These were the best years of my life. Recall my birthday being celebrated in full gusto as was the practice with all other classmates. A special box of candies were to be distributed. This was class V. After the distribution, the teacher asked me to hand her the empty tin container. It was a deep hexagon, with fancy prints on the outside, like a collectors item. I refused. Carry the regret till date of not having conceded to her request. Ms Mariam was Class Teacher. Being a bundle of mischief, it was fashionable for all teachers to enter the class and before we got started, ask me to kneel at the door for an imaginary crime. Ms Mariam would always take up cudgels for me and plead that as a small child I be not punished so. But they would hear none of it. Ms Teresa was a favourite with most in the class. Young and attractive, the cynosure of all eyes. Suhail was Class Monitor for a few years. In the absence of a teacher, he was responsible to hold the class, with his brilliant s...