Moist Eyes

Resting on a lone chair she looked emaciated.

Silence reigned supreme.

Nagen was about to ring the doorbell but didn't as he found no other inhabitant.

He furrowed his brow when he looked inside and found everything was in disarray.

"To be or not to be" jammed his mind as he cast glances around the dimly lit congested room.

“Perhaps he has come to the wrong house!”-he thought.

 "Who is there?" her shrill voice pierced the deafening silence.

 The bursting of silence engulfed him under the debris of molten lava of rage. He controlled his repercussion and replied-

"It is me, madam."

"Who is me...good lord!"

 "Oh sorry! I am Nagen. I forgot to tell you my name."

Precariously balancing himself between the broken door and the fragile screen, he replied.

"But I don't think I know anyone by that name. Well, why are you scared to come inside?"

 "See, I am a little indisposed, a bit hard of hearing too. So come closer, so that I can hear from you."

 "Yes madam."

 He tried to tread cautiously.

 "Be a free man. I live alone, the only inhabitant of this place."

  His silence irked her-" Do you think something is wrong or you are deaf ?"

 "Neither mam."

  "I work for the Modern School. Our new principal desires that during the Annual day function of the school, the oldest surviving person of the locality to be felicitated. So, I am here with the invitation card mam."

"But how could they make out that I am the oldest?" She smiled sheepishly.

 "I have no idea mam. This is the card with your name written on it."

"Oh! Nice".

 "Maybe after years I am getting an invitation for felicitation.”-Her face lit up. 

 "I don't know you and cannot remember your name. But, my boy! You have made my day."

 "Madam, please come. We all shall be eagerly waiting for you."

 "But I am old, haggard. Yet, I shall try."

  "I shall tell Principal sir to send an escort for you if you don't have any objection mam."

  "That would be a sweet and kind gesture. Thank you."

Nagen could notice a slender ray of toothless smile adorning her demeanor as he took leave of her.

 Modern School being the only English medium school in the locality stood tall in terms of academics. Father Vincent took charge as principal a few months ago. It was his wish to honor the eldest senior citizen of that place and to have some charitable acts like distribution of fruits and clothes in orphanages and destitute homes. The staff lauded his idea in letter and spirit.

The day of celebration arrived. It was a Sunday. The sky was clear and the Sun was not harsh.

The school compound was huge. A shade-providing trees near the compound wall swayed their branches looking happy and cheerful. Slowly the chairs were occupied.

Nagen along with another peon of the school went to fetch her. She was waiting for their arrival. Dressed in a gown of pastel shade and pearl necklace to match, she exuded a warm smile this time. Her enthusiasm was palpable.

"I am ready, young man, as per the time slot allotted to me. We can leave now."

Nagen made her sit comfortably in the first row. The stage was lit and the meeting ensued. The inauguration began with the opening song. Reading the annual report followed. The next agenda was the felicitation of individuals and students for their outstanding contributions and performances.

From her seat, she was escorted to the stage. While presenting her with a shawl, father Vincent closely looked at her and she too tried to place things in the right perspective from her foggy specs.

"Are you madam Jane, I mean you resemble her so much."

  "Yes, but how do you know? I mean ...no one calls me by that name now. My identity has been shrunken to ‘an old lady’ as such".

"Are you not the one who was chosen amongst a few to be honored by the president of our country for your affability and excellent teaching method while you were teaching in a reputed school in Mumbai?"

"I am one of your proud student's mam and one of the naughtiest if you remember!"

 She held his hands fondly and looked deep into his eyes and told -"Now I do recollect those nostalgic moments. How can I erase from memory those pranks! You were the wittiest too. I am so happy that you chose this profession."

Her voice was choked towards the last part of the sentence.

Still holding her hands fondly, the principal took the mike.

"Ladies and gentlemen! I now present to you my best find of the life-my teacher. She taught me when I was a toddler and instilled in me values I still count on. She shaped my future and her words rang in my ear when I groped in darkness to find ways out of the maze of life. I chose this profession after trying out some very lucrative options. My greatest pleasure now is to impart education, instill values of life in these tender souls."

"A big round of applause please!"

The claps went non stop as the two stood frozen on stage with unblinking moist eyes.