My Caretaker (part1)

I was smiling while looking at Raksha and she was doing the same by holding her tears. She was crying as it was my last day in school. I had joined this school as a teacher a year ago, but couldn't continue my service longer due to the illness of my mother. All students had gathered together to give me last farewell and when Raksha came closer I got emotional. she was my best student and more than that the real caretaker. I still remember how I met her. A year ago I had come to takewadi as a replacement of a math teacher. This village was quite far from my hometown ,so  had to Change five buses to reach there. When I reached school, I received a grand welcome. The school had very few teachers, but they all were polite and gentle. As I was young and well qualified the school authority gave me the charge of 9th and 10th Standards. My first lecture was on 10 th standard and I was waiting for my students. After finishing morning pledge and prayers all students entered the classroom. I gave them my introduction and made formal conversation then I started my lecture, but the moment I turned towards blackboard to write an example. I heard one strong, firm voice from the door. It was a voice of a girl and she was asking my permission. " May I come in sir? ".

I looked in that direction. One very tall, strongly built girl was standing at the door. I got shocked as I had never seen the girl of this height in my life ever .i appeared a small child around her towering figure . I thought this girl is some college student and has mistakenly come here , so I said , " miss I think you have mistakenly come to wrong class. This is a class of 10th standard. The class of college students is on ..... But before I could finish my sentence the whole class including her busted into laughter. I got bewildered by this reaction, but the girl standing at  door read my expression and cleared  all  confusion. She firmly said " sir, I study in this class. Today I got  little late, so couldn't attend the morning prayers", now I felt  little embarrassed. I immediately granted her my permission. In whole lecture  I kept thinking about her. In the afternoon when I got some time I made an inquiry about her from fellow teacher. He provided me all required information. He told me that her name is Raksha and she lives in another village 6 km away from here. The condition of her family is very bad that they can't afford even the expenses of her bus travel. She everyday alone walks this long-distance . I felt very bad for her. He further said, "she is the most talented student of our school.  study, sports, other extra curriculum activities , she comes first everywhere. She is also a captain of school's kabbadi and wrestling team and  has  won many medals at district and national level". I got  impressed with her talent and personality. I always had a great respect for all such students. I decided in my mind, I will do everything from my side to support her. Now my lecturers had started more regularly .  I was paying my whole attention to improve the knowledge and skills of my students. I noticed one thing that Raksha was really a bright student. She used to solve difficult math problems in few seconds. For every asked question she would raise her hand first to give an answer. One day I was teaching on her class and some boys started disturbing my lecture. I gave them two or three warnings , but that made no any difference, so I decided to make their complaint  to the principal, but as  I turned to leave the class Raksha walked closer and stood at the centre then she placed her heavy hand over my shoulder. In a moment she took the charge of whole situation. Then She pointed her finger in those boys direction and roared " If you ever dare to disturb sir's lecture, I will send you hospital ". The impact of her words was such a strong that whole class got silent.  For a moment I also felt the intimidation of  her presence. since that day I never saw those guys  in my lecture . Meanwhile Raksha's attitude towards me had changed. Now she was treating me  more as her friend than a teacher. I sensed her inclination  and decided to keep the distance. I started avoiding her before things get worsen.

 One day  I was sitting in office  and I saw Raksha coming in my direction... ( To be continued )