"Pooja..... " le amma Late avuthundi Kotha School ela vundo chudaali kada ?Roopa already appudey books sardhukuntundi chudu :)
Mom was calling for Pooja & she thought .....may be it was a dream...
"Inka 10 mins ......"
Le Pooja lekapothey Daddy vachesthaaru.... morning walk nunchi tharuvatha naaku theliyadu . That was good enough Alarm ,from her mom, Pooja was up ..she said her morning prayers to her beloved god from the bed & got up to brush her teeth .
She started thinking ... " mein kaisey jaaon naye school mein ?
mere sarey dost wahin reh gayey "
Roopa & Pooja were obedient daughters of their dutiful parents. Mr.Rao worked in Central Govt. as an engineer . They were transferred from madhya pradesh to their home town Hyderabad ,after Mr. Rao had put a special request in order to take care of his Mother.
Mrs.Laxmi Rao was a very Smart,Sweet & Nice dutiful wife who managed all the responsibilities at home ,she managed to admit the kids in the nearby school , when it was nearly end of the academic year.She was a mother of two little girls 11 & 9 years old ,she was more of a friend to these girls .Tall,very Fair , alil extra weight due to two pregnancies .She looked like a bengali damsel though she was a pukka south Indian . she would wear a big bindi on her forehead in maroon which complimented her skinvery well. She knew her younger daughter was very sad because this girl had language problem She knew nothing but Hindi.. ..she would speak broken telugu but Hyderabad standards were high & kids spoke English here .Roopa studied in a Convent previously so she was very fluent in English & Hindi.
" Enni sarlu cheppina Intilo kooda akka tho english maatlaadaledu chudu ippudu school lo problem avuthundemo teacher ki nenu chebuthaanu le "laxmi said while braiding the girls plaits one after another .
"theek hai mummy agar mein nahin bol paayi tho didi ko bulaa loongi class mein( if i can't reply i will call akka to my class for help) "Pooja managed to smile & got ready to eat her breakfast .Laxmi had prepared
Poori choley for the kids & gave both the tiffins & water bottles to Mr.Rao.Who was waiting to Drop them at school on time .
Mr. Rao was a man in his late thirties .he was happy to be back home .he wasa responsible son though he was the youngest of the eight children.... His mother would prefer to stay with him and hence this abrupt transfer due to his widowed mother's illness .He is a man of very few Words & very rarely expressed his emotions in loud manner .He led a self disciplined Life & set an example to many a youth of his times . He did not have nay smoking or Drinking habits ,was a god fearing person and beleived in doing Good to One & All .
Roopa was a tall Girl for her age.Skinny & had her mother's skin texture, very fair,thick bushy short hairstyle that she carried off in the North indian style & she had inherited her father's Qualities in terms of Discipline ,punctuality ,and Hardwork . She was more the responsible kind , who being the elder one was ready to enter the new school . She was thinking of ....how to top this year ?because previous schools grades would not matter here ... Also mom had said that kids in Hyd. are much more advanced & smarter she had to work harder & plan 2 extra hours of study in her daily time table to cover tha portions & get good results .
Pooja ,was short round faced ,had a blunt cut with a few hairs falling on her forehead , she had an infective smile that would melt away her dad's anger when she would use it as a weapon the naughty girl of the house, loved to play , she would never bother about what was going to happen in the new school.... only thing that bothered her was she was missing all her old school friends especially her dearest friend Priti ... she & Priti were friends from LKG .. they were neighbours in govt. quarters .. they would almost live together .. each day eat together sleep together giggle on jokes & also cry together .
She had great pain in her heart because she was going to miss her soulmate friend.She had gifted priti with all her toys as her memories ....
" hmm. jaagarthga diggandi chusukuni kinda " Dad said & the girls came out of their thoughts .Dad parked his bajaj chetak & took the girls bags & lunch pkgs , handed over to Roopa ,started walking to the principal's office , with the girls .
