Attendance

Roll number one –“present mam”

Roll number two-“Present mam”

Roll number three-“yes mam”

Roll number four - no response.

Anima, the class teacher looked up. “Where is Bhola? He has not come it seems. He has been absent for three consecutive days. Does anybody know what has happened? Is he sick or any mishap in the family?” “Raghu, do you know anything regarding Bhola? He stays near your house right? So, you must be aware of what is the reason behind his three days absence”. Raghu stood up. He was literally petrified by the summon. He took a few seconds to answer as the question was a long one. “Hmm..no mam, I have not gone to his house since his absence. My uncle has come from Singapore. He has bought papa a new car. So, our entire family is busy visiting near and dear ones. I should have mam, but have not visited him. I will surely go to his house today…promise.” “Ok, but why are you trembling my dear? What makes you shake like this? Are you ok?” Anita asked . “Yes mam…no mam”… he started sobbing. “What do you mean to say? Both” yes” and “no “…what sense does it make?”

“Madam, I am sorry. I lied to you. Bhola will not come to school anymore”. His sobs were bigger now and tears welled up in his eyes. They crossed floodgates and walked down as he started recounting his meeting with Bhola, last evening.

“Bhola has to work now in fields, in lieu of his father, to support his family. His father is seriously ill. He has been admitted to hospital. His mother works as a domestic help in nearby houses. Her income is not sufficient to support the family, as major portion of the income is spent on medicines for his father. Since a few days, Bhola has been trying hard to continue with his study, in spite of all these adverse realities. But no more now. Madam, he cried a lot yesterday. He is really sad to miss the school, the class, the teachers and his friends. He has asked me to convey his obeisance specially to you mam-since you are our class teacher. As he bade goodbye, he told me, he will walk down memory lane each day hereafter in the morning, as he would miss the roll call when the class starts, your ticking the attendance and cursory glance that you wield to check proxy. Unknowingly he may blurt out “present mam” –as he is used to this for so long.”

There was pin drop silence in the class now. Anita was visibly disturbed. She took the excuse of meeting the principal and warned the class to remain quiet. ”No noise please, Swapan, you are the new monitor no? You take the attendance. Start from roll number-5. Roll no -4 is absent. I am coming within minutes.” What better excuse could she have taken to hide her emotion? Her eyes were moist, but were hid under thick framed spectacles. Her quivering lips and her choking voice evinced what effect the subtle narration about one of her favourite student had on her.