Down the memory lane(2)

When I was in class 3 or 4( I don't remember exactly), Verma Teacher was the Assistant Head Mistress of our school. She used to teach us Geography , and I was afraid of her. She was very strict ( Asst Head Mistresses are like that!), and also very, very reserved. Rarely any student has ever seen a smile on her face, and I never saw. But she used to teach nicely, a bit slow, but the method was entertaining.

In the first Geography monthly test, I got 23 out of 25. That was the highest number I have ever obtained in any Geography exam till then, and it has remained as my "all time best"! So, one can imagine how happy I was after the exam, and I started to fear Verma teacher less than what I used to do.

Her class was in the 4th period, that is, the one before the tiffin break. We had a 15 minutes tiffin break, and 15 minutes play break. We, the boys, used to have the tiffin secretly during the 4th period itself, so that we can have 30 minutes to play! But I feared eating during Verma teacher's class, and I feel that the other boys also had the same feeling.

One day, in the midst of the class, she asked one question to a friend( I dont recall the name now). When he was unable to answer, she told him the correct answer, and then started advicing him. The tone was so boring and monotonous that I could not help myself, but started laughing!! I have this strange habit of laughing, and once it starts, its very difficult to stop it! Verma teacher saw me trying to conceal the smile, she told me to stand up, and then again turmed her attention to the other boy. Again the monotonous tone started, and after a couple of minutes, unable to control myself, I burst into laughter!!!

Verma teacher was really surprised, probably, she had not seen such a scene before. She ordered me ," No tiffin, no play either. Stay in the class during the break!" What a strange punishment it was!! The class ended, and when the tiffin period started, my friends started eating opening their tiffin box. I had brought maggi and chocolates that day. So after a while, unable to bear the scene that Godol is putting a whole Paratha in his mouth , I opened my box, and finished the contents within 2 minutes.

Since I disobeyed the first order, I decided to break the second one also, and went to play. After 10-15 minutes, somebody told me that Verma teacher was looking for me. Fully sweat, and without a tie(while playing, all of us used to get rid of that nuisance), I stood in front of Verma teacher, and she asked me:

Where is your tie?
- I was playing, teacher.
- What???? I told you not to do so, isnt it? Did you eat your tiffin also???
- Yes teacher, I like 5 star very much, and I was hungry!!

Verma teacher, undecided about what to say, looked at me in an eye which bored the expressions of surprise, disbelief and a bit of anger! I was certain that the matter is going to get worse, but to my surprise this time, she told me," Go away! From next time, never ever disturb the class laughing, understand??" I nodded, and again went back to play. My perception about Verma teacher changed from that day, and from the next class, my fears went away, although I followed her advice, never laughed in her class!!!!