If I should meet thee-part 12 Pg 118 - Page 90

Mrs. Anita Chapman sat in her cabin musing over Aryan's case. It was complicated indeed. She had started by talking to both the couples one by one. While the parents' attitudes shocked her, the meetings also uncovered more of the underlying issues.

First, she had met the biological father and the aunt (Rohan and Anji). She had told them about the once-overzealous and brilliant Aryan, being unenthusiastic at school and withdrawing into a shell. While the aunt looked really worried, it hardly mattered. The way her husband immediately hushed her concerns, it was quite clear that she did not have much say as far as Aryan was concerned. Mrs. Chapman could not fathom the callous behavior of the kid's biological father. He had actually tried to explain the situation' to her. He was also condescending as he said that he was trying to make for his earlier neglect by trying to spend every minute that he could spare from his blooming and busy business to play with Aryan, to take him to the most expensive theme parks and pampering him with best available latest toys in the market. He was sure, that it was just a matter of time before Aryan would come around and that there was no cause to worry. He had even curtly refused to let his son have any kind of psychiatric counseling, since he was sure there was absolutely nothing the matter with him. He had even insinuated that the she was making a mountain of a molehill, by unnecessary getting all worked up about Aryan, when the boy's father was there to look after him.

Next Mrs. Chapman had met the mother and the step father (Nidhi and Ashutosh). Exasperated from Rohan's attitude, she had braced herself for further snobbishness and indifference. But she saw helplessness there. Unlike the biological father, the step father did not repel her with her pompousness. He acknowledged the issue and promptly thanked her for her diligence. The way he gave comfort to the worried mother just by holding her hand was enough to signify a healthy relationship based on mutual respect and implicit trust, for the experienced eyes of Mrs. Chapman. She had begun to entertain hope that perhaps all was not lost and Aryan's delicate psychological equilibrium may yet be restored. But she had hoped too soon. For, the next instant, Ashutosh had told her that they were trying their best to expedite the court proceedings and then, they would have Aryan's custody permanently. During all of this conversation, she had noticed that Nidhi was mostly silent, as if lost in deep thought. At that point, Ashutosh's phone had buzzed with an incoming message from his hospital, regarding a critically ill patient under his charge. He had excused himself and gone out to make a call. Mrs. Chapman had taken this opportunity to get the mother to actually talk. She gently asked her as to why she was looking so drawn - was she ill? She had hesitantly told her of her pregnancy. Mts. Chapman didn't know whether to congratulate her or to have pity on the woman opposite her? She then asked Nidhi as to why she had so suddenly given up Aryan? Since she now had that other child in her house, and another one was on the way, didn't she need Aryan any more? That had done the trick! Nidhi had brokenly told the elderly woman that she had a choice to sacrifice either Aryan or Wendy, given Rohan's stubborn stand. For her husband's sake, and also considering the fact that Wendy had just started recovering from the traumatic experience. So, against her better judgment and feelings, she had to give up Aryan to Rohan.

Just then, Ashutosh had re-entered and again assured Mrs. Chapman that once they got Aryan's sole legal custody, things would be back to being normal an Aryan would certainly bounce back to be the happy enthusiastic and bright kid he had always been. Mrs. Chapman had sighed to herself. Unfortunately, none of the adults even realized the kind of irreparable damage to the innocent child's delicate psyche, they were responsible for, jointly.

Today was Monday. She had talked to both sets of parents on Friday evening. In spite of the festival weekend, she could not enjoy herself fully. Aryan sorry state and the pathetic attitudes of his guardians had been nagging at the back of her mind. Finally, she had called them all last night and asked to meet her together. They were due in 10 minutes. And Mrs. Chapman was still debating how she could make them understand and agree to the decision she had taken for the child.

Just then, a staff member entered and gave her some papers to sign. And she diverted her attention to more immediate matters pertaining to the smooth running of her school.

Mrs. Chapman: And, Bill, could you please dig out the plan for the X'Mas Treat and see what we would need, and in how much quantity? We should placed our orders long back.

Bill: Madam, can I do it after half an hour? Mrs. Bess need some clay animals for her class.

Mrs. Chapman: Sure Bill.

Bill nods and is about to leave, when

Mrs. Chapman: Bill, could you please bring me some clay in two bowls? Do we have some old leftover clay?

Bill though surprised nods.

Mrs. Chapman: Well, then get me the old one in a bowl and the fresh one in another bowl.

Though finding it weird, Bill nodded and went out.

5 minutes later, Ashutosh and Nidhi entered the Principal's cabin. Rohan and Anji followed right on their heels. They all greeted the principal and took their seats.

Rohan: Excuse me, but we are the guardians, (gesturing to the other couple) why have they been called for? Clearly they are not needed here..

Mrs. Chapman: Look Mr. Rohan, let me decide who is needed and who's not. (Addressing all 4) I am extremely sorry, but could you please wait while I finish up some important work?

They nod. Mrs. Anita Chapman picks up a bowl of clay and starts playing around with it, molding it into various shapes and then again de-molding it. Her four visitors hold on to their patience, for about 5 minutes. Rohan is the first to lose it and is about to shout at her, when Anji catches his eye, urges him to keep quiet and takes it upon herself to voice his impatience.

Anji: (Very politely) Excuse me madam, but may I ask what you are doing with the clay.

Mrs. Chapman: (Looking up surprised, as if she had completely forgotten that she was not alone) I am sorry Mrs. Malhotra, but one of our teachers needs clay animals for her class which is in a few minutes.

Rohan loses it completely at that.

