STANDARD 12B

                                              STANDARD 12B

Madhukumar woke up to the sight of the spinning ceiling fan set in full speed. He lay lazily staring into the white circle for some time. As he sat up groggily the monster headache hit him with all its might. Alcohol hangover was taking its toll. He groped for the liquor bottle which was almost empty. As he was about to pour the remnants into the glass he found dead flies floating in its bottom with the liquor blended with soda. He drank it straight from the bottle and placed the empty bottle on the table with a thud and held his heavy head in his arms waiting for the result of the liquor which he had just taken.

What a day!

Finishing the last fifty plus pages of the latest John Grisham thriller, a sumptuous lunch with his favourite pearl spot fish curry, a film at 6 pm with his wife Radhika and winding up the day eating out were his plans.

But everything went hay-wire.

He had slapped his wife for the first time in his life.

Not once, twice.

After that he booked him into a hotel room with a full bottle of liquor and hit the bottle hard.

A practice, totally out of his character.

He will apologise. He will reconcile. There will be no more disputes between them in the future. He will swear that and make her swear about that.

This should not happen in the future. He reminded himself with a sigh.

He stood up and took his cell phone set in silent mode and pressed a button. The display got illuminated informing him there were 29 missed calls.

Majority of them from unknown numbers!

What is happening?

He settled his bill and handed over the room key at the reception.

His cellphone vibrated in his hand.

An unknown number!

He hesitated to take the call for some seconds and decided against it.

“Hello?” A male voice. Not a soft one.

“Yes.”

“Is this Mister Madhukumar?”

“Yes. Who is this please?”

“I am the parent of your student of 12B.”

“What is it?” He felt irritated.

“I am sorry sir. But I want to meet you. It is urgent.”

“Can’t it wait till tomorrow?”

“It won’t take more. Spare me a couple of minutes.”

“I am not in the mood. I am a bit under liquor, frankly put.”

“No big deal. Where are you?”

The person was insisting.

“I am in the town.”

“Town? Where in the town?”

“Just outside Hotel prince.” He told hesitantly.

“Give me five minutes.” And the person hung up.

It didn’t take five minutes for him to turn up. A police jeep came to a screeching halt at the hotel parking. Policemen filed out. A two star tough looking police guy approached him briskly.

Madhukumar stood there with his heart thumping violently against his ribs.

“Are you Madhukumar who teaches at Divine soul?” The policeman gruffly asked.

His mouth suddenly went dry. He nodded like a zombie.

“You are under arrest for murdering your wife.”

The police guy placed his beefy hand on his shoulder.

***

Usually Varun was boisterous at the breakfast table. It was the time he made his new demands and talked about what were going around him which his parents were supposed to listen patiently. That day Varun was silent with a rock-hard face. Police Sub-inspector Rajeev noticed his son’s change of mood and asked his wife Priya with his eyes.

“You arrested his favourite teacher.” She said.

“Oh! So the vibes.”

Varun continued keeping his head bowed picking at his food.

“Didn’t I explain you two about his arrest? A police officer has to arrest the culprit. It is his duty to do so.”

“My sir will not even think of murder.” Varun said in a faint tone.

“You believe so. Real murderers are like that. They are wise to create marks like this in the mind of the beholder.”

“I cannot agree with you, Papa.”

“Which means I made a grave mistake by arresting him for murder!”

“Yes.”

Rajeev chuckled before talking.

“He himself has agreed. What more evidence do you want?”

“You people forced him to do so.”

Rajeev frowned at this.

“I think you are exceeding your limits.”

“He is innocent papa.”

“Let me explain Varun. The crime theory fits cent percent in this case. Before poisoning her he has assaulted her. The colour of her left eye and the bruise on her left cheek proves that. He forced her to drink the poison. He left the house leaving her alone to meet her cold end.”

“How can you believe these? Did she tell you all those from her grave?”

“You know there is a witness. Your classmate Greeshma.”

“Blatant liar.”

“You were head over heels for her quite a while.” Priya reminded her son.

“You love her?” Rajeev wore a mischievous smile.

Varun made a face.

“Scorpion! That’s her nickname. Does that make any sense to you?”

Priya asked her husband.

“Oh! It is Greeshma the great!” Rajeev exclaimed.

Couple of months back a large shiny scorpion entered Varun’s class by accident. Students started yelling. Some jumped on their study table. Even the ex-military teacher Rajan Thomas was petrified. The creature kept turning around raising its poisonous tail in defense expecting an attack. A cool Greeshma walked to the intruder and trod upon it with her shoe. At the tiny explosion which came under her shoes, some girls yelled. She kicked the corpse out the class and came back to her seat as if nothing had happened.

 A nickname followed.

Scorpion!

Varun had explained the incident to her parents.

“She witnessed the murder?” Varun continued.

“The victim gave Greeshma her death statement.”

“Thank God Greeshma didn’t tell she witnessed the murder.”

“You are blind with fury. Your sir has confessed and what he says makes sense. And we are satisfied with that. No more on this topic.”

“Over over.” Priya intervened.

Laughter followed from Rajeev and Priya.

A furious Varun stood up and left the room.

“What is wrong with him?” Priya mused loud.

“He is growing up. Rage, restlessness all are the signs. At his age I was even worse. Nothing to worry.”

Rajeev soothed his wife.

***

Divine soul school Principal Dr.Thomas Kurien was away in Chennai to attend the wedding of a relative. He boarded the next flight to kerala as the dreadful news reached him. He came straight to school from the airport. The clock of his office stood at 7.10 AM as he entered his office. He took the phone and dialed the hostel number.

