SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 6

Shree's Investment

Shree reached home and entered calling "Amma..." and  saw her mom standing in the kitchen. She washed her hands and legs and went inside the kitchen. Mom said  "Here is your tea". Shree kissed her mom and said "Mom is always a Mom". She told her mom sipping the tea "Being in the kitchen ,you keep the doors open , What if someone enters the home without your knowledge?".  Mom asked "Who will enter ?". Shree in a harsh voice starring and rotating her eye balls said "Suppose a Thief  attack you". and added "Being a big fat lady you could not run fast to escape from him". Mom twist pulled Shree's ears and said  "You are making fun of me and I am going to see how you will be looking after having two kids". Shree screamed "Awwwwww...." . Mom chortled  and said "No thief will come to our home. Do not worry. There is nothing to take from here .Even,  If he comes he will pity us and will keep something for us". Shree was done with the tea and looked deeply into her mom's eyes . Mom said "What??? .It is a joke"  but Shree can feel the sadness behind the joke. She hugged mom by her side and in a gentle voice"Amma ,Don't worry, Akhila will finish her  studies in 3 months, She will go for job and our status will be little better". Shree couldn't talk seriously for long time . She said in a mischievous way "After Akhila gets a job make my pocket money double". Mom smiled and said "What about triple ?". Shree eyes became wider and said "If you wish ,you can give how much ever you want"  and kissed her again.

Shree said "Amma , What is the dinner today?". Mom said "Chappathi" . Shree exclaimed "Ahhh Chappathi, What special today?". Mom said "Nothing special, Its long time  I made Chappathi  and I got wheat at  lower price too, so decided to make it and I need your help". Shree  said "I cannot make a perfect round chappati , So you roll the dough and I'll put it in pan and cook it". Mom said "Okay!". Akhila reached home and Shree's dad too came home from work. Delicious soft Chapatis
with Dhal got ready.  Shree was sweating inside the kitchen and was hungry too. Everybody was ready to have their dinner. Mom said "Three Chapatis each and If you are still hungry , Have some rice". Shree in an unsatisfied tone, "Such a soft Chapatis , only ... three ..Hmmmm" . Shree pouted her lower lips to show her displeasure. Akhila starred at her. Shree became calm and started eating. Shree said rotating her head , closing her eyes  and in a long tone "Hmmmmmmm.. What a taste! Nobody in this world can cook this tasty, I shall buy you a golden bangle after I go for a job".  Mom smiled and said "Okay!  Eat.".  Dinner was over. Everybody was tired and went to sleep. 

Next Saturday morning, After breakfast ,Shree was sitting and doing some cutting ,pasting work with a card board. She is not very good at drawing,  But still she was doing something with that card board. She was writing something on it. Once done, Shree looked at the cardboard and said  "Not bad ..Looking good". Ahkila and Amma asked  "What are you doing?" .Shree said "Sshhhh... Watch this " and showed the card board. Akhila and Mom was happy to see the card board.  She decided to put in on an electrical post  near her home on the road side. Akhila helped her. The board was tied in the post. Shree had planned something to  support her family, but as a poor girl she had nothing to invest. 
So Shree selected a job in which she can invest her knowledge.  Shree turned and saw the board and read it "Tuitions taken for 10th to 12th  standard" and there was an arrow pointing towards her home. Shree decided to earn to support her family. Akhila said "Very Good Shree!". Shree smiled and said  "Yesterday ,When I was on the way home from college, This idea bloomed into my mind". Mom asked "You are just a first year student, I doubt students would join here as everyone is expecting a teacher who completed at least a degree". Shree said "No worries ,Lets see how it works". Akhila said "Shree,  you could definitely make it". Shree smiled and said "Akhila ,You are always great, You take classes for singing and classical dance after college and you are the college topper too. I am  nothing..  when compared to you. You are my inspiration and the role model" and added "It's my duty too to support the family and share your burden". Akhila smiled at Shree. Shree couldn't control her naughtiness at any situation. Shree lethargically said "I am giving  such a long speech but always get a smile from Akhila in return" and Shree turned to her Mom and asked , "We both were born in the same womb. I am a Chatter box but how can Akhila be like this ?? I am wondering". Akhila gave a gentle slap on her cheeks and said "I am wondering too" and said " Stop talking and do something better". Shree  sparkled  her eyes and said "I can do something better, But couldn't stop talking".

 It was 3.pm noon. Akhila started to the place where her classes been taken. She went to a public telephone booth and called  a landline number. Sai spoke at the other end. Akhila said "I am just starting. Can u come at 6.30 pm and pick me up from class and drop me in home?". Sai said  "Yes Akhila, The same place Right !" .Akhila said "Yes, Sai" and she put down the phone .She caught a bus and left.
  
