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"Riya, stand up. " The teacher ordered in a stern voice.

Riya did as she was told.

"Where was your concentration, huh? What were you looking at ? Do you know what is even going on in the class?" The teacher barked.

"Ma'am, that ...." Riya stummered.

"What ? Who were you staring at? I know you were looking somewhere here." The teacher said pointing towards the row Sayani was sitting in.

Then the teacher's eyes landed on Sayani. She then looked at Riya with anger in her eyes and said,"You were staring at Sayani?"

Some students in the class giggled.

"Yes ma'am." Riya nodded.

The teacher crossed her arms across her chest.

Sayani sat on her bench, surprised. Her best friend was in  a glitch. She was trying to find a  way to bring her out of this little mess.

She was about to say something when Riya opened her mouth and baffled the entire class, the teacher included.

"Yes Ma'am, I was staring at her, and she was staring at a particular person in front of her and I know she was comparing herself with her."

Sayani was baffled. Riya knew she was looking at Madhuri?

Riya continued, "And I just want to tell Sayani this, and I have told her this again and again, and I will probably tell her this in the future too, but Sayani, you are enough. You are amazing.

Please, for the love of your own self, stop comparing yourself to that person you and I both know you were comparing yourself with. You are intelligent and so creative. You have the ability to do impromptu things with the most amazing level of confidence - be it a sudden change in a presentation or a debate, you can handle anything . Very few people have this skill.

And your creativity- you and I both know that that graffiti you make on the back of your books, without showing anybody, that is art. And that art belongs in a museum , Sayi. So what that you scored 87% instead of the targeted 90%? Huh? It doesn't mean that you are not intelligent. Dude, you are a walking encyclopedia."

"Portable Google" another friend of theirs, Vidya, chipped in .

Riya smiled at her and continued, "See. We all know that . But still you think that you are not enough. That you have not done anything? Why?

I don't know what exactly your dreams are, because you talk so little about yourself.  I have to keep on asking you and only then you say something about your ownself.

 But I know you want to travel the world, and do a lot of things. You don't want to do just one job your whole life. You want to - just do . So many different stuff. I remember you once said that you want to do something for the community , and you want to climb mountains, and learn languages.

And I know there is more to that list than these things. And you know what? I really believe you will be able to do these things. You, amongst everybody else, is the only one capable of doing so many different things and excelling at them. I am sure that only you can do so many things in one life-time, and I know you will do them. Without a doubt.

Actually , I think only you are capable of achieving and doing everything that you dream about. So Sayi, please stop looking at that person and comparing yourself with her. You yourself said you will try not to compare, right?  "

Sayi, with tears in her eyes that she tried to stop, nodded.

"Then? Please don't." Riya pleaded.

"Okay." the only word that Sayi could mumble, before she got up and ran to her best friend, and hugged her as tightly as possible.

"Be happy." Riya said as the pulled away.

Sayi nodded as Riya wiped her tears and smiled.

She then walked back to her bench. Riya stood at her bench.

" See class," the teacher said," there are some who will achieve all their dreams at 20. And there are some who will find their dreams at 50. Do not compare yoirself with others. Just because you are taking longer than others, doesn't mean you are not progressing. Concentrate on your hard work. Not on others. And please remember this - I think all of you are amazing. So if any of you think less of yourselves, please know that I value you and think that you are extremely intelligent.  All of you. Understand?"

The students nodded.

Some had tears in their eyes.

"Sit down Riya. And please concentrate on the board." The teacher said as she turned around.

"Sorry teacher." Riya said as she sat down.

"Don't be ." The teacher said as Riya smiled.

*****
Dedicated to my best friend R .
All the love
~Inolas