Neeraj’s first day in school (904)

 

(This old story of mine was published long back  in a school magazine)

TSR Sir as he was known was writing feverishly with chalk on the blackboard some formulae in algebra. He saw a shadow pass across the door. He found the Head Master with a puny boy entering the class.

“TSR”, the HM called him in a friendly tone and said “This is Neeraj, a new student. I have admitted him to your class as I feel he needs your care and attention. I will discuss more with you  during lunchtime.”

The HM had left and the boy was still standing at the door with a bag clutched in his hands waiting for the teacher’s permission to enter the class. He was wearing a much-worn cotton shirt along with shorts that were a shade small for his size. There was a safety pin pinned askew securing the shirt as there were no buttons. He looked emaciated with bony legs, sunken eyes and unspoken sadness writ large on his well-defined and charming face..

The teacher called him by his side. As he came limping with his polio-affected leg, he put his arm around him and asked him softly “What is your name, young boy? I forget Naresh or some such thing. Where are you from?”

“I am Neeraj, Sir, and have come from Alwar” the boy replied in a hardly audible voice.

“Good, Welcome to the class Neeraj.. Is there anyone among the boys wanting to have Neeraj by his side? “asked the teacher. There was a deafening silence for a couple of minutes till Nakul stood up.

Ravi nudged him in his leg and whispered “You fool, He looks skinny and lame.”

Nakul turned around and saw his mates. Raj made an ugly grimace. A few others were not amused by Nakul's gesture. It appeared they didn’t like the new entrant

“.Go and sit by the side of Nakul,” said the teacher.

All eyes were on the little boy as he ambled along towards Nakul. He moved to his left and gave him the aisle seat to enable the boy to sit without having to wade his way through the chairs. Shilpa, a girl of Nakul's age, did not fail to notice the thoughtfulness of her friend. There was a touch of pride in her eyes.

TSR Sir asked after he wrote (a+b-c)² on the board. Can anyone expand this?

There was a long silence. The teacher asked, “Neeraj, do you know the answer?”

The boy stood up and gave the right answer.” Why were you waiting for me to ask?” asked the teacher.

“Sorry, Sir. I was waiting for others to respond” he replied. There was instant jealousy among the students when the teacher exclaimed” Sabash, well done.”

When the bell rang for lunch, all the boys and girls scampered to the door. Nakul also had run but turned to see behind. He saw Neeraj sitting on the bench alone. A sense of guilt pricked the little boy even as he came to Neeraj. Soon Shilpa joined them.

Nakul asked “Have you brought any lunch? Come on; let us eat outside under the tree.” The three of them sat together and shared what they had. Shilpa said “Neeraj, don’t feel bad. The other boys and girls will soon warm up and become your friends. They are not wicked”

Even as she was saying this Ravi and Raj came to Neeraj and pulled his collar.” Are you trying to show off in the class that you know better than us? Can you have a bout of boxing with me? I can give you a black eye that your mom won’t be able to recognize you” said Raj.

When Ravi pushed the boy who fell, Nakul yelled at them “ You chicken-hearted bullies. Come on, let us have the bout of boxing and let me find out whose mom fails to recognize whom” and lunged forward at Ravi and Raj. Nakul was a big-built boy with strong muscles and the two ran away unwilling to put up a fight. Shilpa helped Neeraj sit up and dusted the sand from his face and arms.

“Thank you both,” said Neeraj even as he smiled. I can sing for you like Sonu Nigam if you wish to hear". The two were thrilled to hear Neeraj sing very much like the famous singer. Soon all the boys and girls surrounded them and were enthralled by the melodious singing. The boy mesmerised his classmates with his beautiful rendering in his wonderful voice that matched the great singer. When he had finished the song, each one of them went up to Neeraj and gave him a warm hug and a word of praise. Ravi and Raj were not far behind when they sheepishly came to say” Sorry, Neeraj, we behaved badly. Please accept us also as your friends.”

Neeraj standing between Nakul and Shilpa smiled at them and said “I am happy to be with you all. True, I cannot run a race or join a bout of boxing but I have many other tricks up my sleeves. I shall entertain you whenever the opportunity presents itself. I am happy to get you all as my friends but I value the friendship of Nakul and Shilpa more as they extended  their friendship to me wholeheartedly when they had seen only my handicap and were not aware of my singing ability.”

The bell rang and the three walked arm in arm towards the class.