Holding hands, they strolled
into jail.
It’s been a while, and I decided to get back to some six-word stories. Share some of yours too, I’d be delighted to read them.
Tag: people
Chapter Forty Seven: Change is Good
Ms Marrie escorted Praveena through a path she knew so well, but it all seemed new somehow. She guessed Mr Kareem had been doing well as new principal. Ms Marrie stopped in front of a door that had a tiny metal plate with the words,
Kareem,
Principal.
Praveena turned to Ms Marrie in astonishment. She remembered Principal Vanitha’s name plate, which listed her degrees. Smiling to herself, Praveena rejoiced the school was in responsible hands.
“He’s expecting you. Go ahead.” Ms Marrie smiled reassuringly gesturing Praveena to go inside. Praveena knocked once and a gruff voice told her to enter. She did. “Good morning Sir,” she smiled walking up to his table.
A well-built middle aged man, Kareem had dark and overgrown flyaway hair. He wore a black short-sleeved shirt, and Praveena noticed a pair of spectacles lying untouched on his desk. He had his locked palms resting against his chin examining a piece of paper as Praveena entered.
“Please,” he smiled courteously at Praveena “call me Kareem.”
Praveena’s mouth fell open. She quickly closed it, but not before he had seen it. He laughed, a soft and musical laugh.
“So,” Kareem said once he had stopped laughing. “Ms Kamal. Why don’t you take a seat?” he gestured at the chair facing him. She did, thoroughly nonplussed at the principal’s behaviour.
“Now, Ms Kamal –” he began, but stopped short, “mind if I call you Praveena? It’s a bit easier,” he smiled. Praveena noticed the way his eyes crinkled every time he smiled.
“Please,” she replied easily. For the first time, she felt comfortable in this room.
“Thanks,” he smiled. “Praveena,” he said in a more serious tone, “you are an old student,” she nodded, “so you would know this place quite well. I’ve made changes to this school, and hope you like them.”
“What if I don’t?” Praveena asked playfully. She regretted it the very next second. She wasn’t sure what had come over her. But Kareem didn’t look angry, he didn’t even look irritated. Instead, he smiled slightly. Praveena hadn’t expected that.
“Well, if you don’t like it,” he smiled “you don’t have to.” He continued, laughing at Praveen’s shocked expression.
Praveena took some time to recover. “I’m sorry,” she said her eyes cast down.
“Don’t be!” Kareem exclaimed joyfully. “I like your enthusiasm.” Praveena looked at him smiling slightly. He returned the gesture.
“Well,” he grew serious again, “we need an extra teacher, and I’m personally glad we could get an old student for the position. We’ll discuss your salary later, but first, I think your students are waiting to meet their new class teacher.” he raised his eyebrows. “Marrie will show you your class. Good luck, Praveena!” he stood up and smiled.
Praveena stood up as well. “Thank you, Sir –” Kareem glared at her, and she quickly corrected herself, “Kareem,” she nodded with a smile and left the room, satisfied with herself.
They didn’t say anything to each other but Praveena’s look conveyed everything Ms Marrie had wanted to know. Praveena’s joy was obvious.
Ms Marrie led Praveena through familiar corridors. She went past her own room and stopped in front of the next one.
“Ta-da!” she exclaimed gleefully, gesturing at the closed door. “Welcome to your room,” she smiled.
Praveena hadn’t expected her own room. Ms Marrie opened the room and Praveena walked inside. There was an empty desk with a chair in the centre of the room. Apart from that, the room was void of furniture or decoration. The walls were bare except for the gleaming white paint.
“You can decorate it any way you want.” Ms Marrie announced. Praveena wheeled to face Ms Marrie who leant on the doorway looking bemused at her astonishment. “Kareem’s rule” she added.
“Come on,” Ms Marrie gestured. Praveena walked out of the room, and Ms Marrie handed her the key. Praveena didn’t know what to make of all the strange, but wonderful things Kareem had done to her school.