The New School was nothing like what they had expected Both the girls were expecting a very big school Acc. to what laxmi had told them ... but this was a Shed converted into school & probably the class rooms could have been some storage rooms of a godown ......
"Chee yeh kaisaa school hain mein nahin padhoongi yahaan " madam pooja jumped
"shhhh"Roopa signalled looking at her meaning Dad would get angry .....
there were no signboards as to where the principal's office was located .
Roopa saw a tall Beautiful Girl with long lovely hair tied up in ribbons as two plaits, she was dressed very impressively in neatly Ironed Uniform
She had a colorful red Badge on her left side pocket saying "Sports Captain"
Mr Rao went & enquired about principal's office ,she directed them & gave her name as JHANSI LAKSHMI ....
Roopa found this Girl to be impressive , & Pooja found her to be pretty :)
principal Happened to be a man of midle age:)
He was very friendly and managed to make the girl's father feel at ease & assured Quality education in their school .He told Mr. rao that this school was opened only one year ago and is striving for excellence and would love to have such Bright pupil .
He gave the Girls permission to go and atttent their respective assigned classes:
Roopa Class 6A
Pooja Class 3B
Dad dropped them in pooja's class & left as he had to reach for his work on time .
Roopa spoke to the Hindi teacher ( luckily it was hindi period ) about pooja's language problem and assured that she would pick it up in 6 months time .
Pooja was scared to death looking at the new kids
there were equal number of boys & girls & they all sat together just like her old school ... she secretly wished she could run away .......
Hindi Sir came up & spoke to her sweetly welcomed her to the class ,because he spoke hindi ,She was relieved ....
He asked pooja to go & sit with Soni who is supposed to be the brightest girl in the class :)
Soni readily made way for the new girl on the beanch adjacent to her .
Soni was visibly a North indian with cute little face Bright eyes & she looked like she could start modelling for ads or movies . She was indeed a mixture of Beauty with Brains .
"Hii tumhara naam kya hain ?"
"mera naam pooja hain aur tumhaara ?"
"Soni"
"mein is class ki captain hun"(i'm the class captain)
she said & smiled
Pooja was happy to find a friend !!!!!!!!!
Roopa entered her class & saw that there were only 15 students when compared to a large class of 60 in her previous school. science class was proceeding so she decided not to disturb & took her bag to occupy the best availble first bench seat ....
In lunch break Roopa came , with a friend , to enquire how pooja liked the new school & if she was ok ?
she was glad to meet Soni & found that Soni is a cute little girl of her younger sister's age , evidently very bright . Roopa was happy that pooja found a hindi speaking friend .
pooja was a talkative girl so she happend to share a lot of things with Soni in the Games Period about family ,new home, shifting as well as Jabalpur ( the place in Madhya Pradesh from where she had come ).
Soni was listening & smiling
Social teacher came & everybody stood up to wish her
" Good Morning Ma'am "
all the kids wished
"Very Good Morning Kids" she wishes back ......Social teacher was serious faced Big woman
She wore a pink lipstick with blue saree
Pooja did not like her fashion sense ......
she was collecting assignment books from all the students... it was pooja's turn ....
without looking at her ma'am spread out her hand to collect ....
pooja stood up
" meiney nahin kiya ma'am New Student " she mumbled .....
what ? speak in english ...... what are u saying ?
pooja feared this moment .... it had come so soon ....
Immediately Soni got up & explained that pooja is a new student it was her first day
& she had problem speaking in english but she could write :)
The teacher favoured Soni so she excused Pooja & gave her one week's time.
Thank you "tumney mujhey bacha liya"pooja said ( u saved me today )
koi baath nahin tomorrow get me a new pencil & new Scent Rubber because i helped u today.. Soni said in Firm Voice ........
ok I'll ask my mom & get it pooja said
all the 5 classes were over & pooja was eager to give mom all the details of new school .
