If you’re smart and wish to maintain a clean record you would find any possible way to stay awake during Mr. Pereira’s physics lesson. However, one fine day, I was not so smart and the inevitable occurred.

The constant explanation of physics equations and Newton’s laws of gravitation had joined forces to bore me. My handwriting had begun to lose form and journey to the next page in a slurry manner. Mr. Pereira’s monotonous voice lulled me to sleep. With great difficulty I tried to stay awake. Eventually after many vain attempts darkness filled me.
“You! The one with the black shirt,” I heard a voice bellow.  I didn’t stir. Someone nudged me. I opened my sleep greedy eyes with an effort. I see a short, pot bellied man pointing his sausage like finger in my direction. His ears are red and fuming.

“Me Sir?” the terrified boy next to me asked in a meek voice.

“No, not you stupid boy! The girl next to you,” came a thunderous reply.

“Me Sir?” I asked standing up, fully awake, now that my brain prepared for its imminent death.

“Yes you. What do you think you’re doing sleeping during my lesson?” Mr Pereira asked. His taut position and cold, piggish eyes waited for an answer.

“Sorry Sir, I didn’t mean to doze off,” I stammered.

“Do I bore you? Do you know everything in the physics book?” he questioned sarcastically eyes rolling.
I shook my head and said nothing.

“Then why in Newton’s name are you sleeping when I am teaching? Get out of my class!” he yelled, making all the other students jump in their seats.

“Okay...S...Sir” I said gathering up my things.

'Come back in 50 minutes', I had heard Sir call out after me as I headed towards the door. I looked back, nodded and Sir continued his mind-numbing ritual of explanation.

Wow! 50 minutes, I thought. That’s not so bad. Sure I’ll miss a whole lot of work but I would probably be asleep anyway. Might as well enjoy these 50 minutes of my punishment and copy the work from someone else. He must have really hated to have me in class, I kept wondering.

I strolled around the campus aimlessly, taking quick glances at my watch to keep track of my 50 minutes. I paid a visit to the library, read the sports section from the daily newspaper and finally made my way towards the cafeteria. I treated myself to cup of coffee and with 5 minutes to spare dragged myself back to the jaws of physics. I tapped the door and took a step inside. Mrs Trunchbulls’ husband awaited me. He seemed outrageous but a calm demeanour had masked his fury.

“What time did I ask you to leave my class Madam?” Mr Pereira asked smoothly.

“Around 8.15 Sir...” I replied slowly. His icy tone warned me of oncoming danger.

“And what time is it now?”

“Sharp 9.00 Sir.” Maybe he’s mad that I came early I reasoned with myself. “I came back with 5 minutes to spare” I said in proud yet hesitant tone.

Mr Pereira walked over to me and stood. Despite his stout appearance I felt as if he was towering over me, eyes blazing.
“I told you to come back in 15 minutes,” he exploded, spraying saliva all over my face, “Not 50 minutes you stupid fool!”
I stared at Mr Pereira, mouth hanging wide open, completely dumbstruck. “I’m sorry...Sir...I...I must have misheard you...” Physics equations danced mockingly around me. Time had stopped and an expression of confusion crossed my face. I try to suppress a losers’ giggle but my classmates give me away.

“Meet me in my office in 10 minutes. Do you hear me well enough? I said 10 minutes” growled Mr Pereira, “I wish to have a word with you.”

I swallowed my giggle and tried to understand where I went wrong.