In Retrospect…
It was a bright April morning in the year 1992 when I stepped into the teaching profession … I cautiously entered the red brick school building ……morning assembly was in progress ….I crossed the portico and stood hesitating near the reception desk , nervously clutching at my hand bag…..Sensing curious glances from the last row of seniors standing across the corridor , I slowly crept behind the pillar …It was one hell of a moment as I stood there with my eyes closed , trying to relax myself and gearing up for the oncoming ordeal….
DEADLY ENCOUNTER
It was the first period of the day,
Mr.Charles D’Souza was on his way;
Lithe as a tiger he paced to the class,
I stood aside, to let him pass.
My class was next, so I watched him go;
Waiting in the corridor, I witnessed this show.
Stepping on the threshold, he glowered at the boys;
His baritone drowned, in the thunderous noise.
From the far end of the room, came a cat-call;
Azim was dragged and pushed to the wall.
Shameless, regardless, he stood there smart;
Adjusting his collar, which had fallen apart.
Stunned at his defiance and unnerving style,
His unabashed demeanour and derisive smile,
The teacher could not contain his anger;
He growled at Azim like a wounded panther.
Pulling his ears , he ruffled the boy’s hair;
Azim countered this , with a chilling stare.
Wild with fury, the teacher struck him hard;
The boy seemed delighted , to see him bombard.
Distraught , frustrated , the teacher left the room;
Pulling out a pocket comb,
Azim stroked his hair, to groom.
……Such high voltage, power-packed encounter, I had never witnessed before….it left me completely dumbstruck…. Goodness gracious!…..this boy was simply unbeatable!……I braced myself up for my very first encounter with this class…..
