My first day at school made me feel like a culprit who was being sent to boogeyman’s home for committing an insignificant act like eating a lollipop right before dinner (as my mother forbids). It was terrifying for a seven year old child to be standing at the very threshold of the classroom with everyone’s eyes probing into her as if scrutinizing her face to checking probably for measles or chicken pox scars. I stood there by the door, the teacher’s hand piercing into my skin like as if it were a huge screw driver like object the doctors called injection. I can still vividly recall the teacher holding my hand and ushering me towards my chair. Seemed that the last thing she wanted was another imp added to the rest of the class of degree holders (with outstanding credits) in harassing her.

Soon after, the teacher started teaching us parts of speech. Her voice belched and thundered in a rhythmic wave of high and low as she coached us on the dos and don’ts of grammar. I lucidly remember her tall frame that when standing next to her made me feel like a minority waiting to be sentenced for speaking her rights. Already intimidated by her appearance, I decided to stay in her good books by keeping absolutely quiet like how a child does when he or she is bribed with a chocolate to keep lull. Except here I didn’t get a chocolate but a pinch on my fat cheek for not participating.

During recess, there wasn’t a single soul who approached me, rather gawked at me. I felt like I was tied up to a pole with everyone sketching caricatures of me. I did try to share my lunch with a classmate, but he ran away as if I was offering him a sandwich with snails in it.

Our studies resumed and I felt so proud when I was showered with words of praise by my teacher (the same one who pinched me) after tackling a problem in Math on the board. Probably this was an examination for me since right after that I made lots of friends. I felt like I was walking on cloud number nine when my classmates looked at me approvingly. Moreover, I felt relieved like how a child does when he or she realizes there is no monster underneath his/her bed and can sleep peacefully. By the end of the day, I was no more feeling sorry for myself for having to come to school, which initially felt like a prison but now an interesting place for adventures as I looked forward to going back every day.