swimming because no one was willing to teach him. Hence, he dropped the plan to learn it for now.

Some of his village friends who didn’t get promoted usually take up farming or other traditional occupations. Sometimes, Ezhil thinks he shouldn’t follow the path of others in his village. He thought of becoming professional and a unique person from his villagers. His semi town school was co education. His association with a girl called Kalpana who is one year elder than him brought happiness to life. It was his first association with a girl and she used to share a lot of things with him. The stories of Kalpana were interesting to Ezhil because it was coming out from the mouth of Kalpana. He could not understand what relationship between him and her is in that tender age. He thoroughly enjoyed her company during their tour to mahabalipuram. He also understood what all girls used to discuss among themselves. He was amazed when he saw these girls talk about love and marriage at 6th class.

One day at school, Kalpana run to Ezhil to discuss something very important. It was a shock even to Ezhil because what she said to Ezhil was something he could not handle at that age. Some guy from neighboring school was ogling at her all the time she goes to home and he follows her all the way to home. She also said, one time he even tired talking to her but she ran off from that place. Ezhil was puzzled and could not understand the situation clearly. He asked her to chuck it. She also consulted with her friends and decided to go in some other route to her house.

The school was suddenly buzzing with the talk of school pupil leader and assistant school pupil leader. The school has only class till 6th standard so traditionally only 6th and 5th standard students can become school pupil and assistant pupil leaders respectively. Kalpana approached Ezhil to cast in the election as assistant school pupil leader since she was close to the person who was standing as school pupil leader. Ezhil also heeded the request of Kalpana and campaigned along with that person. Ezhil won the election by vast majority to become assistant school pupil leader. He sincerely thanked Kalpana for her efforts and support. The relationship of Kalpana was ended when he shifted his school to some town English Medium matriculation board.
(cont........)