I was in Standard 1 and 5th September was fast approaching. My class teacher Mr. Sinha was not coming to school for quite some time and temporarily was replaced by a young lady, Miss Jilla. She had a fair V shaped face and curly brown hair which came down only till her shoulders. She mostly wore skirts and I always wondered how she could pull up her socks (stockings) right underneath her skirt. My socks reached my ankles and were nothing less than irritation for me.
I don’t really know what it was but I really liked her teaching in class. Her bird like voice was symphony to my ears as I carefully listened to whatever she had to say. Normally this kind of attraction would be considered to be a distraction at that age (may be at any age) but for me it worked wonders. I completed all my homework assignments and tried to impress her by making an effort to read the subject beforehand.
All this effort didn’t go to waste as she started thinking of me as a ‘Good Boy’ and made my parents really happy seeing my interest in studies grow.
That year Teacher’s Day was on Monday and as our school remained off on weekends I got 2 complete days to prepare something for Miss Jilla. Impressed by a scene in a latest Hindi Movie I decided to give her a bouquet of Red Roses and a Card telling her about my inner feelings. For this I needed Money.
As I wanted to begin my task with good spirit I first went to my Father. He had a peculiar way of giving me money. He would ask me to sing the National Anthem without any mistakes and if he would be certain that I have passed the test he would happily extend his hand, full of coins, keeping his eyes closed and left it on me how much I would take. Normally I would never take advantage of the opportunity but this time it was different. Instead of taking my regular Rs 5 I took a Rs 10 note.
My next source was my mother. It was always difficult to get behind her but today I had to anyhow. I knew she cherished such occasions as she would make me do things in return that I was reluctant to do.
She Inquired “ Is your room clean?”
“Yes”
“Your Cupboard?”
“Yes”
“Desk?”
I looked at her in silence contemplating weather I should lie to her or not. What if she finds it out?
“I was just about to do it, Ma”
Prompt came the reply “ So you first do it and then come to me.”
Finally after working for hours I finished the job and ran straight to Mommy for the reward. My collection had gone up to Rs 15 and I could imagine the bouquet of Red Roses in Miss Jilla’s hands. Now I just needed money for the Special Card.
My last source was my brother but getting money out of him was not my cup of tea. Unlike me, every month he had a saving, which he used to keep hidden somewhere away from everyone’s eye (especially mine). Unfortunately for him few days back I had stumbled upon the Hidden Treasure. It was safely kept in between the cover of his History Text book. I just had to occupy my brother’s attention onto something, so that, in the meantime I could carefully uncover the book and take out the little amount that I desired. It was an uphill task.
The only opportunity that I had was at 4 in the evening, as at that time brother would be glued to the television to watch a Chinese kungfu programme. The one where heroes with white ghostly make-up cast spells on villains and would jump from one building to the other; I wondered what he liked about them.
It was four and for some reason Brother was not watching his favourite show. Normally I preferred such a sight but today it was spoiling my plans. I went up to him and in a very casual way told him
“ Isn’t the final battle between Mojimbo the drunken master and Kitari today”
This was enough. His ears widened up and eyes popped out. He at once looked at the watch.
“Oh shit, it’s already 4” he zoomed out of the room presenting me the opportunity that I needed.
It was only a matter of few minutes when I uncovered the text book with precision and scraped out 5 rupees from it.
On Monday I got up early and as I wanted to keep my plan a secret I reached my class before everyone and carefully hid the bouquet inside my desk. Slowly my friends came in. Everyone had got something for the teacher but I was sure no one could ever imagine my gift. The bell rang, we all stood up and it was time for Miss Jilla to come in.
I got onto my toes in excitement as streams of blood cells gushed through my vessels and I felt their movement all throughout my body. My heart was thumping in an unusual way, “will she like it?” I was getting nervous.
Just then the unexpected happened. Mr Sinha entered the class. As everyone went ahead to hand over their cards to him I stood looking at the door expecting her to make an appearance any time. But there was no sign of her. In that moment of cheer and laughter I experienced a muted atmosphere. I remained frozen staring at the desk motionless.
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