Krish's Promise

Krish is very angry today. The reason is very unpleasant and embarrassing. All was okay until the class teacher of class six entered class after assembly. Mrs. Rao came in the first period like other days with the attendance register. After finishing the attendance call she announced “Today I’m going to give out the result of the summative assessment” Everyone sat tensed for their names to be called out and go towards teacher’s desk to collect the report card. It has to be taken back to home for the parents’ signature and then return to the school authority. Krish’s name was the last one to be called out because he had failed in two subjects. All the students of class six were surprised because Krish had boasted that he will score good numbers in each and every subject. His friends called him names for singing his own praises.

Krish was sad. He couldn’t understand why people only try to judge someone only through marks scored in academics. Why don’t they see the other talents as the point of success? They didn’t remember that in the annual sports he won two gold medals in high jump and 100 metre race and a trophy in relay race for class six. He murmured “I won’t talk to any one of them. They are very bad” At the same time he remembered his Mom’s words “Krish, you aren’t concentrating in your studies. If your result suffers due to this negligence I won’t sign in your progress report card. Mind that” Now he was afraid. Krish knows his mother will be very angry seeing these poor marks. What should he do now? Simple, run away from school and home. Then he planned a way and ran away from school after it ended. He didn’t stay back for his daddy who loves him and encourages him to participate in every event and never scolds him.

The school vans and buses returned with the children but no one was aware that Krish did not return home. Krish’s parents were in office and so they didn’t know what Krish has done and where is he now. Their caretaker Harish informed them that Krish did not come back from school and that he had checked the bus thoroughly. Both the parents went mad understanding the graveness of the incident. His mother went hurriedly to the school and asked the gatekeeper about Krish. He couldn’t say much about him as he saw Krish leaving the school with his classmates for the waiting bus. So it was unnatural that he did not take the bus and went somewhere else. The principal of the school came running hearing the news. All the classes, bathrooms, library, every nook and corner were checked thoroughly but he was nowhere to be found. Krish father went to the police station getting the updated news from his mother. The police officer took the FIR but suggested to keep a track on the incoming calls in their phones. If someone has kidnapped Krish they will ask for the ransom. His mother cried hearing this news and his father went gloomy. They both wished to get back Krish as soon as possible, if it be in exchange for a payoff.

In the meantime Krish was wandering in the streets and didn’t know where to go. He was feeling very hungry as it was the time for his lunch. He remembered of the delicious lunch the cook in his house makes. He opened the water bottle and drank some water but the hunger didn’t seem to satisfy with it. He went near a roadside food stall and looked hungrily at the food displayed on the counter and the plates served to the people. But how will he get food? He didn’t have any money. Suddenly he remembered of having some money in his pencil box that he had brought for buying copies from school office but didn’t. He went readily to the stall and asked for the pau bhaji which he loves the most. After having his meal he walked towards the bus stand near the stall and sat on the cement bench there.

After sometime he felt sleepy. Until now he always had an afternoon nap after his lunch. Most of the days he ran around the room to escape from the hands of Harish; who always forced him to sleep rather than playing video games. But today sleep goddess made him feel sleepy though he didn’t wish to. Suddenly someone shook him to awaken. He looked at the stranger. He was a man like his daddy who asked him “What is your name son?”

Krish gave out his name. His next question was “Where do you live?”

Krish answered “near Strand road”

“Why are you here? Did you lose your way to home? Where are your parents?”

Now Krish was a bit afraid. Why is this unknown man asking about him and his family? Should he answer any more questions of his? He had heard of kidnappers; who abduct small children and ask ransom for returning the child. Sometimes they don’t even return but kill them. Krish looked at him once more then answered “I’m waiting for my parents. They have gone to the dentist on the other side of the road” Krish had noticed the shops on the other side of the road. His answer did not convince the stranger, Krish could understand it by observing his face. At that moment he felt he shouldn’t have run away from his home. If something happens he may not be able to return home forever. What should he do now? Run away? The stranger might catch him easily. He prayed to god to help him.

Suddenly he saw Mr. Gupta, maths teacher in his school going on his scooter. Krish started running and calling out at top of his voice “Sir.... Sir.... Maths Sir”

Sir was riding at slow speed and so he could hear at last to Krish’s calling. He stopped his scooter and looked back. Krish reached him but couldn’t speak a word as he panted hard. His teacher was very surprised seeing him at an odd place and at an odd time. He asked “Why are you here Krish? Your home isn’t here”

Krish said the truth “Sir, I ran away from my home”

His Sir was shocked but he didn’t scold him rather said “Come I’ll take you to my home” Krish was reluctant on going to Sir’s home but remembering the stranger he readily sat on the scooter behind him. After reaching Sir’s home Krish was given warm welcome by Sir’s wife Mrs. Gupta. He ate lunch with his Sir and said everything to him. In the meantime, Mrs. Gupta had informed the grieved parents and the police. So both the police and his parents reached few moments after they finished their lunch.    

Mr. Gupta explained everything he heard from Krish. His parents sat shocked at what they heard. The police officer said “Krish I would say you have done a wrong thing. Imagine if you had got caught in the hands of the smugglers what would have happened? Your Mom and Dad love you very much son”

Mr. Gupta said “Yes Krish, you should never do such things. You are a good athlete and had won prizes for your class. We are proud of you. Now you have to work hard to be good in academics too my son and make us, the teachers and your parents proud”

Krish stood with ashamed face and when his Sir finished saying he said “I’m sorry Mom, I’m sorry Dad. I’ll never do this”