MIXED FEELINGS

I rang up Miss Shameem yesterday. We spoke for a long time and frankly speaking all along there were mixed feelings. Initially I was a little apprehensive (I still remember how strict she was). Then when she recognized me instantly I naturally felt exhilarated. I told her about our blogging and the reunion and even related the ‘edibles on the plate vanishing in the dark’ incident. She burst out laughing when she heard that. When I asked about her parents (whom she was so dependant on)she mentioned she was living all alone now 'with aches and pains of course' she added bravely. It was then that I detected a gloomy echo of loneliness in her voice. She also said that Sister Rosalind kept ringing her up on and off asking her not to worry. That made me feel guilty- for not having turned back and given them (our esteemed teachers)a second glance.
Her voice was the same though- chirpy and vibrant with that slight touch of an accent which I used to find intriguing even back then. Wanting to cheer her up I said ‘Your voice sounds just the same Miss’ and you know what? She laughed and playfully said ‘But yours has changed.’ It was so disturbing. That one bouncy statement of hers was a painful reminder of how some things change and some don’t.