I was in a dilemma that whether I should go for the function or not .I was continuing the writing work my story of Sneham and was in a deep thought.
Suddenly my mom called, ‘Hari, Just see who has come.’
‘Who’s that mom?’
‘Just come and see, nah!’
Half heartedly I kept the dairy aside and came to the hall.
Jalandhar Sir! My Master at high school for biology subject! More than a teacher he was a guide and good friend. He was well known for his social activities more than as master. He was a state level Kabaddi player when he was at school and a National level Yakshagana( a famous play like Kathakalli )artiste who had won many awards but yet he was very down to earth. And encouraging all the students was in his nature. He was just 32-35 years of age. He was well known for his well maintained physic too.
‘Hello, Sir! What a surprise. How are you?’
‘I am fine, Hari! Real surprise is by your side that you have got prize at the state level. Your brother told me. Congrats! Keep it up. I was on my way to the school. Just thought of coming here and congratulate you.’
‘Thanks a lot .It’s so nice of you, sir!’
‘I am really very proud of you, my boy. Didn’t I say that you will reach greater heights in your life very soon..? Just wait and see in the future.’
I just smiled.
He was such a nice person. He was my teacher for two years at high school. All the students were saying about his very strict and short tempered nature. (But the fact was all those who told so, were punished by him for their mischief). I had that fear as well that he would be very strict. But later realized the fact that he was very friendly by heart if you realise him once. And it during the time of elocution competition.
It was very strange in our high school (in fact being the most reputed school among all other school in our district.)that none of the boys were taking part in elocution competition. Even though 2-4 people tried they had to lose the prize for girls.
When I was in 9th Std, I had participated. Funniest thing was I was the only one guy among all the contestants. All other contestants were girls. That too we had to give our speech at the school hall where all the students (more than 1500) of our high school would gather.
And the subject was ‘National integration!'. I was the last one to speak. Jalandhar Sir was one among the judges. I had prepared well. Even though time was just for five minutes my speech went up to 9 minutes. Surprising thing for me was they did not even ring the time up bell.
What I heard from everyone was my speech was best. I was expecting that comment, as I had directly attacked the attitude of the politicians in my speech. Kashmir was burning issue due to terrorism at that time. I had a doubt that I may lose my points because of the timings of my speech, which extended up to 9 minutes.
That day evening before going back to home, a senior student of mine came to me and told that Jalandhar Sir wanted to meet me.
Gone case! I was so scared. I knew that he is going to blast at me for taking the names of the politicians’ names in my speech. When I prepared the speech, who knew that Jalandhar Sir would be one among the judges?
I was so scared. I had thought of not to meet him and going home straight. But I had to pass in front of the staff room. Then he saw me and called.
Oh my god..Hare Rama hare Krishna ..Govinda. Shiva Shiva..
I don’t know how many gods’ name I had chanted at that moment. I stepped inside the staff room feeling oddly nervous.
Only Jalandhar Sir and one more Kannada master were there.
Over..! All those third degree treatment of policemen, which normally show in movies revolved around my eyes. I was so afraid. I don’t know whose face I had seen that day morning.
As soon as I entered, he got up from his seat. I knew that he is going to beat me left and right. I was almost shaking.
The very next moment I experienced the biggest surprise of my life.
He gave such a look with that smile towards me, which I may never forget in my life. He shook my hand, hugged me wishing and patting on my back.
‘You are amazing .I did not expect such a speech and words by a 9th Std student. I don’t expect that kind of a speech even by college students, you know? You always look so silent. But uff.., you put me in big surprise today. Unbelievable! Fantastic it was! We did not even look at the time’, He was kept on praising and I was totally dumbstruck, as I did not expect that compliment from him.
I did not know how the next 40minutes passed. That was the first time chat with him. Face to face. I had forgotten that he was my teacher and he had forgotten as well that I was his student. At the end, he just uttered few words. ‘Hari, One thing I must say .You are more matured than your age. You have got immense talent. Don’t let it go. Very soon you are going to reach greater heights in your life. Remember my words.’
I don’t know at which moment he had told so but those two years could be written as golden years in my high school life. There were no competitions left in which I did not get first place.
Believe it or not, in our school, they arrange more than 40variuos competitions. Such a support they provide to all students. (I am really very proud to say that there are many national level and State level talents have emerged by our high school in various fields.) And at the time of prize announcement my friends were making fun at me saying that whether they could take few prizes to their home or else I may have to bring lorry to carry them.
But all those moments I was just able to remember just my Jalandhar Sir’s that smile and those encouraging words.
I can never forget that unforgettable look with a smile! I was very sure that nobody could leave that impression once again, which he had left me on my mind, on that day.
I did not know at that moment that I may face the same situation in my future with a stranger who may leave my mind with so many questions exactly with the same unforgettable look with a smile in our first meet!
But on the other hand fate was getting ready to give yet another blow in my life, which was completely beyond my expectation!
