Transition To Love

"Love is the core of Existence" - Premam.

  Pong! Pong! 

On hearing the horn sound, Suhanthi jumps like a grasshopper from the floor to switch off the TV and flies into the kitchen like a sparrow.

'Amma! I am home and I am Hungry', cried Suhender.

while stepping into the home, Suhender can clearly hear the falling sound of vessels from the kitchen's top-shelf. He bursts into laughter.

'Hi Kanna-a nickname of most of the South Indian tweens-happy to see you so quickly said Suhanthi.

'Welcome wishes are fine but have you heard me saying the word Hungry', said Shuhender.

'I am hearing this for the past five years Suhen', said Suhanthi while working in a hurry burry.

'Years doesn't matter mother snacks is the thing that matters, where is my snacks-gun that kills my hunger', said Suhender. He is in the process of undressing his uniform and controlling his mouth from not producing any additional water drops.

'Sorry Kanna, I went shopping to buy some groceries, so I can't prepare your snacks in time', shouted Suhanthi from the kitchen.

The world stopped around Suhender for some time but not so long, he walked so fast towards the TV and placed his hand onto the screen. Slowly his hair started to stand straight. Electrostatic force, which he had learned in today's science class.

'I have never seen anybody who is going shopping via TV', said Suhender in distress.

'Online Shopping', winked his Mother on him.

'Make it quick!', roared Suhen.

After killing his hunger with the delicious snacks made by Suhanthi, Suhen settles down before the TV to watch Cartoon-as it is the only entertainment a tween can watch other than the boring news channels our fathers would watch. Completion of watching TV means the inauguration for finishing the homework. 

'It's time for dinner, will you be late today also', cried Suhanthi on the phone.

'Oh really', said suhanthi now in an enthusiastic tone.

'What's the matter mother', asked Suhen.

'Nothing Kanna, your father has got promotion as a manager, said Suhanthi and she enters into the Pooja room to chant some mantras. 

She says promotion is nothing, then what really matters for my mother? is a question that has to be never asked by a tween to his/her parents. Perhaps, the promotion might not be important to a cartoon-watcher.

'congrats Appa!', praised Suhender at his father-Arjun-who is in the rain of joy at this time. He came right next to and took Suhender to the sky and landed him with a kiss on his cheek. He then delivered Kaju Katli to Suhanthi as a reward for her contribution-like washing, ironing, cleaning and etc- in getting this promotion.

 'It's our teamwork Suhanthi', said Arjun in an overwhelming tone.

'Enough Manager sir, go and get ready dinner is awaiting for you', said Suhanthi imitating like Arjun's junior officer.

The house is in joy as Suhanthi calls her in-laws to share this auspicious moment, Suhen and Arjun were busy handling the dinner dishes.

'Appa, When are you going to take the responsibility as a manager, asked Suhen with glowing curious eyes.

'One of our branch hotels is located in Thiruvananthapuram, so after reaching there in a week, I will take my responsibility as the hotel's new manager', replied Arjun without looking up from the plate.

'What!', asked Suhen all of a sudden.

'What?', asked again his Father.

'Are we going to move from Mallapuram to Thiruvanathapuram?', asked Suhen in surprise.

'Obviously....... YES'

'Then is that mandatory to change my school?'

'YES'

'Are we leaving this house?'

'YES'

'Are you not interested in exploring a new city, said Arjun in a doubtful tone.

'I am a tween, I can't even protest like the MP's in the Parliamentary houses-standing in the dining table and hoisting black flag to show my opposition towards it', murmured Suhen.

'What?'

'Nothing father, I am Okay with your decision', said little Suhen with a lifeless face.

As a reader, now your thinking would be like: Halt the story narrator! what is happening here? I know you're trying to convey a story, but I don't know why all these things are happening. For those curious species of readers, let me give a brief background about the family before they reach Thiruvanathapuram in a couple of days.

Background

Like many Indian families, Suhen's family is also a middle-class income earning family. His paternal Grandfather's native is Tamil Nadu. some years back, Arjun came to Kerala to attend an interview and wished to settle here forever as he liked the company's office. Is that office that much attractive? Obviously not. A computer center was newly established a month ago right in front of Arjun's office. He met Suhanthi there as a coincidence while getting a photocopy of his Aadhar card. Suhanthi's native is also Tamil Nadu. After the death of her father at a very young age, their family moved to Kerala to earn a subsistence. Later with the smart work and hard of Suhanthi, their shop witnessed a rocketing boom which happened to be a great boon for her family. Do you remember Arjun's interview? Unfortunately, the company was not satisfied with Arjun. He envisaged returning home without a job and a nightmare was projected before his eyes even in that hot noon. So he went to the adjacent shop of Suhanthi Browsing and Xerox center to have lunch as well as a job designated as supervisor of the shop and also the supervisor of Suhanthi, for the latter he was not paid with any salary. From then on Arjun became a workaholic; He worked hard to improve the hotel and also to grasp his love. But fortunately, he succeeds in both. Arjun and Suhanthi began to generate electricity which bolstered their relationship due to an electromagnetic attraction among them and gave shock waves to their parents. Suhanthi's mother accepted this with a bit of hesitation but she trusted her daughter. The climax as seen in many movies left Arjun's family in distress. Arjun in the context of working in an MNC was not really doing so which brought agitation among his entire family. As a reward for his dishonesty, the entire family citing the reason as Breach of Trust rejected and showed Himalayan opposition towards his proposal. They also delinked Arjun from all their family relationships except his sister who showed great love and affection towards him. Arjun left Tamil Nadu in the hope of Suhanthi and her family as all his efforts regarding the marriage proposal ended in vain. Suhanthi's in-laws accepted him, which gave some relief and support to Arjun in leading his life colorfully with his love. 

