Professor: Their hardships, their struggle. No, I will not sentimentalize this. I will be different. Let me have three-four children working as cobbler, tea-stall vendor, and laborer in a factory. Suppose they come and sleep in the same place at the end of the day. Let me try to imagine what they must be talking about…it’s difficult when both the partners work. Who will look after the house? Moreover, who will look after our two-year old daughter? This girl was working in our house for so long. Suddenly her parents took her away. Someone else was offering them more. Even we were paying her around Rs.500/- every month. And all the food she guzzled on. These people are so selfish. They are so ungrateful. My elder daughter comes back from school at three o’clock when none of us are at home. At least this girl used to give her food and play with her until we got back home from work. Now, I have to look for another girl. My wife doesn’t want a grown up woman. She feels the house isn’t safe because they bring in all kinds of people when we are not home…I have got to finish the script today itself. We will rehearse over next two days. Idea! What about having this little boy sell channa outside the school gate during Tiffin hours? He must be wondering how these kids earn their livelihood when they spend almost the whole day in school…Let me have some coffee. I will ask mali to get me some. Ramu, Ramu…
Ramu: Aaya, babu.
Professor: Ramu, get me some coffee.
Ramu: Ji, babu.
Professor: Arre, Ramu, you have a daughter. How old is she?
Ramu: Babu, she is just eight. She is going to school. Kyun babu?
Professor: School! What’s she going to school for? Bring her here. You know the girl who was working in my house left. I need somebody to look after my two year old daughter. Moreover, your daughter can play with my elder one when she comes back from school. She will get good food. She can sleep in the kitchen.
Ramu: Lekin babu?
Professor: Now, don’t irritate me. Bring your daughter tomorrow. Get me some coffee.
Ramu: Ji, babu.
Professor It will surely appeal if I can capture the thoughts of this little kid selling channa outside the school-gate. He must also be longing to go to school and see what happens inside those rooms.
Vansh Maheshwari
VI- D
