Although I had nothing to do with a computer but the mushrooming of Cyber cafés and their infra with conjusted cabins generated a partial interest. Often I saved money for a weekend café session. I always chose the cabin at the corner so that nobody could see me what I am doing and I had mastered the art of Alt+Tab quite religiously. Porn sites along with academics was some great fun. I was not an addict, I was just curious.

Often I heard a few couples enjoying the cabin fever, I could hear random typing sound along with some eerie interjections. Watching porn websites was not at all easy because the fear of 'being caught' always haunted me. Above all I was warned by a creepy friend of mine he said - '‘Bhai aisa kaam karne pe police pakad leti hai’. Later on I dropped the idea of visting cafe for surfing when I saw it in the news that the police actually started taking interest in cyber cafe's and the people around there who are found taking interest in more than academics and knowledge oriented sites.

Learning computers was amazing, specially when a friend owns one, hanging out was a good option but it was expensive, a few of them had vehicle but then again petrol was a luxury for school going students and our pockets smelt horribly ....so to avoid freaking out together we used to sit and chat at a particular adda (any of the friend's place), we used to start our discussion about how this thing (the computer) can change the next generation and then later on ended watching porn. I cherished those moments when my friend said (while planning for a charity porn show) 'bhai sab chup mat baithna baat karte raho, parda gira de bhai' , another fellow said - 'mp3 player wala software khol ke volume bada de or window ka size chota kar de ALT Tab taiyaar rakhiyo, bus koi tension nahi hai'.

I had a very special group of friends, the rarest of the rarest people I knew, together we formed the league of extraordinary gentlemen. We were the buffoons as I had mentioned earlier. Together we had encountered an innumerous range of 'events' , I should rather say 'Kaands', I was always afraid of doing any 'kaand', but I always did many of them unknowingly. For instance I would mention a few of them after which I was titled as 'Kaand Joshi' !

I remember -

• Searching out a friend's bag in search of tiffin and unknowingly I took out the 'adult movie CD' which he had borrowed from a senior and then flashing it in the classroom and then standing along with that friend at the principal's office after the teacher got to see the CD in my hand.

• Drawing teacher's face in a horrible cartoon shape on a piece of paper and then placing it in a friends first page of homework copy (which was sent for correction) with his name on the drawing.

• Mocking and making faces through the window to those friends who were punished and were made to kneel down outside the classroom till the teacher caught me as well and I joined them, later on they were mocking me.

..... and many more which I can't share here.

A few memories I forgot to share - standard eigth and ninth I miss the most, the period of growing up.

It was 11 in the morning. Recess was just over and we were retiring to the classroom. The next class was English.Within the next five minutes the classroom sank into dead silence and the class monitor stood right in front of the blackboard like Hercules and displayed a wolfish grin. Each of us was quiet and alert. The introverts posed head-down, the ambiverts looked at the monitor to make sure that the monitor doesn't write their name on the black-board, and the extroverts were looking forward to create further nuisance. Suddenly we heard a series of footsteps. Those were clearly audible and with them a sense of fear lurked within all of us, and then we counted one, two , three.... and 'Jackson' (That was the pet name we used for Mr. Jackson) entered the class. Momentarily the monitor announced the names with a tinge of dejection mixed with eagerness to enjoy the damnation.

Jackson said - "Yes child what would you prefer 'Sticks or Slaps'", and with this phrase the entire classroom stood in defiance of tyranny, our facial arrangement grew pale with fear and our buttocks red later.

2002, St.Francis College - standard VIII knew only one fear and that was our very own English teacher Mr. Derick Jackson. He was a brand with baritone voice, the finest dressing sense, and the signature deodorant named 'playboy'. His knowledge in English Literature set an epitome which none could match. Though he taught us Maths, which proves that he was multi-skilled. He never smiled before us however he was known well among all the staff members for his maturity and dependability. Jackson's literature and sense of humour was subtle, for us it was grave. He might have cracked a joke while explaining Ceaser or Shylock but we took it seriously and brought it to our notebooks.
 

to be continued ..........