Chapter - Two
Sainik School, Ghorakhal
Beep - Beep – Beep, the phone alarm went off,
but Varun didn’t get up, after shouting one minute, the alarm felt like casting
pearls before swine, so stopped automatically.
‘Thanks god it stopped shouting.’ Varun
tossed and turned to the window. But the alarm thought to try once more so again
went off. Eventually Alarm’s efforts paid off as Varun was helpless to get out
of the bed. It was dark in the room, and then he flung one hand, reached to the
table, and pressed phone’s throat for revenge. It was 6 am, so he got up. A dove was cooing outside while the mild whispers of students
could be overheard from the road. Mechanical his left two fingers went into the
steel bracelet, held it for a moment, and then with deep thought he smiled, and then after
changing outfit he came outside.
Outside refreshing breeze was blowing, and
coos of Dove coming from Oaks’ braches was clear now besides Toon -Toon – Toon,
the temple bell was adding a spiritual effect. Varun was outside the school
gate, strolling down the road. Feet were moving mechanically on the sloppy road,
which was decorated with dry Pines needles. While walking rustling of needles
sounded in early fresh morning and Pine scent was stronger than ever. This road
went to the dense forest where really any car engine was overheard, but Barking
Bucks were common here. Varun had come little far from the school, so he
thought to return back.
‘What a
spotless sky looking today.’ He was looking up in the sky. Then suddenly he
heard like in front of him a huge and soft object dropped on the road.
| The Leopard |
‘Oh leopard!’ He saw it had just jumped from Steep
Mountain on the road, slowly going down ward. Varun felt like blood was frozen in
his veins, and heart wasn’t beating any more, and before he would think to run the
leopard had gone downward.
‘It was a
leopard or I am dreaming.’ He
couldn’t believe it, so he ran to that spot the leopard had jumped, and looked
down ward. It was going slowly near stream brown color and black spots, a big
cat. Now he stepped fast, it was a new experience for him.
It was 7 am; time to get ready for school, so
he dressed in: blue pant, light blue shirt, and dark blue tie besides wrapped
him in mother-knitted sweater. He tied black shoes, and went into the students’
dormitory from back door to see the long wall mirror. There students were moving around like
butterflies while the hall was chirping buzzing with their chit-chat.
‘Hello students.’ Varun saw his reflection in
the mirror.
‘Good morning sir.’ The face of seventh grade
students lighted up with smiles. Everyone was happy to see him. Actually Varun
had always felt more comfortable with children.
The school hooter went off like wolves
howling loudly - a breakfast call. Although
it was summer, all students and teachers were in warm clothes. The stairs
covered with a little rusted sloped tin, descending to ground and then ascending
to the mess, reminded heavy rain fall here. In fact, the rain had loved this place, and it
would come here from nowhere in any season. On other hand in rainy season
clouds, cool winds, and thunder storm would call it their home and children
believed that the sun didn’t rise in those days.
With the thud of the wooden hammer, all
students are teachers got up for thanksgiving prayer. After prayer, students attached at their
tables. Some grabbed the milk glasses,
but drew back hands as it was burning like a flame. Some preferred bread first
others boiled eggs.
| The Breakfast Table |
In the office, the first floor of the old
building, a name plate was hanging with golden letters ‘SQN LDR Yagan Raman
vice principal’. Last month he had
joined the office. Varun went inside.
‘Good morning sir.’
‘Good morning Varun.’ In Air force uniform
one man dark skin tone was signing on some papers.
‘Taking attendance resistor.’
‘I’ll take one class.’
‘Right sir.’
‘Last week,
I didn’t see you in party.’
‘Sorry sir couldn’t attend.’
‘You don’t know it’s mandatory for teachers.’
‘Actually sir, I’m outsourced teacher.’
‘Oh! I took you as school teacher.’
Varun came out with staff attendance
register. It was his duty to assign substitutions periods in place of absent
teachers. In office school prayer was audible as school was assembled in front
of principal office. Sitting in front of computer, Varun ran his eyes over the resistor. It was 8:30, and either four teachers hadn’t
signed, or they were absent.
