Another Brick in the Wall

Prologue

It is funny how people have a habit of reaching accurate conclusions while oblivious to the fact that what
said might be a huge possibility.

Thus, people are partially correct when they say that walls have ears. Yes, we do have the ability to
eavesdrop despite the absence of fleshy ears. There are numerous conversations that we listen to-short
and long, formal and informal and many more. We also have the misfortune of hearing surreptitiously
passed burps.

The best part is that my whole wall that is my family is situated in a 12 th grade class-the typical hub of all
gossip. Every passing day is like a spontaneous movie unraveling in front of us, spilling out its contents
for us to feed on. It is the stage where children are preparing themselves to abandon the security of
school to embrace the tough ways of adulthood. And the whole process is beautiful blend of laughter,
tears, nostalgia, rigour, hard work and what not.

But that is for later. I have not yet fully introduced myself and the eccentric ways of my wall. We bricks
are heavy sleepers and keen listeners. However, I am a very light sleeper because I am cemented beside
A J. His rumbling snores fail to be a lullaby to me, thus causing me to turn into an insomniac. I know his
name is funny but we call him that because that is what is written on him. Though, we call him AJ for the
sake of convenience.

My name is Wallflower. The reason is simple enough-I have a flower drawn on me. There is a meaning to
my name but I dont know it yet. Though I find the name pretty.

There is one thing I really love to do-think. Listening to so many conversations leaves me thinking and
introspecting. It helps to understand life more and more. I just wonder if people take out time to think.
Not about work or tasks to be done, but simply about life. Sometimes they are so caught with the single
mindedness to move forward that they never stop for a second to introspect. And it really saddens me.

So I am here, just to tell another story of numerous young lives and the summer that changed their
perspective of life, in the best way possible.

**********************

The chaos consisting of screeching of chairs against the floor, loud muttering among students and
thumping of books on desks defied the usual quaintness associated with a classroom.

The class was divided into groups, chatting animatedly amongst themselves, refusing to acknowledge
anyone else other than their beloved friends.

The shrill bell pierced through the air adding to the symphony of the cacophony.
The children scrambled to their respective seats when a stout teacher walked into the classroom. The
teacher had an overall dramatic aura about her. The simplest strings of words were delivered through
enthusiastic gestures and extravagant expressions.

She swayed into the classroom as her long black braid swished against her lower back. With a controlled
voice, which in fact sounded strange with respect to her demeanor, she spoke, Good Morning class.

An awkward silence remained suspended in the air as she kept a hopeful look on her face, patiently
waiting for greeting.

Realising their tardiness, the children mumbled a drowsy good morning.

So, 12-F. You guys have been together in one section for about a year by now. However, I have been
listening to quite a few complaints.

Ignoring the apprehensive eyes staring at her, she continued, You all are not bonding well enough.
Although you are the brightest class, you lack the required amount of unity and refuse to converse out of
your formed cliques. That is why; I will assign you all seats and NO CHANGING.

The class groaned in unison.

That ,is a good start.

CHAPTER 1

Kabir sat with the satisfying presence of a book, disregarding the pre-class hubbub to which the
other students were wont.

His brows knitted with furious concentration as his eyes darted across the yellowish page, typical
of a library book, with lightning speed through thick rimmed glasses. The glasses had come to be
a fashion statement for the average teenager, but for Kabir they were a matter of necessity rather
than narcissism.

Kabir may seem like the quintessential blubbering nerd, in actuality he was not taciturn. He had a
rather good set of friends- however, most of them belonged to the fairer sex.

So when Vanya and Amaira, his closest confidantes, entered the classroom, matching midnight
blue backpacks slung over their shoulders, they knew better than to disturb Kabir while he was
engrossed in his current read.

Such was his obliviousness to the world that he didn't notice even the tall presence of Aryan
hovering beside him.

Aryan was used to attention. Not that he was revered, but his good looks, easygoing personality
and above all, his football skills ensured that everyone made the effort to spare him a greeting.

A bit disheartened and taken aback by Kabirs indifference, he let out a loud Hey.

Everything was loud about Aryan - the slumping of his large frame against some of my fellow
bricks, the drumming of his long fingers on a desk mutilated by crude caricatures; even his
breathing was loud.

Kabir remained inattentive.

Aryan grimaced (with a loud sigh).

The period bell pulled Kabir out of his bookish daze. Aryan took his newly assigned place next
to him with a satisfied smile as Kabir finally acknowledged his existence and croaked out a
throaty Hi.

