It's OK to compromise

“English medium school.”

I reached at the gate of Rahul’s home. Suddenly I came at halt when I saw Rahul’s mom, cleaning rice while sitting under the sun. Rahul’s Dad was having lunch, sitting close to his mom. I gave a broad smile with confidence and expected a lot questions. Adjusted my half pant, arranged my hairs and cleaned my face with my hand.

“Namaste Uncle, Namaste Aunty.”

“Namaste Beta”, Uncle replied. So do Aunty.

“Rahul was saying that you went for Admission today. Did you take the admission?” Uncle asked.

I felt so respected. I answered with a big smile and proudness, “yes, I took the admission.”

“How was the school?”

“Was good. You know Uncle, School has a policeman at the gate to check who enters the school. And I heard him speaking in English. And the principal was like our president, Abdul Kalam, well dressed and was speaking so politely. Even the students were taking in English and dressed like officer.”

“Did you see everything in school?”, Rahul asked.

“School is very big, It will take many days to know and visit everything. Today we went only in office department. But I was lucky to see one class adjoining the office room. You know, that class had 3times bigger black cemented board with no dents or marks. One corner was well decorated with color chaulks. And something was written in English at top. There was on board of green color, where many colourful pictures and ribbon was hanging. And you know, we will be sitting on benches. And the playground is so big, you can also come with me to play.”

“Papa, I also want to take admission”, Rahul said to his Dad.

“we will see”, his dad replied.

We both run to my home to tell my mom that Rahul will also be taking admission. Though his dad didn’t confirm but we know, dads never reject any request especially when you ask something related to study.

My mom is not always so happy as she was with me until the admission, so I asked Rahul to stand near my gate. And I went inside to see what is happening inside my home.

My dad was saying, “But you had said will be Rs100 per month, can we manage Rs150? And they took admission fees and other charges. I don’t think it is possible to manage him in that high-figh school. Can’t we wait 1 year more, so that we can save enough money and put both of them (my sister and me) next year in the same school?”

“No, we can’t wait”, my mom said strongly. “I don’t want my child to be like us uneducated due to lack ok money. After all we don’t need savings, we need our children’s good future. You didn’t see, I saw him talking with principal. Jack was excited and happy to study. I can’t afford late in his studies. Already he is so late.”

“Ok, If you say. So, do you have enough money for dresses and other things. I have this 50 rupee. Take, it will be helpful.” My loving dad replied to her.

“Don’t need, keep it for further use. I will make his dress at home. Your shirt has the same color as his dress code so, I will adjust according to his size. And he can manage with steel lunch box for now. I will cleaned his bag; you bring one Saktiman sticker in the evening that we will put on the cover of bag. We will buy necktie and belt. Our son is best son he will not bother with these things.” My mom said.

I was hearing all this conversation, standing behind the wall. I didn’t want my mom and dad to be sad because of me. So, I returned back to the gate and asked Rahul to come with me and I said him that all is ok inside. I started making loud noise and run into the home. I said to my mom, “mummy, Rahul is also getting admission in the school.”

“You know Rahul, I was thinking to design my own bag for my class, I have heard that students in English medium is so creative, so I have to be. Come help me to wash my bag” I said to Rahul.

Rahul was so happy and said yes to everything. We cleaned the bag and went to my mom. Dad was resting and watching TV after the lunch.

“Mummy, I don’t need Saktiman on my bag. I am going to English medium School, so some English-man should be on the bag. So, first I will find who is English man and then we will buy bag.” I explained to my mom.

I was pretending that I didn’t listen what they had spoken just before I came. At the same time, I was seeing my parents face, and hoping for some good expressions for me.

My mom said, “didn’t I say you that our son is so grown up. My lovely Jack. Come and eat, and call Rahul too.”

We had a nice lunch, Rahul was fan of my mom’s food. Everyone in our colony used to ask help in cooking for special foods. After the lunch I took out a paper and pencil to write the list of things to be bought in evening, and I wanted to know what really was most important to buy. I didn’t want my dad and mom to be struggling much for me, at the same time I wanted to go for English study. So, it was necessary to compromise in some part of it.

My mom had said, “Everyone don’t get exactly what he wants, but he can compromise some parts to get best out of whole.”

After hours of discussion we prepared a list of things to be bought.

1.       Shirt (I was knowing this mom will cancel and I didn’t find any reason to cancel myself.)

2.       Netaraj Pencil, sharpener and eraser 1 piece each (Apsara was so costly.)

3.       Thin notebook 4 pieces

4.       Shocks (I decided to clean my shoes. After all, all school have black shoes as dress code.)

When I said about this list, she didn’t say much but “good”, but I realized the expression she made after hearing so small list, which was too larger in morning. By the way now it was time to go for market. I was very much excited for the shopping. So, I was asking mom “when are we going?”. And my question was arising after each 5 minutes. Though it was only 5 minutes for outer world but for me, it was hours.