CHAPTER 03 - A whole new world

It was a sunny day of January. The Robarosiya tree held the look of a proud bride all dressed up with a pink wail. The netball court of the school was fully covered with Robarosiya flowers and a few girls wearing white uniforms, holding their hands, walking along it had created a mesmerizing scene. The mischievous breeze blew hither and thither sometimes disturbing Raisha, by throwing her own hair across her eyes. She was amused by this breathtaking scenery. She was all alone there, leaning out of a window of her classroom wondering how magnificent mother nature is, while the rest of the girls in her class were uttering thousands of words with their companions.

As this is the beginning of a new year and a fresh new term, all the girls were excited to meet their new class teacher and new friends as the children are mixed up within a grade in certain ages. So the parallel five classes of grade six had been mixed up to form new grade six classes this year. This was a great relief for Raisha because the girl who grabbed her sticker made her a lot of troubles and gave Raisha a lot of pain through out the whole last year. When they were mixed up she had moved to a certain class while Raisha moved to another.

Suddenly a voice screamed with great excitement to woke up Raisha from day dreaming.

Here comes the teacher... girls. Stop talking and BE SILENT !!!!

With this announcement Raisha jumped into her chair and waited for the new teacher to appear.

All the girls were so eager to see their class teacher and to talk with her.

Then the teacher slowly walked along the corridor, entered the class through the old wooden door and stood in front of the teacher's table.

Their class teacher was a fair woman about in her early forties. She was plump and bit short. Her long eyes became two long lines when she smiled parting her wide lips.

Good morning dear children.... Now please sit down said the teacher.

I hope you all had a wonderful vacation... So this is a whole new year and a new school term and most of all you are in a new grade with new friends.

Am I right ?.... asked the teacher.

Yes teacher ..... shouted the girls in one voice.

Oh!! I forgot to introduce myself to you all. Do you like to know my name ? asked the teacher by giving all the girls a careful look.

Yes teacher.....shouted the girls again.

Well... I'm Mrs. Ashoka.. and I'll be teaching you English...

As your class teacher I would like to say that you have to sweep the floor and keep your classroom neat and tidy. You have to do your school work on time and must NOT forget to do all the homework given by your subject teachers. All of you must bring your things necessary for your lessons. Don't disturb your friends by asking for anything. Speaking with friends during lessons is strictly prohibited, right.... I will check your cleanliness every first day and the last day of the week. You all must have good discipline and behave like good little misses.... And I don't expect any complain about your misbehavior... Got it young ladies ? demanded Mrs. Ashoka in an assertive voice.

Yes teacher ..... replied the girls in a solemn manner.

As Mrs. Ashoka asked the girls to take out their English text books and writing books, all of them happily got prepared to do their first lesson of the year. Raisha too was so happy to begin her work with her favorite subject. She took out her books, pens and pencils in a rhythmic manner, when suddenly she heard a voice calling her...

Excuse me... Can you give me a pencil please ? I think I've left mine at home. said the girl sitting next to Raisha in a whispering low voice.

Risha turned to her side to see a girl with big sparkling eyes and a pretty long face with a straight nose. She was wearing a very attractive smile on her face. But she seems very anxious to take over Raisha's pencil before Mrs. Ashoka spot them sharing their belongings.

Understanding her, Raisha quickly gave her an extra pencil to the girl without any reaction on face.

Not noticing the Raisha's odd behavior the girl returned the pencil thanking great lot for saving her from the disgrace that could have caused if got caught to Mrs. Ashoka.

Seeing no Response from Raisha the girl started speaking again. She wasn't ready to give up.

Hello..... I'm Sheekha.. What's your name?

Raisha was not at all showed any interest to speak with her. But when she saw Sheekha's sober face indefinable will forced her to speak up....

"RAISHA.... SPEAK WITH SHEEKHA....."

"RAISHA.... SPEAK WITH SHEEKHA....."

"RAISHA.... SPEAK WITH SHEEKHA...."

Mmm.... Mmmm.....I'm Raisha....said Raisha with a shy and low voice without even looking at Sheekha's face. Raisha thought that Sheekha won't continue chatting but for her greatest astonishment Sheekha kept on talking...

I'm from Mateland....Where do you live Raisha.....?

Heard this Raisha was shocked. They both are from same town.

I'm from Mateland too..... replied Raisha.

Woow... That's great...said Sheekha chortling with glee.

Raisha wanted to avoid Sheekha and her talking but Sheekha on the other hand being a talkative lass took many attempts to wake up Raisha's sleepy and lethargic Broca's area.

Yes indeed.

This light hearted, innocent and will full spirit, Sheekha was able to move Raisha to the wonderful world of "letters, sentences and sounds" at last.....