Bhola Saves The Day – Part I

Bhoot. Bhoot.

Shyam’s mates teased him as he entered the class. Shyam was visibly shaken and on the verge of a breakdown. He kept his head low and sat on the first bench in the corner of the room. Nobody sat anywhere close to him. Nobody except Bhola.

Bhola and Shyam were best friends. They lived next door to each other and had practically spent their teeny-weeny years together. They played together. They studied together. They dug treasures and noses together. They were inseparable.

Bhoot. Bhoot.

Someone (or probably more) had etched those ghastly words on his wooden desk. Shyam quickly covered it with his books.

The teasing continued. Bhola could hear other kids whispering mean things about his friend. Even Miss Geeta’s rebuke failed to silence them.

He is possessed
Don’t go near him
He will eat you
Soon he will turn green
He is a demon

Bhola wanted the teasing to stop but he was powerless. He looked at Shyam to offer him some comfort but Shyam had his head hung low and did not look up. School was a nightmare for him. Shyam wanted to run and go as far as his legs could take him. Little kids are often told that they are capable of anything and everything but they are seldom allowed to do what their little hearts desire. Shyam stayed still in his seat and prayed for the torment to end.

When the giggling and the whispering got louder, Miss Geeta reprimanded the class firmly.
“I don’t want to hear any mumbling. Keep your eyes on the book.”

She walked up to Shyam and said, “Ignore them. Try and concentrate on your studies. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

Shyam looked up and nodded. He had come to hate Miss Geeta at this point. It was at her insistence that his parents had agreed to continue sending him to school. They were otherwise keen on keeping him home until he was “completely pure again”. Shyam cursed her under his breath and buried his face in his book.

Bhola noticed that Shyam’s nose was red with shame and embarrassment. When Miss Geeta walked away to continue her lesson, Bhola patted him on the shoulder and whispered gently.
“She’s right. Don’t worry. You will get better soon.”

“Y-yes,” Shyam replied, wiping his nose with his sleeve. “Mama and papa have asked Guruji to visit us.”