"To the left, a little more, more more more, yeah that's …umm…shift to the right, a little"
A guy in blue dungaree instructed a peon of the school. Amidst work, he didn't pay attention to one of his straps loosely hanging, showing the yellow patch of a woven flower on his black shirt underneath. As he moved around, it clung over his shoulder.
The full sleeves of the tee-shirt beneath have covered till his palms but he was less bothered by it. It was the only thing he found suitable to wear for today's event as his cupboard was filled with all formal attires.
He tucked up the lead of his round glasses with his pale knuckles. His doe-shaped hazel eyes scanned around chewing the plump of his lower lip impatiently.
The ID wrapped around his neck kept flipping as the wind flew in his direction, showing his name and photo on it at every flip while ruffling his dusky hair notoriously. His pale skin turned a bit dusky. The weather is quite windy which Ivan has always hated. But the Sylvestor town has only two seasons to deal with.
Either windy or rainy.
He hated both. The wind brings up all the dust at him and sticks to him till the end of the day while rains always mess up with his health, making him fall sick.
Ivan, Mother Mary Kindergarten, Sylvester Town.
Under his name is a passport-size photo of him, in his formals and a cute smile reaching to his ears, almost four years old.
In 2014, he joined the kindergarten with utmost hope to begin his life with what he wants to do. After living with foster families and getting transferred to multiple towns Ivan had watched a variety of seasons changing in front of his eyes except for the one! In the department of friendship, he has been always fortunate. Those who never left his side in the dirtiest weather held a special place in his heart.
Ivan knows no one can replace the duplets in his heart but there is one more place for someone besides them.
Kids have always held a precious space in his heart. His love for the kids was professed through homemade cupcakes he baked, while sometimes arranging trips to the zoo land. Ivan felt a kind of connection with the kids that he felt happy when he saw kids happy, smiling, cheerful, noisy.
"Ahh, not like that, get down let me do it" Ivan climbed on the metallic ladder, stepping his shoes on it one by one, carrying himself above and balanced well after reaching up.
He touched the wall carefully, shifting the congratulations paper card on the correct side. His cherry lips pressed on each other, holding his breath.
One little mistake and Ivan would turn into red in frustration.
A senior KG student's farewell is going to take place and Ivan was volunteering it with all sincerity with other few teachers following his lead in the preparations.
From decorations to arranging everything for the parents and students, Ivan made sure everything will go smoothly. The teachers along with him followed his ideas and tried to compile them into reality. Their eyes followed at the door when they saw a girl in her twenties stopping by there. She held two cups of coffee from Barista and wore a genuine smile, looking for the guy she has been interested in.
When her eyes fell on Ivan on the ladder, working on the decoration, a smile carved on her face.
There he is!
Something is quite interesting about him, that amused her.
The young teacher Jessica fetched everyone's attention appearing in the peach-colored frock and pink scarf snaked around her neck. She approached Ivan and stood nearby the ladder.
"Wow, all done" she casually started the conversation and succeeded to grab his attention.
He looked at her and his tired face gleaned a bit. The apple of his cheeks mounted up after seeing her.
"Almost, how's it all?" he rubbed his palms and judging his work around the hall while her eyes fell on his appearance.
She fell amused on how he appeared so baby in the clothes he worn while looked sexy when in formal white crisp shirts on regular days.
His cute shaped butt, his ready to embrace chest and sizable waist, those slender shoulders she wanted to lean on her head and sleep, his doll face which always gave a pleasing sensations to her eyes, everything made her feel attracted towards him.
Jessica kept staring at him and murmured, "Amazing"
He nodded unaware of her gaze roaming over him.
"Now come on, get down, enough of work" she held his wrist, gesturing him to get down. He held upon her support and climbed down with a hard exhale.
"Here have some coffee, you will feel better" she handed a cup of ginger tea to him.
"Ahh, thanks Jessica, that's very kind of you"
He smiled while grabbing it as he needed something to drink. Their hands brushed on each other which made her feel shy.
"You did a pretty good job, Ivan, I am sure kids will love it" her eyes scanned around judging the preparation. He felt relieved listening to her compliments. He hasn't had enough sleep for this preparation. He wanted all kids to feel special and remember this day in their memories.
While other teachers kept glancing at them and gossiping in their groups. The topic had some spice. Another play school's class teacher took a sudden interest in this school's kid's farewell preparation and made everyone gossip about her. But Ivan only saw a kind-hearted woman in her who loves kids just like him and wants to do something for them.
She tried to give her views and inputs as well which ended up confusing him.
"I think kids will love balloons more than flowers" she had a point, Ivan scratched his head.
"Well, never mind, we can stick flowers over it too or maybe put them inside it" as he talked and noticed her thinking something more.
"How about if we keep little marshmallow balls inside balloons, and tell them to burst them for a surprise!"
"Not everyone likes bursting balloons Jess, some of them are really scared of it and besides this is not a birthday party ceremony" Although Ivan liked her idea he was thinking about every kid not only specific ones.
Both chuckled.
"So we can give a flower with their farewell certificate" Ivan nodded as she talked. He introspectively judged the decorations around the walls. Colorful papers cut in different birds, animals shape and entangled in a thread, hanging on the wall. It brought a smile to his face.
"And what about the parents?"
