Anand in school

CHAPTER 4

Anand in school

The children were on their way to school by auto rickshaw talking excitedly with each other. Sindu was studying in a blind school. Her school was on the way to Anand’s school. The auto rickshaw approached the blind school gate and stopped outside it. Security guard opened the gate.  He came running to the rickshaw.

Sindu got down and waved to Anand and Avinash. “Bye Anand. Bye Avinash.”

 Anand and Avinash waved to her happily. “Bye Sindu.”

Security guard took Sindu’s school bag in one hand and held her hand with his other hand. He took her inside the gate. The gate closed.

Auto rickshaw moved on and reached Anand’s school. The school gate was open and children were entering the school. Rickshaw stopped outside the gate. Anand and Avinash got down from auto rickshaw and ran inside the school gate.

It was time for prayer. Anand and Avinash stood in line with other children for prayer.

As soon as the prayer was over, the principal came forward and stood in front of the mike. She looked at Anand standing among the children and smiled. Anand smiled back happily.

“Today, we are proud of Anand, who has brought such a good name to our school by wining the district junior chess championship. Anand, come on the stage.” Said the Principal.

Anand climbed onto the stage with a big smile on his face. Children looked at him happily.

Madam gave Anand a gift and said, “Well done, my boy. You must now go on to become the State level champion.”

Anand took the gift from her hands happily. He looked at her happily and thanks her for the gift.

Principal looked at the children and waved her hand. She said, “Children, let us all wish Anand good luck.”

All the children clapped for Anand. Anand was beaming at them happily.

The children went to their classes. Anand and Avinash were studying in the same class. They went and sat near each other on a bench. Children were making a lot of noise talking and laughing. Suddenly the teacher came in and all the children become silent. They got up and wished. “Good morning, Teacher”.

The teacher stood in front of the children. She said, “Good morning. Sit down.”

She took out the attendance book and started taking attendance. Suddenly, one attendee came in and gave a slip to the teacher. She read the slip.  A frown appeared on her face. She looked at Avinash a bit sternly. Avinash was scared. He knew very well what was going to come.

Looking at Avinash and pointing a finger at him, Teacher said seriously, “Avinash, stand up.”

All the children looked at Avinash. Avinash got up anxiously looking at the teacher.

Teacher looked at him seriously and said, “Avinash, you have not paid the fees for the last 8 months. Hence, principal wants to meet you.”

Avinash’s eyes were filled with tears. Anand looked at him in surprise. Avinash had never told him about this matter.

Avinash looked down at Anand and asked, “Anand, will you also come with me? I am scared to go alone.”

Anand understood the situation. He felt sad for his friend. He got up immediately and looked at teacher. He asked, “Madam, please can I go with Avinash?”

Teacher looked at the boys and smiled. “Ok Anand. I know both of you are best friends. You may go with him.”

Anand and Avinash went out of the class. As they were moving towards the principal’s office, Anand looked at Avinash. Tears were flowing down his cheek. Anand was shocked. “Avinash, why are you crying? Why did you not pay the fees?”

Wiping his eyes, sadly, Avinash said, “You know, it is 8 months since my father died. His pension is yet to be settled. My mother is trying her best by going to his office every day. But they have not yet released the amount. Maybe I have to drop school.”

Anand was shocked. “Oh! My god! Why did you not tell me about this before? We can’t let you stop coming to school.”

Avinash looked at Anand with tearful eyes. “I did not want to trouble you. The pension money was going to come anyway.”

Anand put his hands around Avinash’s shoulders and thought for a while. He was thinking how to save Avinash from getting removed from school. He had to arrange for money from some where or the other. Avinash was his best friend.

Suddenly Anand’s face brightened up. He remembered the prize money he got for having won the district chess championship. He put his hand on Avinash’s shoulder and said, “Avinash, don’t cry. Tell me, how much you have to pay.”

“Rs. 2500/-”said Avinash desperately.

Anand felt relieved. It was less than his prize money. He patted Aviansh on his back. “Don’t worry. I will pay the fees for you,” assured Anand.

