I can't Forget her

Punishment time

 Punishment time

I checked my phone with half opened eyes, it was 7 am. I didn’t want to wake up because I knew today wasn’t going to be a good one. I didn’t know what was there in hold for me today but anyhow I had to get up, dress up and show up. I motivated myself to stay strong because Ishaan was going to make me do things that would leave me embarrassed and irritated.

“Hi!” Ishaan patted on my head from behind.

I get extremely irritated when he does that but today I had to bear everything with patience.

“Hi!”I turned to him with a wide fake smile.

“Oh! Aisha is smiling.” He laughed.

“Yes!” I didn’t stop smiling.

“Call me sir!” he said patting on my forehead.

“What?” I asked in irritation.

“Yes! You heard it right” He affirmed.

“Oh God! Why? Why? Why? Why did I lose the challenge?” I thought to myself.

I was so irritated with this guy’s behaviour but I had to smile and be happy in front of him otherwise he would irritate me more.

“Okay sir! Please let me know what I can do for you” I said with a smile.

“OMG! Are you okay?” He checked my forehead if I have fever because he was a bit surprised with my behaviour.

“Yes sir. I am fine” I smiled.

Ishaan was confused because he was trying really hard to piss me off but I managed to pretend that it wasn’t affecting me.

“Get me a packet of chips from canteen” He ordered.

“Sure sir” I smiled.

As I was going, he sticked out his leg deliberately and tripped me up. I was fuming with anger when He and his friends started laughing at me.

“This is too much” I got up and tried to control my anger. I gave him a fake smile and said

“Sir, I want you to come with me to the canteen”

“Why?” He questioned.

“Please sir” I pleaded.

“No!” He denied.

“Okay” I frowned.

As I was entering the canteen a tall guy blocked my way and it was none other than Ishaan.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“It should be “why are you here sir.” He corrected.

“Whatever” I tried moving past him but he blocked my way.

“Congrats for winning 1st prize in elocution, you were amazing. You deserved it. Your speech was so good that even all the teachers were praising you.” Payal, our junior and one of the admirers of Ishaan came to him and told him all these things.

“Oh! Thank you so much” He said moving his hand on his hair in pride.

“Aisha also told me the same thing today” He looked at me and smirked.

“Oh! Even you were amazing Aisha.” She looked at me and we shared smiles.

 “Okay I will catch you later Ishaan.” Payal said with a flirtatious smile and left.

“Even you were so good Aisha but unfortunately you couldn’t win.” Ishaan smirked again looking at me.

This guy was getting on my nerves now but I tried to ignore him.

“I can smell something burning...or....Oh my god! Is someone jealous of me?” He said mischievously.

His cunning smile, I wanted to punch him in the face.

“Oh! Hello! This was the first and the last time that you stood first in any competition. Enjoy the moment because you are never going to live it again” I said challenging him.

“Oh my God, Aisha I am scared. Please don’t say that... Please...” He laughed making fun of me.

“Wolf may lose their teeth but not their nature.... Over confident loser” He mumbled.

“Excuse me! What did you say? An over confident loser....What are you then? A useless winner” I replied annoyingly.

“Now don’t waste my time and let me in” I pushed him aside and entered the canteen.

“Wait Aisha” He pleaded in a very kind and soft voice.

I tried to calm myself down and looked at him.

“I am sorry to say but....” He paused.

“What?” I asked.

 I thought he must be apologizing for making fun of me.

“It doesn’t let trash in” He accused and laughed.

This was too much now. How dare he call me trash?

“And it doesn’t let dogs in either. Is that the reason you are hanging outside?” I smiled wickedly.

“By the way who is your owner? Ask him to leash you up because you don’t have self control and yes, now please stop barking and let me go” I gave him a savage reply and I knew he was extremely irritated with what I just said. Actually I was terrified because I called him a dog but he deserved that because he called me trash.

I took a packet of chips for him and was a bit scared to face him now because I was supposed to be his servant for a week and what I just did wasn’t sportive. I was on my way to class when I got a message that Neetu ma’m called me in her cabin. I thought she must be giving an assignment but when I entered her cabin I saw Ishaan already standing there.

“Aisha and Ishaan, you two are my favourite students” She paused.

“But this sort of irksome behaviour by both of you isn’t tolerated in school” She said in annoyance.

Oh my God, what happened to her? I was so tensed by her words and was wondering what was she talking about?

