Classroom Comedy

3rd year, second semester as far as I remember in Machine Design class. On that fateful day, Abhi and me sat on first bench. Our 'like-like' maashtaru (Teacher in English...) was in full flow explaining machine parts. He had a peculiar style. For one part - Helical Groove, he spelt it "elkal groove..." (Elakalu means Rats in Telugu), a reason enough for what was to follow. Using the word 'like' atleast twice in every line earned him a nickname : Like-Like. His typical cartoon'ish expressions added to the comedy.

So, first bench : Abhi and me. For starters, it's ridiculously easy to make me laugh ! More so when it's all pin drop silence. Abhi exploited this weakness and started giggling. We looked here and there trying to distract and hold ourselves. I made funny faces while biting my lips. Like some fission reaction, it kept growing second by second... minute by minute. The weight of the situation forced poor Abhi to hang his head down, face the floor and laugh. Shoulders and arms comically vibrating in tandem confirmed he couldn't control it.

Nothing like holding a million bar pressure of uncontrollable laughter in front of a teacher. Agree ? ;)

As for me, my lips weren't fool proof either to stop it from leaking. All this annoyed Like-Like who threw the duster at Abhi. It shocked us but we continued giggling.

Don't blame me !! It is adding fuel to fire if one treats an undergrad like a grade-5 kid... throwing dusters and chalk pieces in such a situation. Lolll !!

"Go there and stand..." , he yelled.

Abhi stood near the left window, opposite to our class entrance. Like a Natwarlaal, I was busy hanging my head down now.

Turning to me, he shouted... " meeru... lechi vellandi...." ( you ! get up and go there !....)

I stood next to Abhi whose expression read, "god ! no more!". We giggled again.

I covered my face while he disappeared unable to control himself. I panned around to see him standing in the end behind me. Classmates with semi-laughing faces confirmed their thorough enjoyment.

I shamelessly grinned as if to declare : "mission accomplished !", and joined Abhi. Few more giggles followed.

Later, our Like-Like laughed too while noting down attendance... 'coz I smiled freakishly when my number was called. My class burst out now :))

"Don't do it again", he warned jokingly. Some memorable fun time and a happy ending.

Bava ( alias Abhi ) and me still can't get over it. Been some crazy six years or so to date, but we still laugh our asses off !