Ms Marrie next stopped in front of a class Praveena recognized as her classroom during the final year in school. They were the senior-most students, and it was another surprise to see all the students conversing in low tones. Praveena looked at Ms Marrie, suddenly nervous. “Go ahead.” Ms Marrie smiled reassuringly with a gentle pat on her shoulder.
Praveena took a deep sigh, and thinking of James’ first class in college, walked inside the room.
As soon as she entered, a hush fell through the room. She placed her file on the table and faced the students. There were about fifty of them, and Praveena saw eager eyes staring into hers. On the walls hung random paintings and crafts. A particular origami peacock that sat in a corner table caught Praveena’s eye.
Suddenly, she felt comfortable in the room. They were students, they were here to learn something, ‘not unlike yourself,’ her inner voice finished her thought.
“Hello everyone,” she began simply. “I’m Praveena, an old student, now your class teacher.” she smiled. All of them stood up in unison, and said greeted her in one voice, “Welcome back, Ms Praveena.”
Praveena was taken aback. The students, just like their principal, had a way of making new people feel comfortable and welcome.
The first day was smooth. The students were easy to talk to, they were a curious lot and Praveena told them about herself and learned their names.
Suddenly a girl stood up and asked, “What subject do you teach, Miss?”
“I’m a substitute. And…” she stalled. “It’s my first day. Must we talk about work?” she asked smiling. So did the girl, whose name was Grace.
For the first time in her life, Praveena looked forward to school the next day.
Being Messy
Whether you’re sulking about life, complaining about the neighbour’s loud kids, or panting from running away from a street dog, sometimes, one good piece of writing is all you need to calm yourself and see beyond your range of vision.
This poem was one of those. There’s so much to life than being fresh and clean all the time. There’s more than a well-made bed, laundered linen, warm meals, chilled wine, and a comfort zone.
This poem reminded me: There’s life in being messy.
Dirty Face
Where did you get such a dirty face,
My darling dirty-faced child?I got it from crawling along in the dirt
And biting two buttons off Jeremy’s shirt.
I got it from chewing the roots of a rose
And digging for clams in the yard with my nose.
I got it from peeking into a dark cave
And painting myself like a Navajo brave.
I got it from playing with coal in the bin
And signing my name in cement with my chin.
I got it from rolling around on the rug
And giving the horrible dog a big hug.
I got it from finding a lost silver mine
And eating sweet blackberries right off the vine.
I got it from ice cream and wrestling and tears
And from having more fun than you’ve had in years.– Shel Silverstein
Chapter Forty Six: Another Home
Praveena wanted to tell Anil everything that had happened since she last saw him. She called him the next afternoon during his lunch break.
“Hey, how are you?” he exclaimed delighted.
“Brilliant!” Praveena laughed as excited as he.
“Good!” Anil replied. Praveena sensed amusement in his voice and understood why. He had never heard her so thrilled.
She told him about her decision to teach. “Like James, you know,” she said. “and Ms Marrie,” she went on without realizing he had said nothing more than a tiny sound of acknowledgment. “hmm-hmm!” he egged her on, and that was more than enough for Praveena.
He listened without interrupting. Praveena couldn’t possibly know the wide smile that played across Anil’s lips throughout her narrative; he liked to listen to her voice. She had thought of him, and he was happy she wanted to share her life happenings with him. He felt important, and he told her that.
“Great to know you still think of me, Praveena.” he said as she had finished her story.
“Of course I think of you, you idiot!” she said carelessly. “you’re my best friend!”
“Yeah…” replied Anil, trying to disguise the disappointment in his voice. Praveena, however, noticed the difference.
“Hey!” she said subdued. “You don’t sound so good. Any problems?” she asked growing concerned. He had been listening intently but his lack of words had just struck her.
“No, no,” he waved it off. “Nothing.” He changed the topic. “So,” he said “when do you officially become a teacher?” he asked with a tinge of laughter in his voice.
“No idea,” she replied. “Next Monday, probably” she said. It was only Wednesday. She had four more days.