“Ishaan calling you trash and you calling him a dog...Wow. Is that what you have been taught here and is that how good students behave?” Her anger grew more.

Ishaan and I looked at each other and uttered “Sorry ma’m” together.

“It’s alright. But do not repeat it again, you may leave now” She said with a smile.

How sweet of her that she excused us with a single sorry.

When we were about to leave “Wait, both of you.” she stopped us.

We both turned to look at her

“I forgot to tell you that you both have to make a project on Newton’s third law of motion after two weeks and yes, I expect to see you both after school in your class for detention from next monday and work on your project there” Her words came as a shock to me. She wasn’t that sweet.

“No ma’m, please.” I pleaded.

“You may leave now” she said rudely.

 We left her cabin and looked at each other with an arched brow. It was very difficult to register her words in my brain because I have never got detention before and neither did Ishaan.

“It was all because of you, you blocked my way, you taunted me and you called me trash” I flushed my words on him.

“Oh really, did you forget that you were my servant for a week and it was just for fun but you made it a big thing” he huffed in anger.

“You know what neither of us is going to accept the mistake. So, let’s move” I stated annoyingly.

 We entered the classroom and suddenly Riya came in front of me and showered me with questions

“Where were you since morning? Where did you guys go? Why are you with him? Are you okay, you look irritated?”

“I was in canteen and then........................” I told her the entire story.

“Oh! So, you and Ishaan will be here for detention class from next week and you guys have to prepare project together” She didn’t seem to be happy.

“Yeah, I don’t know how I am going to spend next week” I looked at Ishaan annoyingly.

“First, think about what are you going to do this week?” He smiled wickedly.

“I am not scared of anything. I lost the challenge and I am up for everything” I said confidently.

“Okay, so sing a song for me” he ordered.

“Excuse me, we are in classroom” I tried to make him understand that it’s not possible to sing in classroom.

“I know we are in classroom and you have to sing in front of the whole class. You are up for everything right. Now don’t be a spoil sport.” He smirked.

“I am not being a spoil sport but I just am telling what if any of the teachers enters the classroom and what if anyone informs any of the teachers about it” I started giving excuses.

“Enough of excuses Aisha, nothing will happen. Go ahead.” He ordered.

“La la la la la……oh ho ho ho….na na na……”.

I was a bit nervous but I had to be a sport now. I cleared my throat and started

Everyone started looking at me in confusion but I ignored them all and continued.

“I am here…You are here…What is the reason now to fear……

La la la la…ho ho ho ho……na na na na…..

You are here…I am here…What is the reason oh my dear……

La la la la…..ho ho ho ho…..”

“Okay?” I looked at Ishaan and asked him annoyingly.

I could see everybody giving me weird looks but I had to shun all their reactions because I knew this was just a start and he was going to make me do many more weird things.

“I asked you to sing not to cry” Ishaan stated.

I know I am a terrible singer but I cannot accept that.

“Stop being jealous” I gave a forceful smile and went to my seat.

“Aisha! I want you to sit beside me.” He asked his bench mate to move to another bench and made a place for me.

“Why? I am not interested” I huffed.

“You are my servant for a week. Don’t forget that” He said raising his brows.

“Okay!” I took my bag and sat beside him.

                          ***

Sitting in the corner of my sofa, I started recollecting all the things that happened. It was indeed a tough day and I knew the days were going to get tougher from now on.

It was day 2 of me being Ishaan’s servant and since morning he has been asking me to do all of his works.

“Aisha! Get that book from Ayaan” He ordered.

“Ask him to pass it on” I replied.

“That’s an order” He smirked.

“Okay” I frowned.

“Say that with a smile and why are forgetting to call me sir” He ordered again.

“Okay sir” I said with a forceful smile.

I got the book from Ayaan and he said “No, not this one. I asked him for another one. Go, get that” he ordered again.

“Okay sir” I was extremely irritated with this guy but this was just day 2 and I couldn’t give up because I still had a long way to go. 

“What are you guys doing?” Riya came to us and asked.

“Nothing much, your best friend is busy doing all my work” Ishaan laughed.

“Why are you irritating her Ishaan?” She looked at the puppy face I made in front of her and questioned Ishaan.

“That’s not punishment. She is getting what she deserves” He laughed again.

“What do you mean by that?” I pulled his arm and asked annoyingly.

“Chill, I didn’t mean anything and what is this behaviour? Call me sir and please behave properly with me” He ordered.