"Ah, I planned photographs for each, so they can keep it as a memory"
"That's a very good idea, Ivan. They will surely love it. I hope kids will be happy"
"Aish, just give more small gifts to the kids, and they will be the happiest"
Jessica chuckled genuinely. "That's true"
And that's like the ultimate king of patience Ivan blended all ideas and created something new. Jessica stole a shy glance at him before sipping her iced café mocha.
"You have worked so hard Ivan. You love kids as if they are yours"
Ivan smiled, lowering his eyes and nodding at her. He feels shy whenever compliments him for his efforts.
"I am just trying my best, the other credit goes to the staff, they are helping me and tolerating me"
Jessica smiled at his words.
"You are just being modest Ivan, for once take the credit fully"
Ivan shook his head, chuckling at her. "Everyone is working equal Jessica"
Jessica shyly glanced at him. She looked at him with hope and expectations. She took a deep breath before asking what she had decided in her mind.
"So, what after this ceremony? Have you planned to take a day off?" She inched closer to what she wanted to ask.
He smiled, shaking his head. "What would I do taking a day off?"
"Y-you can go out with m-"
Jessica almost said it but another female noise interrupted both of them. She quickly held back her words, retracting a bit away from him.
"You guys are still here? The playground outside looks like heaven just goes have a look" The old-aged woman, one of the senior teachers of the playschool squeaked, and behind her, the principal walked at them. " Parents with their kids have started arriving. Ivan, I hope the arrangements for our today's special guests are done if not then please check it for once"
"Yes sir, don't worry I will recheck everything personally before the ceremony begins" Ivan assured and glanced at Jessica. She nodded, taking a cue. He hurriedly walked towards the playground. He felt pleased to see all the arrangements were done the way he wanted. He walked ahead, greeting the parents and patting their kid's heads, welcoming them in a sweet way to the farewell ceremony.
"IVAAAAAAAAAAN"
Ivan's face quickly lightened up.
One of the students, Lilly shouted his name and ran towards him with her arms open.
"Hey hey hey careful sweetheart" Ivan chuckled, bending down to her and letting her leap into his embrace.
A beautiful warm smile radiated on his face as kids loved them back.
"Welcome to the farewell ceremony Lilly"
The little girl looked ecstatic around him.
"You are looking so dashing Ivan. When I will grow up, I will marry you"
She complimented him in a cute way that he couldn't suppress his laughter. He touched her nose cutely as she blurted whatever was in her mind.
"LILLY!" Then he saw her mother reaching there after chasing behind her. She gasped for breaths while keeping one hand on her hips and another on her chest.
"Lilly, he is your teacher don't forget that" as her mother tried to scold her, tugging her arm and pulling her back with a guilty ashamed face, Ivan smiled at her trying to make everything casual and normal.
"It's alright Mrs. Bonsai, she is too young to understand any of these"
She stepped forward, slightly brushing her hand on Ivan's arms. "And you are too young to be single, you know what I mean"
Ivan coughed, stepping back. He chuckled nervously.
"Mrs. Bonsai, welcome to the ceremony, here have a seat and be comfortable" He gestured her towards the empty chair in the row. Mrs. Bonsai expectedly nodded and moved in with her daughter.
He turned after feeling a pat on his shoulder.
"Hello, I am Mr. Ray Choksi '' a man in his early thirties who shook hands with Ivan. "I am Adam's father"
"Oh" Ivan smiled at him formally, "Nice to meet you Mr. Choksi, and welcome to the ceremony"
"Please call me Ray, I am pretty impressed by your teaching skills, my son has reached level five of the English course, and it's only because of you he has improved this much"
"Ahh, you are just making me flustered right now" Ivan shook off his hands creating a normal air while Ray Choksi's eyes stayed on him.
"Have you ever given private coaching to any student?"
Ivan shook his head.
"Well, I have an offer for you. I think you will be the perfect tutor for my son. If you don't mind we can discuss this to over a coffee"
Ivan had a hard time continuing his smile. His jaws started paining.
"But Mr. Choksi" His expression changed, Ivan bit his tongue" I mean Ray, I don't do outside coachings"
Ray kept his hand on his arm assuringly.
"Please don't refuse me like this. I will pay you triple of your salary"
"It isn't about money Mr. Choksi I mean Ray-"
"Mr. Ivan" Meanwhile Principal walked in and stood beside him, "Can I have your two minutes please"
Ivan excused himself and walked away from that constant gluish gaze of Ray.
"What is it, Sir?"
The principal appeared excited yet nervous.
"Looks like the crowd has started gathering, what about the guests? Any news?" hearing this, Ivan instantly pulled out his phone.
"Here, I am keeping a tab on them, they will surely arrive on time" Ivan assured.
The Principal nodded with a nervous smile. "Good good, keep informing me, so I can tell the staff to be prepared for the guests welcome"
"Sure" Ivan assured.
Once the principal walked away, Ivan unlocked his phone and scrolled through his contact list, dialing one of the duplets, someone close to his heart who would do anything to put up a smile on his face even though he is an inexpressive one, someone who is born to play monopoly of mind games, the one he counts on for his life, the popular supermodel, and the brooding handsome bachelor of the town, a vampire disguised as a best friend, Augustus Borbon.
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