TABLES TURNED.

Ashwin dreaded the first day of school. He had joined this new school just three months before it closed for summer.

- Sarvamitra

It was an inter-school transfer, and hence, he could move between the academic year. With no friends to fall back to, he felt all alone in his new school. Everyone already had their group of friends. And the few times that Ashwin had tried to join them, it somehow ended up with him becoming the laughing stock. With those misfired attempts, he became like a snail, happy to be in his shell.

Now, Ashwin glued himself to the wall, willing to become a part of the wallpaper design. “So, students, what were you up to during your summer vacations?” The class teacher asked the dreaded question. Ashwin had feared this. He knew his answer would elicit laughter from his classmates. From being unpopular to invisible was what he was going to become. He had promised himself to try and make friends, but after his uncool answer, he was sure no one would want to be around him.

Ashwin prayed for the period to end before his turn to answer came. He looked at his watch. Yay! Just a minute more! he thought, and his lips curved into a smile.

“Ashwin,” the teacher’s voice boomed. “The smile on your face tells us that you enjoyed your vacation. Where did you go?”

Ugh! Why did I have to smile? Doomed. I am going to be the class jester this year, too, Ashwin thought, dismayed.

“Trrrrinnng.” The school bell rang.

Saved, Ashwin told himself and heaved a sigh of relief. But he didn’t know it was a moment too soon.

“Fine. We will hear about Ashwin’s trip first thing tomorrow.” Ashwin groaned inwardly. Why was this happening to him?

Ashwin lay on his bed the next day. “Maa,” he called out, “I am not going to school.” Ashwin clutched his stomach. “I have a stomach ache!” Ashwin thought his plan was brilliant. No way was the teacher going to drag the ‘what-happened-during-vacation’ topic for another day.