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Recess saw Vanya and Amaira waiting for Kabir so that they could make their usual pilgrimage
to the cafeteria in the quest of sustenance for the coming lessons.

Kabir chuckled when he caught the pair ogling at Aryan. As he knelt down to pick up his
Calculus assignment a rather alarming sound rippled through the air.
Kabirs expression was a picture of pure panic as he gingerly parked his derriere on the wooden
chair.

The pant had split,revealing the goofy face of Spongebob Squarepants.

In a split second a rapid exchange bounced between Kabir, Vanya and Amairas eyes, in the
secret language that exists solely between best friends.

With a conclusive nod, Amaira and Vanya left, not before saying, Well bring you a Peach Iced
Tea.

Aryan seemed to be a good emotion cryptographer. Or perhaps it was to his added advantage that
he had witnessed a major segment of the incident.

Ive got an extra pair in my football kit. It might be a little loose but it should make do.

Kabirs face had become an excellent medium for emotions because words were stubbornly
lodged at the back of his throat, too frightened to become a verbal evidence of his gratitude.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

It is funny how a pair of pants can metamorphose into the sturdy foundation of a budding
bromance.

The ritual of exchanging loud and scratchy morning hellos had become a habit as old as time.

It was one of those periods when the teacher was too busy guarding her painstakingly cooked
butter chicken lunch in the staff room to teach. I cannot blame her though.

So Amaira and Vanya dressed you up in a kimono, wove a woolen scarf through your hair,
painted your nails, gave you fake eyelashes and makeup and uploaded the video on YouTube?
Epic dude, epic!' Aryan howled with laughter and clutched his sides.

Beside him, Kabir was blushing furiously, his face as red as Aryans Manchester United bag.

Okay, ha ha ha, it's hilarious, now stop. Tell me about one embarrassing dare that you have had
to do.

My friends made me ask out the cashier at KFC and use my football shoe as my phone to take
her number.' It was Kabirs turn to let out raucous spasms of laughter (not as loudly as Aryan
though).

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

As the summer months progressed and the temperature decided to shoot up, so did the number of
glances Aryan threw at Kabir.
It was refreshing to see a boy not staking out girls all the time.

Blissfully unaware, Kabir would continue chatting while Aryan would drink in every word,
carefully adding them to his reservoir of knowledge.

But then came the thunder.

I am bisexual,said Aryan abruptly in the midst of a charades game.

Which movie is this one from? Aryan mused.

No movie dialogue. It is a fact.

When did you realize?

Three weeks ago

Oh. Is it because of me? asked Kabir, his face a mask.

Probably. I guess I had known it all along, I was just too scared to admit it.'

Words failed Kabir.

Do you still want to be friends?

Kabir stared at Aryan, his face eloquent of his disbelief.

'You actually have the balls to ask me that, you little piece of shit? After all the times we bunked
English Lit?'

Aryan looked sheepish, his eyes darting around the class nervously.

Tell your parents about it.

Are you out of your fucking mind? It was Aryan's turn to look incredulous.

You will have to tell them someday.Why not today?

Easy for you to say.You dont even know them.'

But I still believe that they will support you.

Oh really? Tell me which INDIAN parent wants to know that their son is bi? It will pretty much
have the same effect as telling them that I'm joining a Columbian drug cartel after school.

Will you just try?

Try being in my shoes.

Try growing a pair.

Fuck off.

Right back at you.

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Did you tell them?

No.

Kabir glared. So did Aryan.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

The classroom was empty. The last of the stragglers had left for the library.

Aryan sat on the floor next to A<3J's cousin blinky, moodily, but rather sadly,fiddling with the
straps of his bag. The stainless steel legs of the back benches concealed him from view.

You finally told them. Kabir ducked under the desks and sat cross legged next to him.

Yeah.

What did they say?

They said that they will come along. It would just take some time.

I told you it wont be all that bad.

They only said that after taking me to the doctor; as if my sexuality is a fucking disease that can
be diagnosed, choked out Aryan.

Seeing Aryans vulnerability, Kabir came to realise the stinging behind his own eyes.The two
friends sat facing each other, liquid words oozing down their cheeks.

Once the tears and redundant snot was wiped away, Kabir asked, How did you convince your
parents?

I didnt, the doctor did. He was livid. Then I also reminded Mom and Dad how they keep going
on and on about Vikram Seth and Elton John, how it is so commendable that they have strived
against discrimination to become as successful as they are today. That shut them up.
There was laughter this time.

The rainbow had arrived.