Shortstory - A miracle

Pooja tiptoed to the kitchen expecting the least sound would bring her mom into the kitchen. She became frightened even to imagine the air of fury her mom would display seeing her in the kitchen at such an odd hour of the day. It was dead midnight. Still she hasn't had a thing as dinner.

It was intolerable hunger which reminded her that she should have something to carry on what she was doing. So, she had a hasty meal and settled in the seat again in glee.

Pooja was a lively character. She looked lovely with a golden complexion, shapely figure and hazel eyes. Her pitch black curly hair adorned her looks more. She taught in a school where there were exclusively boys. They adored her. She taught them classics.

The boys often referred to her as "Helen of Troy". Pooja maintained a good rapport with her students. The boys never bothered her while she was teaching. They stayed mesmerized instead. The elderly teachers at school often advised her to be at arm's length with the boys. But she never took them seriously.

The teachers knew that she was full of life and vigour and this very reason made them think that she is susceptible to trouble. But there was a thing undetected. Her depth of character and solid outlook at society often went undetected because of the frivolous way of living she flaunted often. She liked that kind of attitude towards her. Pooja didn't want anybody to recognize or respect her.

Internet chatting

Internet chatting was the newest addition to Pooja's hobbies. Music, reading and hanging out with friends are now her history. But as the saying goes "history repeats", still these had their flavour for her on and off.

Her-new-found niche occupied an indomitable place in her tight schedule adding a good dose of humour each day to stay sprightly throughout the day. She was obsessed with the pleasure it gave her. It really gave her momentum to forget all her blues. Friends of all sorts appearing with weird names made her heart flutter with joy. When she started chatting online, she forgot that she was a teacher and assumed the role of a teenager.

At night her room became a hub of activity. Songs in full volume, occasional ringing of her mobile, flashing pictures in the computer made it a perfect masala combination. Knowing her ways, Pooja's parents never made querries. Her father called her room "the high security Zone."

Optimistic

That day Pooja sat comfortably at the computer with a heap of hopes. She was quite optimistic about the outcome of the day. Among her net friends, she had favourites. There was one who really impressed her with his eloquence and witty remarks. Once they had an online argument and ultimately she posed him a tricky question.

In response what she got was "The answer my friend is blowing in the wind" only. It had an impact on her. He showed signs of being a web addict and was well-informed of the current trends in music. All these were plus factors for Pooja to know more of him. "Yes, I did it." Pooja screamed and became silent at once remembering that she was at home.

She was jubilant. She had become successful in convincing the guy that she is worthy of sending his photograph. It started to appear gradually on the screen. She waited impatiently. Background in the picture looked familiar. Pooja gazed at the screen. She was taken aback. How can this be? She got up from where she was seated. Her eye balls popped out. Pooja was there in the middle of the photograph.

It was a recent photograph they took at school after they won the trophy in an all-island drama competition. The boys who took part in the drama were around her. But there was no way open to trace who the guy was. Then there appeared another picture of him. She wiped her eyes in wonder.

The quietest of the class, Nivanka appeared in front of her with a gleaming smile. Miracles do happen. She was so thankful to god for not manipulating her to send a picture of her's beforehand. Pooja thought more about it. At school they had to assume the role of teacher and student. But the same night they had to become just friends also. How wonderful life is?

The next day Pooja went to school with the pretended out of arrogance of a teacher. She was feeling nervous after yesterday's incident. She had a craving to let him know that he was having fun with his classics teacher, last night. But as a teacher how can she do it? "Better be silent." Her conscience advised her. She walked into the class and manipulated her eyes to catch a glimpse of the mischievous fellow. Alas! he was not to be seen. Pooja's heart collapsed not seeing him.

She waited till night impatiently. But all her hopes were shattered, like a glass palace crumbling onto the ground. For one week, her efforts to chat with him online became fruitless. To her amazement, one night he appeared online. Knowing his addiction over internet chatting, his father has restricted the use of the computer.

As a punishment he was not even allowed to go to school for a week. His father knew that attending school was the second best in his priority list. The first was without any argument chatting online. It was indeed a solace for Pooja to know that he was safe at home.

One day Pooja was talking to the owner of a CD shop about a new arrival while returning from school.

"Can I have Water?" Somebody asked with a stress on the word Water. Pooja as well as the owner of the shop were dumbfounded to hear such a question.

"You mean the CD" the shopkeeper asked.

Pooja looked back. There he was. Nivanka was eagerly looking for the CD "Water" in a shelf. He didn't notice her being there. "I need an internet card too." He added while checking the recently arrivals. Pooja couldn't resist laughing. Controlling her laughter, she started talking to him.

"Nivanka, what happened to you? Why were you absent for so long?

It was crystal clear that this was unexpected and that he didn't have a ready reply.

Oh! I'm extremely sorry teacher. I didn't recognize you. I...I...I was seriously ill and was hospitalized for several days." Then he looked the other way.

It was no wonder that he was so witty. Pooja wanted to reply with a guffaw. But she felt that as his teacher she should not go to that extreme. Nivanka was not at ease and wanted to go away soon. "See you teacher" he quipped hastily.

"Remember to get your internet card, child?"

Pooja told him with a sarcastic smile instead of bidding him adieu.

Indu Gamage, ELTU, University of Ruhuna.