“I want Greeshma of standard twelve b here in my office in no time.” He slammed the receiver down.

He glanced at the wall of his office decorated with honors. There were photographs of the previous school principals arranged in chronology. He considered all of them lucky not to confront such a situation in the forty six years of school history.

His school was the best of its kind in the district. In fact it was one of the top schools in the state. A school that competed to break its own records! Students were carefully observed that the weak ones were given special classes that the school’s goodwill will not suffer by their results. It was a prestigious institution in which several reputed present personalities studied. 

And now! The School’s reputation was tarnished. No second thoughts about that. He was fed up with the phone calls of anxious parents and school management.

But how can Madhukumar do such a cold blooded thing? It baffled him.

Madhukumar was gem of a teacher. He had joined divine soul  three months before. The CV of a teacher from an Ootty school seeking a post at divine soul was a surprise to the school management. What made him resign the posh school? The teacher had attributed it on the ailing health of his wife. Yes, cold climate made asthma severe. It was a relief for the school management as they were seriously thinking of sacking a veteran on the teaching faculty who was exceeding his limits for some time.

Madhukumar was a forty plus man with decent behaviour and clean habits. He had a way with the students. Good reports about him came pouring in from the parents and even from the teaching staff. The school management was immensely impressed with him and had some serious plans to utilize his talents in the years ahead.

With this incident, everything goes down the drain!

A tap at the door brought back the principal to the present.

“Come in.”

She came in and wished him a good morning. He did not wish the same back to her. Instead he sized her up with his eyes.

She was a seventeen year old grown beyond her age. She was pretty and had a confident air around her.

“So you are Greeshma of 12 b?” was his opening gambit.

“Yes sir.”

“Now give me the details. You know what I mean. What lead you to Madhukumar’s house on a Saturday morning?”

She did not even hesitate for a second. She explained the incident like a parrot.

Thara Balachandran was her best friend. Instead of attempting the monthly exam conducted by Madhukumar, Thara had done some pranks in the answer sheet. She had drawn a bull’s picture in it and had named it Madhukumar. The teacher had spotted it and had questioned her about that. As he did not have any answer from his student, he had stated he will report the matter to the principal by Monday. Thara told Greeshma she will kill herself if the news reached her parents. So Greeshma made an attempt to save her best friend by visiting the teacher at his home which was near to the school. The next day she had sneaked out of the hostel to her teacher’s house.

“The security did not stop you?” The principal intercepted.

“That uncle was asleep.”

He made a mental note to sack the senile person that very morning.

“Carry on. What happened next?”

“Gates remained closed as I reached his home. I rang the door bell and waited for some time. But there was no answer. As I was about to leave I heard a strange sound coming from inside. As if someone struggles for breath. I called out loud but there was no answer. I tried all windows. Luckily one of them was not locked, I pulled it open to see Radhika madam sprawled on the floor.”

She paused for breath. The principal kept staring at her.

“I asked her if it she was okay. She was going to die. Madhu sir had tormented and forced her to drink poison. He had left home leaving her to death.”

She stopped for a while.

Her words had formed visuals in his mind. He was stunned.

“I hollered for help. The door was crashed open by the neighbors. She was immediately taken to the hospital. But she met her end before she reached there.”

Eerie silence followed.

“Police came in. I told them what Radhika Maam told me.”

She continued.

It took some time for the principal to come to his self. He kept staring at her.

She was bold. It seemed witnessing a gruesome event had not touched her. Well, some kids are like that. She is extraordinary.

“Shall I take my leave sir?”

Yes, she had explained everything.

What else?

But how can he allow her to escape as simple as that. She has violated the golden rules of the school.

She was patiently waiting for his reply.

“You are aware you have violated the school rules?” His voice turned hard.

“But it helped to prove a murder which would have been a natural death.” She replied without a moment’s thought.

“That is another side which I am not that interested. You answer to my question. Are you aware you have violated the rules of this institution?” He arched forward pointing his forefinger at her.

“Yes. I think so.” He voice had no remorse and life in it.

“You are aware breaking a rule will have its consequences.”

At this she grimaced.

“Are you? Answer me.” He insisted.

“Yes sir. I am pretty sure you might have already typed in the letter of dismissal for me before you summoned me for the details. What would you had expected me to do? Would it have satisfied you all if I had kept mum about this affair?”

She was trembling with rage.

“Cut it.” His voice shot up.

She tried to say something but suppressed it with much difficulty.

“This is my office. Not your home. Don’t exceed you limits. Got it?” Now his voice carried rage.

“I have a moral right to justify myself. Come hell or high water I will do it.”

Her voice also shot up.

“Get out of my office. I am summoning your guardian in no time.” He got up pointing his right hand forefinger at the door.

“You can save that energy. They are on their way. They will be here in no time.”

She shot a look of hatred at him before leaving.

Nice start for a day.

He had not encountered such a student in his life. What she said were facts. She was right to the core. Shall he rethink about expelling her as she commented? It was true he had serious ideas about dismissing her from the school. Shall he give it a second thought?

He started brooding.

 ***

Greeshma was still fuming with rage as she entered the hostel study hall.

Study time was not over for the hostellers. She sat in her seat trying to control her anger.

One of her friends handed a slip of paper with the words “What happened?”.

She wrote “Go to hell” and handed it back to her.

Her nerves were shot to hell. She held her head in her arms and took some deep breaths to pacify herself.

After sometime she took her rough work book and printed a name in bold letters.

MADHUKUMAR

She slashed at it furiously several times that it tore the paper.

Contended, she printed another one.

MURDERER!

She slashed at it furiously than before. Though the word was gone, she thought it stared at her from the space where it was written.