“Whatever” I ignored his words.

“Why is your best friend so rude, Riya?” Ishaan asked her.

“She isn’t rude. You are annoying her.” I was happy that my best friend took my side in front of her so called new friend.

“I love doing that” He smirked looking at me.

I gave him the most annoying look I can and turned my back on him.

                               ***

It was day 3 and I sat beside Ishaan who seemed to be waiting for me. He gave me a wicked smile which gave me the hint that he was up to something really fiddly today.

“Hi Aisha, how are you?” He greeted.

“I am fine. What about you?” I asked in return.

“I am good. So, are you ready for today?” He asked with an arched brow.

“Yes! I already told you that I am up for everything” I smiled confidently but deep down I was scared because I knew this guy was going to throw some extremely difficult challenges in front of me.

As I was removing notes from my bag and settling down on my place, Ishaan said something that made my eyes widen and mouth open.

“You have to act like my girlfriend today” He ordered.

“What?” I said loudly with my eyes widened.

“Yes” He gave a flirtatious smile.

“Are you okay?” I enquired because this was something I didn’t expect from him.

“Yes. I am fine and you have to follow my order” He declared.

“No! I am not going to do that” I denied.

“You have to because that’s my order” He insisted.

“Whatever. I am not going to do that” I stayed on my words.

“You have to miss Aisha” He said.

I took a lot of time to prepare myself for the challenge and finally I was ready to do so because I didn’t want to be a spoil sport.

“What do I have to do?” I asked.

“Just act like my girlfriend, smile looking at me, praise me and call me baby.”

“No! Please” I pleaded.

“Yes!” He smirked.

“Please” I said making a puppy face in front of him although I know it wouldn’t change his mind a bit but I tried.

“No” He smiled.

“Okay sir” I finally agreed.

“No! Say okay baby with a smile” He commanded.

“Okay baby!” I smiled in frustration.

“Awww...My baby” He chuckled looking at my helplessness.

“I am going to take revenge Mr. Ishaan” I warned him.

“Even I am up for everything Miss. Aisha but first let me enjoy your helplessness and misery” He laughed.

“I will kill you one day” I said in frustration.

“Okay baby” He winked.

“You are the worst person on planet. Do you know that?” I asked him in irritation.

“Yes! I know that” he chuckled.

It was chemistry class and I was concentrating on the lecture when I heard Ishaan calling me.

“Baby, Baby, listen” he kept calling me.

“What?” I asked him in frustration.

“Nothing” He laughed.

“Ishaan, stop irritating me now and let me listen to the lecture” I said loudly.

“Aisha and Ishaan” Veena ma’m shouted.

“Get out of my class” She commanded.

“Ma’m please, it wasn’t my fault” I pleaded.

“Get out I said.” She shouted again.

I gave him an angry stare and moved out of the class.

“I am sorry” Ishaan was guilty.

“You better be” I was annoyed.

“This is the first time I am sent out of the classroom. Once this week gets over, I will show you who Aisha is.” I said.

“Okay chill, it’s not a big deal” Ishaan tried to calm me down.

“I was listening to everything you said right then why did you disturb me in the class” I was about to cry.

“Oh relax. It’s not a big deal” He said.

“It is a big deal. I have never been punished in my whole life” I could feel a tear flowing down my cheek.

“No! Please don’t cry. I am sorry” he said holding his ears.

“I am sorry! Please” He pleaded.

“I will do whatever you say but please don’t cry. I hate when someone cries because of me” He was guilty.

I ignored him and we stood outside the class for half an hour. Veena ma’m came out of the classroom and asked us to get in and warned us not to talk during her class.

I went to my seat and was ignoring Ishaan. He wasn’t feeling good for making me cry and it was clearly visible on his face.

“Aisha! Aisha” he kept calling me.

“What” I asked rudely.

“I am sorry. Please tell me how I can make your mood right?” he asked.

I was surprised to see this side of Ishaan.

“Please smile Aisha” He insisted.

I thought of taking advantage of this situation and so I asked him to praise me front of whole class.

“I want you to praise me in front of whole class” I said making a sad face.

“What?” He asked in confusion.

“Yes” I said nodding my face.

“Hey guys! Today I want to tell you something about this girl sitting beside me. Aisha! She is a sweet girl who is always helpful to others.” He said looking at me and a smile suddenly flashed on my face.

