"Storytime!" Sumo burst into the children's class room just as Preeta set up the snacks in front of each of the little ones. The all got up, thrilled, and hugged Sumo around the waist, she bent down to kiss each of them on both cheeks, completely unmindful that Shravan watching from behind the door.
Sumo cheerfully: Ok, whose turn is it to sit on my lap today!?
Rimmi: Me, me, me!!!
Sumo: Ok, it is Rimmi and Simmi's turn, come on up muchkin.
Shravan could not help but smile at the children gathered around where Sumo sat. Rimmi settled into Sumo's lap and her doll, Simmi, was settled into Rimmi's own lap. Sumo put up a fork of fruits up to Rimmi's mouth.
Rimmi: Simmi first!
Sumo: Ok, ok.
She pretend-gave the forkful to Simmi and then put up to Rimmi. The little girl had it un-mindfully, her full cheeks moving slightly as she opened storybook.
Shravan's heart filled at the simple scene unfolding in front of him.
Preeta pulled Sahil's hand from his mouth and handed him a kiddie fork.
Preeta was coming out to give snacks in the older children's classroom when she spotted Shravan again. She closed the classroom door behind her with emphasis and walked toward the next classroom.
Shravan: Preeta, I need to talk to you.
Preeta: I don't have the time. Why are you still here? Get lost.
Shravan: I only came to know about the whole incident last night.
Preeta went into the next room with the food and started setting it up before the kids came back from the PT class.
Shravan: Preeta please, tumhe Sumo ki doshti ki kasam!
Sumo came out from the toddlers' classroom and went to teach basic maths to the slightly older kids.
After class, Snigdha approached her.
Her star student, Snigdha, was a little older than the other kids in the classroom. She had a first-rate mind, but was a late starter due to lack of opportunities. She was one of Sumo's first recruits.
Sumo found her selling flowers on the street corner when a bus conductor tried to molest her. To this date, Sumo was still proud of the chatas she and Snigdha took turns delivering to the pest before the police finally came. Snigdha has been at her side since, a constant source of support - with complete faith in Sumo.
Snigdha: Sumo Didi, kal Eid hai, toh mein yeh homework parsoo de du?
Sumo: Bilkul, koi problem nehi hai.
Snigdha knew little of her background, except that she was Muslim and originally from Kashmir. So, Sumo did all that was possible to give her a little taste of her background without knowing much about it herself. She enrolled Snigdha at a local mosque for the women there to teach her the basics.
Sumo was ready for lunch herself when she came out of maths-class, and looking down she nearly walked into Shravan.
Shravan smiled, which worried her, because this was the kind of smile he only had when he was up to something.
Shravan: Long day, Mistress Tiwari?
Sumo narrowed her eyes: Why are you still here?
Shravan laughed like she had said something really funny: Didn't recognize your new government teacher!? So happy to become part of the team (he shook her hand). I just joined.
Sumo was fuming: Like. Hell. You. Did. (She started screaming) Preeta, PREETA!!!
Preeta rushed up: Haan, Sumo?
Sumo, breathing fire: Why is he still here?
Preeta innocently: He wanted the Government teacher job. And itna qualified hai, toh maine usse contract de di.
Sumo, shouting: WHAT!!!!? Tera dimag kharab ho gaya hai kya, issko contract de di tunhe!!!?
Sumo looked at him: You didn't sign, I hope, because that contact is TERMINATED effective now!
Shravan shrugged: Actually, I did. And you pre-signed it, so it's a done deal for two years. I see you really needed a government teacher, so who better than me? (He smiled).
Sumo: You are a psychopath. A complete and utter psychopath!!! Leave my premises right now! And tujhe toh me baad me dekhungi, Preeta.
Preeta: Meri kya galti hai!? He had an Oxford legal degree. And you pay such a good salary to these kinds that want to do something good for the world. (More silently now, she whispered) Prayashchit karna hai use.
Sumo: He has a running legal business in Delhi. If he had to do social service, he could do charity. Yaha gushne ki koi jarooraat nehi hai. Shravan, leave right now.
Shravan: Ok, I am just going to go the hotel and get my stuff.
Sumo astounded: WHAT!?
Shravan: Haan...! Every teacher dorms here na?
Cricket
Music Corner
