Chapter 1.
Tanvi P.O.V
Even though it was years ago, I remember it all like it was yesterday. My mother and I would often sit together and talk, reminiscing about the past. The good times and the bad.
I was a very bubbly, chirpy and cute little chubby girl with a fair complexion. I lived in Assam with my parents. Assam is a north east state in India, it is always known for attracting tourists every year. Tourists visit the state to witness its rich wildlife, archeological sites, tea plantations and various other places. Assam is the home to various national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, but to me it was home.
I roamed around my house, following behind my mom, asking her endless questions.
"How will school life be?" I asked, slightly nervous and excited for it to begin. My mom was a very patient and kind woman, who always had time for me no matter what.
"When you get your admission to a school, you will get new books, uniforms, wonderful teachers, good friends and a beautiful environment that will help you become a strong woman in the future." My mom said, I pulled myself up and sat on the chair, excitement running through me as my mom told me all about how my studies will help me to shape my future and help me be independent in my life. How my education will make me a great and influencing person in life. I sat there in amazement, I couldn't wait for this to happen and soon enough the admission letter came.
On my first day of school, I was very excited. I was excited about my new life, friends and the environment, I would find happiness and discover the adventures of life. How naive was I, little did I know that this new journey would bring a lot of nightmares, which would haunt me for the rest of my life.
I went to school with both my mother and father, we walked to school with my parents each holding my hand. On the way I saw a little sweet shop, selling all kinds of various colourful candies. I always had a sweet tooth.
"Dad, can you buy some candies for me and the new friends I will make when I meet them at school?" I asked, with the excitement building up in me. My dad looked at me and smiled, he knew I was excited and had always taught me to share, so he bought me the candies. We carried on our way to my new school and soon enough My parents and I were standing by the school gate.
"Now don't forget, to be obedient to the teachers in the school." My mom advised me.
"I promise, I will be a good and obedient child." I said, nodding my head. Unlike the other kids who were crying, not wanting to leave their parents, I was fully excited and didn't shed a single tear.
"Can you bring something delicious for my tiffin?" I asked my parents.
"I will, I promise. I'll bring Aalu ka paratha (chapati stuffed with potato and onion mesh with some salt and spices. Most indians love to eat this chapati with curd.)" My mom replied, just from hearing this I became very happy and ran to the school campus. I was happy for two reasons, the first was the fact that I will be meeting a lot of new friends and the second my mom was bringing my favourite Aalu ka paratha for tiffin.
Nirmala's P.O.V (Tanvi's mother)
Even though Tanvi was full of excitement and anticipation, her father and I were full of worry. It was her first day of school and Tanvi had never left their sight for a single second, but here she will be in school for six hours. This thought alone made me worry even more, what if she doesn't like it? What if something happens? All these questions kept going through my mind, but I never let it show to Tanvi. I didn't want her to be upset or worried on her first day.
I met with one of Tanvi's teachers, who by coincidence is a nun. This is a catholic school called St.Joseph's, because of which most of the teachers are either nuns or they are from Kerala. Her name was Sister Daisy, she was a very polite, humble person and is very good at understanding others, because of her nature, every parent feels free to share their concerns with her. When I talked, I felt relaxed around her and shared my worries with her. I asked her to take care of Tanvi during school. Sister Daisy assured me that Tanvi would be fine in school.
I had always taught Tanvi to respect and love others, I would always tell her that a person should be humble and kind. They should always forgive and forget others mistakes because when we forgive and forget others mistakes, God will forgive and forget ours. Being an innocent soul, Tanvi always loved and cared for others. She would always greet everyone she met with respect, but sometimes others are not the same as we are. Sometimes people have jealousy, bitterness, hatred to and bad intentions towards others. They envy others without reason, but Tanvi was an extroverted girl, who can easily mingle with everyone.
Tanvi's P.O.V
Before the class started, I met everyone and tried to mingle with all the students, but some didn't treat me the same. Though they were children like me, they seemed to be very hostile towards me. I don't understand their behaviour towards me. Especially my classmates, Ankita and her friends who were from the same area that Ankita lived in. I bought candies for all my classmates, but Ankita and her group snatched all the candies from me and bullied me in a very brutal way.
They pinched my cheeks, kicked me in my stomach and opened my braided hair. I started crying badly, when at the same time Sister Daisy came in. She was teaching rhymes to the students and this was her class. When Sister Daisy saw me crying, she took me in her arms and cooed me. My face was as red as a tomato, from all the crying I was doing. After a lot of efforts, Sister Daisy was able to stop me from crying.
"Why are you crying child." Sister Daisy gently asked me. I couldn't help it, I had hiccups, which made it hard to talk through but I managed it. I told her that a lot of girls were bullying me, especially Ankita and she was even provoking other girls to bully me as well. All of them snatched my candies and they even opened one of her braids, which my mother did in the morning. I told everything to Sister Daisy.