Her mind drifted away to the past.

***

“Hey Scorpion, bare me your fangs.”

A voice trailed after her followed by laughter.

She looked back in rage.

There stood Varun and his friends.

Varun flashed her a bright smile.

He had been pestering her for long.

“What do you want Varun?” She approached him.

“Me? Nothing.”

“You called out to bare something before you. What was that?”

“Oh! Your fangs! Will you bare them for me?”

There was unmistakable lust in his voice.

“Do you want to see them? Really?”

“Of course. I will die for that.” He winked at his friends. They supported him with roaring laughter.

“Do you want to feel it Varun?” There was an edge to her voice.

“Of course. If it is under the right circumstance.” He moved closer to her with a leer.

“Then see and feel it.”

The sound of her right hand colliding with his pinky left cheek stunned his friends. Varun stood dazed for some seconds at her unexpected action. He could not believe himself. Pain shot up bringing tears to his eyes. The color of his cheeks turned a beetroot red.

She walked away as if nothing had happened.

***

“He got it from you right?” Fahad caught up with her in long strides as she was making it to the library. She liked him and he loved her back.

“What?”

“Word is around.”

“He asked for it.” She plainly stated.

“You ought to tell me about such matters.”

“What will you do?”

“Know what? I am a karate purple.”

“He claims he is a brown.”

“So what? Next time he tries anything I’ll beat him to pulp.”

“For me?”

“Absolutely. I will not tolerate anything against you.”

“Thanks. Good friends always should be like that.”

“I am more than a good friend Greeshma. You already know that.”

“There comes the calf love again!” She sighed.

“Don’t name it like that” He was desperate. How long he was trying to capture her heart!

“Then I’ll name it bull love.” She said with a grin.

“Gree.” He was angry now.

“Go and study Fahad. You very well know you are weak in almost every subject. I doubt princy has already set his eyes on you and is chalking out some serious plans. Don’t you want to appear for the final exams? How many impositions did Koshy sir gave you today?”

“Oh that! He is a real trickster. He wants me to join his tuition class. It is not me alone. He gives it to everyone who does not attend his tuitions.”

“He has not imposed me till date.” She reminded him.

“Because you are numero uno. Beauty with brains.” He searched her face with a lover’s eye.

How much he love her!

“Go and write your impositions. I want to take some notes.” She blushed at his stare.

“I will. But this will be the last time. We have planted something on Koshy sir.”

“What?”

“A letter to the principal. Of course anonymous. I know you will not tell a soul. I trust you more than myself.”

“What is the letter about?”

“About everything. He uses to impose everyone who does not join his tuition class. About his nasty habits and all.”

“And what is that? The nasty habits part.”

“Oh! Nothing Gree.”

“You are hiding something from me. Ok. Let it be.” She tried to move with a frown.

“Wait. I’ll tell.”

She waited and nothing came out from him. She frowned at him.

“I am ashamed Gree.” He was shy.

“Tell me.”

“Promise me you will not be indifferent to me after I disclose that.” He extended his right hand with a serious face.

She could not help smiling at his innocence. She touched his right palm in a flash.

“Happy? Now go on.”

Still he was reluctant. He was set to action as she glared at him.

“Koshy sir use to stare at the ups and downs of girl students and he often passes double meaning derogatory comments on them.” He finished in a breath.

“How dare you? That is not true.”

“We know. But to strengthen our complaint it is a must. He is really getting on everyone’s nerves. It is high time someone did something. Damn! Here comes our princy Thomas Kurien the great.”

The principal came slowly taking his time scrutinizing everything on his way. It was his usual practice to check his institution twice a day, during the class hours and the lunch break, the former to check on the teachers and the latter to pry on the students. It was quite natural he would get some gems during those rounds which would make his day.

They parted ways

***

The anonymous letter reached theschool on the expected day. One of the 12B students spotted it with the postman. Maths teacher Koshy Tharakan was summoned by the principal during the lunch hour which gave 12B students ample time to eavesdrop at the principal’s cabin. They enjoyed each and every moment of that heated argument. The principal was frying their Koshy sir in a pan full of oil and spices provided by the letter.

They heard principal’s high octaves and the sharp retorting of Koshy. Koshy sir was a hard nut to crack as he felt his seniority in the teaching faculty was superior to any position. He established that supremacy in his talks which went on. The principal began politely and Koshy Tharakan sensed something wrong with the sanctimonious preamble of the Principal. As the talks advanced Koshy  got the essence that the head of the institution was feeding him sour stuff with a layer of too sweet icing. How can he tolerate such trespass from a person who was so junior to him in terms of seniority! He fought back with all his strength which made the principal to talk raw. They fought with their tongues. When Koshy made it to out of the cabin, he was sweating profusely. The principal was exhausted that he washed down a hypertension tablet with a glassful of water. At the sound of the opening of the principal’s cabin door, students hurried away. But Ben Thomas couldn’t help himself flashing an I-KNOW-YOU-JUST-STEPPED-ON-THE-BROWN-WARM-THING meaning smile at his teacher before sprinting back to his classroom.

Koshy entered the classroom with a poker face. In the first place he asked a complicated maths problem to the class beginning with Ben. When Ben stammered for the answer, he demanded his school diary and furiously scribbled in it with all his might. In addition to that Ben was verbally directed to produce his parents the day after if he wanted to attend maths class.

“Can anyone in the class answer this problem?” Koshy challenged.

Maths whiz Narayanan potty flexed his brain cells to find out the answer, in vain. The teacher worked out the problem on the white board and double lined the answer with the marker in contempt.

“So drafting anonymous letters is an art!” He started.

