In school, there was, is and will be, a unique and discreet subset. A few rows of back benchers who were never afraid of a test.
These backbenchers took the longest breaks, took the longest to settle down.
Rarely would have done their homework. Still, from teachers didn't evince a frown.
They were current on movies and knew great stuff on sports too.
If our city had secret places to visit, they'd already been there and done that too.
They weren't good at academics but weren't bothered about it. They were good in sports but would not bother others about it.
They were taller and heavier and some had seen more summers than others.
Puberty struck them earlier. One among them was a drummer.
They had magazines which front benchers didn't. More glossy and re-readable at that.
There was an air of mischief and a smile that complemented that.
Except for the art class, the ones in our class were great artists too. They'd draw on the desk, art mentionable and unmentionable too.
The knew how to fly planes. Land missiles on teachersand with a poker face, lie with panache and credence.
Catcalls and comments, came from them with a regular flow.
Assignments were jointly completed, later than sooner they would show.
They were a nice lot, happier than most others I'd say. More at peace with themselves, except on the results day.
Sports Day was the day they'd excel and make their class and house proud. Win points and medals, be cheered by the crowd.
They had the colours on holi-day. Their pen wielded ink too.
Their crackers resounded in toilets, they had the gadgets and games too.
In time we met again, in social media groups and reunions.
They have done as well as those in front rows, the differences have melted since.
Happy then and happy now, the backbenchers had a fair deal. They must've slogged in between. As good or better than the front row, I feel.
It generally evens out in life
Whether you were at the front or @ the back.
The benchmark was never the bench!
Tailpiece.
Our day had begun at 4, the chores and we were ready by 6. The caretaker was at our door by a half past 6 and helped me load the Chevy. It was raining as we cast off, stopped at the Nagaraja temple at Randalummoodu and then at the Mahaganapati kshetram, Kottarakkara.
Topped up the Chevy with diesel and checked tyre pressure at the usual bunk that I go to while at Kottarakkara. The scavenger cleaning the rest rooms did not allow me to go around the corner because he was cleaning it; controlled my anger and drove off. Stopped at the Kalpakavadi Inn at Kayamkulam for breakfast and the use of rest rooms, about a half an hour later. The time was 8.
Bore the brunt of the rain at many places enroute but the drive was nice, all through. Lunch - limited to light snacks - was at the IOC petrol bunk complex, Angamali. We frequent the place as both Lekha and I love the ambience there.
We reached The Quarterdeck around a half past 3, after doing my bank work and buying sundries. The opening up of the house and unpacking followed; settled down to listening to Lekha's recital of the Ramayana.
However, the first thing I did was to hoist the tricolour at our balcony, as exhorted by our Prime Minister, on account of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav.
It was a wet evening!
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