Childrens Day Special ---- Respecting Differences
I have used the same characters of PV to make it enjoyable to read --- but it has no resemblance to them.
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Aarti yet again wondered what awaited her as a complaint of the teacher as she slowly walked towards her son's school to bring him back. She would dread those moments of waiting along with other parents who would be discussing how many "stars and smilies" their kids got the previous day! She had found a nice private and secluded area for waiting a little away from the school lobby where these kindergarten kids were dropped off by their teachers.
Yes --- there he was her little bundle who was the most beautiful infant on the planet when he was born! Then what was wrong now?
The teacher held on to his hand tightly lest he ran away and got lost. It was quite a responsibility for her as long as he was in school.
The child in discussion here is none other than Aarti's son ---- very special to her --- Ansh!
Aarti moved forward and collected him as he kept staring at his Mom who meant the world to him.
She softly asked the teacher so that no other parent could hear her: Ma'am was he alright today?
The teacher smiled: He was excellent today and got a star too!
Aarti could now feel a heavy burden off her shoulder and she looked to her left and right and saw some parents smile at her.
She wanted to bend down and kiss her son but he shrugged her off and pulled her on to the road as he knew the way back home.
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His shoes went back to same place where he used to put it always. He sat on his favourite seat on the dining table.
Aarti came with his lunch.
Ansh: Ma, today it is Thursday --- so it has got to be Chinese.
Aarti: Yes beta, I know that's what it is.
Aarti knew that Ansh was obsessed with routines and the slightest shift would create havoc in his mind and her life --- so she stuck to them.
After eating was time to check the bag. Aarti first took out his snack box which he had finished. She smiled because it was the same ---- chocolate cream biscuits that had to be kept in his dry snack box.
Ansh then said: Mumma one minute and took out his notebook and flipped the pages rather untidily while Aarti prayed he did not end up tearing them.
He then popped up a little card and showed it to her.
Aarti saw it with tears in her eyes.
It read ---- Brilliant work! You're the Spelling Bee!
Ansh had secured a cent percent in his spelling test. He was very good with it and learnt it effortlessly.
Ansh saw his Mom and said: Rub it off I hate those tears. I thought you would smile Ma.
Aarti rubbed her wet eyes and hugged him and wanted to kiss him but he just pushed her aside.
He did not like to be touched or kissed.
Aarti remembered him telling her once when she pleaded to him to accept her kiss --- Please kiss me without leaving any water!
Since then they would only have flying kissing sessions between them.
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Life changed in the following days for both Aarti and Ansh and the reason was none other than a new student in Ansh's class --- Palak.
Ansh used to mostly sit alone --- not because the teacher wanted to isolate him from the others but because he had his weird ways which other children were not sensitive towards. Even if a child was alright with it ---- the teacher would get requests from some parents that they did not want Ansh to be the partner of their child in class.
Palak changed the scenario totally when she joined his class.
She helped him complete his incomplete work --- she helped him with clues when the work involved analytical reasoning. The teacher was also amazed at this little girl being so kind and caring towards Ansh.
Aarti was as always waiting for Ansh when Palak came running to her.
"Aunty, today Ansh was declared as the Pupil of the Day!"
Aarti was so happy --- her son was the star for the day?
What could be a better moment for a Mom who had struggled in teaching him why 9 was more than 3?
Why both aeroplanes and birds had wings and could fly yet one was non-living and the other was living?
(When she had told him that birds could flap their wings, Ansh immediately flapped his hands to show ---- like this na Ma? But I cannot fly!!!!)
Why did one say on the phone that --- "I can see you smile" --- when actually one cannot see on the phone?
She knew how difficult it had been for her to answer these little questions which would make Ansh so restless.
Just as she was busy with these thoughts a lady walked up to her and said: Are you Ansh's mother?
Aarti: Yes I am.
The lady: I am Arpita Palak's mother.
Aarti was very happy because she did hear about Palak from Ansh ---- the only person about whom he spoke at home.
