GOING TO SCHOOL

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Schooling Is An Endless Cycle - I Just Need To Make It Through This Week..every week.

" Sonny boy! Get up, it's already six. You' ll be late for school again.'' This had become a daily ritual for the past two weeks. Mrs. Mistry found it odd that her son who loved school,  breathed school and dreamt school all the waking hours,  was putting up tantrums, of late.  Maybe the new city,  new school and a Co-ed at that, needed more time to acclimatize! The previous one in Mumbai, was an All Boys School.
''Shall I skip today.. just one day Maman.. pleeeease!! '' His sleepy voice pleaded as he wrapped his quilt tighter.  ''This Delhi weather is testing me', he thought to himself. Winters are torturous..Who kept school at 7.30 in winters!
It would be so nice and warm,  snuggled up in bed and lazing till 9.
Mumbai was much better.. Warm and salubrious throughout the year.

''Emad..Aaojo!!  No bahaana.. . Heated your bathwater, get up! Coffee is waiting. Making French toast for breakfast." A ruse that always seemed to work.

Coffee was something he could never say no to. Crawling half heartedly out of his warm haven, to face another biting cold day... 'It is still December, two more months to go', he sighed.

A steaming mug of coffee revved him up. In another an half  hour he was ready.  The whiff of caramel, egg, mild cinnamon and pepper wafted in the air, luring him to the table, faster than Maman had expected. The hot fluffy french toasts glistening rich with butter and topped with maple syrup doubled up his appetite. Followed by a glass of fresh vegetable punch, carrot and beets with a dash of mint and lemon..  lifted his spirits. Kept him energetic for the day. 

Wiping his hands on his Maman's apron, he quickly put on his shoes and stood like a meerkat for  her to assist with the necktie. No matter what, Maman made the neatest knot.  ''Hmmm..Grown so big, how much will you make your Maman slog? This one last time!" She had been saying this every day of the week for past many years and it remained the same.

While tying, she noticed a lost worried look in his eyes. It was happening too often, nowadays.  Lovingly she broached ,  ''What's the matter Emad?"
Emad loved his Maman dearly,  his soul friend and sole parent since Baba's demise, some decades back. A retired school teacher, he was all she had and took it upon herself to do everything to see him happy.

Seeing her anxious look he started slowly,  '' It's the girls and boys at school. They are so mean. Make fun of me. Especially the boys! Real bullies and girls are no better. You should see how they giggle as I pass by.''

''Arrey baba..  bas.  Look at you..  talking like this. Come on, you can do this!''

''But Maman, you don't know, what comments they pass on my height and head.  I get to hear them all and imagine the smirk on their faces, behind my back. It makes me so nervous and dreadful."

" Beta, You are a bit challenged vertically. That's all.. and as for your head, I have only seen wise people carrying it." Maman's  comforting words, made him feel better. But he was not done yet. More grievances waited to be redressed.

'' Also, I don't have any friend in the school. I eat my lunch alone. Even  teachers are not very helping. They  ignore me; I don't even seem to exist for them. They just go about doing their work . No one cares for me or my feelings. I am left with no spirits whatsoever after joining here."

His Maman's caring askance,  opened his pent up emotions.
Oh, it's the winter blues! Thought Mrs. Mistry.

''But it's no surprise. That's how it is," she opined "New school,  new place, new people. Give It all some time Pesar (Emad got the hint, she used this salutation only when a point had to be made )Things will settle, once they get to know you. Don't be a cry baby. Now take your bag, the driver is waiting. Bell might go anytime. I will not attend to any call from your school. Done with two calls already last week.''

''But Maman, it is so hostile out there." He was trying his best to wriggle out from going that day.

'' Now one last time. Listen to me. Go out there and be your self, make peace. Believe in your self Emad! Trust me."

Both Mrs.Mistry's breath and patience were by now wearing out thin.  But she had to goad him on,  he was her dear            joon  after all.
Sensing his Waterloo, Emad dragged his feet, lugging his bag to the waiting car. The driver hurried upto him,  taking his bag and opening the door, wishing  him                 'Goodmorning Baba'.  Nodding at him, he bade a half-hearted goodbye to his mother. Seeing the large sulk  on his face, the driver thought it discrete to defer any  conversation by a day!  In these two weeks time, he had got to know his 'Little Master' well.

A silent ten minute drive took them through winding roads,  going in circles, through the shady avenue flanked with ashoka trees, cider and bougainvillea.  Emad was lost in thought as the hazy greenery,  flower laden trees and early morning freshness,  crisp with the winter bite flew past. In no time  the huge imposing gates came into view, followed by the  school building, standing tall and majestic.

Emaad's heart sank as the car rolled through the  iron gates. Hmmm..his abode for the next three years. 

He could hear the bell going as he alighted from the car.  Taking his bag he shuffled along the garden path, up the porch and the long never ending corridor that led to the auditorium for the morning assembly.
With the layers of clothes, sweater and a blazer that weighed him down, he trudged the foyer to the entrance door.

The school had assembled and there was pindrop silence. Calming his nerves, he measured his steps heavily up the dias to the podium where the adress system lay.  Taking the mike,  he addressed the school,    'Good Morning children! '
School chorused back in unison to wish Emad Mistry, The Principal of Arav Valley International.