‘Varun give resistor.’ Mr Mukul Joshi – head of computer department,
everyone called him MK.
‘Don’t give me any substitution period.’ He
returned the resistor, and left the room. Varun was typing on computer. On the
other hand in assemble principal was addressing the students.
‘Varun I have work in 8th period,
don’t put my substitution.’ Alok entered in the room.
‘Right sir.’ Varun smiled. He took printout,
and went to vice principal office.
‘Sir today’s substitutions.’
‘Right and this third period mine.’ Vice
principal signed on the printout.
‘Yes sir.’ He took the paper, and came
outside.
‘Mr Bhatt please put it on the notice board.’
He gave it to school peon. Thud–Thud–Thud, the wooden stairs covered with red
mat sounded when Varun walked down from the office, which was only for officers
as he had heard. Backside one smaller-wooden stair was made for other people,
but Varun always loved its thud–thud sound.
In one row all students were going to their
classes while teachers were staring on the notice board for substitutions. The
school was shifting its gear. After fifteen minutes no student was outside in
the school while mild buzzing could be overheard from the classes.
Varun was in computer lab, four times bigger
than class rooms, equipped with latest computers. In addition glass windows
opening toward Bhowali were giving the magnificent view of the mountains.
| The School |
‘Varun if Ms Nelson says to see her computer.
Don’t help. You know she complained to principal that I don’t know English. She thinks herself
the best English teacher. You know Mr KN
has taken Examination department from me, and you don’t go there if he calls
you. There computer doesn’t work, and I’m not going to give another computer –
want to take credit.’ Mk , HOD, was
sitting in his chair in computer lab.
Tone –
Tone, The school’s second bell rang while its sound was same like temple bell.
Sometime seemed that temple would have donated to the school as temple was
famous for its bells. There tens of thousands of different sizes bells had been
offered by disciples.
‘Good morning sir.’ One boy, ninth grade
student, was walking upstairs.
‘Good morning Aayush.’ Varun smiled. Both looked
intimate with each other.
‘Your father is coming this weekend?’ Varun asked
in Punjabi language.
‘No, an urgent work came up in Dad’s
regiment.’ Aayush replied in Punjabi.
‘How are your mother and sister?’
‘Fine sir.’ Aayush smiled and went to his
classroom.
‘Varun sir I need your favor. Actually the
computer got in school auction, not working. Would you see it?’ Ms Nelson, average
height, slime, and black curly hair falling down to her shoulder, ran into him.
“How about after school.’
‘Sounds great.’
As it was break time, all students were in
mess. Where were the teachers? They might be in the staffroom. As Varun entered
in staffroom the lingering fragrance of sweet tea and dip-fried onion-potato ball
was everywhere.
‘Hello Mr Punjabi.’ Varun turned left it was
Ms Geeta Joshi – Hindi teacher.
‘Good afternoon madam.’ Varun smiled. Her
husband was an engineer in Delhi, living with her a son six grade student.
Tone –Tone-Tone, the break was over. The
corridors were the busiest places, animated with students. As teachers had
entered in their classes, students were settling in their classes.
‘Varun sir principal calling you.’ Mr Bhatt
was waiting outside the staffroom.
‘What is the matter?’
‘Don’t know sir, but Mr KN is also in
office.’
Varun ascended the wooden stairs – its
thud–thud-thud was sounding amazing. At door on name plate ‘Ltd Col Ratanvir
Sing Principal’ in golden letter was written.
‘May I come in sir?’ Mr KN was standing near the
fireplace.
‘Varun even a single question paper is not typed,
KN telling.’ A Sikh in Army uniform, wearing
turban and beard little white, turned to Varun with big red eyes.
‘If you can’t do, tell us. We’ll arrange
someone else.’
‘Sir actually the computer not working and.’
‘If not working throw it out of the window. I
want work.’ Principal banged the table bell
‘Yes sir.’ Mr Bhatt frightened came inside.
‘Call MK.’ Principal was known for his anger.
In his office he always got out of control when anyone tried to explain him – a
one way road.
‘Good Afternoon sir,’ Mk entered in the
office.
‘MK computer not working in Examination
department, replace it.’
