Page 75 - Love Story of a Commando

‘Okay, students! Pull out those benches over there and sit down!’ I
tried to infuse more power and authority into my tone, and this time, some of
the kids complied, reluctantly pulling out benches and dragging them to my
chair.
‘So hello! Again! I am Miss Riya Khanna and I will be your
computer teacher. I’ve come from Mumbai and I want to know more about
you. We will start with the last boy sitting over there. Please stand up and
introduce yourself.’
He stood up shyly and said, ‘Asalam Walekum, Madam ji! I am
Jawed and I live here.’ Then he sat down quickly.
‘Asalam Walekum! I am Farhana and I live here.’ She sat down too.
This pattern went on till the fifteenth child. All they did was mention
their names and sit down. So unlike the kids you see in metros or other cities
who are chirpy, curious and chatterboxes! Full of energy forcing you to
scratch your heads through their volley of questions. These kids were quiet,
shy and extremely innocent. I could see their pretty little faces emanating
some kind of effervescence. The blue, brown and black eyes were not
wandering here and there but mostly gazing at the floor or staring into the
distance. There was so much tranquility around those ten or twelve-year-old
kids.
They were all orphans and it felt as if they had embraced their
sufferings with remarkable stoicism, and here I was, not being able to cope
with my broken heart.
Pat their backs instantly and hug them tighter, Riya !
I did not push them any further and let them go once the class was
over. Then, there came several other batches of students of different age
groups who were all quiet, obedient and shy, talking softly and gazing at me
nervously.
All the boys were dressed in pathani suits in neutral colours along
with kufi caps. The girls were all fully covered in salwar suits with a hijab
over their heads. I was the odd one out in my sleeveless suit; I pulled at my
dupatta to cover my shoulders and hide my bare arms.
I needed some proper clothes…desperately.
Finally, by 3 p.m. I returned to my cottage, exhausted. That sad little
cottage felt astonishingly welcoming. I had my lunch at the mess and I just
sprawled on my bed for an hour or so until some serious knocks on the door
disturbed my afternoon nap.
It was Susan at the door.
‘Hey there! Sleeping already?’ She did not even wait for me to invite
her inside and walked right into my room.
‘Hey, Susan! Good evening to you too,’ I replied.