A Bad Day for Pooh Bear

It was a regular day of a regular week. Tanuja and I packed our bags and headed for the bus stop. Tanuja said,"I'm so nervous for the test today. Do you think I'll do well?" I asked," Did you study hard?Have you understood the concept?" She nodded. "That's all that really matters,"I said. "The main purpose of the test is to evaluate your understanding of the subject. You'll do fine. Just read the questions well and listen to the teacher's instructions." Tanuja smiled. "Thanks Pooh Bear," she said.

I replied with a wink. That's what I love about our relationship. We've been so close, ever since Tanu was born. Even when I stood on my toes to see her in her cradle, even when she first gave me the name 'Pooh Bear', and even now. Of course, we've had our fights, but all sisters do, and like all sisters, we've overcome them. We share everything, including our room, our make-up, and, even though there's a four year difference between us, clothes.

Now you may be thinking, what's so great about this story? Why should you be reading this right now? Well, I'll tell you why. Because if you've ever experienced sisterhood, you'll understand me. But of course, this story isn't just about Tanu and me, it's about an experience that made me question the strength of our bondage.

The bus stop was filled with kids screaming and running everywhere. "Where do they get the energy to do this on a Wednesday morning?" I asked with a sigh. "I really don't know. I'm so sleepy right now, I could collapse right here," said Tanuja. We giggled.

In a matter of time, the bus arrived and as always, there was a race between the kids on who'll get to enter first. "Bye, gotta go. I'll try to get a window seat." Saying that Tanu zoomed to contribute to the noise and mayhem. She managed to get fourth place in line, but because of Cry-Baby Kareena, she gave it up and ended up being fifth. "Well, that's Tanuja for you. Always being nice to the younger kids. Even the irritating ones," I said to myself.

I joined the line at the end, because I was sure Tanuja would save a seat for me. That wasn't something I worried about.

I entered the bus and looked for Tanuja. I found her in a two-seater, with Smruthi, her friend. I felt a small sense of shock, for Tanu always saved me a seat. I expected her to look at me and mouth a "sorry" but she was too busy talking to Smruthi. I shrugged and sat somewhere else.

I know it doesn't seem like a big thing, but I had to keep telling myself that to actually believe it. I kept thinking,"She didn't even look at me, much less tell me anything. But why?" Being the elder sister, I worried about these things. I decided to waver away the thought and told myself I was being silly.

The bus stopped; we had reached school. I got off the bus and waited for Tanuja. She got down and stood there, as if she was waiting for someone. I asked her," What's up? Come!" She said," Smruthi told me to wait for her." I smiled and nodded my head.

I started walking towards class. As I walked, I thought,"Is it really all it is? My bus-seat with Tanu, gone? And even our walk towards the staircase, after which we said our 'bye's, those ones that made me smile on my way to class?

"Hi Pooja!" came a voice from behind. It was my best friend Alisha. Upon seeing her, I forgot the entire thing. During the rest of the day, I thought about the incident twice or thrice, but during lunch, it was all I could think of. My lunch seemed less exciting, because I wasn't really enjoying it. All I could think of was that morning, and the way Tanuja had ignored me. I guess it was just a bad day for Pooh Bear.

The next few hours, I didn't worry much. The bell rang, school ended, and as always, my friends and I walked each other to our buses. "Bye! See you tomorrow. And don't forget to ask your mom about Saturday! You're my assignment partner, don't forget!" I shouted to Alisha as I entered the bus. The moment I entered, I saw Smruthi right in front of me. I scowled. No, she wouldn't. Not in the evening when I had so much to tell Tanu.

I walked to the seat Tanuja was sitting in, with Smruthi right in front of me. "Can I sit here?" she asked. I rolled my eyes and mimicked her silently. I almost turned around to find another seat when Tanuja said," Sorry! I'm saving this seat for Pooja." Instantly, I smiled. Those words lifted my spirits after all that worrying.

I looked at Tanu and smiled. I mouthed the words 'thank you' and sat down. "So, how was your day?"she asked. "Well, pretty gloomy 'cause I was thinking about how you ignored me in the morning!"

"Me? Ignore you? When?"

"In the morning. When you sat with Smruthi and didn't even look at me or talk to me."

"Oh, that? You were thinking about that all day?"

"Yeah! What do you think? I didn't even get a 'bye' from you."

"Oh, you sensitive girl! Smruthi asked me, and when I said no, she insisted on it. So I gave in and let her sit with me. And before I could even say anything to you, you'd already found a seat!"

"Oh,"I said, a bit embarrassed. 'Then what about "I'm waiting for Smruthi"? What was that about?'

"Oh gosh, Pooh Bear. You worry too much. If you wanted to walk with me, you could have just said so. I would have told her. And anyways, it's all over. Tell me, anything juicy?"

I laughed. I guess I was being quite silly. Just then, Tanuja exclaimed,"Hey, guess what? Arjun was irritating me, like, so much! So I told him to stop and he made a face at me! He is SO rude!" I smiled. "Just look at him,"she said. Arjun happened to be in the bus right next to us, and was pulling faces at Tanuja. "How stupid can he get?"she asked.

I gave a slight grin. "Tanuja, do you have a crush on Arjun? Because I think you do!" Tanuja scowled. "NO! He's just like a friend. He's so irritating!" I laughed. Everything was at balance again.