Arjun has rented a 2BHK house for their stay since they have a permanent house in Mallapuram. Suhanthi appointed a local guy to take care of her computer center in Mallapuram. Now their family's income came from three different sources-computer center, house rent, and Arjun.

'Suhanthi I have been planning to get admission for Arjun in a Top school because we have three sources of income now', said Arjun while unpacking the vessel box.

'Handle it carefully Arjun, it is easily vulnerable', said Suhanthi who is busy cutting vegetables.

'Suhanthi have you heard me saying about Suhen'

'Oh sorry what have you been saying'

'About Arjun's new school'

'I heard those Arjun but income will not decide the school'

'You know right, more money more quality, like in iPhone

'Maybe in technology but not in our child's life, don't compare iPhone and your son'

'Come on what are talking'

'Ask somebody for schools within 2km radius, then we can choose the best one'

'But why'

'The top schools will have more strength, more people less opportunity, away from the school, draining more time in traveling'

'Don't you want your child to study in a prestigious school?'

'I want but every other external factor should also be taken into the account'

'Okay there is nothing more to talk', says Arjun and left the door shut.

In a couple of days after reaching Thiruvanathapuram, Suhen was admitted to a school near their house for class VIII, the school is within a walkable distance. Suhen left for school in a confusion. He walked through the streets remembering the past with his nostalgic memories.

'May I come in, said Suhen

'Neena George!', said the teacher

'Present mam', said a girl from the last bench.

'Excuse me mam', said Suhen once again.

'Please proceed with your name', said the teacher.

'Suhender mam'

'Suhender, occupy along with Varshan'

'Thankyou mam'

He was asked to occupy the seat right in front of Neeni. The teacher organized an orientation program to get to know the students. Suhender keenly waited and carefully listened Neeni's introduction. In the due course of time, Varshan and Suhen became good friends. Suhen talked to Neeni's friend Divya but not with Neeni. The first week of school for Suhen was quite adventurous as everything he did here was completely new.

'Anybody here interested in joining the eco-club asked a substitute staff who is the in-charge of that club.

A handful number of students including Neeni raised her hand. On seeing Neeni, Suhen raised his hand too. He was also curious about the happenings of the club as he had never heard about anything like this in the past and also became quite curious about Neeni. The club offered him to learn about the different kinds of plants and their habitats. After a week of joining the club and almost spending a week there, every child is now asked to take a 2m plot, they should plant a crop or shrub and they have to maintain it for a period of 4months. The school would obtain a portion of cultivation and the remaining will be given in the hands of students for their hard work. He planted a tomato as Neeni planted it. Both his curiousness on Neeni and the plant grew well. The club enabled Suhen to connect with the plants and with the eco-system naturally in contrast to the other top schools whose main job is growing students just to get marks.

'Anybody interested in joining competitions regarding Writing and Speeches', asked a substitute teacher.

The same happened this time but nobody else raised their hands except Neeni and Suhen. Later that evening they were advised to select a topic of themselves regarding the Independence of India. Neeni's choice was Freedom fighters and Suhen decided to speak about Britisher's support in Independence. Since Suhen prepared an unusual topic everybody was keen on hearing his part as the first. So on the vent day, Suhen was asked to deliver his speech but unfortunately, he struggled in delivering it as it was his first speech on a student convened stage. Neeni delivered her topic clearly which earned her appreciation from the chief guest.

'Your topic is the best but not your way of saying', said Neeni after stepping down, Which is the first word he heard from Neeni since he joined the school.

The speech he delivered poorly vanished from his mind. Neeni and her words were the only things he remembered after the event. Teachers asked him to improve his way of saying the same Neeni said. Since the school was adequate in its strength, it was in a favorable position to generate more opportunities.

Nearly a month passed after the event. Neeni became the classroom favorite. Suhen observed every action of Neeni while she is on the stage. Learned body language and practiced it in front of the mirror. Suhen was now waiting for an opportunity to exhibit his skills in front of Neeni.

