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Read Chapter 5 Here!

ARJUN

“I have learnt the basics. When I was in the other home, they made me attend school for a year. I studied till the first standard. There is a kind lady who comes once in a week to teach the kids here. I know the English alphabets and numbers in Maths. I have learnt the alphabets for Hindi too.” Tinu tells me proudly and I do not have the heart to bring his enthusiasm down. At 10 years of age, he should have learnt more. But the orphanage is doing the best with the limited funds it gets every year. I am grateful that there is at least someone volunteering to teach the kids here.

Every now and then, Tinu glances at me with what I perceive as surprise and amazement, as if he cannot believe that I returned the very next day to meet him. As if I could afford to not see him again…

“I will enquire in schools and get you enrolled soon, Champ.” I smile at him and ruffle his hair, something I like to do. “Only the best for you!”

We sit in companionable silence for some time, Tinu adorably swinging his legs from the bench where we are sitting.

“I would like to change my name.” He says hesitatingly.

I nod, having given this a thought myself. “Any particular name you have in mind?”

He grins, looking much younger than his 10-year old self. “Abhimanyu. I know that he was the son of the warrior Arjun from Mahabharata. The teacher tells many stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Since you are Arjun, I would like to be called as Abhimanyu.” He looks at me uncertainly as if searching for some kind of approval. He has no idea how he is inching closer to my heart every minute.

I cannot say anything because of the lump in my throat. I nod and put my arm around his shoulder – his too-thin shoulder. I chuckle thinking about how Amma will make it her life’s mission to get some pounds of fat into Tinu – no, Abhimanyu.

“What else do you wish to do, Abhimanyu? What are your hobbies? Is there any sport that you are interested in?” I ask him.

He hesitates for a few seconds and then takes out a book from a tattered bag that he had brought with him. Silently he hands over the book to me.

I open it and gasp in amazement. Every page of the book is filled with beautiful pencil-shading of landscapes and sometimes portraits of people.

“You did these!?” I cannot hide my pride. Abhimanyu grins at me, evidently pleased by my reaction.

“The teacher once told us to draw something as a fun activity. I drew a scenery and she told me to colour it. Since I did not have any colour, I shaded with pencil. She taught me how to use different shades of the same pencil.” He says.

I shake my head in wonder as I keep turning the pages of the book to see one wonderful scene after another. “Would you like to join a class for drawing? You are a natural artist and I think under the guidance of a teacher you will do even better.”

His face falls. “I would like to learn but can the teacher come home to teach me? I just… I don’t know… classes, going out – it is all unfamiliar and scary for me.” He gulps visibly and says in a low voice. “So is school. Is it compulsory to go to school? Can’t you teach me at home?”

I gently grip his shoulder, wanting to soothe all his fears. “I get it Champ. But I want you to experience and enjoy everything that a child should. School is an important part of every child’s life. Once you make friends there, it will no longer be just a place to learn, it will turn into a place to have fun and enjoy some of the best moments of life. Let me check whether any teacher can come home to teach you drawing, all right?”

He nods pensively.

I look at the watch. It is time for me to leave.

“I think I will leave now. But before I go, let us take a selfie. I want to show your photo to my parents. They are eagerly waiting to see you.” I say and take out my mobile.

“Wow! Your mobile is so cool!” He says as he takes in the glossy screen of my cell. I put my arm around his shoulder and pose to take a selfie. The boy inches closer to me until half of his thin frame is over my shoulder. Wanting to freeze this moment forever, I take a picture. I keep my arm around him, not wanting him to shift away from me while I show him the picture. He places his hand over my thigh in excitement while looking at the screen, the first close contact I ever have with my – son.

I know I won’t forget this moment ever.  

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