Tussled hair and cracked lenses, torn shoes with dirty shorts, grains of mud, stuck on a wrinkled shirt, was the state of the boy who sat in the back row, corner seat of the class, Drake. With teary eyes and head bent low, he was ignored and disgraced, wherever he used to go. Teachers howled at him, while the class smirked. His self-esteem had fallen below the earth. He sat on a bench, in solitude every recess, silently gulping down, half burnt sandwiches.
There came a day, when the physics teacher was finally victimized by the curses of the children. He fell seriously ill, and was advised bed rest, much to the bliss of his students. Soon came the new female physics teacher for the lads. She was successful in gripping the attention of her students not only by her beauty, but also with her words. Stories of her elegant teaching spread, like wildfire in the school. Children trotted after her, to help her with the two books she had in her hands. The teachers enviously named her as the “Pied Piper of the school”.
Fate made her the class teacher of Drake. The unique boy, who had failed her in her attempt to captivate the class and enlighten each one’s face with a smile. His disoriented look aggravated her to the core, yet left her nonplussed. True, is the story passed by generations, ‘give a lady the least attention, to grab her attention’. She saw his report card, which was scribbled with red remarks, which certainly resembled the red patches of haemoglobin. The next day, the staff room echoed with the criticizing of Drake. They all held grudges against him, since time immemorial.
When she opened his previous year’s report cards, she was awestruck. His third grade report spoke highly of him. It revealed that Drake was one of the brightest boys of the class. It was a pleasure having him in the class. Grade forth report spoke of his chirpy behaviour and excellent humour, his light when fell on others, gave them an extravagant glow too. The teacher had further mentioned that his mother’s health was likely to affect his behaviour, and if he received lack of attention and love, they would have to bid adieu to the sparkly side of his.
Grade five teacher had expressed her sympathy for the child, whose mother had passed away. She wrote that along with her soul, had passed away the child’s eccentric side. Grade sixth teacher, had written down her words of reprimand for him, which seemed to be written in such wrath, that the paper had smudged at places. In a spur, she was reminded of her cruelty with the kid. The way she had sternly said words filled with rage to him, had killed the little hope which was left in him. After this enlightening moment, she changed, and so did everything else.
She showered her love upon him, treated him with motherly care and devotion. Soon arrived her birthday, when her pupils surrounded her with gifts in their hands. Among big packages with fancy ribbons was one small gift wrapped in a tattered paper box. Last of all, Drake walked up timidly to the teacher, to hand her the box, The class roared with laughter, until the teacher opened it and smiled. It contained a half used perfume bottle, a lipstick and a bracelet from which some beads had fallen off. She put on the bracelet, sprinkled the spray, and applied the lipstick, which shocked the class, but Drake’s eyes glittered. He did not have to say it loud, that these were the last pieces of his mother’s existence.
Years passed by, and she succeeded in reviving in Drake’s heart the cheerful spirit that had once existed. She enabled him to stand on his own feet.He passed out with flying colors and left for college. He was in touch with her through letters, and soon arrived the one, which made her eyes well up with tears and heart beat faster.
Dear Ma’am,
I know you must be surprised by the sudden news, that I have found my better half. It was love at first sight for me. We are getting married on the first of December. I would request you to take my mother’s place in the marriage ceremony as you are someone, who stands on the same pedestal as her for me.There exists that bond between us.
Drake.
She held the letter and cried her heart out, after which she gently rose from her position and went to buy the necessities for the preparation of her “son’s” wedding.
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