Chapter 55: Two Rows Ahead
It was morning—that silly, lazy morning, when sleep clings to the eyes and the heart wants to rebel against any kind of discipline.
The school ground was filled with drowsy movements and half-hearted yawns. The girls' uniforms were creased, the ties were tied as if someone had tried it in their sleep. We all had become part of a rote script—morning assembly, national anthem, and that familiar 'Pledge'.
It was as if an invisible handcuff had been put on the entire ground.
I was standing in the queue, tense, as if someone had come to hear the punishment. Hands firmly resting on my sides, lips pressed so hard that even a smile could not slip out of the crack.
But my heart? It had flown away long ago... and came to rest, just two rows ahead.
Arin.
"Pledge." A broken voice came from the mike, and everyone started mumbling like a robot together:
"India is my country. We all Indians are brothers and sisters..."
Brothers and sisters?
From where?
At least not me and Arin.