“Oh, good.” Anil replied. “Teacher!” he added mockingly.
“Hey!” Praveena exclaimed indignantly.
“Alright, alright.” Anil laughed. “No swearing.”
Anil’s laughter was contagious. And they laughed together for no reason.
Anil recovered first. “So what happens to those drug addicts?” he asked. He made it sound funny but he was serious in every way. And so was Praveena when she replied, “They’ll have to wait.” She smiled sadly into her mobile, “First, I’m going to prevent their children from falling into drugs.”
“You’re the best.” Anil said appreciatively.
“I know,” Praveena winked.
Praveena told Kamal about her conversation with Ms Marrie and added that she would join on Monday. He listened intently, and when she finished, “Good,” he sounded satisfied. “All the best.”
Praveena was surprised. “Thanks, Pa!” she said taken aback, yet happy.
Praveena later informed Ms Marrie of her joining date. Ms Marrie was visibly thrilled. “I’m so glad you decided to do this, Praveena,” she encouraged. “This will do you good. Trust me.” Praveena smiled. “Thank you, Miss.” Even if she couldn’t fully discern Ms Marrie’s meaning, she knew it would be good.
Monday morning, Praveena woke up early. She wore a white cheddar — the South Indian traditional. When she came down for breakfast, she was overcome by a sense of nostalgia. She thought back to her school days when she walked down the same staircase. She imagined her mother reading on the couch, and her father swinging his arms, as he came in from his morning walk. Smiling to herself, Praveena went over to the dining table, where her father had set up breakfast.
“Hey you!” he exclaimed in surprise. He hadn’t seen his daughter in a chudidhar for a long time. She had always preferred jeans. “You look beautiful,” he complimented.
‘Thanks, Pa.” Praveena smiled widely. It felt good to make her father smile.
After a hearty breakfast of idlis and chutney, Praveena bade her father goodbye.
“Shall I drop you?” he asked.
Praveena shook her head smiling. “It’s ok, Pa.”
Praveena entered her old school, and saw the buildings and trees in their same places. But everything had changed. The blue buildings in her time had all gone white. It was the first thing Praveena noticed and it made her smile. She had always hated principal Vanitha’s awful colour choices. It seemed like the new principal had a liking for white.
The trees weren’t pruned as they were in Principal Vanitha’s period. They grew as they wished and Praveena was delighted to see a lot of green and yellow leaves strewn all over the pathway leading to the Principal’s office. ‘This is going to be good!’ her delighted inner voice said, and Praveena readily agreed.
She had already told Ms Marrie and sure enough, Ms Marrie waited for her in front of the same Principal’s office, with a wide smile.
Praveena approached her, positive she had made a good decision. “How does our school look?” Ms Marrie asked earnestly. Praveena smiled. She felt content like never before. “Lovely.” she smiled. She had once hated the school, but it now felt like home. As if she had had looked all over for a home and had finally found it, right here in her old school.
Ms Marrie smiled in delight.
Chapter Forty Five: Another Plan
That night, Kamal returned from his business trip so tired that he had to almost dragged himself inside.
Parveena served dinner, surprising her father. “Ah, chapattis!” he exclaimed in delight. “Great!” he said as he ate. Praveena smiled, saying nothing. Kamal behaved as usual towards her. After shouting at her, she had expected him to avoid her in some way, and was surprised when he didn’t.
After a hearty dinner, Kamal took to the couch, basking lazily as he watched the daily news. Praveena sat next to him tentatively.
“You want to say something?” her father turned towards her unexpectedly.
Praveena started. “Nothing important, Pa.” She shook her head. Kamal smiled at her knowingly. He switched off the television and faced her. “What is it Praveena?”
She wrung her hands. “Well,” she hesitated. After the other day’s incident, Praveena felt uncomfortable to talk to him. It was Kamal’s temporary, yet unexpected, reaction that had unnerved her.
Kamal waited for her to speak. “I – er – was just wondering what to do next.” She paused and wet her lips, expecting her father to say something. When he didn’t, however, she continued, “I want to become a teacher.” Praveena said in a low voice.
