I was late by 10 minutes by the time I walked into the classroom. 4 of my classmates were already in and writing furiously. I took the paper and answer sheet from the teacher and sat down at an empty desk. As has been my habit from the school days, I scanned the paper once, to get an idea about the questions. It has been 3 years since I have taken a paper-based test (last time it was Spanish class test) and six months since any exam (PMP).
At first glance, the paper seemed neither very difficult nor particularly lengthy. But since I don't have much of a writing practice I knew I will have to work hard at making my handwriting legible. It's a tragedy actually. During my school days, my handwriting had been one of the best :-(
I solved all 3 parts of the first question, and for some strange unfathomable reason, completely missed the first part of second question. Luckily, I realized my omission in time and wrote down the answers after the 2nd and 3rd parts. The paper covered the portion well - the numbers, names of colors and professions, how to tell time, usage of विभक्ति, usage of verbs as per gender and plurality, different forms of verbs as per the Pad and गण. I finished well before the allotted time and checked once. Then I handed it over to the teacher and walked out.
I couldn't help but remember the last day of the school exams. We used to be overjoyed as if this was the very end of our formal education. The end of the exam before Diwali vacation would be eclipsed to a certain extent by the burden of homework to be completed over the vacation but end of exam before summer holidays used to be a very special occasion. No studies whatsoever for next 2 months! What bliss! Even the most studious among us would refrain from discussing the details of the last exam paper - it was almost considered a sin :-) Everyone would be busy buying snacks and eatables and discussing plans for the vacation. Most of us would be visiting our maternal grandparents and absolutely thrilled about the impending train journey. We would be eager to get home and reluctant to take leave of friends at the same time. The road in front of the school would be full of students chatting, saying goodbyes, turning, chatting again and saying goodbyes again. There would be smiles all around - no matter the difficulty level of the last paper. Results would be at least a month or so away - no need to worry about that yet.
I miss all that now. The simple joys in simple everyday things. These days we wait to be happy. We need big things to feel happy about. We don't know what it feels to be overjoyed. We hardly grin from ear-to-ear till our jaw hurts. We don't remember what it feels like to be surrounded by so many friends that we don't know who to listen to first. We can't eat Batatawadas and Samosas without worrying about calories and cholesterol. We have forgotten the joy of digging out the storybooks - that mom had hidden during exam days - and settling down in our favorite chair to turn the first page with a lot of anticipation.
We have forgotten to live life to the fullest. As only a child can do. Or perhaps as a child used to do.
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