“It is an act of cowardice. Those behind it are nothing but eunuchs.”

Silence impended upon the class.

“Cowards die many times in their life. But a brave man only dies once. And I will die only once in my life. I have got a strong backbone in my body which will not bend. Some persons of this institution do not have any idea about that.  I am superior to anyone of this school in terms of service and knowledge. Everyone should think and remind them of that before encountering me for talk, be it sweet or sour. Trying to teach me about etiquettes? How to teach? How to behave? To hell with these bloody…”

He wanted to say more which he suppressed and started mouthing silent words. Fahad read out some words from his teacher’s tobacco stained lips. The majority he did not understood. He was not matured enough for that-he solaced himself.

12B let out a sigh of relief as the bell rung.

Unnoticed by all, the principal was watching the teacher’s performance from outside the classroom.

That day was the final day of Koshy Tharakan at divine soul.

***

A new teacher filled Koshy Tharakan’s post after one week.

Madhukumar.

He was in his early forties. He was tall and had a deep voice.

He had asked the students to write everything about them in a sheet of paper. He collected the papers and asked for the best singer of the class. Students mouthed Fahad’s name and Fahad was asked to sing. Fahad sang out a hindi romantic number eyeing Greeshma from time to time.

Their new teacher briefed about him little. His wife taught at the primary section of the same school. The couple had no children between them.

The days followed proved he was an excellent teacher. He did not impose anything on his students. He had a different style to teach which was new to the students.

It didn’t took him long to become the darling of the students.

***

“Know what happened couple of minutes before?”

Fahad caught up with her as she stepped out of library.

She gave him a “what?” expression.

“You stay there all the time gulping down knowledge. Bookworm! Don’t bother about anything which is going around you. Especially me.” He teased her.

“Is this one of your usual pranks?” she asked irritated.

“Hell, no. your best friend Thara just made some news. She slapped our Varun. Seems he is going through a rough time. Last month from you. Today from Thara. He is having an excellent time.  But Thara slapped him without a reason.”

“Slapping someone without a reason?” She was incredulous.

“It appears like that.”He shrugged.

“May be there is more to it that eyes meet.”

“Varun simply said hello. In return she did that. Saying hello is a bad thing?”

“He might have done something else.”

“Like what?”

“You boys know. Your eyes darts and roams from one to another.”

“Oh, that. Is it a crime? It is because of the age factor. Our eyes will never miss the hills and valleys.”

“That remark is derogatory, Fahad.”

“Is it?” He flashed a smile.

“I definitely think you are exceeding your limits.” She was becoming angry.

“Have you noticed me doing that to you?” His voice turned serious.

She had no answer to that.

“It is a joke Gree. Why are you becoming damn serious? Can’t you enjoy a joke?”

He shrugged helplessly.

A smile appeared on her lips. He was relieved at that.

“I have to find Thara. Want to know what has actually happened. Want to come with me.”

“Of course. To the end of my life.” He dramatically said.

When they found Thara she was a really wreck. She was weeping. Girls crowded around her. She took Thara by her elbow and led her to a corner.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know Gree.”

“What’s bugging you?”

“I don’t know what’s happening to me. He came to say hello. In return I slapped him. I don’t know what made me to do that.” She started crying again.

Greeshma had been noticing her friend’s behavioral reforms during the past weeks. She laughed and cried all of a sudden. She was becoming a different person at times.

“It is ok Thara.”

“Will he report to the princy?”

“Why not? He will do that.”

“What will I do Gree? I don’t know what to do.” She wept.

“Don’t worry Thara. I will do something for that.”

She held her friend’s head to her bosom. Thara’s body shook with spasms.

Greeshma beckoned Fahad with her eyes. He approached her.

“Varun should not report this to the princy. You have to take care of that.” She said.

“How on earth can I?” He protested in return rolling his eyes.

“Varun should not report this to the princy, I repeat. If he make it to the princy, don’t expect me to talk to you any further.” Her voice was firm.

“How can you make such a condition? Why do you think I am able to change his mind?”

He shrugged helplessly.

“Tell him I will complaint against him before the princy about the vulgar comments which he has made.” She was serious.

“You slapped him in return! It is tit for tat. Over and over.”

“No. It is not over. Just tell him. Go. Quick before he makes it to the princy.”

“Why I have to shoulder this risk?”

“Help out a friend. Will you?”

“Well, she deserves it.”

“It is not the right time to argue. Make it fast Fahad.”

“He might drag me also into this. This is high voltage stuff. She is not that much of a friend to me. Why I should shoulder this risk?  What’s in there for me?” He was stubborn.

“Do you love me?” She asked looking into his eyes.

“What a question is that?”

Though his mouth suddenly went dry he managed to reply.

“If you love me you will prevent Varun at any cost.”

Fahad stood there gaping at her. He was on cloud nine.

“Go.” She gave him a nudge.

He left the scene is a flash.

Fahad succeeded in reverting Varun from making the complaint.

The same day afternoon Thara drew a bull’s picture in the answer sheet and titled it “Madhukumar the bull!”

It was during the monthly exam.

“What is this” The teacher asked her.

Thara stood with a downcast stare.

“Come on. I asked you.” He went on.

Still there was no answer from her.

“Ok. I’ll report the matter to the principal. May be he’ll succeed in getting an answer from you.”

He collected the remaining answer sheets and left the class followed by the shrill of the bell dismissing that day’s classes.

Thara bursted into tears.

Greeshma cuddled her crying friend and soothed her.

“I don’t know why I am behaving indifferently” Thara spoke in between sobs.

“It is ok.” Greeshma patted her back.

