If my guesswork were right, I must have come back home three days ago. That's because I have started to forget the aftermath of the train journey. What! Seriously, I was shaking mildly when I was taking a bath, sitting, eating and even while asleep. I tried explaining this to Mummy, "I shake. Anu is scared."

"What nonsense! Why would you shake? It's all in your head! Just forget it," she had admonished.

I just decided to let go. Not that I could have done anything. But here's the thing - there has been a lot of discussion going on and it was decided that I must be put into 'school'. I wonder what that means. We roamed for two days and at one of the places, I saw Daddy giving notes. According to Daddy, since I am a cute little girl, I am not supposed to touch the notes. I can use coins, though. Mummy has given me a metal box to keep the coins.

I also noticed that Daddy was talking to an auto driver. Usually when he talks to these people, either we board that yellow-black-vehicle or we wait for the next one to come. But in this case, it's a discussion and we leave on the scooter. I am not understanding what's happening here.

***

After my face was smothered with a bucket of powder, a bhindi put between my eyebrows, Mummy and I boarded the auto. We went to a place which looked familiar. After looking at some kids of my age, I realised that it was the same place where Daddy had given notes. Assuming that Mummy and I are here to collect back the notes, I went towards the big glass window. But Mummy pulled me towards another room.

There a man, who was smiling too much, asked Mummy to step aside. He took an extremely long thread that hung around his neck. He placed it from my shoulder to knees and then around my waist. Making some mental calculations, he screamed, "Chotu, pass the pre-school nursery uniform. Girl's one!"

I tried to strain my neck to see who this 'chotu' ws but in vain. I couldn't get a glimpse. But what I saw was a transparent packet where a red-and-white checkered cloth was present. With a swift movement, he removed the cloth and laid it in front of us. I pulled it but Mummy snatched it from me. She is very fast!

Mummy held two ends of the shorter side of cloth which ended just above my knees. She repeated the same procedure at least thrice. She asked, "Do you have a bigger size? She grows very fast and I think this might be short for her."

He replied irritatedly, "No madam, bigger size will be too loose for her. Anyways, for eight months of school, you're thinking a lot."

She pondered. "When will the uniform be ready?"

He chuckled, "What madam! You're cracking jokes! The uniform is ready only."

"I know that but don't you have to do alterations?"

He screamed again, "Oye Chotu! Throw the belt here."

This time a red strip of cloth came flying. He held it out and said, "Use this belt to secure properly."

"Won't the uniform be loose fitted?"

"Arre Madam! Why do you want a well-fitted uniform in this garmi? Even when it rains there is no cool air here."

After a much heated argument, Mummy bought two sets of uniform which also included a pair of weird black garments. I later found out that they were called socks. The thing is Mummy was constantly saying that I will be going to school after two days. Yet my mind wasn't able to infer it. I am not understanding what's happening here.

***

Out of two sets of uniforms we had bought, Mummy made me wear one of them. I found out that red-and-white-checkered cloth was actually a frock. This one didn't have any frills so I liked wearing them. My face was smothered with a bucket of powder, a bhindi put between my eyebrows. Daddy, Mummy and I climbed the scooter. Did I forget to mention that my face was tied with a long piece of cloth which was suffocating me.

We rode for quite some time and reached the school. Daddy waved a good bye. We waited for him to leave. As soon as he left, Mummy and I strode to one of the rooms where many children were going in. Some of them were crying, some howling while the rest were wondering. I know I am in a school. They don't even know that! I wonder why they are crying. What losers!

"Anu, this is your class. This is where your teacher will come to teach you," Mummy instructed. I nodded. The room had one big dark green colour board, a small yellow box, a white box with long colourful chalks. Mummy would give me a slate but only white chalks. These chalks are so nice!

Mummy freed her hand from mine. I looked at her questioningly. She cooed, "Anu, I'll be out of the room. Don't worry. Mummy will be here only."

A lady stood out at the door and screamed, "I request all the parents to please leave the classroom."