Mr.Rao had decided that he would go to his new office inSecu nderabad from tomorrow so that he could see & set a few things up ,but Laxmi insited that he better join today as it was a thursday , good & auspicious ,"Baba decide cheseru anukuni join ayipondi , nenu migitha vi chusukuntaanu "
Mr. rao knew that for all these years he had never taken responsibilty in terms of household works , he would come & give her the salary & she would manage everything without ever compalining of tight situations or spending for his parents
( inspite of having 2 daughters). He secretly knew he was very lucky to get Such a wife but never expressed it openly .
Laxmi prepared evening supper for the kids , she made a little upma with lots of cashews , & ghee , the little girl pooja would love it & get out of her depression :)
she thought :"hope she is fine in school" she knew that Roopa would take care pf younger sister .
meanwhile she had made friends in her locality & found that there is an RTC but to reach the school . She tied a nice light pink Cotton saree with small flower print ,put on marron bangles & marron bindi , took some change for the bus & started to pick up the kids.
Tang tang tang tang tang .........
the Pune started banging a big heavy iron plate with a iron stick to give resounding bell informing that it was time to go home :)
Roopa immediately ran to pooja's class
pooja was still packing Roopa helped her , both the girls bid goodbye to Soni
& rushed to find a bus .
" AMMA " pooja ran to her mom, she saw from a distance that mom had come to recieve them. She started Chatting about things i nSchool, she told her mom about hindi sir , how sweet he was , Social ma'am how she had put on pink lipstick with blue saree :(
Mom burst out in to laughter .....
Roopa told mom about how portions were handled here & who stood first i nthe class , she was happy that she could get 90 percent easily whereas here 82 percent was highest .
Pooja & Roopa were excited to take the RTC bus ,A big green Bus , the driver & conductor uncles were very friendly, mom handed over the kids responsibility to these two men just to make sure they got down in the right stop carefully .
She was scared because Hyd was a much bigger city jabalpur was asmaal town & the girls had rikshaw pullar take the girls every day to & from school .
" Tiffin Sarigga thinnara ?"
nenu 2 pooris thinesa Roopa said 3rd poori shared with friends :D
"meiney bhi share kiya soni ke saath" MOM could see that pooja was excited , she found a friend & did not mention priti one single time that day .
The girls ate UPMA :) and started out ot do their homeworks .Laxmi helped them with al ltat she could .. Though she was only a tenth pass , she worked hard , she would sit & read the girls books in the afternnon to help them out with their homeworks .She had decided that both her girls should stand on their own legs, they will be given the best education come what may .
This was her Dream which the girls would fulfill .
They went out to play . pooja had a complaint that there was no Chota park or bada park here :(
Roopa entertained her by making up stories . they hada shower & wore cute little cotton frocks for the evening . Pooja wore her matching sandals .she did not like going out in Chappals. they came back tired
and it was time for evening prayer with dinner. then the girls practiced a few songs & slept like little angels .
"Amma" Mujhey naya pencil or scent Rubber chahiyey"
she shouted .....
"Enduku ?
ninna ney kadapencil box lo pettenu malli enduku neeku ekkada padesukunnavu ?"
"nahin meri friend ney poocha tho uskey liye"( my friend asked for it )
"ok aagu "
Laxmi was worried why that kid had demanded for something like this also worried if Pooja was telling the truth because, She scould not tolerate lies , she had to put the girls in the right path & she could be Strict with the girls but not allow them to lie .
She told Roopa to go along with pooja while Soni took pencil " akka ni pilichi appudu ivvu "
ok :) PoojA WAS VERY HAPPY BECAUSE SHE HAD TO KEEP HER FRIEND HAPPY TOO .