“It is not, Gree. It is not ok.” She wailed.

“Take it easy Thara. What is happened is happened. We can’t change the past.”

“I will commit suicide if Madhu sir reports it to the princy.” She said seriously.

“No you will not.”

“I will Gree. I’ll do it.” Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Madhu sir will not report. I will take care of that.” Greeshma stated firmly.

“You will? But how?” Thara was incredulous.

“Leave it to me. Now go home and relax.”

Thara eyed her doubtfully.

“You trust me?” Greeshma asked her friend.

“More than me.”

“Then go.”

Thara hugged her friend before leaving.

A bewildered Fahad watched all this.

As Thara left Fahad approached Greeshma.

“What are you up to? Are you crazy?” He demanded raising his hands in a shock.

“So you eavesdropped. It is not fair.” She frowned at him.

“Let it be. But I want to know why you interfere in this. Thara is out of her mind and badly needs her head examined.”

“You are right. Something is wrong with her. I have decided to inform her parents about this.” Her face became thoughtful.

“It is essential. But why you promised her you will take care of the situation?”

“I told you before. She is my best friend. It is between her and me. Why are you exerting too much on this matter?”

“If she is your best friend, you are my love. That’s why.” His lips quavered.

She studied him seriously.

“I really care for you Gree. I cannot think of anything bad happening to you. I really love you Gree. I am sure it is not calf love.” Suddenly there were tears in his eyes.

She could not help a smile. She cocked a finger-gun and shot him in his head with mischief all over her face.

She started to walk with him following her.

“What to do Fahad? You heard me promise to Thara. A promise is a promise. Has to keep the word” She said.

“So you are into trouble.” He declared.

“I am going to pay Madhu sir a visit tomorrow.”

“And I am sure it will not work out.”

“Let me try. It is worth a try. Isn’t it?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Attempting is the best thing, Fahad.”

“Given the motive is good.”

 “The motive is not bad in this case. It is helping out a friend.”

At this he let out a sigh of frustration and asked.

“So you are going to kneel before him and beg.”

“What is wrong with that? It is for a friend.”

“If he will not budge?”

“I think it will work. I feel so.”

“What makes you think so?”

“He likes me.”

“You think he will spare Thara because he likes you? You too must get your upstairs examined.”

“Let me try Fahad. Now be a good boy and pray Allah for me. May be Allah will listen to a lover’s pray.”

She touched his face tenderly before leaving.

The touch made him happy as it was her first gesture of love towards him.

He stood there staring at her with a troubled mind contemplating the situation.

She turned back and flashed a hearty smile and waved at him.

It would have made him leap into the air if the situation was good.

He felt really worried about her.

***

She skulked from the hostel around 10.15 AM. It was not so easy to do so. She had arranged her friend Nimisha to lie for her that she was in the bathroom in case the hostel warden asked for her. She promised a trembling Nimisha that she’ll back in twenty minutes.

The snore of the school security staff trailed after her as she passed the wicket gate.

She ran as fast as she could to the nearby house of her teacher.

The gate remained closed. The two-wheeler was there in the porch, which meant he was there in the house. She approached the door bell and suddenly decided against it as she heard shouts inside the voice. The couple was having an argument. She shot a look through the opened window pane but could not see them as they were inside.

It is not wise to intrude at this moment. She decided to wait for some time.

She did not intend to eavesdrop. But as she heard her name mentioned in the conversation, she became alert.

“I am the loser. I know.” It was his wife.

“Which means I do not have lost anything!” He shot back.

“You are gaining everything these days. Aren’t you?” She was not retreating.

“Gain? Both of us has are losers when it comes to life. We were trying to regain it. And now it is you who is trying to destroy it.” He accused her.

“Ha. Blame it on me. As if I am the reason for everything!”

“Who blamed you? You are insinuating things. Try to understand the situation. What wrong have I done? I just opened my mind before you. I did not want any secrets between us. I was sincere to admit she is my daughter. But you don’t trust my sincerity. I could have remained silent about that fact. Why don’t you give it a thought?”

“How well you talk! None can beat you in that. You are pretty smart. At the outset you gain everything. You can see your daughter each and every day. Do you think of my girl who is the same age of that 12B student?”

“I would have been glad to foster your child years before if her father, your first husband, allowed me. You know the entire story. Still why you pester me? How many times I tried to convince you my daughter will not come into our lives? She will be here only for some five months more. As a teacher it is my duty to teach her. I promise you she will not know the fact that she is my daughter,  from me. You have my word on that. You have got to believe me. Please.” There was clear frustration in his voice.

“So I have become a monster headache to you. Go and get her, your girl in 12B. What’s her name? You better repeat.”

“Greeshma.” His voice was strained.

His answer hit Greeshma like a solid punch in the face.

She remained stunned for some moments. She felt her knees were giving her away. To steady herself she leaned on the wall. It took some time for her to recover from the impact he created in her mind by uttering her name.

So he is that evil character.

He is the fate setter of her life. And his wife was the fountain of inspiration for all that. She is the one who snatched him from her mother. It is because of her presence her father and mother parted ways. It is due to her she lost her mother.

Her mother had ended her life because of them.

Both of them are the reason for her state of being an orphan. They are the reason for her grief. They are responsible for the tears she has shed silently into her pillow at nights.

Here they are!

Unscathed by life!

Fate has brought them before her.

Now she has something to do with them.

A cyclone formed in her mind. Her face muscles twitched. Her face became flushed. A strong emotion of revenge engulfed her.

I will make you suffer!

I will teach you the literal meaning of pain!

I will tamper with your sweet placid life!

I will not let you escape scot-free!

