Chapter 61

Jaidrith & “Mrs Rao”

Mrs Rachita Dhawan extended her hand out to greet  Aatreya

“Good to meet you please meet Mrs Ojha, Mrs Nilenkeni” she smiled introducing the class teacher first

He politely greeted all of them

Mrunalini was ready for flight

She knew this was not good

To give this man the only thing that was left to renege

The school

“Its good to meet you, do you work in Mumbai?” Mrs Dhawan made small talk as they were seated on the couch

“thanks for the web links and the school portal stuff” he nodded

“How did you not know you had a SON” Nilenkeni was mocking

“Umm…” aatreya grunted

“Mr Nilenkeni, that’s not the purpose na?

“Nahi I mean he had a son he left him and now he wants him?”

Mrunal didn’t like the guy but today he was her hero

I mean WHY does Aatreya want my baby

“He is here and wants to be involved we have to make that happen” Mrs Dhawan stressed

“Nobody has thought about how kids are going to tease him in playground, already that boy is a gunda” Mr Nilenkeni

“Mr Nilenkeni” Mrs Ojha sputtered in shock

“You are the administrator” Mrs Dhawan glared at him

“I mean he was recently suspended, the new Counsleor Mrs Bhagat said he doesn’t say anything in 1:1s aisa kaisa chalega, you punch ur classmate and”

“Mr Nilenkeni” Mrs Dhawan asked for a timeout bluntly

She then showed Aatreya the time table the curriculum, the recess options the extra curriculars

“Your wife pays for after school care” Mrs Suri the Accountant explained

“Not exactly wife, they are coparenting” Mrs Dhawan explained cursing why her staff was being so rude and dense today

“Mrs Suri we can go over Accounts later” Mrs Dhawan signaled her to leave

“Sure Ma’am” “Here is the temp password to the fee portal, she has paid until December, you have to pay for January to May and then June-July summer full day care”

Mrs Dhawan was irritated

“thanks” she nodded dismissing Mrs Suri

“I usually pay only in January” mrunal spoke nervously

“That’s perfectly OK she was just trying to tell him everything” Mrs Dhawan reassured her

“I get child education allowance at the bank I work at, I can do a transfer for the whole year”

Mrs Dhawan looked for visual cues on Mruna’s face

She knew this was very difficult for her

“How about we only talk about adding your name today and giving youa  tour we can talk about finances over a conference call?” she smiled kindly

The attendant brought coffee and cookies

Mrunal was ready to throw up in anxiety

Aatreya paying the fee will mean he is fully in charge

Holy heck

“I like that your school has PTAs only on Saturdays”

“even that Mrs Rao is unable to attend” Mr Nilenkeni accused

Calling Mrunal MRS RAO in the process of making a jab

“I missed two this year” Mrunal almost shouted

“We have every month with teacher and and staff” Mr Nilenkeni argued

“I work on Saturdays many times

“then”

“Mr Nilenkeni, can we please have the documents I left in your office this morning?”

“Tell attendant na”

“Aap please who safe se le aayen” she explained

He left irriated

“We all have those days sometimes Mrs Dhawan clarified

Aatreya nodded

“Will I be able to see his class room?”

“Sure sure” mrs Ojha explained

After another hour, they were given a tour

When they were brought to the classroom luckily Jaidrith’s group was in a “chemistry lab” tour to conduct simple experiments

She was relieved

They parted ways outside the school

“Looks like a great school” he nodded politely

“Oakridge is better” she sulked

“I can try to figure..”

“Its OK he has another chance next year” she stopped him

“Are you upset I was here today”

“You are imagining it” she lied firmly

“I am not” he spoke softly

“I”

“I am not encroaching Mrunalini, I am just doing my part”

“Uninvited” she said looking him in the eye

“I am the parent aren’t I” he was firm and polite

“This school thing was unnecessary”

“So I was infringing” he nailed her

“This is going to cause Dhru to be disturbed”

“You area ssuming it”

“Did u not hear when he said he was suspended?” she mocked

“I watched him all 5 days remember?” he mocked her back

“I have to go”

“We need to talk”

“Always…” she mumbled barely waving and leaving the scene