Avinash was surprised. He knew very well that Anand’s parents were poor and could not afford to pay the amount. He asked, “But how?”

Anan was now feeling excited. He felt so happy that he can help his friend. He said, “You know, I got Rs. 5000/- as prize money.”

But Avinash did not want to take the money. Anand deserved it for his hard work. Then he thought about his parents. What will they say? Avinash was scared of Anand’s drunkard father. He asked with a bit of fear, “But your parents might scold you.”

Anand thought about his mother. Her kind face appeared in front of his eyes. She will never say no to such a good deed.

Anand looked at Avinash and said proudly, “No. My mother is very nice. She will never say no. “

Avinash too liked Anand’s mother very much. He was not worried about her. He said, “I know your mother will not object. What about your father? Suppose he scolds you?”

Anand laughed. “He never bothers about anything that happens at home. You don’t worry about anything. Come; let us go to the Principal’s office.”

They reached Principal’s office. Anand peeped inside.Avinash stood behind Anand with fear. Principal was going through a file.

Looking at Principal, Anand said, “Can I come in, madam?”

Principal looked up. She was very happy to see Anand who had brought such a good name to the school. She was proud of him. Smiling at Anand, she said, “Come in.”

The boys entered the room and stood in front of her.

Looking at Anand kindly, Principal said, “Hello, Champion. What is the matter?”

Pointing to Avinash, Anand said, “I have come with Avinash, madam.”

Suddenly, Principal looked at Avinash. Her smile turned to a frown. She remembered that Avinash had not paid fees for the past 8 months. She looked at Avinash seriously and said sternly, “Avinash, your mother promised to pay the fees last week itself.”

Avinash stood shaking in front of the principal. He was very scared.  Avinash said, “I am sorry, madam. My father’s pension is not yet settled.”

Principal was not at all amused. She had heard this excuse so many times from Avinash’s mother. She said, “That may be true, my boy. I know your problem. But you see the management is very strict.”

Suddenly Anand intervened to help Avinash. Confidently, Anand said, “Madam, he will pay the fees tomorrow itself.”

Principal was surprised. She smiled. “Really?”

Anand was feeling very happy to help Avinash. The picture of his prize money came to his mind. He looked at principal confidently. “Yes madam. Believe me. He will definitely pay tomorrow. ”

Principal stared at Anand and thought for a while. Anand was a good boy and would not tell lies. She felt she can believe his words. She nodded. “Ok. I trust you.”

Looking at Avinash sternly, principal said, “You better pay tomorrow otherwise I will have to remove you from school.”

Avinash said, “I will pay madam.”

Principal nodded and then looked at Anand kindly. “Anand, what about you? What are your plans? Are you going to try for the State Championship?”

Anand was happy and excited. “Yes madam. I would love to compete at the state level.”

Principal was happy to hear this. She thought for a while and then said,“Good. Who is your coach?”

Anand was surprised to hear this question. He had never thought about this. He had learnt to play chess from his mother.

Anand asked, “My mother teaches me chess, madam.”

Principal smiled. “That is ok. But if you want to win the State Championship, you need a coach to train you. You will have to go to the chess academy for training.”

Anand felt sad. He knew that his parents could never afford to send him to the chess academy. The fees must be very high.

Sadly, Anand said, “Madam, I am from a poor family. We cannot afford a coach.”

Principal was shocked and said, “But, my son. You will need to have a coach. Without a good coach, it is difficult to win.”

Anand looked at her silently. Then the principal thought for a while and then said, “I know a good coach called Raghuram. If you get trained under him, you are sure to become a champion.”

Anand listened politely and then looked at her with a worried face. He asked, “But madam, I will have to pay huge amount to get training from him, isn’t it?”

Principal smiled and said, “Anand, you are a bright student and very talented. I will recommend your name for sponsorship from our school. Give me your land line number.”

Anand was very happy. He immediately wrote down the phone number on a slip and handed over the slip to her. “Thank you, madam.”

Principal took the slip from Anand. “Ok. Now you may go to your class. And Avinash, don’t forget to pay the fees tomorrow.”

Avinas said, “No madam.”

Boys noded and left. Principal became busy with her work.