Carnival Case
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“Memories Young, Memories Bright, Forever with a Bethanite.”
Sitting behind stall number three, I smile brightly at the stranger. The parent of some Bethanite smiles back.
“You won the game, Sir. Congratulations.Three hoops in. You can pick up a chit, and claim your prize now.”
The face of the man transforms, a childlike excitement in his eyes as he picks up a chit. He exclaims in surprise when he sees that his prize is an Angry Birds poster.
I grin, as I see that he too is struck by the carnival air. A mysterious force that pops up in Bethany High every other year, filling its victims with lighthearted joy and simple desires.
In my vicinity, I see various sights
A toddler, ice gola dripping all over her pink dress, pointing excitedly at the Dancing Duck.
A fellow Bethanite, holding a mirror up to her face, and looking at her face painting, changing the angle of her face every second.
A teenage boy, stepping onto the Break Dance platform, cool with a football jersey and sunglasses. One spin of the disc, and he loses all pretence, screaming and laughing like a three year old.
People on the Columbus, screaming “Faster, Faster” from their seats, emitting whoops of joy as they sit at the extreme ends.
A harassed looking volunteer, finally reaping the fruits of her hardwork, flashing her volunteer pass at the counter jubliantly.
A middle schooler, drops a coupon, and runs frantically to pick it up before it gets stamped on.
A large crowd is formed around a gobi manchurian stall, and they savour the flavour, periodically making classic “mmmm..” sounds.
Ninth grade boys stand in a loose arc, taking pictures self consciously.
The girls nearby unashamedly strike poses for the camera, pouting and making peace signs, knowing that the pictures will be up on Facebook soon.
Primary students sway their arms and dance with vigour on stage, savouring the cheers of the crowd.
As a student approaches my stall with a smile, I realize that no matter what happens, the Carnival will always be there.
The laughter, the screams of joy, the picking of chits, the food, the paintings, the dance, the music.
The people, the friends, the memories, the fun.
The Bethany High Carnival cannot be replaced, and never will.