"Gautam is a happy child" Ms Anamkia said as Vikram-Aditi started their first parent teacher's meeting. Confident of his son, and used to receiving compliments for him, Aditi smiled and went on asking about how he did otherwise in school. Vikram was a bit uncomfortable, without knowing the reason and went on to complete the meeting. They watched a movie after the meeting and went to the beach. They had a good day.
Tan..Tan Tan. The school bell rang. It was a happy time for Cheenu, he knew he would now get a chance to get on the stage, run across the corners , jump from the podium as other school kids did. Soon all school kids gathered in front of the stage, each class assembled in a single file, lead by the 'Monitor' of the class. There was no sequence followed, the kid who was willing to sacrifice his precious playing time before assembly, can stand in front. Not many did, but seeds were sown. Teachers stood in a single row on the stage with the principal in the center. Cheenu noticed her mom standing at the end of the row, looking at him with the corner of her eye. The head boy of school climbed the stage and chanted "twamaiwa mata chapita twamaiwa......" pausing after each line and allowing others to repeat. Cheenu standing on the other side of the stage, barely visible from the side where students were standing, practiced if he can do what the head boy is doing.
Soon the assembly was over and kids went to their respective classes. Cheenu jumped on the stage ran across the corners, picked up the 'neemkauris' and kicked them. He jumped from the podium making a 'yeah' sound as school kids did after winning first three places in handwriting competetion. "Cheenu, come here" his mom shouted from a distance. She was calling him to Principal's office.
As Cheenu entered the office the Principal was saying "You must ask him to stay here in my office, he often goes and sits in a class. He does not disturb anybody but sometimes when he enters a class where Meenu is or you are, it is a problem". Meenu, his elder brother was one and half years older to Cheenu and his only friend. "But Madam he is only two and it will be difficult for him to stay in this room for four hours", Cheenu's mother and also a teacher at that school, tried to explain. "Then you must leave him home for now, we will take him to school after six months at the same age we admitted Meenu" the principal said.
"Mumma you go, I will sit on the table and play with the ruler" Cheenu smiled and chuckled.
"You see - Cheenu is a happy child, you don't worry and go to your class", said the principal in as soothing tone as possible hiding her frown.
Vikram shifted on his bed and smiled recollecting morning's parent teacher meeting. More than 30 years down the line, the reasons have only changed their appearance. They are no more or less, no better or worse. They are not supposed to be. He is a 'happy child' notwithstanding.
