Page 141 - Half Girlfriend

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'Speech?’ my mother said. 'In English? To goras? Have you gone
mad?'

’The state of the school has driven me mad.’
She sat up on her rickety chair, her eyebrows high. She rested her

elbows on the table, her fingers entwined.
‘Whatever it is, it is my school, If you don’t like it, leave.’

‘Don’t be dramatic, Ma. I like it, so I'm doing all this.’

‘First, I have no idea who this Gates is or what he does to make so
much money. Next, he is coming to my school with a paltan, Now you

have to give a speech.’
‘He makes software,’

‘Soft wear? Like soft clothes? So much money from that?'
‘No, computer software. Like Windows,’

‘Windows. Gates. What is he? A furniture dealer?'
‘Forget it, Ma, I have to practise my English speech,’

‘Good luck,’
She slid a stack of students' notebooks towards herself, She

opened one and started to correct it.
'I want you to help me.’

She looked up,
‘How? I don't speak English. Barely understand it.’

‘Please let me know if I sound okay,’

I stood up straight, I pretended I had a mic in my hand.
‘How will I know if you said it right?' Ma said, ‘Imagine yourself

in the audience. See if I come across as confident and intelligent,'
She giggled, l shushed her and began my speech. As I didn't know

English well then, this is what I came up with.
'Good morning, Mr Bill Gates, Miss Samantha and guests. I,

Madhav, welcoming you all to the Bihar, My school doing excellent
coaching of children, farmer’s children, poor children, small

children...' I couldn't think of what to say next so I referred to various