“She is also a nerd who cries when teacher sends her out of the class” He laughs and makes me feel awkward.

“She is an i***t who thinks that I am going to praise her in front of everyone.”

“I could have done that for sure but there should be something good in you” he said looking at me.

“ Sorry for disturbing you guys. Get back to your work” He smirks and settles down on his seat.

For a moment I thought he is a sweet guy but no, he is a crook.

“Listen, what do you think of yourself? You think you are a cool dude of this class? You are a crook, a monster and an idiot.” I said in frustration.

“Thank you Miss. Nerdo” He winked.

“Don’t call me that. I am not a nerd.” I said.

“You are” He grinned.

“And by the way....Call me baby” He reminded me of my challenge.

“No...I am not going to do anything now” I said.

“You have to” he ordered.

“No! I am not going to do that” I said.

“You have to” He said again.

“I told you that I am done with everything now and I am not going to do anything now” I said in annoyance.

“Okay! Fine! Loser” He said.

“Don’t call me loser” I warned him.

“You are a loser. Loser, loser, loser.........” He taunted.

“No.............” I shouted in annoyance and the entire class started staring at me.

I ignored all the people and started scribbling in my book to avoid everyone.

“You are a loser” He whispered.

“I am not” I said poking with pen on his hand.

“Outch!” he reacted.

“You are such a spoil sport and a loser too” he said.

“I am not a loser” I said loudly.

“Guys, what’s wrong with you both” Riya came for calming us down.

“Why are you behaving like kids today? Stop it” She started scolding both of us.

“It was he who disturbed me during the class. Why don’t you ask him?”

“Tell your friend that she is a spoil sport and a loser. Look she poked with a pen on my hand”

Both, me and Ishaan started complaining about each other to Riya.

“You both are fighting and complaining about each other like a 7 year old. Come on guys stop it” She commanded.

“Ask him to say sorry first” I demanded.

“I already apologised for the punishment she got because of me. I am not going to do that again” He said.

“Okay! You two, Listen to me.....Everybody is noticing your stupid behaviour. Please stop making fun of yourselves in front of the entire class. Please” she insisted.

“Okay! It’s only because of her that I am ending this argument” I said to Ishaan.

“Okay! Even I am going to put an end to it only for her” He said to me in return.

“Thank you” she sighed in relief and went back to her seat.

                         ****

I took out my math notebook and started solving problems because we had a test tomorrow.

“Oh matrices” he peeped into my notebook.

“I need your help in it” He said.

“What help do you need?” I asked.

“I have a few doubts” He said.

“Okay!” I agreed to help him.

“When do we do multiplication in matrices?” He asked.

“See the number of columns of the 1st matrix should be equal to the number of rows of the 2nd matrix. And the result will have the same number of rows as the 1st matrix and the same number of columns as the 2nd matrix.” I tried to make him understand.

“But how......” He asked.

“Did you get my point” I asked him.

“See for example to multiply an m×n matrix by an n×p matrix, the ns must be the same and the result of it is an m×p matrix” I tried to clearly explain him.

He still looked at me in confusion. I was wondering why Ishaan is facing a problem to understand such a simple concept because he was a pro at maths.

“No” He replied.

I explained the concept to him 10-12 times but still he was giving me a doubtful look.

“Are you sure you didn’t understand the concept or are you doing all this to irritate me” I asked.

“Yes! I was doing that to trouble you” He started laughing.

“Ahhhhh.....” I said angrily.

“Ahhhhh.....”He mimicked and laughed.

     ***

It was the last day of challenge and I was relieved that it’s going to end today.

“Aisha! What are you doing” He asked snatching my diary from me.

“Give it to me” I tried taking my diary from him.

“What is it?” He started turning the pages of it.

“Oh! Poetry and quotes” He said as he turned the pages of the diary.

“The years pass by so fast that you feel that its just been a moment…

but there are several moments of sadness and happiness that just flow by…

There are many people who you love and there are many who will love you but you have to be prepared for the loss…The loss of love…The loss of loved ones….

because in the end you will all be left alone and all you will have is your shadow…..........” I snatched the book from him and kept it in my bag.

“I want to read” He said.

“No” I replied.

“Okay fine. I didn’t know that you have these interests” He said.

“Anyways, today is the last day of your punishment, so let’s end it from where we started. Get me a packet of chips.” He ordered.

“Okay sir” I said with a sigh of relief because the punishment was finally going to end and I was extremely happy about it.