Tuesday, March 3, 2009

It was just three days back she had come to my room---a tired form, with disheveled hair and lost look, pale and red eyed! I still remember that frail young lady. She had come straight away from the railway station, to meet her son,Tushar in the L K G class. Accompanied by the K G in charge, she initially sounded very vague. I had to make her sit and relax and with a little prodding by the head mistress, she told me her story.......she is the mother of two, the elder one in L K G in my school, and the younger one just 2 years old. Since the birth of her daughter, she had noticed a great change in her husband, apart from the habit of drinking and gambling,he had started having extra marital relations too. she tried to adjust to his ways to the maximum, for the sake of her children, when it became unbearable, she called her brother, who took her away to Punjab, and the husband sent her with the brother but not the children. After a week in Punjab she could no longer stay away from her children. she returned to her children and came to school straight to take home her son. The teachers were surprised to see her, as it was only the previous day that her husband called up the class teacher and said, Tushar's mother died suddenly. and the teachers were very sad for the child. It was only when the lady came and spoke to the teachers that another aspect unfolded to them and the head mistress took her to me. I tried my best to console her and sent her home. Yesterday, as I reached school, I was greeted by a sobbing teacher who said Tushar's mother died on saturday night! and on sunday all the last rites were over, a neighbour had informed the teacher in the morning of monday!!
indeed totally un acceptable! she died? but she was so determined to live for her children. when she heard of her husband's words to her son's teacher she had become all the more determined to live and carry on a fight against the injustice meted out to her. what could have happened? was she killed? was it an unnatural death? my heart refuses to accept she would have killed herself. Whatever...... my heart goes out to those kids who are now orphaned . i just cant get off my mind that frail but brave form of the lady!

3 comments:

soulsearchingdays said...

Dearest Teacher,

i do not know whether u still remember me, I am rekha shankar, 92 batch. But I can never forget u, u were a source of inspiration to me always, and ur blog shows that u have not changed a bit. You are still the same caring, loving and sensitive person who used to listen so intently that your sheer listening could take my blues away. Like so many others I have also cried on your shoulders , you were like a cool breeze providing inner strength and clarity to a confused, teenaged mind. Hats off to you, I only wish my children would be blessed if they ever got a great teacher like youin their lifetime.

Thanks to Deepti's blog which led me here, must say she is a real good daughter, it is the magic of your upbringing and she is so good in her writing, she is so honest and pure and writes from the heart.

With lots of respect and love to you as always

Rekha shankar
92 batch -Arts

Chandrika said...

Rekha! This is simply unbelievable! I am out of words to express my feelings, how can I forget that bubbly , loving Rekha? Are u still in Sahibabad? why don't u call someday? i would love to hear u. And as for ur comments ...well ... i am in tears after reading that. If I have ever been able to soothe an aching heart, if I ever proved an inspiration to my ever dear children, I consider myself blessed indeed. Thank you dear for those loving words. I would love to read ur posts on ur blog. Go ahead Rekha write .......u wud feel wonderful

soulsearchingdays said...

Dear Teacher,

Thanks a lot for still remembering me and recognising me. As inspired by you I am starting off again with my blogging which I started and then left a year ago. My first blog is dedicated to you, to the inspiration that you have given me always.

Yes I am at shalimar garden only and I would definitely make it a point to come and meet you one day,thanks for being there.

warm regards
Rekha