Rohan: (In an irritated tone) I just don't understand.. you call us here and then make us wait while you fool around with that clay! Ma'm in case you are not aware, I am a very busy businessman. I just postponed an important meeting and..

Anji holds his hand tugging at him, to quiet him and gives an apologetic look to the Principal.

Ashutosh: For the first time, I agree with you Rohan. (turning to Mrs. Chapman) Sorry, but even I have a complicated surgery scheduled this early afternoon.

Nidhi: Yes, even I have pushed my patients' appointments back by an hour. So, please ma'm tell us for what we are here and then..

Mrs. Chapman: Okay why don't we do this? Why don't you help me too? That way we can finish this work sooner.

They all looked at her incredulously! But she nonchalantly passed her bowl of clay to Rohan and Anji. Next she brought out another bowl and gave to Ashutosh and Nidhi.

Rohan was again about to erupt when Anji stopped him yet again.

Anji: Okay, ma'm what animals do you want us to make.

Mrs. Chapman: Make any animal of choice. And to save your precious time, while you are at it, I want you to use this time to think, and think deeply about what Aryan is going through psychologically at the moment.

Rohan though irritated makes a horse. Anji lost in thoughts does not realize that she made an elephant. Nidhi had just taken a small portion of clay and she got so lost in thoughts that she never realized when her hands stopped working. She was jolted out of her thoughts when Ashutosh gently nudged her elbow.

Ashutosh: (In a whisper) Nidhi, the clay is all dried up. I can't seem to mold it properly.

Nidhi: (In a low voice) Here give it to me. Let me try.

All this while, the principal watched them with a grim satisfaction.

Finally seeing the rabbit that Nidhi had made, she passed around the tissues.

Mrs. Chapman: Exactly what I expected! (Looking at their confused expressions) Let me explain myself. Our meeting on Aryan's wellbeing began right when you all walked in! This whole exercise was to bring across a point to you all.

This was actually the last straw for even a patient man like Ashutosh. Rohan was already fuming, trying hard not to shout out aloud.

Ashutosh: Look Ma'm we are busy doctors. Not kids. That you try to explain' things to us like you do with kids. Please just say what you want to say.

Nidhi: Exactly. We have our patients to look after. We don't have that kind of time to play these silly games.

Rohan: (Fuming) Now I realize the reason my son is not keeping happy these days. (Turning to Ashutosh and Nidhi) What kind of school have you chosen for Aryan? I just continued him in this school, thinking that he is already comfortable here. (Turning back to the Principal) If this is the way you treat us, God knows how you must be treating our kids, what kind of care they must be receiving here. I am going to transfer my son to another school at the earliest possible. But let me tell you something Madam! You do not deserve to be the Principal of a reputed school!

Mrs. Chapman: (Totally unfazed by the barrage of harsh words by the 3, with a bemused smile) And you guys deserve to be parents or guardians of a sensitive child with a delicate psyche?

To say that the statement or rather the question stunned the 4 would be an understatement. As realization started to dawn on them, Mrs. Chapman decided to drive her point home to them.

Mrs. Chapman: (In a deep serious voice) Look, you all have been passing around the poor child as if it were a lifeless parcel, a property of yours. Have you ever thought, what a child needs most to grow up normally and to thrive? (Without waiting for any of their answers) First and foremost, a child needs a healthy, secure family. It needs to be assured that no matter what, it has a permanent home, a permanent loving family that would always be at its side, showering their unconditional love.

As understanding grows in their eyes, the Principal continues.

Mrs. Chapman: Now let me explain my rationale behind the animals you made. (Turning to Rohan) Mr, Malhotra, you made a horse. A horse is a very fit animal. So was Aryan when you brought him home to stay permanently with you and your wife. You think, he is still fit as a horse. You refuse to believe that anything is the matter with. You are in denial about his state of mind. By your constant over-pampering, you have turned the horse into an elephant (including Anji in her glance) which your wife understand, even though she may unable to convince you. An elephant is lazy, fat and inactive. It is also withdrawn into its own world. An elephant prefers to walk slowly no matter what you do and if pushed hard, it gets angry n ruins everything, like it uproots trees that come in its way.

At this point Rohan and Anji look at each other - remembering the incident when Aryan had locked himself inside a room. That had been the beginning. Several small incidents showing stubbornness and anger had followed over the next weeks and months.

Finally Mrs. Chapman turned her attention to Ashutosh and Nidhi.

Mrs. Chapman: I purposely gave you dried up clay. Because that's exactly what you are going to get, if and when you get the legal custody of Aryan. Mrs. Mathur, you made a rabbit and rightly so. Because by that time, Aryan would turn into a rabbit. Timid and scared. Do what you may, you will not be able to retransform the rabbit into a horse. (Looking at all 4) It's rightly said children are like clay - they can be molded any way given love and attention. But even a clay can only be molded as long as it is wet. Once it dries up, you cannot mold it. If you try, it would turn out into some indefinable shape.

She pauses and lets her words sink in. After a minute or so, she continues:

Mrs. Chapman: Well, I didn't call you here to give you some lectures. Neither do I intend to insult any of you. Nor am I pointing out your faults. I am no one to decide who is right and who is right in the situation. All I know is that not only Aryan, but Wendy too is suffering in the situation. So, as the Principal of this school, I have every right to give me recommendations to the state. I have strongly recommended that until, you permanently' sort out the things amongst yourselves either in a Court of Law or outside, both the kids should be taken care of by the State. The State had sent its counselor to examine the situation and he agrees with me. So, right tomorrow the kids will go to a state run establishment.

Her last statement gave her 4 visitors a shock unlike anything they had ever got.