The man next door

Music Teacher

"My daughter's birthday celebrations is tomorrow evening. All of you must come", Mrs. Gomes invited all the teachers of Musoorie Boarding School.

"Don't tell me you are missing out another event", Mr. Bajwa warned.

"I actually have---", Shivaay tried to speak, but he was stopped by Mrs. Gomez, "No other plans."

"Tell me something. How do you have so many plans in this silent town of Musoorie?", Mr. Srivastav inquired, although he knew Shivaay would be doing nothing but lazing around actually.

"I think I have a class", Shivaay ran away giving the excuse.

From an aspiring rockstar to a music teacher, his life had changed drastically. He had tried everything to move on but in vain. Maybe actually he himself did not want to. After living four months as a vagabond, he had retired in this quiet land to live the rest of his life. He was the youngest teacher in the school- While some of the teachers had accepted him whole heartedly, some of them thought he was a hiding a dark past. Afterall which talented young musician would leave his almost successful journey and choose to become a teacher in his late twenties? 

He had his reason. He had his best and last memories of Anika in the snow and only staying in this snowy place would give him some rest. 

"Where are you lost, sir?", Miss. Paul broke his trance on seeing him staring at the snow for minutes.

"Huh? Nothing. The snow is beautiful", he sighed in response.

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"Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you", everyone sang while the little girl cut the cake, except Shivaay who stood at the corner smiling. He had celebrated the happiest birthday of his life with Anika and that was when they had their first kiss.

His reminiscing session was broken by Mrs. Gomes who had bought a piece of cake for him, "You loved her a lot right?"

A shocked Shivaay asked, "How do you know about it?"

"A young  musician, leaves his band and retires to this quite place, practically living the life of priest. Occasionally he keeps staring at things and start smiling. I have seen many heartbroken boys. But not another one like you. Singers are indeed hopelessly romantic", she chuckled.

Shivaay looked at her in disbelief. Was his love-sickness so much prominent on his face? But there was no other way she could know it. 

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 An excited Miss. Paul entered the staffroom and started shouting, "Guys guys guys. Listen to me", and drew all the teachers' attention towards herself.

"All of you have your passports, right?", she asked.

"Why?", asked Mrs. Gomes who hated disturbance while eating.

"The trustees were thinking of sending the senior-most class to an excursion in Andaman next week", Mr. Bajwa replied casually from his seat.

"You know it?", Miss. Paul was shocked on seeing him uninterested.

"I am the music teacher. Do I also need to go? I don't think I am that important", resented Shivaay who had begun hating stepping outside his comfort zone.

"You are the most important. Without your music, we shall die of boredom over there. I heard the internet connection is unstable there", interrupted Miss Paul who was heartbroken seeing everyone uninterested.

"Can I take my daughter with me?", asked Mrs. Gomez from the side.