I will not spare you both!

“Go and live with her. I will not bother you anymore .” Greeshma realized she was going inside by the sound of her footsteps.

Footsteps sound again.

“This is some powerful poison. I had been carrying this with me for sometime. Now it is the right time for its use.”

“What are you up to?” There was a note of alarm in his voice.

“I am going to die. I am fed up with you and this life. I will mix this
with the coffee in the kitchen and gulp it down. I will not be a burden to you anymore. Go and enjoy your life with her.” There was sneer in her voice.

Footsteps receded.

“You crazy? Give it to me. I repeat give it to me at once.” He went after her.

Sounds of struggle followed. The sound of two slaps was heard. She yelled. The kitchen window opened with a thud. Greeshma was on time to see a bottle flying outside into the heap of dry leaves.

“You will not change. You are full of filth.” He raged.

She began to wail. A door slammed from inside.

Some moments later the front door opened. He was shocked to see her standing before him. She wished him a good morning and gave him a cool smile as if she hadn’t heard anything.

“You’ve been here for long?” He stammered.

“I just arrived, sir.” She was so cool.

“What is it?” He stammered again.

“It is regarding Thara’s answer paper. I have a humble request. Please forgive her this time.” She made a sad and pleading face.

It was apparent he was relaxed.

“I am in a hurry. Let us discuss that Monday morning. Ok?”

“Sure sir.”

He opened the gates and rode away in his Honda. She bit her teeth to control the surging rage.

She turned back.

Greeshma peeped through the open kitchen window. His wife was there on the kitchen floor. Her body shook with spasms. Greeshma’s eyes caught the sight of the glass tumbler filled with black coffee on the kitchen table near to the window at her arm’s length.

An idea came to her mind all of a sudden. Her face lit up at that.

She ran towards the heap of dry leaves. She searched carefully
with her foot and got it soon. She held the small vial of colourless liquid between her thumb and forefinger and smiled at it wickedly.

It was a game of chance. And she was going to give it a shot.

She emptied the vial of poison into the coffee glass and began her wait. It didn’t take long. Radhika Madhukumar got up and tied her disheveled hair into a bun. After washing her face she took the coffee glass and drank it in two gulps. She washed and placed the glass on the kitchen rack.

Her plan had worked out. She was grinning from ear to ear watching the primary school teacher gulping down the coffee.

Greeshma rang the doorbell. At the third bell she opened the door.

Her face was puffy from crying. It was bruised from his assault. Her right eye was quite a sight. Altogether she looked like hell.

“If you are looking for him he is not here.” She was harsh.

“I am seeing him from Monday to Friday. I am here to see you” Greeshma was slow with her words. She sounded as if she was enjoying the situation.

“Why do you want to see me in particular?” She tried to turn away her face from the teenager’s gaze.

“My name is Greeshma and I study in 12b.” she stated coolly.

At that her expression changed.

“Oh!” She was at loss for words.

Greeshma gave her a full smile.

“What do you want?” She hissed. She had recovered from the initial shock.

“My father.” Greeshma replied slowly studying her face.

“Your father? You don’t know who your father is?”  She laughed.

“Ouch! That hurts.” Greeshma feigned pain clutching her bosom.

“Search someone else for your father.” She was serious now.

“Cool. There is no need to panic.” 

“Trying to teach me?” She snapped.

“I thought you were the teacher.”

 “Get out of my compound.” Her voice was stern.

She tried to shut the door but Greeshma forced it back to her win. Greeshma gave it a violent shove with which the door opened wide and send the teacher reeling backwards.

She tried to regain her balance but her legs gave away that she fell on the sofa.

“Oops! Not my fault. You asked for it.”

“You… You…” The teacher stammered.

“I don’t want to waste my time. You don’t have that much left in you too.”

“What do you want?” She feebly asked.

“Do you know how my mother died?”

“Why and how should I know?”

“You should. Because you are one of the reasons she committed suicide.”

“You must be out of your mind.”

“May be.”

“Get out of here please.” She pleaded. She had started to perspire profusely.

“I will. But before that be informed I have already punished you for your wicked acts.”

A bewildered look came to the woman’s face.

“You have a small vial of poison in your stomach which has already started its way to your nervous system. You just drank it with your coffee.”

Greeshma took the empty poison vial and showed her. She waited for her response in cruel satisfaction.

Suddenly the pain hit her. She held her stomach with both her hands.

“It has begun its work on you. The pain and perspiration are the symptoms. Know what? You are going to die soon.” She stated calmly.

Greeshma entered the house and closed the door and fastened the bolt.

A wave of realization hit the woman’s face which turned her face grotesque.

“I don’t want to die. Help me please.” She crocked.

“Why are you afraid all of a sudden? You had decided to end your life before some twenty minutes.” She did not waste the chance to mock her.

Greeshma locked the door and put the key in her jeans hip  pocket.

The woman tried to snatch it from her. Greeshma shoved her aside.

She went reeling and fell down on the floor. Greeshma drew a chair near to her and sat on it to watch her struggle with her life.

She watched her till her last breath.

When she was sure there was no life in the woman, Greeshma came out of the house. She locked the door from outside and threw away the key and the poison vial. After that she hollered for help. Neighbors came running. She explained them the madam was inside fighting for her life. She showed her them through the opened window pane.

Someone crashed opened the door. They took the woman to the hospital and the doctor confirmed her death.

The police arrived.

She repeated the well crafted story to the police which she had narrated to the neighbors. Madam has given her the death statement that Madhukumar had assaulted and forced her to consume the poison.

The police started their hunt for the killer.

