DEBASMITA GHOSH
Class 11 Section C
Ritabhari hated
her teacher Sanjay Sir. Sanjay sir despised Ritabhari. They were never meant to
like each other. They were never meant to be bonded by the relationship of
father and daughter. But as the saying goes, “In life what is unexpected is
expected.” Sanjay Srivastava or Sanjay Sir to the students was now the proud
father of one Ritabhari Bepari, alias Ritabhari Srivastava.
Sanjay was the
chemistry teacher at Rita’s (as her friends call her) school. He had a
reputation of being extremely strict and mean with his students. No student had
ever seen him smile or speak politely with anyone. He was known as the ‘Snarky
git’ to the students.
Rita was a
thirteen years old orphan and a student of eighth standard. Her parents died in
an accident while returning from conference outside the country. She lived with
her paternal uncle and his family and attended the same school as her cousins.
Her uncle Shyam Bepari and his family were quite unkind people. They never
cared for Rita or loved her. But Rita could never inform anyone about it as she
was scared that her uncle might find out and also that she never wanted to seem
weak in front of others.
Ritabhari was
quite a pleasant girl and had a group of four friends at school. Though her
friends were quite close to her they were never aware of her treatment at house
as Rita was always very reluctant to talk about her family.
Rita had suffered
for as long as she could remember in the hands of her so called ‘family’. But
it was one simple incident in their chemistry class that day a year before,
that Rita’s life took a turn for the better
It was the
morning of 16th September, 2013 and eighth standard students had
their first two periods of the day as double chemistry. Rita, along with her
classmates was waiting outside the chemistry lab for their teacher Sanjay Sir
to arrive.
“Every one,
please leave all your belongings except your pens and lab manuals outside. Put
on your lab coats and enter. Quickly, please, as dillydallying”. A deep
baritone voice snapped at the students. Everyone felt silent and hastened to do
as told and then scurried towards the lab. Sanjay strode in behind them.
“Today we will be
doing some simple experiments. The instructions are on page 52 in your lab
manuals and also on the board. Those of you who pay attention in class will not
find any difficulty in understanding the procedure as I have explained to you
before. The chemicals are separated in vials in the store cupboard. The monitor
will distribute them to you. You have 90 minutes. Begin” Sanjay so Sanjay
looked towards Rita in distaste and moved to sit at his desk.
Rita had no idea
why her chemistry teacher despised her so much. She always tried to follow his
instructions to the letter but he was never satisfied. It seemed that Sanjay
had some personal vendetta against her. Rita, therefore, decided to ignore the
looks Sanjay was giving her and continued with the assignment.
Rita’s work was
progressing quite well and she was in the last step. It was 60 minutes through
and she decided to finish her experiment. She was about to take her last vial
of the chemical required when the volatile liquid dropped on her hand and she
let out a scream “Ah”. Sanjay stood up from his desk hearing the sudden scream.
“This is the result of not….”Sanjay had begun to make a rude comment to Rita,
when he noticed the condition of her hand. It had a bad burn and rashes had
started to form near the wound. He moved towards her in long strides and took
her hand by the arm to inspect clearly. Rita flinched and tried to move away
but unable to do so due to Sanjay’s firm grip. “The rest of you will continue
with your assignment. A substitute teacher will be sent to the class shortly.
Till then, the monitor will take over.”Sanjay barked out instructions to the
class and then immediately pulled Rita along with him to see the school nurse.
“I don’t
understand why the children are allowed such volatile chemicals during
experiments” the school nurse muttered angrily to herself as she checked Rita’s
hand and bandaged it up. She then proceeded to write down a prescription for
Rita.
“Is it your first
time in sick room here? Were you never hurt at school before?” the nurse
questioned Rita suddenly. Rita was startled; “Yes it is the first time I am
here. But why do you ask?”--confusion was evident in her voice. Because it
seems that your guardians never submitted any of your previous medical records
to the school.” Replied the nurse.
“I don’t have any
medical records!”
“And why is it
so?”
“I never needed
to go to a doctor. I am quite immune to diseases.”
“But it is
impossible to never once fall ill enough to go the doctor” exclaimed the nurse.
Then she asked skeptically, “Are you sure your guardians treat you well?” Rita
was shocked at the sudden question. O- Obviously, Why would you even th-think
that? She stuttered but fear was clearly visible in her eyes which did not go
unnoticed by either Sanjay or the school nurse
Very well, I
would like to do a complete medical checkup of yours.” Said the nurse and
started to drag Rita away behind the curtains. Rita put up fierce fight. She
could not let anyone know about her weakness. ‘Let me go! Leave me!” she cried
ferverently. But it was Sanjay’s no- nonsense voice that broke her out of
her trance, you will do as the nurse says”, he ordered in a tough voice. Then
in a very gentle voice he opposed for his own, he added, Remember, you are not
alone. We are always here for every one of you children should you ever need
us.” There was something in his voice that compelled Rita to obey. She moved
with the nurse without any more protests.
The nurse was
shocked seeing the bruises that covered Rita’s body. She could barely restrain
her anger at what the child’s relative had done. After the check-up, she helped
Rita dress back up and called Sanjay to show some of the bruises that were on
her neck, arms and legs. Sanjay was shocked. He had expected neglect but not
direct abuse. After only a moments’ hesitation, he took Rita gently by her hand
and guided her to seat on a chair and he himself sat on another facing him.
