Anand, how are your studies going on asked my father?
I was going out of the house to meet my friends. I said I am studying daily, I will do good in my board exams.
Oh, ok. Where are you going now?
I said, going to a friend's house to bring some study material.
(Parents don't send you outside simply for passing time and when you have had boards after one month then definitely they gonna stop you. But when they hear the word for studying, they allow you in the nighttime too. I wonder, why do parents spend so much money on schools, institutions, and all without even thinking once. But when we ask for money for gadgets or something there will be a big no!)
I went out and my friend was already there. We went to the store and bought a cigarette pack and went to our daily place and use to smoke. I started smoking when I was 16. I used to feel the only solution for all my problems was smoking. These cigarettes send me into a trance state. It feels like that smoke goes into the brain too and makes the brain float. That feeling used to be amazing.
Later, My friend asked me, 'have you prepared for tomorrow's science test?
No dude, I didn't even open my books since last week!
Also, when did we study sincerely! We have our sources right, we'll manage it tomorrow I told and laughed.
Everyone take a sheet of paper, all your books should be closed right now said, my science teacher.
Well, her name is Mrs. Andrea wright. She is very fair. She would be in her late twenties. She is an intelligent woman. She knows all our excuses and could easily catch people. Half of the class only see her instead of listening to class. I'm also one of them. But she is very strict.
She knows that our gang gonna copy from others. So, she was observing only us. We tried our best to copy but we couldn't. We felt the teacher was showing partiality to other students as she was only gazing at us. The bell rang and we forcefully had to give empty papers to her. This is what she wanted. In the evening she called all the parents individually and told them that, the principal wants to have a word with them.
My father came to me and started scolding me that what again mischief you did!
The principal called and told me to come Tomorrow said, my father.
I was shocked, by listening to this. I thought someone told me that I was bullying students in the class. Or the day before I fought with my classmate. I was worried about what they will be telling my father.
The next day, when I and my father went near the principal's cabin I have seen my friend's parents too.
By seeing them I felt a bit happy and a bit relieved that my friend's parents were also called.
We all waited until the principal reaches his office after the rounds.
After 15 minutes he came and we all went into the office. All the parents were seated we were standing back of them with our heads down. We were best at this (acting).
The principal gave our parents yesterday's science answer sheets.
I was thinking, for this small thing they called my parents! It's disgusting thought inside. I believed it's just a simple matter and I faced these episodes a lot like this in the past.
The principal started doing his best part, giving his boring lecture. Parents were listening to him very keenly as if it was a million-dollar question. One of my friend's parents started scolding his son. I thought my father would beat me in front of everyone. Although it was quite common still, I thought to save myself and tried to cry. I tried very hard to bring those tears out. But my eyes weren't supporting me. Not even a drop was coming out as if my body doesn't have water in it. I tried harder and harder all I could make were my eyes a little watery and a bit reddish. My father knows that I am a good actor and understood that I was just acting. The principal took a half an hour lecture and scolded us. Finally said prepare well for the next exam. That was the only positive sentence he spoke. We all came out, some parents were still scolding us, my father asked where is your science teacher. I got perplexed, I don't want to hear more lectures please dad said to myself.
She might be in class. She teaches for many classes, I don't know where she will be, told to my father very trickily.
Then suddenly my science teacher started reaching towards the principal office from another side.
Oh my gosh! Why God, I said and started preparing mentally for another lecture.
She came and started talking to other parents and telling them what everything nonsense we do in the class.
Slowly, she came near to my father and with a big sigh, she told, your son is the main candidate who is spoiling all the students. He is very notorious. Don't know why he changed like this, in earlier classes he used to study well and he is intelligent but he is using it in other stupid works.
My father was just nodding by looking at her.
later my father asked can I get your number?
My teacher was a bit tensed after my father asked that question.
My father said, I just wanted to talk about my son with you.
Mrs. Andrea thought for a second and said sure, and gave her number.
When should I call you mam asked my father?
She told after 6:30 anytime I will be free.
I don't know what was running in my father's brain but all I understood is something gonna happen.
Later, my father went back to his work and we went back to our classes. We behaved like nothing actually happened and joyfully entered the class.
Hello mam, this is Anand's father, sorry to disturb you, can we speak for a moment, please?
Hello sir, sure please tell me.
Mam, I am really worried about his future, I know he is not studying at all. Every day after coming he is just roaming on the streets like an idiot with his friends. I tried many times to change but he never listens.
Mam, you're my last hope mam. Please after school make him study for two hours mam. Please mam only for this last one-month mam. I kindly request you.
Sir, I completely understand your pain. But sir the school had set some rules and we should follow them. So, I can't teach your son separately anything sir. I am sorry.
Mam, please don't say that. I will pay you the amount you say.
Sir, please. The problem is not about the money. It's about the school regulations, sir. Try to understand.
Mam, I will promise that we will not tell anyone. It s my word mam.
(pauses for a moment)
Sir, I'll talk to you in five minutes.
Ok, mam please understand my pain. Thank you.
(After some time)
Ok sir, as a parent I understand your pain. I will teach him but he shouldn't be discussing this, also he should be regular and should obey my words.
If he doesn't listen to me, I m sorry to say I will not teach him.
Ok, mam, I keep you my word. He will listen to you mam I promise.
I was with my PlayStation playing racing games in my room. My dad suddenly opened the door.
My father came and sat beside me.
I don't know what to say.
I thought he forgot the way to his room. The room was silenced.
Anand, from tomorrow onwards you are going to attend tuition classes from 6:30 to 8:30 daily. If you try to skip, I will take your games and stop giving you pocket money.
I felt like saying no but couldn't.
Ok, dad. But where should I go for the tuition?
You will be going to your science teacher's house. And also you are not going to discuss this with anyone, not even your friends. If they ask tell them my father became strict and he's not allowing me to step out of the house.
So this is why my father took her number.
I had nothing to say. So, I just nodded my head.
One side of my heart was sad that I can't meet my friends more often now. Another side is happy because I m entering Mrs. Andrea's House, which was super cool. I would be the first one who would be going inside her house.
The next day onwards my tuition started. I wore a black T-shirt and tracksuit.
I rang the doorbell.
Mrs. Andrea opened the door.
She was wearing a saffron-colored bedgown. That was the first time when I saw her in that dress. I was amazed by looking at her.
Come inside, what are you waiting for? she said and let me in.
I went inside and sat on her couch. I was still a bit unconscious after seeing her in that outfit. She was looking much more beautiful than her daily outfit. It was amazing sitting inside her house. I started listening to her explanation. Slowly, I started studying because I m left with only one month. So, I was also a bit studious. However, I came to my home after studying a lot on my first day. My father was also happy by seeing me.
But, what happened after a week was something unforgettable.