Page 3 - Teachers of India Stories

Rakhi Agrawal

Chartered Accountant by qualification, I
spent the last 17 years of my slow, rhythmic,
A content married life, being a homemaker and
a full time Mom and wife.
Then last year, induced by the ambition to become
independent, I chose to be a teacher and fortunately
got a wonderful opportunity too.
The first day itself, on the school campus, it was
apparently clear to me that I had found my life’s calling. Though with the job,
I lost few privileges. I lost my ‘me time’, missed the outings and lunch parties
that my friends were enjoying, came back home tired after being stuck in Ban-
galore traffic (for hours on the road on few unfortunate days), got the chance to
talk and connect with my husband only on weekends (he had already predicted
it while trying to dissuade me from doing a job) But overall, I had no qualms.
The year that went by was a pure bliss.
And then.... My life changed and the world changed.....overnight.
I am back at home again, full time....but there is no me time....I am taking on-
line classes. I do not rush to work, dressed in smart clothes .....I stay at home in
my home clothes....taking on-line classes.
When my friends and cousins are posing and posting their photos of the
yummy dishes that they prepared during the lockdown.....I’m barely managing
with basic meals....busy taking on-line classes. The computer/laptop screen
that I wanted to avoid at all costs, I sleep in front of it, dropped dead with
fatigue.....I’m preparing for my on-line classes.That sync of time/routine with
my kids.....is now a thing of the past....I rarely manage to even ask them about
their homework....I’m myself busy checking virtually submitted homework of
my on-line classes.
While my friends and cousins are cribbing about the absence of maid on the
WhatsApp chat, I longingly look at my schedule for the day looking for a break
where I will go and do the pile of dishes, clean the dirty home, do the laundry
and cook something to eat....waiting for a break in the on-line classes.While
they are binge watching Netflix and Hotstar, I am counting the assignments
submitted and checking the results of the exams conducted …...of my on-line
classes.
And that lively chatter, energy, smiling faces, twinkle in the eye of my stu-
dents, to experience which I became a teacher…...alas...where are they?....I ask
myself while staring at the laptop screen when I demand the students to switch
on their videos....while taking....yes...the on-line classes.Now, daily I go to sleep
with the hope that one day my life will change again, my world will shift on its
axis again...
I promise....I won’t crib about the Bangalore traffic...I am so eagerly looking
forward to getting stuck in it again....at least it will mean a break from these on-
line classes.