Rita had blocked
out all her emotions after getting ready for the check-up. She knew she could
not hide the marks anymore and how everyone will think of her as weak. It was
only Sanjay’s voice calling her name broke her out of her thoughts.
Miss Bepari! Miss
Bepari! Ritabhari! Rita! Can you hear me? Please answer me!”Sanjay’s concerned
gentle voice called her. Rita could not control herself anymore. She began to
cry softly covering her face with hands. Seen, her soft cries turned to painful
sobs.
Sanjay was at a
loss as to what to do. He was never good at providing comfort. He moved
awkwardly and started rubbing her backs to sooths her. After some time when
Rita had calmed down considerably, Sanjay attempted to question her, Rita, I
will ask you some questions. Can you please answer them honestly? He asked
gently.
I will try sir!”-
whispered Rita.
“That is all I
ask! Now can you tell me who hurt you, child?”
“My uncle, Sir.”
“Thank you! For
how long has this been happening?”
As long as I can
remember. He treats me like a slave, beats me, deprives me of food and locks me
up in my room!” Rita answered, her voice cracking in the end.
“Why didn’t you
tell anyone, child? We could have helped you!” Sanjay asked curiously.
By now,
Rita felt completely vulnerable and frustrated. She did not want anyone’s pity,
I DID NOT WANT PEOPLE TO THINK OF ME AS WEAK, TO PITY ME, OKAY! AND WHY DO YOU
CARE? YOU’VE ALWAYS HATED ME? WHY DO YOU CARE HOW I AM TREATED AT HOME?
She shouted, trying to cover her vulnerability with her anger.
Sanjay was taken
aback by her outburst. He hesitated for a moment but then decided to answer
her. I never hated you”, Miss Bepari, it was my fate that I hate. If it was not
for my fate, you would have known me as ‘the loving uncle Sanju’ instead ‘the
snarky Git- Sanjay Sir’. I was your parents’ best friend. Your father was a
brother to me in all but blood and your mother was like my baby sister. But, it
was my stupid mistake that led me to become distant with them.” Rita looked at
Sanjay, shocked at the revelation. Sanjay continued, “I was engaged to your
maternal aunt but I had no intentions of marrying her. I only wanted her
property. You see, your mother’s family was quite rich. So I made your aunt to
give me all her share of the property and then called of the engagement. Your
aunt was completely shattered as well as your parents.”Sanjay’s voice cracked.
Though he knew that her fiancé and her family forgiven him when he had
apologised, he still felt guilty for his deed and then the sudden death of
Rita’s parents did nothing to lessen his guilt. “I loved your parents very
much. They were my only family as I was an orphan like you. But at that time I
was blinded by the love of wealth. Although, later I realised my mistake and returned
everything I had taken from your aunt and apologised, but I was never that
close to your parents again for obvious reasons. You know I was chosen to be
the Godfather when you were conceived, but after my misdeed, the choice
obviously changed to your uncle Shyam.” Sanjay’s voice was now a strangled
whisper. Rita looked up to see his eyes bright with unshed tears. “You were a
continuous reminder of both of your parents. The moment I saw you I convinced
myself that I could not afford to allow you to be close to me but I hurt you in
the same way I hurt your parents. That is why I pretended to hate you!” Saying
so, Sanjay broke down to tears. It was not like Sanjay to show emotions, but,
he had suppressed them for too long and could not do so any more.
Rita listened to
Sanjay with rapt attention. Everything was a lot for her to take in. She was
trying to take in and process all the information she had just heard when her
reverie was broken by muffled crying noise coming from just in front of her.
Rita looked up to Sanjay sitting with his face forwards and head in his hands.
His shoulders were shaking and heavy sobs wracked his body.
Rita did not know
what to do. She hesitatingly moved and slowly wrapped Sanjay’s tall frame in
her arms and rubbed his back in the hope of offering some comforts. Sanjay
looked up. He had never thought that would offer him comfort after hearing what
he did to his parents and he was greatly comforted by the child’s gesture.
Seeing Sanjay
look up, Rita said “It’s OK Sir, I forgive you and I also know that if my
parents had said that they forgave you, they did so from their hearts. You
don’t need to feel guilty and sad anymore. I want to get to know you. I trust
you, Sir!” she herself started crying. Hearing her, Sanjay pulled her closer
and wrapped her in his arms lightly. They both were crying on each other’s
shoulder and trying to comfort each others. Their painful life was about to
end.
The next day
itself, Sanjay contacted the child care services and informed them about Rita’s
uncle. He helped Rita overcome the pain her relatives had put her through. They
both continued to spend time with each other. Rita loved to hear stories about
her parents from her ‘uncle Sanju’ Sanjay just loved to spend time with his
‘teddy-bear’ The nick names they had for each other was the proof of them
growing closer. Rita had informed her friends about her uncle and had told them
about Sanjay. They approved whole heartedly and were very happy for her.
Nearly six months
had passed after the incident when Sanjay had said to Rita that she wanted, he
could make the relationship official. Rita was thrilled at the idea of being
adopted and having someone to call ‘Dad’ and have him loves her and care for
her. She had replied by squealing, jumping and then throwing her arms around
her would be Dad’s neck and giving him a light hug. And now after one complete
year and few more days, the adoption was approved and Ritabhari Bepari was now
officially Ritabhari Srivastava, proud daughter of Sanjay Srivastava. They would
never ever be lonely or alone in their life again.
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