True Blessing

Own house, a flat on a hill station, a car to commute from one place to another, a good bank balance, fixed deposits and at regular intervals increasing salary, a wonderful life partner, two lovely kids, constant family outings, no loans to cause sleepless nights- so far this was the definition for me to count my blessings. What else could one ask for? 

The Almighty's benevolence l could never dare to question since l felt l was blessed in every way. 

I always felt proud of myself for being a teacher since last sixteen years in one of the most reputed institutions of my city. Work ethics, work environment, cooperation, coordination ,an inviting premises , no leg pulling, no unhealthy competition in every aspect my work place is the best place to be in. Our school being CBSE affiliated along with other senior teachers l was assigned evaluation duty from the board for marking of tenth class papers.

Mostly this duty made us visit a few other schools in the city which were selected centres for various subjects' marking. Initial response every year for the board examinee duty was reluctance, denial and a venture to devise excuses to avoid being out of our second home ,our wonderful school premises.But, anyhow always this duty ended up meeting teachers from various schools, adding a few more names in my friends list.

This session, again l and one of my prettiest and dearest friend  who is professionally my colleague were assigned the cumbersome task of being board examinees. The only relief was that we were appointed at the same local school. But our merriment didn't last long as though in the same precinct we were supposed to work under different roofs. We tried to convince our head examiners to allow us to work together but our most humble and gentle heads made us mark that rules are rules. Thus, we two had to move out of our comfort zones and of course, we didn't regret that. 

The room i.e. my centre there were teachers from various schools. Some of them had to commute from near by small towns and villages.Most of them were females trying to give their best, all pleasing and friendly females. In a couple of days from formal greetings informal conversations began mostly during tea breaks.  Family, kids, school, staff even salaries were discussed. I pulled my collar high when none among present could quote the amount even nearby of my salary that l was drawing. Soon l realised what was it meant when handsome salary was talked about. I ventured to sound humble and motivated them that after 15 years they would also be better off like l was. Though l wasn't able to close my eyes to the fact that some among them were much senior to me in experience and were yet getting the minimum renumeration.

Everyday l and my dearest young friend would dress up well with matching sandals adorning our hands with beautiful rings. I delighted at the fact that if l were to spend only my single salary on my outfits l had the capacity to change my whole wardrobe. I had unknowingly worn a superior air that wasn't meant to hurt anyone. Soon as is normal groups were made and during lunch time all of us enjoyed meal in the company of the people of our choice. I and my friend along with a teacher from a nearby city enjoyed lunch time together. Almost everyday we would order some delicacy for three of us, sometimes sandwiches, papri chaat or whatever we had inclination for.The rest of the teachers brought the tiffins from home. They didn't buy anything from outside. 

I had noticed that one of the teachers would receive a phone call everyday and would go out before having her lunch. I wasn't curious to know about her all l knew was that she would travel for an hour by bus to reach the evaluation centre until one day when her phone was switched off. That day the head of our centre informed her that her father was waiting for her at the gate.

Temperature that day was 45 degree and it was an extremely hot day. When that teacher returned l asked her why her father had come. She said her parents lived a few kilometres away from the school where she was coming for checking. She told that since last week from the day one of her evaluation her father was bringing hot meal cooked by her mother for her. She said her father couldn't relish the fact that while being in his city she should eat cold food cooked at the wee hours of the day. That teacher had tried to reason out many times with him that he might fall ill due to the scorching heat. But, he won't listen. The  broad smile of satisfaction on her face filled my eyes with tears. In an instant l had realized what the true wealth is and that l had become a pauper 19 years back when my father had breathed his last. I knew he would never return to  offer, to ask if l have eaten anything or not. I made a resolution to call my mother every day who did nothing else but to wait to get in touch with me and my siblings. I repented for those numerous occasions when l had declined her call promising to get back to her the moment l would get free.I couldn't concentrate on my work and rushed outside to find a niche where l could give vent to the deluge of emotions which was like lava flowing down my cheeks.

Controlling my emotions l headed back to my work praying to the Almighty to give every child maximum pleasurable time to enjoy their parents' care and concern. The fake castle of materialistic ecstasy  that l have build around me like a card house had shattered that day and l realized that the true bliss, the biggest wealth of this world is to receive a lunch box from the shaking hands of your old parents whose will power for their children always stays young.