'Anyone interested in joining a competition next week regarding the seminar-consequences of climate change ', asked the Social teacher.

This time Neeni was chosen without her consent and she didn't refuse it as she was keenly interested.

'Neeni there are 10 pairs competing against you, pairs are mandatory in this competition, said the teacher.

'Divya is my pair mam', she said without Divya's consent.

Divya who experienced a bolt passing through her body blurted out that she would be on a leave next week and requested the teacher and Neeni to accompany other than her. The teacher after due consideration gave Neeni time till evening to select her pair.

She walked straight to Suhen after her lunch, searched for him, and finally reached him by strolling fast towards the playground.

'Yes or No', said a sudden voice from the back of Suhen. Suhen turned with a shake.

'What?', said Suhen without even trusting her. 

'Nothing bye', said and turned Neeni with agitation.

'Hey, wait I am coming'

'Come to the Auditorium tomorrow after the school hours, said Neeni without even looking back at him.

 Suhen watched her by standing still until she went upstairs. They both shared a glance when Suhen came inside the class after the lunch break. Neeni threw fire whenever they shared their eyes and Suhen felt really bad for it. He decided to calm her down tomorrow. The next day they both reached the auditorium on time.

'Sorry', said Suhen

'Don't show this behavior to me or else I would smash you to trash, behave yourself', said Neeni in a hard tone. Suhen was shocked to hear that tone. After seeing Suhen's distress face, Neeni suddenly broke into laughter. She conveyed to him that she had done this only to test his patience as most of the people don't have it. Suhen stared at her for a second.

'Its okay, Now why have you asked to come here

'Do you remember the seminar competition'

'Yes, the consequences of climate change, right?'

'Yes, so you are gonna be my pair'

'What? from whom have you got this permission'

'Not interested in working with me?'

'Of course, I like but........ I am not good at speaking

'That is why I am here for you, don't worry I would take care of you', said Neeni.

'Really', asked Suhen in excitement.

'Not in that meaning idiot', said Neeni with a fake smile.

For the next four days, Neeni trained Suhen on how to give a charismatic speech and also how to do a unanimous seminar. Suhen came to know more about Neeni in the due course and they both became close friends. Suhen learned the art of making a speech as well as a seminar. The day before the competition, they were asked to demonstrate the seminar in front of the school audience.

'Be calm, don't forget the eye contact, most importantly be confidence', said Neeni anxiously.

'When you are near I will never have fear', said Suhen in a patriotic tone. Neeni laughed a lot on hearing this but he could see a pinkish blush on Neeni's face which she tried hard to conceal.

Finally, they both completed the seminar and brought home the prizes their school principal asked for. Both attended a small felicitation function arranged by their school. They were the superstars of the school for the next couple of weeks. Suhen enjoyed his school more and more, the friendship he earned from Neeni and the speeches he gave on regular occasions took his name from kindergarten to higher secondary. Now, everybody came to know who is Suhen and his achievements. Suhen wrote his final examination and left the school for a summer vacation in memory of Neeni. On the other hand, Arjun lost his job due to their hotel's bad financial management which leads to irrecoverable debt. When he conveyed this to his family they were heartbroken. They planned to go back to Mallapuram since they had a house and Suhanthi's shop there.

'Daddy please, I like this school a lot, cried Suhen in despair.

'There are still more schools like this Suhen', consoled his father.

Suhen left the town without even communicating with Neeni, in the next couple of days, Suhen reached Mallapuram. Arjun sought admission for Suhen where he studied his VII standard in the past. But this time when he revisited the school again after reopening, he deliberately missed Neeni and left in her memories most of the months. He wished to see her and feel her. Suhen came to realize one thing after he joined this new school, which he wrote in his diary that evening.

Diary entry  

         

Hi diary, I have already said you about my friend Neeni, but today I have realized the transition that happened within me. In the past school where I have studied, I could feel the conversations happening between me and the eco-system around me-the plants, animals, etc. Then, when I have done a poor speech on stage which pulled down my confidence, I felt desperately bad. Neeni helped me to regain my confidence back. The school has produced such an atmosphere with ample opportunities that shaped me in just one year. Here is my present school, there are no such opportunities. Even if there is competition, the school has shortlisted some set of students who would attend the competition again and again. I would be watching them with the eyes of eagerness for an opportunity. Finally, I have realized the meaning of education what my mother said last year. Not only my friendship has transitioned into love on Neeni but also with the school. The transition to love happened to me in that school. Does that happen to you?

                                                      

Thank you for Reading.

Did he met Neeni? I don't know. But I know what an impact his school has made on him. What if every school in India be like this, with adequate students provided with ample opportunities, events, and sports. A new generation will be evolved with confidence. Suhen still has years to find Neeni, but do we still have time to find a lovable school? Jai Hind!