Hey, freak!”
John froze. It was that horrible bully Aaron again.
Whats for lunch?” Aaron smirked. John tried to run but Aaron was too fast for him. No!” John cried. Dont take my lunch box!”.
Aaron just laughed and snatched it from him as usual. John felt pangs of hunger and shame because he allowed Aaron to take away the food that Mom made for him – tangy tamarind rice, oranges and delicious brownies.
While Aaron ran away to bully other kids, John sat dejectedly in a corner. His heart was racing and he felt so helpless. Thats when he felt someone staring at him, some he knew but hadnt really noticed before. It was Maya, a girl from another class. She gave him a tiny smile. He smiled back, not wanting to let his feelings show.
Im fine,” John mumbled. It doesnt bother me
Okay, do you want to share my lunch? Mom gave me a lot and I cant eat everything myself,” Maya said. Johns tummy was rumbling with hunger, and though he wanted to act tough, the offer was too tempting to refuse.
Maya and John began munching on chapattis with channa, chocolate cake and juice. Just when theyd gotten halfway through, in walked Aaron – and they forze in horror as he strode straight towards them with a big smirk towards them with a big smirk on his face. Ooh, what have we here?” he said. I want it”.
Before John could react, Maya got up with a ferocious look oin her face. No!” she said, firmly, looking him in the eye. You wont take our lunch
Oh yeah? Well” stop me, Aaron sneered.
Maya broke off a piece of creamy chocolate cake and smeared it on Aarons face. The kids nearby started giggling, for they all disliked the bully. Aaron looked stunned for a moment, then made a grab for Maya, but John leapt between them and drew himself up to his fullest height. Though he was smaller than Aaron, he looked daggers at the bully. Several other children lined up with John and Maya, confronting Aaron.
Aarons face crumpled and he moved away, muttering. John never lost his lunch again. He and Maya became close friends.
– Shreya Sanghani