It was Already One month the girls had joined the School Jhansi Didi was a famous student & she won the idly eating competition by eating 40 idlies [;d] in the school fair ,
Roopa turned out to be an active participant in Depates , Eloqutions , & weas easily noticed as a Bright girl ,
Pooja was more interested in Drawing , skits ,& other Co curricular activities.
by now Soni's pride & Domination was becoming more evident
wherever she went pooja would go along with her like a chamchi(tail)
Pooja was a meek girl not so bright so she was becoming more & more afraid of loosing her powerful friend Soni .
If Soni would get angry then she would have no one to talk... so she gave her all the bribes .. like new book in exchange for old books
tearing pages from her books & giving for soni's boats in the rainy season.......
She would carry Soni's water bottle in the games period so that soni can drink water after games .
Being the class captain Soni was becoming very bossy most of the students did not like her
boys did not care for her .
Pooja spoke to everyone in a sweet manner but was not closer in heart to anyone but Soni .
it was 6 months now in school The finals were coming closer ...... everybody was studying hard .....
Once Pooja could not find her red ribbons so she happened to wear white ribbons with regular uniform ... her mom had given her a permission letter for submission .
Soni got angry looking at Pooja & SLAPPED her hard on the left side of the face
in the assembly line and asked her to go & sit aside .
pooja could not stop her tears rolling down her cheek , she was never hit so hard .
Roopa saw that pooja was out of assembly & crying :(
She went to enquire & came to know that Soni was the reason who caused so much pain to her sweet sister .
Roopa went Directly to Soni & bashed her left & right with words saying she had no right to do anything like this & Roopa told Soni that she would complain to the Class teacher ... Soni was afraid so she apologised to both the girls .Roopa told Pooja to be bold & also call her if she needed help.
Soni behaved very well with Pooja for one week , but again she came back to her older colours. it was exams time & Soni was bent upon topping the class to maintain her class captain position.
Roopa was working hard
pooja just studied before the exams ,She would bite al lher nails i nexam tension .
Mr.Rao got his mothe to stay with them , laxmi was busy through out the day serving mother in law,teaching the children , taking care of other daily chores.
the girls completed their exams successfully .
it was time for holidays
Mr.Rao. worked very hard , he decided his mom needed better bathroom as she could not use Indian style . they had bought a plot near Gachibowli so he decided they should build a house with one room for Mother ( western style comode ) and one room for kids , one master bedroom.They started planning for the new house . He had to apply for department loan . This summer was going t obe a busy summer.
He hired a contractor so that they could go and check once in a while.
The work started & Grandmom was very happy with daughter in law & Son .
She knew these were the only children who took hearty care of her . She had eliphantiasis , the girls would sometime play with her bloated left leg they would be amazed at how nanamma garu's leg looks like a big balloon ?
Mr. rao had inherited his looks from his mom, wonderful thick black curly hair , tall & a medium built man, when both of them sat beside & smiled it would look like a carbon copy Pooja also inherited her grandmom's hair & if she had long hair she would look like her too
Summer passed by like a whiff of wind with al lthe relatives visiting grand mom, people gifting lots ofgoodies to girls , Ammamma visiting them with sweet meanrts & pattu langas :D
It was a results time, both the girls passed & were promoted to next classes.
Roopa got second in class she promised mom she would get first next time . Pooja managed to get 5th without studying hard ;)
Soni got first !!!!!!she was the captain again .Pooja was very happy that her friend was the captain.
By now Pooja had mande many more friends , swathi sravanthi , harish , sebastian, vinod , aradhana were a few ....
all the girls & guys played together .... She had selected a few boys who would be her special friends & she bought rakhees for them & some good gifts too....
mummy made special sweets for the girls to destribute . it was Roopa's bday , both the girls got new skirts & tops same design different colours . they took the sweets in box to share with friends .
One day while writing Classwork Soni looked at pooja's handwriting & started mocking ....
that she did not know how to write properly , by now Pooja had improved in spoken english thanks to Roopa, they were conversing in english at home .
Soni enquired Pooja about Priti ?
