Behind the rigidity

The Meet

The Chaturvedi family reached school and was now sitting outside for the existing visitor to leave.
They knocked on the door once it was emptied and entered upon getting a "come in" from inside.

"Good afternoon Sir"
"Oh Mr & Mrs Chaturvedi,come,have your seats" The Principal,Mr.Khanna greeted them back and spared a look at Vedant who stood behind his parents' chair.

"Young man, did you tell your parents what you've done?" Ved simply bent his head in reply to the principal's question

"What did he do sir, please let us know" Samarth forwarded his question
"Oh I see,that means he hasn't told you anything.Quite expected" he looked at Vedant again,

"so let me do the honour.Your son,along with some of his classmates,was caught just outside the school premises during school hours,watching a magic show , because apparently they were fascinated by the tricks being shown and ran away from the queue while returning to the classroom after their P.T period, when the security guard was not there" Samarth and Bhavani's shocked beyond belief eyes shifted to Vedant as the Principal ended the accusation.

"Vedant ? Is this true ?" Samarth composed himself and asked as calmly as possible

Ved had hardly bowed his already bowed head a bit when the principal intervened with an intimidating voice

"Of course it is. And,I had initially planned to rusticate all five of them,but luckily for you,just sometime before you,came one of his classmates' guardian who too was involved,and requested a lot ,so I've decided to suspend them for the next week.As it is he comes only to school for his mischiefs,so staying at home a week shouldn't do much harm, isn't it Ved?"

"I'm sorry Sir, please don't suspend me, I'll not leave the school like this again please,Papa Mumma please ask sir not to punish me please na" Ved pleaded

"Vedant,What you did was extremely wrong and unacceptable.Now go and stand over there.No arguments, we're talking right?" Bhavani slightly pushed him back when she saw her husband dangerously glaring at Ved, trying to save him from any more scoldings though she herself still couldn't process what he did.

"Everyday new complaints,chalo for a moment even all those can be excused.But trying to bunk school by running away dodging the security? It's clearly an offence "

"No sir,we didn't Dodge the security uncle,he was not present there" Ved argued

"Keep quiet,even if the security was not there,that doesn't mean you'll try to escape school-"

" Sorry to interrupt sir,but why was the guard not present there.I mean, anything could've happened in his absence" Samarth who was silent till then, questioned

"How  is he getting involved? This is the problem with some of the parents, instead of rectifying the mistake of themselves or their wards,they try to put the blame on somebody else to escape the punishment, and not try to make their children understand"

"Of course not sir,we are very much aware that our child and the other classmates involved here are at fault, what I'm asking is a little carefulness from the school's part as well,the next time onwards "

"I'm actually very stunned at the way how instead of teaching your son to not pull such stunts again, you're trying to tell the authorities what to do. As I said,just before you came,even another guardian with the student came.They accepted their punishment sportingly, apologized,and went away quietly.And here,your son Vedant and you as parents are arguing about it.I really doubt whether this mere suspension would actually serve the lesson,and fear this act would be repeated again, putting the school's reputation at stake."
The long accusing speech of the Principal angered Bhavani and Samarth a lot and Bhavani couldn't keep quiet anymore thinking about what he was hinting at by 'mere suspension'.

"Excuse me Mr.Khanna,but even if a single student from the school landed in danger due to the 'tight security' of the authorities,do you think any of the guardians,or the ones you drew example from, would've quietly left after the 'lesson learning punishment' of the school?Or even if they had been fully aware of the gravity of the scenario ?Our child can be given more than just the 'mere suspension' to protect the school from hampering it's reputation,but any such incidents going out of the school which threatens the security of kids will not be taken lightly as well by any of the Parents,that we can assure you sir" She said the last part looking confidently at the principal's eyes,sending the message clearly.

And it definitely did the job,as he fell quiet for quite some time.Pride was shining in Samarth's eyes at the way she put the much needed point so strongly that they at least could make the principal ponder ,for the sake of not just their child but all the children's well being.

"And what if the same happened under your eyes ?What if they run away from their own houses, allured by things such as magic tricks?Then whom will you blame?"

"We understand what you're trying to say, sir. But, first of all it is not only about the students getting attracted and running away,but can be someone coming in without getting checked as well,or even anything dangerous.Then,the foremost being,one being responsible towards their properly assigned jobs,which in this case was clearly not done by the three parties.One, Vedant and the other kids,two,and the security guard,three,the teacher as well who was supposed to check if all of them reached the classroom" Samarth put more light to the situation

"So now the teacher is dragged here as well,now what do you want me to do fire both of them?" he asked, annoyed

"Absolutely not, if we are to suggest,there can be head counts after reaching the ground and classroom,which the teacher might or might not have done,as we do not know about the scenario,and as far the security is concerned,we insist the school to employ more than one person at each gate.It is practically not possible for a single human being to stick at the same place, the whole time." The couple suggested turn by turn

"Hmm I get your point and will forward your suggestions to the concerned authorities."

Vedant who was a spectator all this time,just kept looking at the whole thing.His little innocent brain might not have understood the depth of the conversation but he was happy simply seeing his parents talking for him.

"Oh and needless to say, about Vedant,we will make sure he doesn't dare to repeat such stunts ever again once he returns school after his suspension.It is our responsibility at the first place to educate our children about the basic things.And,we are really sorry if we offended you in any way" Bhavani apologized.

"It's okay Mrs Chaturvedi.I get your concern.And apart from the quality of being naughty,Vedant is so good in drawing and sports and is a really sweet kid, helping his friends,others and sometimes even the teachers" The Principal smiled genuinely this time,"But young man,this time I'm suspending you just for a week,I hope you learn" 

"It was nice talking to you Mr.Khanna,we shall take your leave sir" Samarth said getting up from his chair when receiving the suspension later.

"Same here,Mr.Chaturvedi,have a good day"

After the family came outside,Bhavani's face was stern
"So this was what you were hiding Ved?It was really so not pleasant of you to do such a thing.Yo-"

"Let's go home Bhavani "  Samarth interrupted her scolding with a totally blank face.

Vedant looked at his father incredulously.He thought he would be scolded badly or even worse would be whacked in the Principal's office itself.But what he didn't expect,was a calm reaction from him.

"Samarth lekin"

"No need to tell anybody anything.If you don't want to come with me,take your time.But I'm leaving.It's getting late, I've to go to the office as well" saying so he started leaving and Bhavani had no other but to follow him, taking Ved's hand in hers.

          ~ ✿⁠ ⁠♡  ✿⁠ ⁠♡  ✿⁠ ⁠♡ ~

Here's the second part of Ch 8
Let me know how much did you all agree and with whom
Don't get bored reading the povs of the teachers, I'll try and incorporate the understanding ones as well as the story progresses

Any guesses, how will Ved be dealt with, by his parents?
Will try and update the next part at the earliest
Sending Loads of love and smiles your way 🤗