Forever a Teacher

“I'm not a teacher: only a fellow traveler of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead - ahead of myself as well as you.” ― George Bernard Shaw

Neethi saw the message and could not help smiling, it said “ Neethi Amma, I said Good morning and Good night, why no reply”. Neethi started musing at the past  when life took her backwards.  Neethi had been a school teacher for years when she had reared children lovingly. Her life had been customary for thirty five years. It involved an early  morning rouse, cooking breakfast, lunch, packing all the lunch boxes for her children and husband and managing the maid with the other chores. At the school, she taught sciences for the secondary children and loved learning new things. Her children and husband had been a great help in her successful career. The kids flew away to their own nests with time  leaving Neethi and husband to fend for themselves. Neethi had retired last year, she joined the virtual world quickly as an online tutor. The faculty development course in the school had made her Technologically Savvy. Her knowledge was well used and lent her  a hand to set a new schedule for herself. It also gave her the flexibility and relaxation that she needed with the ability to influence students all over the world.

It was one of those days when she saw a message from Diya who claimed to have been her student two decades back. Neethi had whipped out a number of batches of students during  her service in the Central Government School. Everyone had settled down in their own best ways. This message puzzled her, but brought back memories when she saw Diya trying to connect through a professional building website. This time she got in touch. She remembered Diya as a very shy and frightened girl who would chew her nails whenever she was questioned. The person who had contacted her resembled little Diya only in her features, but now she stood tall, beautiful and carried a confident personality. It made Neethi  yearn to go back to those years as a teacher when she should have moulded Diya into a positive person that she was today. Those were the days when Neethi found it highly demanding to manage her own children and the school work. She had not been very serious about the personalities of children as she was in the later years of her career.  She remembered the farewell party that was hosted by the ninth standard students. Diya was all dressed like Sridevi in the movie Lamhe. She came on to the stage but felt shy. Neethi coaxed her, so did the other teachers. Then suddenly the music started and Diya danced like an artist seeking the audience concentration. Everyone applauded and appreciated her sincere efforts. Perhaps it was this appreciation which made Neethi a special teacher for Diya.

 Neethi was introduced to Diya’s eight year old son Avinash. Diya now wanted to take an opinion regarding every feat Avinash performed. Neethi wondered why Diya spent all her time chatting with her despite her busy schedule. Diya often told her that she had been her favourite teacher. She admired Neethi’s busy schedule and her ability to keep herself abreast with expertise. Neethi admired Diya’s abilities as a professional, but appreciated the musical skills she possessed. Diya could play the Violin, Mrindangam, Guitar and the Keyboard. She could dance folk dances and classical with the same ease. She was an artist from the JJ school of Art, an MBA in Mass Communication and was a sensitive human being yet she waited for Neethi’s opinion in every aspect of her life. Little Avinash wanted to go to the Museum with his teachers and friends. Diya felt it was an uncalled trip, but Neethi asked Diya to bring Avinash home. Avinash and Neethi spoke for long and Neethi decided that little Avinash must go for the trip. She said peer group and their influences need to be tackled by the individuals. Diya obeyed her teacher for she respected her word. From that day little Avinash became Neethi’s good friend. He sent a Good Morning message and Good Night message without fail. When Neethi tried to ignore the little boy would definitely make Neethi smile through his umpteen frantic messages. Any small incident in his life was shared with Neethi. Gradually Neethi’s adoration for the child made him Avi from Avinash.

Avi’s school was holding an exhibition to commemorate Prime Minister Modi’s endeavours in making India a Smart Country. The theme was ‘Smart City’. Diya as an artist made a lovely poster, but wanted Neethi to help the children in speaking the content. The models were made and the stage was set. Little Avi and friends spoke with gusto charming the entire audience, honorary  Judges, the Principal and teachers. The team became superstars overnight. Now Avi had only admiration for Neethi. He would always ask  “ Neethi amma where are you? What are you doing? Did you have food?  He would tell her what he was eating, what Diya was doing and many more things. Avi was like a little Encyclopedia of information for her. His questions were endless but they reflected his wisdom and concern.

One of those days Diya felt a strong piercing pain in her head. She had faced a problem with the fluid levels in her brain. She tried to apply a balm and ate a painkiller, but the twinge  was intolerable. She was rushed to the hospital. Just before  she left, she called Neethi and asked her  “teacher can you promise to be a guiding light to my child, help him in his studies through your guidance”. Neethi did not understand the position until she received little Avi’s message asking her ‘will my mother get well soon, Neethi amma’?

Neethi felt sick, she quickly began sending consoling messages to Avi, but prayed fervently to God to bring  Diya back in a better state. Dusk gave way to dawn, and the gloominess in the world disappeared with the streaming rays of sunlight. Diya recovered and all her tests and treatment brought her back into the beautiful morning. As she turned to see Avi, she saw Neethi standing with Avi. She felt stronger than ever to see them. Tears flowed as Avi gave her a hug, asking her how she was. She could just give a thankful smile of a school student to her teacher. Neethi held little Avi’s hand in one and Diya’s in another as she mused  “teach one and get a sweeter one free”

“Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.At other times, it is allowing another to take yours.” ― Vera Nazarian