5 women in a man's life - The First

In 1997, I made the big crossing from SHS to NJS. If you aren't my friend from either of the two places, here's what they stand for – SHS is Sindhi High School and NJS is National Junior School. After class 5, I was to make the switch, much against my likes.

On the fine 'first morning' at my new school, I walked up 3 floors to class 6 A. I wore a jelly coloured yellow bag, a pair of new denims and a blue T-shirt that my uncle had gifted me for the last b'day. My feet were shaking furiously for this was my first time as a first timer in a new school. As I walked up towards the class, a million thoughts rushed through my head. Who would my friends be? Would they be as good as my old friends? Do the teachers here beat up the kids...?

I turned and faced the class trying to look absolutely unperturbed by the fact that 43 pairs of eyes were fixed on one. And the teacher said - “This is B S Arjun. He's from Sindhi High School.” And I was told to take the last seat in the corner row. As I bent my head and walked towards the benches, I couldn't help looking at a face that sat right there in the first bench. There, right there, was the cutest face I had seen in all my years till then. She had short hair, a little longer than a guy's, fair skin and dark eyes. A mole on her left cheek was the icing on the cake. And as I walked past her, my heart skipped a couple of beats, I went and sat at the end and stared at her back hoping for her to turn around so I could catch a glimpse of her one more time. Just once more.

Mrs. Sharmila was brave enough to trust a nutty lad like me to become the class monitor on day one. If she thought I could, so did I. And that did help me break the ice with Ms. Cute Mole. It took 3 attempts and several blushes after which I shamelessly said - “Hi, what's your name?”

Every man treasures his first crush. Some prefer calling it 'puppy love'. She is the first of the five women in a man's life.

Stay tuned for the next 4. Coming soon, this November.