He even gave his mother her number (he had a sharp memory!) as she could cross check the home work given for the day and the other assignments that he might have missed while day dreaming about his favourite Noddy or Bob the Builder series during class!
Ansh loved to watch his favourite shows --- but the same ones --- he did not want to stress himself over new ones where he did not know what would happen. He loved the fact that he was enjoying the show whilst knowing the outcome at the end.
Aarti: How nice to meet you? Your daughter is so caring and intelligent too.
Arpita: Your son is equally good. Palak keeps talking about his amazing memory powers and keen sense of observation. She says he would tell her when the teacher wore that same "salwar kameeez" the last time!
Aarti smiled for she knew his idiosyncrasies.
Arpita: Why don't you bring him home tomorrow as it is Palak's birthday. She will be really happy if he came.
Aarti: Oh party ---- no I don't think he will be comfortable there.
Arpita: But why? All children love to have some fun with music and balloons and friends.
Aarti: Yes --- but Arpita, my son is different. He does not like crowds --- is very scared of balloons and hates loud music.
Arpita: Aarti, I know everything about your son. So trust me and bring him home tomorrow.
Aarti took her address though she was too scared to promise anything to her.
Back home Ansh kept telling his Mom that he wanted to go to Palak's house the following day.
Ansh: Palak told me that there is something special and I will enjoy it.
Aarti could not get into an argument with him so kept quiet.
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The next day Aarti went with Ansh to Arpita's house and to her surprise not a soul was around. Then Palak came there and a bright smile flashed on Ansh's face. Aarti was delighted at her son's social response --- and an appropriate one too as most of the times his responses would be inappropriate to the situation.
Palak took Ansh to her room and he made himself comfortable on a couch which had a cushion of his favourite colour ---- green! That was a calming stimulus for him in a new place.
Palak switched on the video player and Ansh was thrilled to see the same episode of his most loved show Noddy!
Palak was too happy to see him so happy and flapping away in happiness as the scenes kept changing as per his mental programming.
She had also told her Mom the food he liked and that was what was made on that day!
Finally Aarti spoke to Arpita: Why didn't you call anyone for Palak's birthday? Is it because she wanted Ansh to come and you all knew he would not be comfortable?
Arpita: Because it is not her birthday --- I just wanted you to feel that your child is like any other child. Let him be the way he is! Do not feel that he is inferior. Because he is not. He is just different --- and let him enjoy his childhood and life the way God has destined for him.
You are the chosen one to shower your love on him --- and you must feel blessed for not many parents are given this daunting task of caring for a beautiful soul like Ansh!
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Aarti screamed and started crying.
Yash woke up in fright and looked at his wife.
Yash: Aartiji, what happened? Seems like you've had a bad dream!
Aarti still had tears roll down her cheeks. She hugged Yash and said: Last night Arpitaji came in my dream and you know what --- Ansh --- Ansh ---
Yash: What about Ansh?
Aarti: Yashji, he was my special kid --- and I was struggling with him.
Yash: Aartiji, Ansh is pretty normal. What did you think of and sleep that you have imagined all this?
Aarti: A new child in Ansh and Palak's class.
Yash: Oh --- now sleep Aartiji. Tomorrow we are taking the kids out for Children's Day isn't it? So relax.
He gave her some water and asked her to sleep.
Next morning, Aarti was ready with Ansh, Palak and Payal. Yash came and said: All ready? We go to the Water Park to enjoy all the rides and then to the beach and then ---
Ansh: No Papa, today we are going to spend time with our new friend in his house --- watching the show he likes --- in his environment where he is most comfortable --- we all will wear green for that keeps him calm. It is Children's Day --- so we are going to make it Special for US by spending time with HIM!
Yash looked at Aarti and she smiled at her little angels who were so sensitive to the needs of a child who was differently abled but nevertheless was respected and loved despite it!
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Happy Children's Day!
Thanks for reading.
Edited by kmfan_2 - 12 years ago
Cricket
