Dear Diary,
Today, while wandering the halls of Chagrin Falls High School, I noticed a very quiet classroom. In all of the other rooms I heard teachers lecturing or saw students loudly "discussing" in groups. I could detect however, a difference in this class. I listened from my position, unnoticed, amazed when I heard only one student talking at a time (for the most part). I considered continuing my stroll down the hall when I heard the students in the classroom reflecting on the movie "The Namesake." I thought to myself, '"you can’t be serious"' (237). I leaned closer to the door in an attempt to hear the students’ thoughts. Wow, that evolved into a shocking experience! I heard one student loudly criticize the movie as extremely cheesy especially the representation of Moushumi. Another agreed and commented that not only was Moushumi an odd, unrealistic character in the movie, but also was a very frustrating character in the book. My rage began to build. How dare these students criticize me, when they have no way to know I felt throughout my entire marriage? I understand that cheating violates people’s values but what could I do? When we got married, I honestly had no intention of hurting or leaving Gogol. But after a while, things with Gogol just did not feel right. Angry about the students’ criticism of my behavior, I slowly turned the doorknob and walked into the room. As I opened the door I saw a student “strip” before me. This student, whose name I later learned to be Jimmy, then innocently, looked at the teacher and mumbled, "Sorry, it was really hot.” Impulsively I blurted out, '"I agree"' (249). Immediately everyone in the room starred at me in disbelief. Clearly I had failed at my attempt at inconspicuousness. Derogatory remarks flew at me from all directions. I found it quite astonishing that these young students felt the need to criticize my choice to have an affair when not one of them has ever been in an adult relationship yet alone a marriage, but I kept my mouth shut, still reeling from Jimmy’s indecent exposure. After three or so minutes of relentless condemnation regarding my marriage, I lost my cool. I yelled, rather loudly, '"It [was just] not what I thought it would be"' (252). Embarrassed by the scene I created I ran out of the room, went home and began to write. Scared and emotionally scarred by a student’s stripping, angry about the class’s constant criticism and sad about the disapproval of my appearance in the film, I hope that tomorrow is a better day. I don’t know how it could be much worse.
Until tomorrow,
Moushumi
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| See, my relationship with Gogol even looked awkward! |
Hahaha Emily, I found this very amusing. I did not catch on at first however, that you were actully writing in the voice of Moshumi. But imagine if she was actully present in our class, not unlike what you describe, gah, what would the class even do?? There was such laughter and contempt for her when they first showed her in that bar with Gogol, I think most of the class would die of lauging.
ReplyDeleteEmily, I rather enjoyed this post. I think you impersonated Moushumi quite well. I doubt she would receive a very warm welcome from our class. Though my main thought is which Moushumi would we meet. The adult version would be awkward enough, imagine if she walked in during her awkward years.
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