She occupied the only other chair at the photo studio, and I took the other. She had a bored expression on her face, that expression one gets from waiting too long. There was one other customer, and I waited to be served after her. But the guy behind the counter turned to me after the first customer was gone, and I turned to look at her. She didn't seem to mind and continued to look at the ceiling and the floor with the same bored expression. The sales guy made a small joke, thought it was huge and turned beaming at her. She narrowed her eyes, and gave him a cold look - that look which speaks a million words - that look we reserve for the one person, who is ours. His beam widened, and I hid mine.
I could sense the lady next to me shaking as we were all knelt down in prayer. I thought she was still laughing over the joke the pastor made during sermon, but then realized she was sobbing uncontrollably. She was a mother who had lost her only son in a tragic road accident; a widow - her husband had passed away sometime ago. I had met her many times, I had never known the pain that lay so fresh in her heart. We meet so many people everyday, we never know what cross they carry!
The three walked hand in hand, the two elder brothers at the sides, with their little sister between them. I had often seen them walking to the LKG class to see off the little girl, then both the boys go to the 1st standard, and in walks the younger brother. The responsible big brother then hurries off to his 3rd standard class room. But today all three had tear stained faces, with the girl still crying. The big bro stopped outside her class, wiped her face with her hanky, patted and consoled her, and sent her in. Then he took his brother's hand and they walked away. What sorry lay behind those little hearts, I do not know. But the big brother was still able to push his tears aside to comfort his siblings and my heart went out him.
He looked so much like my father, and I couldn't help looking at him. He was dark, serious and tough looking - again, like my father and he seemed to be alone. At Church new members are welcomed after the sermon is over. He got up, we all clapped and he quickly turned back to beam at his wife and children with childlike pleasure, something one wouldn't expect from the tough features. His wife who had been sitting two rows behind him, gave him back such a loving smile, it was a heartwarming sight.
I was in Grade 7, when he as our new Maths teacher. He taught with a rod of iron, or rather with a wooden compass, or a big bamboo stick whichever came in handy. Maths was never my favorite subject, now it turned into a nightmare. Everyone was scared of him, and he taught everyday day with his classic, "Isunaattu?" (FYI: Is it not?) Three years went by - He came as a substitute teacher for one day. The boys he had beaten black and blue were now raging adolescents with a strong memory. They started banging the desks and shouting "Isunattu, Isunattu", "dei, who let you in, go away", "hey, where's your wooden compass, try using it now", "Isunattu..." and all the while he continued to write on the blackboard, not daring to turn back and glare, or use the cane, or throw a piece of chalk at a student. And when the bell rang, he ran helter skelter, thankful to be out of their reach.
She was never one to smile much, could be why she was called the Proud peacock. At lunch break she was leaning on the door of her class and looking out with a serious face. I smiled at her, but she didn't return my smile. "Hmph, proud pig" said my friend, and I laughed. Two hour later, a friend came rushing in saying Peacock's mother had died. She had been admitted in hospital with critical health for the past few days. We could only stare back in silence.
After all these years, these memories come back to me. I hope that those who grieved, have had their sorrows lessened. That those siblings are still attached now as young adults as they were when young. I hope the teacher mended his ways, and wish good health to the husband at Church. And I really hope the girl at the studio didn't have to wait long for her guy. I wish them all good health, I wish them well!