‘Yes sir.’
The office clock struck at 2 o’clock and the
school bell range after it. In response school sounded like a sea waves rolling
upon the shore, crashing on the rock, and wanting to get free. Outside the school in one line was proceeding
to the mess – lunch time. A lunch tray from mess was going to principal office
for sample. Some teachers were going to home preferred home meal, and most of
the teachers had entered in the mess.
Inside the mess delicious odor was everywhere
beside each table was set. The mess was buzzing, and clinks of
cutleries were all round as
whole school had gathered there. Mess staff was running around to server on
each table as it was the busiest time of the day while mess manager standing at
center was talking with the chef. On other hand Varun had got his chair,
engaged with students.
‘Sir coming for movie in evening.’ Aayush
passed the rice.
‘Yah coming.’
‘Students, how was the last week movie?’
‘Super hit sir.’
‘Sir, take veg.’ one student passed the bowl.
‘Beans, I like it.’
After lunch students were going to their
hostels while fog tiptoed was following behind them. All teachers were going to
staff quarters while Varun alone was going toward morning assembly ground in
front of administrative Block, where fog and breeze were awaiting for him. He
stopped near white pillar wall, his favorite place to get best view of the
surroundings. Quietly he was watching down at Bhimtal, wrapped in fog, and away
from all eyes.
‘My parents
always loved this place, but I don’t. My heat is always in Punjab.’
| The Fog |
The office clock struck 3:00 pm. Varun was walking
upstairs, going to the Examination Department, where Mr KN was waiting for him.
As he entered inside, Mr KN smiled.
‘Varun turn on this computer. MK has replaced it with old computer.’ He plugged
the power cable in socket board near fireplace and switched on the computer.
‘Yes sir it’s working.’
‘Now start typing question paper. At least finish two papers, today.’
In other room Mr PK Principal Assistant was
shouting at someone. This old building had
seen many ups and downs in their life before this building there would be a
dense forest. Well that dense forest would have been seen by this old temple,
even witnessed the youth of this building.
After office work Varun was walking near the school
main gate. Everywhere the fog was establishing his kingdom quietly like
yesterday evening. As a result playgrounds were disappeared from school map,
and only students’ voice was audible from the ground. Varun standing near the
gate was watching down the small market.
‘Good evening sir.’ Varun turned behind.
‘Oh Aayush nice to see you. Going home
today.’
‘Yes sir, my home is just walking distance
away.’
‘Anyone came from your family.’
‘Yes my sister has come.’
‘Where is your sister?’
‘Giving outpass to the gatekeeper.’ The
fascinating girl in blue jean and orange kurti, seen yesterday was coming toward
them. Her dark black long hair didn’t like to be tied even the breeze was
playing with her silky hair. She slightly tucked her hair behind the ear with fair
long fingers while the black thin leather strap of Titan watch had arrested her
soft wrist. Her naughty hair had flopped again. Her long sporty legs and perfect height had
made her the master piece of art.
‘Aayush lets go home.’
‘Aayushi sis met my Varun sir. Told you sir
is from Punjabi.’
‘Good evening, Aayush always tells about
you.’
‘Yah he told me, you were in Jalandhar and now
your Dad has been posted in Ranikhat Army camp. You belong to this place?’
‘Yah we.’
‘You also belong to this place?’
‘Yah me too, but never feel home here.’
‘Ok bye sir.’ Aayush and his sister smiled.
| The Beauty |
‘Alok looks
in his house. Better I walk up stair; if I’m right this stair knows Ms Nelson’s
residence. Oh there is cement pathway again that I had left down there, sorry
didn’t trust you. Ok you tell where I go. Well down there. Let’s see.’
‘Good evening sir.’ Mr Naik was strolling in
front of his house.
‘Varun sir, I’m surprised. You here.’
‘Sir you know Ms Nelson residence.’
‘Go up stair the block-14, right door.’
‘Thank you sir.’
Varun walked upstairs, and looked around then
knocked the door. There was silence no response then again he knocked the door,
and now there was some movement inside.
‘Oh Varun sir, come in.’
‘There was any trouble to find house? In
morning I forgot to tell you.’
