Lunch Break Stories: Food, Laughter, and Sharing

 Lunch breaks were never just about food — they were full of love, friendship, and sometimes even a little chaos. Looking back now, each year had its own flavour, and I’m so glad I lived all those moments.

In Grade 6, my mother always packed me breakfast from home. As soon as the interval bell rang, we would hurry to finish it, not because we were too hungry, but because we had more important things to do — like playing! Food was quick and fun, but the games that followed were everything.

Then came Grade 7, and oh, how dramatic we were! We pushed all our desks together to make one long table like at a wedding. All of us girls would sit around it, passing food and laughing like queens at a banquet. It was just our way of feeling fancy, and we absolutely loved it.

I’ll never forget Grade 8 — that spicy kottu disaster! We had it during a class with one of the strictest teachers. We were so hungry that we secretly ate in the back benches. But it was way too spicy, and we barely had water. Tears filled our eyes, not from sadness, but from the burning! We tried to hide it, wiping our faces secretly, until the teacher finally left and we all ran to the taps. It was painful at the time, but now it’s one of my funniest memories.

By Grade 9, I had become a true canteen girl. I started eating breakfast before school, so at interval, my best friend (she wasn’t even in my class!) and I would grab snacks and hang out at the canteen. It became our little tradition — maybe that’s why we were known as the "canteen girls". After morning athletics, I’d freshen up and then share a quick bite with my athlete friend before heading to class. These small routines brought us closer.

In Grade 10, we were deep into exam mode, but that didn’t stop us from sneaking in some joy — and biscuits! We’d quietly pass around packets while writing our papers. A little sugar rush always helped us focus!

Grade 12 was different for me. I didn’t like eating in crowds, so I usually stayed back. But my classmates? They had this beautiful bond. They shared their breakfast, fed each other, and made sure no one was left out. Even in free periods, they’d make tea, grab snacks from the canteen, and invite our class teacher to join. She loved tea so much that once we gifted her a tea flask. She said she loved us as much as she loved tea — and that’s saying something! She even prepared tea for us in that very flask.

“Feeding each other with laughter, love, and (accidentally) fish bones — our Grade 13 bond 🐟💕”

Finally, in Grade 13, our prefect duties kept us so busy, but we never let anyone eat alone. Even if someone didn’t have time to eat because of work, we made sure they were fed. I still laugh remembering the day Anjel fed Pesandi — and accidentally gave her a fish bone! Sometimes, we’d lock the classroom door and eat together in peace, just us, just our moment.

We had so many responsibilities. But no matter how busy we were, we were there for each other. We didn’t just share food — we shared care, laughter, and a bond I’ll never forget.