Sai visited that evening. He said "Shree! Who is the tuition teacher here? I saw a board in the post". Shree shook her shoulders and said "What doubt , Its me!".  Sai said "Hey ! Good, You have the talent.Carry on". Shree smiled and thanked him. Sai asked "Where is Akhila?". Shree said "She will be busy with her singing and  dance classes and yet to come". Sai said "Oh no! I forgot, Akhila called me to pick her up, But my bicycle got punctured". Shree's Dad came in, Sai said "Appa! 
Akhila will be waiting. Can you do me a favor. Help me with my bicycle to the near by puncture shop and I will take your cycle and pick her up".  Dad said "Okay!". Sai took the bicycle and left.After an hour Sai and Akhila arrived home. 

The response for the board was awesome. The Next morning, She got a student. Days passed. One student became two ,three ......and finally it was twenty students.  The students were  all tenth standard and above. Even though she was a first year student, she handled the students and taught the lessons in a matured way.  She wanted her students to excel in each and every subject. She also taught the lessons in such a way that students themselves felt that they get high marks  only because of her tuition. As the number of students increased. She arranged the open terrace upstairs in her home to take the tuition.  She became an excellent teacher and tuition made her forget that she was a student. She had her college book by her side always. Whenever she found time in the middle of the tuition, She would also take a look at her book.  She was happy and busy doing her job. 

There was a challenge waiting for her in that too.

Actions will define you!

One Sunday morning, She was in between her tuition. A women came with a girl to meet Shree. The woman asked "I saw the Board stating about Tuition. I decide to put my  daughter in tuition for Maths" and added " My daughter is in her 3rd attempt in 10th standard as she failed in maths twice. The marks she got only 15 out of 100 and she is very weak in the subject". Shree thought it was a challenge to her and accepted it. The woman asked "Are you taking these tuitions?" in a way she did'nt  believe shree would make out this challenge. But the woman made her mind seeing the number of students in the tuition. Shree asked the girl to come from tomorrow  and asked her to bring the Maths book and a Rough book. The next day she waited for the girl. The girl arrived and she talked to her for ten minutes and then started  her lessons. The girl felt Shree was very friendly and it was easy for her to mingle with her. Shree followed her own style and magics in her method of teaching. Shree not only taught lessons but also said some inspirational stories and boosted her and kept her motivated all the time.  Days went by . The girl finished her exams and was waiting for the result.

That morning ,the woman came with the girl with a plate full of fruits , a sweet box , some money with heart full of happiness. It was just a reciprocation of love and respect towards Shree's dedication and teaching. Shree understood that the girl got passed and asked her about her score in maths. With the full mouth smile , the girl said "75 Pct". Shree congratulated her and was not surprised by her marks. The woman thanked her and pushed the girl front towards  Shree. In a twinkling time, The girl fell on her knees under the feet of Shree. Shree was shocked and scolded her to get up. Shree said "I am only two years elder to  you, How can you do this!". The girl's mom added "Whatever.. ,You are a teacher" .  The girl got tears in her eyes. They both thanked Shree and left her home.

At that point she realised and her heart said "If we need to know who we are. Don't ask ,But Act. Actions will define you". Her heart thanked the girl who made her  tuition career a mile stone. She not only earned money but a good name in a period of three months. Shree was expecting more and more to come. She became a best tuition teacher in her place. At this stage, Shree fixed a dream in her heart. She decided to do her post graduation , PHD and become a professor in a college.  Meanwhile Sai and Akhila finished their studies and joined as a lecturer in a near by college. Sai usually visits Shree's home once in two days.  These days, in this busy schedule ,Shree was always in upstairs and she couldn't meet Sai. 

That evening Sai visited her home. Sai said "Heloo Busy Bee! I couldn't see your head these days. So Busy Hmmm". Shree as usual in a playful way "Oh ya Yes! ". Shree told about the girl who joined in the tuition for maths and also about her marks. Sai was happy and congratulated Shree. Shree said "I heard you got a job  where is the treat?" Sai said "Definitely. What you want?". Shree exclaimed and with curious eyes "Really??? You can give me anything I want ?  Oh my god , My mind is not working. I will think and tell you what i need". Sai smiled and said "Okay" and  added in hesitation "I need to discuss about one thing to you, I don't know what you will think of me if I tell this". 
Shree was very curious and in a funny way said "Tell me in a way i should not mistake you"and winked. Mom came from Kitchen . Shree asked "Ok come on , Tell". Sai was shy to tell in  Mom's presence and whispered to Shree "I will tell you later". Shree said "Please tell ,No suspense Please". Mom asked "What?". Shree said in an innocent way  "He started something, But when he saw you coming , he stopped.. Amma! Ask him what it is!". Sai didn't expect this and said to Mom "Amma !She is kidding and making fun. Nothing like that, I have some work and I'll come tomorrow" .
Mom in a puzzled way said "Sai ,Come on Say what you think, Nobody will mistake you". Sai said "No Amma  ,She was really kidding". Mom smiled and said "Okay"

Sai went outside and Shree too came out and folded her hands in front and gave a gurgle laugh. Sai smiled and took his bicycle and waived his hands and left

There awaited a good news for Shree.

And Now I hear you saying "Chella is always keeping a suspense at the end". I know you are very eager to know what is the good news. All... I say is a  simple word in English "Patience"  Till Next Friday :) !!