‘Hello sir.’
A man came out of the kitchen.
‘My husband Peter.
‘Hello sir.’ Varun settled in brown color
sofa.
‘How is your school experience? I think you
joined two months ago.’
‘Well this school is wonderful; it’s my first
working experience and climate incredible.’
‘You are Punjabi? You speak Hindi with
Punjabi accent.’
‘I’m grown up there, but belong to this
place.’
‘Well where is your computer?’
‘Oh, you and Peter see computer, and I get
coffee for you.’
Peter and Varun went into another room, and
there a girl around five years was playing with her toys, looked absorbed in
her world.
‘Grace, say good evening uncle.’ She looked
at her father and left the toys.
‘I think there need to reinstall all
software. Same thing had happened in school. Better take it to computer shop.’
Varun restarted the computer.
‘Come have coffee.’ Ms Neslon kept the tray
on table.
‘Well what says computer.’ She handed cup of
coffee to Varun.
‘Needs some software. Take it to shop in
Bhowali.’
‘Have cake.’ Peter offered the plate of cake.
‘It’s home made? Delicious! I have to visit
again for cake.’ Varun smiled.
Outside fog had covered the staff quarters in
white layer even the school campus was disappeared while hostel lights were
turned on. The cool breeze had returned back the moment the sun had disappeared
behind the mountains, and a big star could be seen shining in late evening sky.
The beauty of the evening was to its extreme. Varun was near school gate then humming
car engine, reflecting light on dark road, caught his attention like a giant
animal was coming toward him. The wheels stopped near school gate, and roaring of
engine made the place alive.
‘It’s 6
o’clock, movie starting time, better I go to School Theater, and then mess for
dinner.’
Inside school campus as Varun was thinking
about movie as he was taking long steps. He saw his house covered in dark as
its lights were off, and the hostels were silent, but crickets were chirping in
long bushes right side of the road. There office building seemed standing
quietly like remembering her youth. Next there was down steep road, left side the
stairs going up to the school canteen, and after a few steps right side stairs
going down to mess.
When Varun got near the theater, he ran like a
sprinter, and got inside. He ran
upstairs, opened the first door. In balcony it was dark even difficult to
recognize faces. The movie sound was crystal clear, and on the flashing big
screen Amir Khan was fighting with a man in a restaurant while down in the hall
students were quietly. In screen flash, Varun saw in second row an empty seat,
so he quietly got there, and settled in the chair.
Outside all lights were turned on, and morning
blue sky was transformed into dark black color, sometime it seemed like sky was
covered with black bed sheet, which had many holes , so sunlight was pouring
through it. In mess, the mess manager was shouting loudly. Moreover, Saturday
dinner wasn’t favorite among students as they used to go in school canteen. In
canteen, the whistling pressure cocker was calling the students, and delicious
chicken fragrance was spreading outside the canteen. Inside the canteen some
students had preferred special dinner rather than movie.
Movie wasn’t over yet, but Varun came out. He
walked toward the canteen, which wasn’t far away. He ascended stairs and
stopped at the door, and turned around when heard rustling leaves of the big
tree in front of the canteen, and then he got in. The canteen was animated with
students’ chattering.
‘Two egg sandwich please.’ Varun went near
the counter.
‘In 10 minutes sir.’
Varun came out of the canteen enjoying
beautiful night view. The mountains were covered in dark black color while the
sky was full of glittering stars.
‘Today sky looks
like a bride in sparking saree, but where is moo? It might be hiding behind that
glowing mountain, better I descend the stairs.’
He walked downstairs; there was no one but silence.
The Moon wasn’t visible, so he stepped backward. Unaware he was at the edge of
the road, and next there was no road, but a 12 feet ditch. Then again he stepped
backward and the dark ditch swallowed him in a moment like waiting for him opened
her hungry mouth. There was deafening silence like nothing had happened.
The full moon was appearing behind the
mountain while the buzzing of students could be heard in front of theater as the
movie was over. Gossiping in groups, some students were going to the canteen while others preferred the mess. Chapter-Three, Chapter-One
Arvind Kumar
0 Comments