Back to School?
As I settled down on a bench after having packed off my kiddo in his
classroom, I looked around. The empty classroom that I was sitting in was a
little different from what I had been used to some time back. Or was that
really some time back was a thought that crossed my mind. It was actually three
decades back. Well this one was a large one, all spic and span. Clean and neat
with the benches all lined up in probably 7-8 columns. As I sat down I noticed
that the benches themselves were very sturdy, all of metal and wood that will
withstand the kids day in and day out and will probably age beyond them as they
grow out of school. The blackboards were not black, they were white and had
marker pens placed in colors of black, red, blue and green all in a rack meant
for them. The tubes were LED's and the fans were clean. Not only clean but they
were in great working order and that too without squeaking. Hold on, they also
blew air on to the eager kiddos who sat beneath and around them. Did I mention
the projector in the room that hung above the board and the retractable sheet
that I observed was neatly rolled up in it's sheath. Times had changed hadn't
they?
Or maybe not, as I stopped for a moment and looked around again. The
classroom had changed. I was into MY classroom at MY Gokhale High School. I
could feel the warmth of the wood that I was sitting upon and the musky smell
that accompanied it when we sat on it after being drenched in rain and our
raincoats placed at the sides. It just about bore the weight of the three of us
but then gamely went on creaking and swaying slightly - but then never gave up
despite our best attempts. I looked up to see the black board was indeed black.
The yellow duster with a mop of green on it, despite its best attempts had
not been able to wipe the white chalks off the board. The familiar dusty
cardboard box that was frayed at the edges carried the chalks of white, blue
and green that I was fascinated with. The smell of chalk dust lingered in the
air around as if someone had mischievously blown it. The fans were creaking
along and gave just the satisfaction that was needed to be comfortable.
Astonished by it all, I saw beside me, there was Kapil in his typical style
screaming silently within himself with eyes as large as he could, asking me to
look ahead and continue reading out from the English book. Not sure what was
happening but I did have a book in my hands. Bannerjee teacher was looking at
me intently and cross as to why I had stopped in mid sentence. Vhacc, the cool dude
that he was, his eyes expressed WTF did you stop for. Puzzled by it all, I
continued to read the story of king Robert and how he learnt from the spider to
not give up despite the worst adversity. How he regrouped his army and led from
the front on the battlefield. As I finished and looked up, the class was empty.
Where had all the guys gone? The girls who were giggling away to glory few
moments back were not there too. The rows of benches were all empty. As a cool
breeze blew into the room from the grilled windows and the passageway from the
left, there was this familiar sound of trees swaying and the pitter patter of
rain against the leaves. It felt so warm and comforting.
The bell rang shrill signalling the end of class and I got up from the bench
trudging sideways from the haphazardly placed benches. I instinctively kicked
the one which was out of line and it dint budge as usual. I looked down to see
if I had messed my shoe as baba will be cross about it. It wasn't. And I was
glad that my uniform of white, black and brown checks was neatly tucked in my
fading brown pants. I felt the weight of my bag on my shoulders and my
shoulders twitched instinctively as I went out thru the doors that never were
closed unless the entire class was to be punished. The corridors were less lit
as I walked on with rooms on both sides. I looked up at the ringing bell above
and saw that it was a little different and it dint sound shrill as well. The
small ping clanging against the big round shiny metal was not it. This one was
more petite as it buzzed about in a non metal way.
I felt a tug on my hand and I looked down to see my kiddo looking weirdly
at me. Why are you staring at the buzzer was a question that he posed me thru
his eyes and I smiled back. Answers would not make any sense to his little
curious mind. Memories had a way of making their way to you don't they. In the
flash of a moment they transfer you back in time and make you feel so good,
they leave you happy and wanting for more.
Yeah, times have changed I reflected, as I took my kiddos' little hand
and walked past the classrooms in the large corridors of his school.
Wonderful. Such vivid description, was transported back in time to my school.
ReplyDeleteSuper. Can feel zapping across time and feel the benches back in school the dampness in the classroom and in a moment come back to present and feel the little hands curling around my fingers. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent use of perfect words.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful combination of childhood fear and uncertainty which used to run at the background in school versus ease of facilities which are taken as granted by new generation kids.
Tugs at heart but wonderfully balances to not reach one's eyes.
Highlights ethos of bygone without unnecessary trudging for new ways!!
You described your own school experiences so well that I can actually imagine it while reading every word. I liked the way you narrated the changes happened in the way classrooms look like over the time .Really enjoyed reading this blog.Keep writing !
ReplyDeleteAmazing article, indeed whoever will read it will go to his or her memories for sure... Nicely written... We would like to read more... So waiting for the next.... ☺️
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for your encouraging words :)
ReplyDeleteHave attempted another one, again from my school days..
Cool way of expressing... great going dude
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ReplyDeleteYou have a way with words Abhijit.. So well articulated. Totally engrossing..Keep writing
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