***

Greeshma’s maternal uncle and auntie finished their 250 plus km drive. He kept on cursing Madhukumar as he climbed the steps of the school.

“God exists. This is the proof.” He reminded his wife.

His wife remained silent.

“He destroyed the life of my dear sister. Now God repaid him through her daughter. My trust in God becomes deeper by this incident.”

She sighed. She was used to his burst of temper for more than three decades. He is like that. Will go on and on. Be a silent listener. He will eventually subside.

“Greeshma does not know he is her father. Don’t reveal that to her. Mind it. You women are senseless.” He reminded her. She offered him a stony face.

They reached the hostel warden’s room. They exchanged pleasantries. The warden told the principal wanted to see Greeshma’s uncle. He left to see him leaving his wife in the visitor’s room. She waited for Greeshma.

Her eyes were tearful as she saw her. She felt her niece had changed a lot. It was apparent she had a façade.

She hugged her. She had liked the kid immensely. It was against her wish Greeshma was send to distant hostels for her education.

“You will spoil her. What she needs is better education for her future.” That was her husband’s stand.

“But she needs love and care.” She had protested.

“You are pampering her in her holidays. That is enough. As if no one studies staying in hostel.” That was his usual reply.

She smoothed stands of hair from her face. Greeshma sat indifferently unaffected by the gesture of love.

Auntie was thinking of engaging her in a conversation on a pleasant topic. It was Greeshma who opened up. The question came like a whisper from her.

“Madhukumar is my father. No?”

It startled her. She sat staring at her.

“Is he?” She repeated.

“Yes.” Her auntie murmured back.

“He and the dead woman are responsible for my mother’s death. Isn’t it?”

He eyes shone as she asked that.

Auntie sat silently.

She repeated the question again.

Auntie sighed and looked at her niece. The girl was breathing heavily and it was apparent she was fighting back her emotions.

“Madhu is your father. He and his second wife have nothing to do with your mother’s death.”

She had expected to hear a positive reply from her auntie. That reply shattered her. She looked at her in bewilderment.

“It is one of those topmost secrets in the family. We all hid that from everyone for long. You were brought up under the impression that he was the villain in the story. In fact, he wasn’t.”

Greeshma eas dumbfounded. She gaped at her auntie in disbelief.

“Your mother had mental disorders. She suspected each and everything.She made your father’s life a hell. He could not go out single, could not talk to his colleague women and so on.  She tongue lashed him before his colleagues. He suffered a lot. He tried to correct your mother. He tried hard to sustain his married life. But there is a limit for everything. As his patience reached its zenith he decided to part ways with her. He wanted divorce and his child, you. He could get a divorce, not you as laid down by the court as you were infant that time. He got remarried at the insistence of his family and friends. The next day of his remarriage your mother took poison. There was a suicide note in which she confessed everything. Everything was her fault and your father was innocent. Your uncle went berserk at his only sister’s death. He kept the suicide note a secret. Only I and he have seen it. So you grew under the impression your father was a mean guy. I am also partly responsible for that.”

She let out a sigh. 

“I have really felt sorry for your father. I have understood him well. He was a fine gentleman. With the fair knowledge we have about a person we know closely, we have the instinct to assume what that person will do and don’t. Madhukumar might get bad, but not bad to the extent to murder his wife.”

Auntie’s eyes pierced into hers. She felt those eyes probing deep in her mind for something.

“I believe Madhukumar has committed murder only because you have witnessed it.”

She felt those words like a slap in her face.

Moments of silence passed.

Greeshma’s mind was in turmoil. She recollected the incident at the police station. The police had taken her to the police station to meet the convicted as the part of their procedural.

“Do you know who I am?” He had asked her a single question looking into her eyes.

“Absolutely.” She had answered him without flinching.

He had laughed shaking his head a little. Then he cried before her shamelessly. She had watched him in cruel satisfaction.

After some time he admitted he had committed the crime. 

“To hell with him.” The fury in the sound of her uncle brought her back.

“What happened?” Auntie asked.

“That damned principal! He doubts Greeshma will have to leave the school. Her future in the school will be decided by the management meeting which will be held tomorrow. He is furious that our Greeshma has tarnished the school’s reputation. I told him to give her TC right away. At that he softened. But I insisted I need her TC. He told me to come after 2 days.”

Uncle’s face was flushed at the exertion.

“You don’t worry my girl. You will study in a prestigious school better than this one.”

He solaced her.

“Are you coming with us now? Anyway you are not going study in this school anymore.” Auntie asked her.

“I will stay until they expel me.” She replied obstinately.

“Get your things ready. Say bye to your friends. We will come day after tomorrow.”

Uncle told her.

Auntie kissed her on her forehead and left.

She stood there for sometime unable to think of anything.

She went back to her hostel room. Her cellphone was ringing. It was Fahad. She had not attending anyone’s call for the past two days. Fahad  had called her several times. She picked up the call reluctantly.

“Gree. Are you there?” He asked in excitement.

“Yes.”

“What is going on? You witnessed it? How many times I have called? Why are you not answering my calls?” He was demanding.

“Why should I?”

“Because I love you. Or at least I am your classmate. Further you have touched my face on Friday. I remind you in case you have forgotten.” He chuckled to himself.

“Do you have anything else to say?” She was getting irritated.

“Why are you so serious, Gree? Why are you being so unfair to me? Why you continue treating me like a mess which a dog makes on a sidewalk?” There was pain in his voice which touched her mind.

“Where are you?” She asked.

“At home. Getting ready for the school.”

It took her no time to finalize her plan.

“Come fast. I’ll be waiting outside the school for you.”

“What’s it?” He was curious.