Kamal took a deep breath. He stood up and crossed his arms across his chest. Praveena, too was about to stand up when her father gestured her to remain seated. She did. Kamal faced her, tilting his head to one side. Praveena felt a lump forming in the base of her throat.
“What’s the problem, Praveena?” he asked gently, surprising her again. He continued, “You said you wanted to begin a non-profit organization. I said no. And now, you want to become a teacher?” he finished incredulously.
Praveena crinkled her eyes in doubt. There was nothing wrong with it, was there? “Yes, Pa.” she said looking into his eyes with difficulty. She could see a flicker of doubt in them, but he said nothing. For about a whole minute, he paced up and down in front of her, his eyes on the floor, thinking. Praveena’s eyes followed him. She waited, ‘he couldn’t possibly say no to this,’ she thought.
When her father stopped pacing, he faced her with a smile on his lips. “Okay then.” He said, “you want to be a teacher,” he declared, raising his eyebrows. Praveena nodded silently. “go ahead!” he said. “Do whatever you should,” he shrugged. He smiled at the look of gratitude on Praveena’s face.
She stood up. “Thanks, Pa,” she hugged him, beaming. And he caressed her head without saying anything else.
Later that night, Praveena called Ms Marrie. “Hi, Praveena. What’s up?” Ms Marrie asked surprised. They had only met that evening.
“Hi, Miss, I hope I didn’t disturb you?” Praveena asked, unable to control her glee. She was about to do something she wanted, and the most happiest of it was that her father had agreed.
“Oh, no” Ms Marrie laughed. “not at all. Anything important?” she asked curiously.
“No, Miss,” Praveena responded, “well,” she hesitated, “actually, yes,” She heard Ms Marrie’s quiet laughter from the other side. “What is it, Praveena?” she asked lightly.
“Er – I – thought about what you said,” she paused. Why was this difficult?
“And, you decided — ?” Ms Marrie helped her that much.
“Yes,” Praveena said. “I’ve decided to agree with you. I want to teach,” she laughed. Yesterday, she wouldn’t have expected to hear herself say this.
“Can you help me, Miss?” she asked.
“What do you want to know?”
“Do I need a Masters degree to teach? Or a B.Ed?” Praveena wanted to know. The prospect of spending another couple of years as a student was discouraging, but she hoped she wouldn’t have to.
“To teach in our school?” Ms Marrie asked incredulously.
Praveena hadn’t thought of that. “Yes,” she heard herself say. ‘Better a known place,’ her inner voice supported.
“Hmm,” Ms Marrie said thoughtfully. “I don’t think you would need a PG, Praveena. But I’ll check with the principal and let you know, say tomorrow?”
Praveena smiled gleefully, “Sure, Miss. Thank you.” she added, grateful.
‘No problem, Praveena,” Ms Marrie said graciously. “It’s my pleasure.”
Praveena felt a rush of excitement as she hung up. Good, now she had to prepare herself to teach. Three years in college wasn’t a waste after all, she mused.
Ms Marrie called Praveena the next day.
“Hi,” she began enthusiastically. “I spoke to Principal Kareem. And he said you can join any day. They were looking for a class teacher, apparently. Just meet him before you join.” she said.
“Happy?” she added.
“Oh yes,” Praveena exclaimed. There was a giant balloon in her heart that swelled with pride and joy. ‘That was easy,’ her inner voice sounded amused.
Praveena smiled to herself. She had realized her dream. She was about to change someone’s life for the better. She was about to become a teacher. She thought of James. She wished she had his number. She wanted him to know that he was her role model; him and Ms Marrie. ‘I’ll tell that to Ms Marrie when I join,’ she thought.
Praveena made a promise to herself that day: she would never use her position as a teacher to mistreat her students or exploit her title. She thought of the teachers who had made her student life miserable. She would never be one of them. She would be a different kind of teacher. She would always be there for her students, reaching out whenever they needed help.
The Chaos Within 