"Does Priti look beautiful like me ?"
Pooja said "yes!!! she is pretty but not so posh looking because she is not fair".
"what rank does she get in class ?"
pooja said" 6th or 7th"
"does she have beautiful handwriting ?"
pooja said "nahin mine is better I always teased her
"Accha tho usmey kya hain ki tu usko best friend bolthi hain?" ( what qualities does she have that u call her your best friend )
"aaj se mein hi teri best friend hun samjhii?" ( from now on tell people i'm your best friend ok ?)
pooja agreed & said ok :) it was her nature not to hurt anyone.
Pooja was gaining confidence on herself :)
she started participating in all competitions actively .
there were school elections & Roopa was elected school Vice captain this made pooja stronger ...... she knew more pupils ..all of them would come & speak to her too this Pinched Soni ....She was becoming possessive .
She ordered Pooja not to talk to any other classmates otherwise she would stop talking to her
There was a phone call at school & principal sir sent for the two Girls .He sent the attendant along with the girls to drop them safely at home.
Roopa understood , but Pooja was confused . She did not want to miss Music class :(
music sir favoured her & alwayz asked her to sing first.. she loved his class .
Mrs. Rao packed clothes & made the arrangements they were waiting with a van for the girls , they were off to their grandpa's own house located in Secunderabad . Pooja was surprised to see that her father was crying , mom's eyes were red but she was handling
other things .Roopa saw Grand mom sleeping & started crying , everybody was crying so pooja started crying more loudly ............
Grandmom knew that her son was making a house & a room only for her
she had told all the relatives . All her older five sons daughter in laws & two daughters & families were surprised how proud she was about her younger son .
After the whole ceremony,after a month the girls joined back school. All the friends welcomed Pooja & Roopa.
Swathi saved a seat for Pooja, so she happened to sit there .... that day Soni was absent .
Swath iwas a fun loving girl .. she was more like pooja they shared lot of interests , she was more like Priti they giggles al lthe time . Pooja had a fun time.
" Here take this " Pooja offered a new pencil to Swathi ....
"why ?" swathi asked .Because u helped me with homework :)
Swathi said "No... i won't take it ... my mom says it is bad habit to take gifts without any reason" .
"My mom says that too :)" replied Pooja
"But Soni Always takes something from me when she helps me."
swathi retorts back "Arrey that girl is really a bad girl :( she is very bossy ..we all feel bad for you. tum hum sabkey saath lunch khaaoo humarey saath khelo ... teach her a lesson."
Pooja remebered the events of the day .. .this was one thing she did not share with Didi because she was scared that she would slap Roopa as promised earlier .
Next day Soni came & sat near Pooja as a habit. She did not talk much Pooja was expecting a hug & welcome from Her best friend Soni ..... She was alittle bit disappointed , she was praying to her god in her heart that she should not become weak & carry out the decision she had taken last night . She could not see Soni in her Eyes. Social Studies ma'am came & asked for assignment . Pooja submitted Two assignments ,one on her name & another on Soni's. Soni smiled & said "Gud tuney kar liya varnaa mujhey 10 times karnaa padtha " pooja smiled as a reply .
Vinod came & gave chocolates , it was his birthday & invited Pooja for the party in the evening at home. Pooja observed that Soni was left out he did not want to invite her & she did not care .... In the games class they all went out to play Gallery... Soni Asked Pooja to carry her Shoes to the class after games......
Swathi & sravanthi signalled her not to . Pooja's hands were sweating with fear on one side were all the other class mates & on one side were only she & her friend SONI
she stood numb ...Soni Shouted ..."Can't you hear get my shoes"..... Pooja was very scared she was slowly lifting the shoes...... At this time Roopa was there in the play ground & she saw the scene ..she went running to pooja & asked her ..."kiskey hain ? tum kyon utha kar le jaarahi ho ?"( whose shoes are these ? y r u carrying them ?)