****************
Suddenly my mom called, ‘Hari, Just see who has come.’
‘Who’s that mom?’
‘Just come and see, nah!’
Half heartedly I kept the dairy aside and came to the hall.
Jalandhar Sir! My Master at high school for biology subject! More than a teacher he was a guide and good friend. He was well known for his social activities more than as master. He was a state level Kabaddi player when he was at school and a National level Yakshagana( a famous play like Kathakalli )artiste who had won many awards but yet he was very down to earth. And encouraging all the students was in his nature. He was just 32-35 years of age. He was well known for his well maintained physic too.
‘Hello, Sir! What a surprise. How are you?’
‘I am fine, Hari! Real surprise is by your side that you have got prize at the state level. Your brother told me. Congrats! Keep it up. I was on my way to the school. Just thought of coming here and congratulate you.’
‘Thanks a lot .It’s so nice of you, sir!’
‘I am really very proud of you, my boy. Didn’t I say that you will reach greater heights in your life very soon..? Just wait and see in the future.’
I just smiled.
He was such a nice person. He was my teacher for two years at high school. All the students were saying about his very strict and short tempered nature. (But the fact was all those who told so, were punished by him for their mischief). I had that fear as well that he would be very strict. But later realized the fact that he was very friendly by heart if you realise him once. And it during the time of elocution competition.
It was very strange in our high school (in fact being the most reputed school among all other school in our district.)that none of the boys were taking part in elocution competition. Even though 2-4 people tried they had to lose the prize for girls.
When I was in 9th Std, I had participated. Funniest thing was I was the only one guy among all the contestants. All other contestants were girls. That too we had to give our speech at the school hall where all the students (more than 1500) of our high school would gather.
And the subject was ‘National integration!'. I was the last one to speak. Jalandhar Sir was one among the judges. I had prepared well. Even though time was just for five minutes my speech went up to 9 minutes. Surprising thing for me was they did not even ring the time up bell.
What I heard from everyone was my speech was best. I was expecting that comment, as I had directly attacked the attitude of the politicians in my speech. Kashmir was burning issue due to terrorism at that time. I had a doubt that I may lose my points because of the timings of my speech, which extended up to 9 minutes.
That day evening before going back to home, a senior student of mine came to me and told that Jalandhar Sir wanted to meet me.
Gone case! I was so scared. I knew that he is going to blast at me for taking the names of the politicians’ names in my speech. When I prepared the speech, who knew that Jalandhar Sir would be one among the judges?
I was so scared. I had thought of not to meet him and going home straight. But I had to pass in front of the staff room. Then he saw me and called.
Oh my god..Hare Rama hare Krishna ..Govinda. Shiva Shiva..
I don’t know how many gods’ name I had chanted at that moment. I stepped inside the staff room feeling oddly nervous.
Only Jalandhar Sir and one more Kannada master were there.
Over..! All those third degree treatment of policemen, which normally show in movies revolved around my eyes. I was so afraid. I don’t know whose face I had seen that day morning.
As soon as I entered, he got up from his seat. I knew that he is going to beat me left and right. I was almost shaking.
The very next moment I experienced the biggest surprise of my life.
He gave such a look with that smile towards me, which I may never forget in my life. He shook my hand, hugged me wishing and patting on my back.
‘You are amazing .I did not expect such a speech and words by a 9th Std student. I don’t expect that kind of a speech even by college students, you know? You always look so silent. But uff.., you put me in big surprise today. Unbelievable! Fantastic it was! We did not even look at the time’, He was kept on praising and I was totally dumbstruck, as I did not expect that compliment from him.
I did not know how the next 40minutes passed. That was the first time chat with him. Face to face. I had forgotten that he was my teacher and he had forgotten as well that I was his student. At the end, he just uttered few words. ‘Hari, One thing I must say .You are more matured than your age. You have got immense talent. Don’t let it go. Very soon you are going to reach greater heights in your life. Remember my words.’
I don’t know at which moment he had told so but those two years could be written as golden years in my high school life. There were no competitions left in which I did not get first place.
Believe it or not, in our school, they arrange more than 40variuos competitions. Such a support they provide to all students. (I am really very proud to say that there are many national level and State level talents have emerged by our high school in various fields.) And at the time of prize announcement my friends were making fun at me saying that whether they could take few prizes to their home or else I may have to bring lorry to carry them.
But all those moments I was just able to remember just my Jalandhar Sir’s that smile and those encouraging words.
I can never forget that unforgettable look with a smile! I was very sure that nobody could leave that impression once again, which he had left me on my mind, on that day.
I did not know at that moment that I may face the same situation in my future with a stranger who may leave my mind with so many questions exactly with the same unforgettable look with a smile in our first meet!
But on the other hand fate was getting ready to give yet another blow in my life, which was completely beyond my expectation!
****************
very happy to read about the praises and prizes Hari receives! Reminded of the days my daughter Saranya used to get prizes in all the compettitions which I used to sit in the school corridors and see!
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