Introduction
A day in school is normally like any other day, but there is a day that we would like to forget, in which nothing right seemed to happen. Till today I have nightmares recalling the day and wish I do not have to relive the same again.
When and what happened?
It was on the first of September last year and we were in the midst of our half yearly exams, which I got up an hour late. I was feeling quite dizzy, for I had gone to sleep late last night, after giving finishing touches to my preparation for the English Language test.
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The look at my alarm clock left me pale. I had just ten minutes to board the bus for school. I scrambled from bed and finished my daily chores in a jiffy. I had barely got dressed when the blaring horn of the bus sounded. Clutching my bag, I hounded out of the driveway but to my dismay the bus was nowhere in sight. Rushing hack I entreated my father to drop me to school in his car. He grudgingly agreed, after giving me a pep talk on being so careless.
Major incident (What happened?)
I reached school about twenty minutes late, being immediately ticked off by the monitor and asked to stay back after school as punishment. I took this in my stride, cursing my ill stars for the humiliation. On reaching my class I took my seat and settled down to face the test. The question paper left me dumbstruck. Was I hallucinating? I pinched myself to see whether I was in my senses. Yes I was. I glanced at my watch, it was indeed the first of September and the test slated was not English but Maths. The earth seemed to slip beneath me, as I tried to come to terms with this catastrophe. Maths itself was my Achilles heel, but to give a test without any preparation was indeed a nightmare. I however gathered my wits and began to attempt the questions with trembling hands.
Other incidents
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After two hours the ordeal was finally over. I had visions of a sound whacking, which were in store for me. I was morose throughout the lunch recess and my friend Arvind comforted me, allaying my fears. As if this was not enough, I was punished for not bringing the science book and was asked to stand outside class. I heaved a sigh of relief on hearing the toll of the school bell. But alas! I had to stay back for detention, which meant catching a public bus to reach home.
Conclusion
The bus journey home was an altogether shattering experience. I had first hand experience of how sardines must feel, being so tightly packed. It is now over a year, but I have still illusions of this nightmare of that day when everything went wrong in school. Recalling it sends a shiver down my spine.