One of them shouted, "That didn't sound like a request."

She replied, "I am sorry ma'am but my experience says that if I show leniency to parents, they take teachers for granted. Please leave the room."

I started crying as Mummy was leaving. Though she stopped, that lady screamed again so she left. I tried running behind her but that lady stopped me, "Excuse me young lady, where are you off to? Go back, you can go back to your mother after two hours."

I didn't know what two hours meant but I definitely understood it would be a long time. I continued crying and reached a bench to sit. I then realised that boy was also crying. So this is why they were crying. Even I am a loser now!

The lady, who told us that she was a teacher, tried reading a story but of vain. One of us would start crying horribly loud and scream, either Mummy, Mom, Maa or Aai. But the thing that shocked me was that boy who was sitting next to me did. He dared to pull my hair while we both were crying. When I tried to do the same, not even a single strand of my hair came in my palm. So I decided to give him a slap on his back. When I raised my hand, he moved, but I was able to hit his shoulder.

He tried to hit me again and this time I screamed, "Mummy."

Mummy ran and came inside the class. While the teacher was solving another fight, Mummy's arrival shocked everyone; including that boy. I hugged her. The teacher came running and made both of us apologise to each other.

Mummy left the classroom only after I sat with a girl on a different bench. I hate this place. I don't want to come here again.

Some more time went in solving the fights and we were made to leave with our parents. Everybody ran to their respective parents with great joy, especially me. We then boarded the same auto to which Daddy was talking to the other day. After I reached home, Mummy made me eat some slightly mashed rice with lots of boiled vegetables and less spicy sambar. Then I slept peacefully.

***

"I don't know what to do with this girl!" Mummy complained. It was dinner time and Daddy had come little early today.

"What did she do now?" Daddy asked.

"No-thing, Daddy. Mummy lies," I replied. While he guffawed, an angry look from Mummy stopped him.

She continued, "This is very nice Anu! I lie! It's you who come home crying with your face like a tomato. In fact, your face matches with your uniform colour."

He laughed again and this time I gave him an irritated look. He stopped again. But he patted my head before turning towards Mummy.

"It's been more than a month since she started going to school yet she isn't adjusting to going in the auto alone. She always wants me to be there."

"You said, you'll also join as a teacher so that you won't feel your time is wasted," he reminded her.

"I enquired about that. It seems it compulsory for me to have a B.Ed. degree."

"B.Ed?"

"Bachelor of Education. I would need two years to complete it. What's the use? I have to continue going to her school till pre-nursery ends."

He pondered. "I have to share some news with you."

"What? You got a promotion?"

"No."

"Increment in salary?"

"No."

"Then what?"

"Would you let me finish? I have to go to the office on Sunday."

"What!"

"But I've day-off on Fridays."

"Your boss is Gujrati, am I right?"

"Of course. He is not a Muslim. What I am saying is there will be power cuts on Fridays."

"What! Power cuts! Aiyyoo! How will I manage-"

"It's only in Rabale, the place where my company is."

"Why is Rabale special?"

"That's because it's an industrial area. Unlike Airoli which is a residential area."

"Friday! They got Friday to cut the power?"

"Think of the bright side - we can visit many places in Mumbai. It will be comparatively less crowded."

"Won't you be tired? Won't you need to rest?"

"That's okay. I will get up two hours late. We can go as soon as Anu finishes her school."

I looked at them as I heard them talking about me and school. "Daddy, Anu will no go to school?"

"No beta, you will have to go. But if you promise me not to cry, I will take you to nice places. Promise?"

I nodded my head. "Pomise."

"No, Anu, it's 'promise'. Tell 'pro-mise'."

I repeated, "Pomise."

He sighed, "That's okay. Pomise it is."

***

Hi guys! Hope you're doing well and safe. This time I have kept my promise on updating the chapter. *smiles nervously*

Any type of constructive criticism is always welcomed. It would help me understand where I am lagging.

Thank you for reading!