Swathi & Sravanthi gave a summary of events & how Soni has been a big SNOB .. how poor Pooja could not give back to her inspite of her support .Roopa thanked these girls & invited them to her home to play with pooja .
She gave Soni a look & asked Pooja to throw the shoes near her feet & come back . pooja did as Told.Soni did not care she followed other friends to class .
That evening swathi ,sravanthi,& pooja went to vinod's party & enjoyed .
It was a New Day......
Swathi was ready with a seat reserved for Pooja early in the morning . Pooja looked a little worried she was not eating the maggie mom made for her ..... Roopa told her to stop thinking & start eating ...
"Eppudyina mee friend Soni ni intiki theesukuni raa mari "mom said to cheer her up
"hmmm"she said & she got up to wear her polished shoes ....
mom did not understand what was troubling her children both of them looked disturbed . She prayed to baba heartily that they not be troubled in any way .
Pooja came & directly sat with swathi ... soni anticipated that it was by order of Roopa & she planned to convince pooja the lunch when they go for lunch. Soni was looking back to look at Poooja but pooja was ignoring her & nicely chatting with other girls .
Soni did not like this it was hurting her. She was not able to concentrate inthe class. she could not answer a simple question in the english class. She was constantly looking at the new magnetic Sharpener her father had got from germany. She decided she would bribe pooja with this.
tang tang tang ... lunch bell rang
Soni ran to the bench where pooja was sitting & said "come i got your favourite bhindi ki sabzi today"
Pooja said " No i won't eat with you "
"Why ?" asked Soni innocently .. Pooja could not see a disappointed soni
she was about to get up but Swathi squeezed her palm . she then replied " sab kehthey hain tum bahut gandi ladki ho "& she bent her face in her hands .....
pooja could not stop her tears neither could Soni ...
Soni suddenly felt all alone... she did not eat her lunch ... she went & sat under the same tree where they would eat their lunch everyday.. and she did not whom to share with . What had happened? Why did Pooja say something like that ? She had promised her mom that she will be a good child, but a sweet friend like Pooja had called her a bad girl :( she could not stop her tears. She took permission & left for home early in the afternoon .
All the students of the class were celebrating .... because the captain was absent they enjoyed their free class by playing anthakshari & they gave pooja little singer title...
pooja was happy too .. she got so many loving friends who did not expect something in return .. but she also wished that Soni was a part of this celebration then the fun would've doubled.
One week passed and no one in the class spoke to Soni ... this was Roopa's plan she had planned it over by inviting swathi & sravanthi to home one evening . At first Pooja said she would not want to help but when they assured that this is just to teach Soni to become a better friend & also to help her being a better person ... she had no choice but to agree .
Everynight she would secretly cry under her pillow and she prayed to Baba that everything should be alright .
Soni Spoke to her sister Madhu & decided to follow her advice.She did not want to be a loner.
Early morning she was waiting For Pooja
Pooja came to school with her dad & Roopa."namasthey uncle " She wished and the girls went back to their respective class.
Now was the right time .. thought Soni & gave a neatly packaged gift to pooja .
[red/]Dear Pooja my best friend Please forgive me.. I"M SORRY
was written on it .by now swathi , sravanthi vinod & all had reached the class. they were surprised to see that The proud lady said sorry ....
Now Pooja could see clearly that Soni had also cried for her & she really felt sorry for her behaiviour ... She opened the package & there was a book in it :
"Learn beautiful Cursive writing in english" .. both of them looked at each other & laughed ...... Pooja hugged Soni & said now this is your homework you have to teach me ....
every body in class could see the change ... Soni was a good captain now
She would not complin unnecessarily .... She would not demand to win all the games .. she also happened to suggest , sravanthi's name for class captain because she was more fair person :)
All the kids praised Roopa Didi & mom was happy to recieve Soni as a regular visitor at home.
1 comments:
Nice post & well described!
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