“I want to tell you something. Take a bike. Be quick. ”

“I am not permitted to use it.”

“You have my permission.” She was getting agitated.

“Ok. I’ll be there in no time.” He cut the connection.

She dressed up quickly and left the hostel. As she approached the  gate, the new security staff intercepted her with a frown on his face.

“Where to?”

“Out.”

“You are that girl. No? The murder witness! Because of you the previous security got the sack. Your charms will not work out this time. Go inside.”

“Move. “Her tone was hard.

The security laughed at her.

The shove was unexpected. He fell backward. She sprinted towards the approaching bike of Fahad.

She mounted on the pillion swiftly.

By that time the security had stood up. He rushed towards her.

Fahad sat frozen.

“Fahad, move fast.” She pinched him to action.

She made him stop the bike at a safer distance.

“What is this all about?” He demanded.

“It is a long story.”

“I want to know all of it.” He said.

She explained the entire matter to him. When she finished there was disbelief in his face.

“You are the first person to know all this. May I tell you why?”

He could not answer her. He stood staring at her.

“Because I like you, Fahad. You were after me all this time. And I think I treated you like a mess which a dog makes on a sidewalk. Those words are exactly yours. I realize I have treated you like that all this time.”

She looked at him affectionately.

“Greeshma, what are you up to?” His voice quavered.

“Call me Gree. I like that coming from you.”

“Don’t skip the topic.  I am asking you. Why did you run away from the school?”

“I want to go to a place. Will you take me there?”

“Where?”

“Love should be unconditional. Lovers should not be like this. They should obey the likes of their love without any questions. Otherwise it will be observed as calf love?” She teased him with a full smile.

“How can you joke at this odd hour?” He asked her incredulously.

“Will you take me there or not.” She asked him seriously.

He sat on the bike in contemplation.

“Ok. I’ll walk.” She started to move.

“Come.” He said reluctantly.

He started the bike and she mounted on the pillion. She gave him the directions and they came in front of the police station.

“Time to part lover. Thank you for the help.” She said.

“Greeshma, what on earth are you planning?”

“I committed a crime. An innocent man is being convicted. That man is my father. I have to save him.”

Fahad gaped at her in horror.

“What dumbness are you ranting? He has already admitted it. The society has accepted it. Even the police are satisfied. Are you out of your mind?”

He caught her arm in a tight grip.

“Why did my father admitted the crime? He wanted to save his daughter. He had loved me all this time. I had been receiving nameless greetings cards on my birthdays. I had been receiving soundless telephone calls all these years. He had left his glamorous teaching job at Ootty only to meet me. There was seamless love in his looks and talks.  Now he sacrifices his life for me, taking the blame. I will not let him win this time also. I want to beat him in the race of love.”

Fahad looked at her baffled.

“You can leave Fahad. Here we part ways my dear.” Her voice was strained.

“Don’t go Greeshma.” He pleaded.

“I have to Fahad. If not I will have to repent it for the rest of my life. I am sure about that. I have taken the life of an innocent woman. My father is about to sacrifice his life because of me. I can’t let that happen. I have to save him. I have to receive the deserved punishment for my crime.”

She completed her words with a straight face.

“Greeshma, try to understand the situation. You committed a crime alright. But you are out of it scot-free. I agree it is because your father has sacrificed his life for yours. Anyway you are free as he wished. He does not want his daughter to face the hardships. He has gifted you a second life for the pain you have suffered all the way of your growth as an orphan. He feels responsible for that. Try to look the entire thing from this perspective.” He was panting as he finished.

“This perspective may have its justifications. But I just can’t Fahad. The guilt will haunt me throughout my life I am sure. She will give me nightmares. I don’t want to wake up screaming in the middle of the night for the rest of my life. Above all, I have begun to love my father. I value his love more than anything in the whole world. How can I allow him to lose his self respect? I have decided. Please don’t say a word against it. I know you love me. I understand it is not calf love. But I have to move on. Please forgive me Fahad.”

She looked at him and sighed.

“Greeshma. I don’t know what to say. I am not able to think of anything. I want to help you out. But how….?” His words broke as tears filled his eyes.

Greeshma watched him with a sad smile.

“What do you want me to do?” He dabbed his eyes with his shirt sleeves.

“We have had some nice happenings between us. I’ll not forget them. But I insist you forget me like a stale dream. You are a nice person. Life has many good things in store for you.” Her voice choked.

His eyes were flowing already. He could see she had glints of tears in hers.

“Now take your leave, Fahad. Go and study well. I am sorry to drag you into this. You may have to face some disciplinary action from the princy for helping me escape. It is common in love stories, isn’t it? Love stories which don’t put the characters in trouble are not penned till day.” She chuckled.

He managed a weak smile.

She touched his face before leaving.

He watched her until she disappeared into the police station. He wished she will look back and wave at him, which didn’t happened.

He pressed the bike starter after some minutes.

On the way to the school he wondered if his love for her was calf love. Will he forget her eventually? Or will he wait for her until her return from the prison as they show in some movies.

He had no idea.

But he was sure about one thing for certain at that emotional moment.

He just can’t erase her from his mind like a stale dream as she said. She will live in his mind forever and ever as she was his first love.

He has to live his years to find out if he was wrong or right about that.

He was yet to know many things which life has in store for him. Didn’t she tell him that?

One of such things was Thara would be diagnosed with brain tumor and she will undergo surgery and die eventually. He was to know that in two weeks time. 

***

Police Sub-Inspector Rajeev was surprised to see Greeshma entering his cabin.

“What is it Greeshma?” He asked

“My father is innocent sir.” She began her confession.

                         ********************