Sunset Serendipity

Chapter 3

As Priya scrolled through the student information, she meticulously sought Aryan's parents' number. Upon making the call, Ms. Shenoy answered, her voice echoing authority. Unfazed by Priya's request, Ms. Shenoy revealed she was merely a caretaker. Undeterred, Priya cunningly pivoted, insisting on Aryan's father's number. However, Ms. Shenoy, with a clever finesse, skillfully evaded the demand, leaving Priya to ponder her next move.

Recalling Aryan's mention of his father's significant contributions to the school, Priya determinedly turned her attention to the principal. After some strategic inquiry, she managed to obtain the elusive number. As she hesitated, torn between meddling and her role as a teacher, a realization dawned. With a sense of duty, she acknowledged that guiding and correcting were inherent to her responsibilities, and with newfound conviction, Priya dialed the number, ready to address the matter at hand.

As Ram navigated the bustling airport en route to Delhi for business, his phone buzzed with an unfamiliar number. Hesitating momentarily, he decided to answer. Priya's introduction on the other end sparked a flicker of curiosity in him. Amidst the airport's hustle, a brief conversation unfolded, leaving Ram intrigued about the purpose of this unexpected call.

Priya: Mr. Ram, I called because I wanted to discuss Aryan's recent behavior at school. It's a matter of concern.

Ram: Well, I appreciate your call, and I assure you I'll look into it.

Priya: I understand, but perhaps it would be beneficial if you could visit the school and have a conversation with the teachers.

Ram: I really don't have the time for that. I'll handle it from here.

Priya: (sarcastically) It's quite strange, Mr. Ram, that you don't have time for your own son's matters. Sounds a bit self-centric, doesn't it?

Ram: (defensively) Look, I have a busy schedule, but I'll deal with it. Thanks for your concern.

Ram's abrupt end to the call left Priya agitated, pondering the implications of his apparent indifference. Uttering a sigh, she muttered to herself, "It's now clear to me why Aryan is being like this. Oh, God, poor kid." Setting her phone aside, Priya retraced her steps to her desk, where a pile of remaining work awaited her attention. As she delved back into her tasks, a mix of concern and empathy lingered in her thoughts, overshadowing the routine paperwork.

As Ram settled into his seat on the flight, Priya's words echoed in his mind, stirring a momentary disquiet. Huffing in disbelief, he mumbled, "How can she say such a thing? Am I being self-centered?" The abruptness of her remark lingered, and he found himself contemplating the identity of this seemingly assertive teacher. "Who is she even? I don't have any knowledge about this teacher," he pondered. Realizing the pressing matters of his impending meeting, Ram resolved to set aside these thoughts for the time being. "Oh, God, I need to focus on my meeting first. I'll take care of this later," he determined, redirecting his attention to the tasks at hand.

Two days later, Ram's unexpected arrival at the school sent ripples across the basketball ground. Aryan, catching sight of his father's approaching car, felt a surge of tension. Swiftly tossing the ball aside, he dashed towards the vehicle. As Ram stepped out and met Aryan's gaze, his son inquired about the sudden visit. Ram, choosing to conceal the true reason, simply mentioned a need to see the principal for a personal matter. Aryan, visibly relieved, accepted the explanation and returned to the basketball ground, leaving Ram to navigate the uncharted waters of the school's corridors.

Ram cautiously peeked into the principal's room, where his sudden arrival caught her off guard. The principal, a touch surprised, inquired about the reason behind his unexpected visit. Ram, feeling the need to address the matter at hand, candidly began recounting the recent phone call from Priya and the concerns about Aryan.

As he spoke, the principal listened attentively, recognizing the importance of the situation. Understanding that Priya held valuable information, she directed Ram to seek her out. With a nod of assurance, Ram navigated the school corridors, guided by the principal's directions, in search of the enigmatic teacher who had sparked this unexpected journey.

In the bustling teacher's room, Priya found herself engrossed in gossip when the principal's voice cut through the chatter, calling her name. Startled, she excused herself from the conversation and stepped outside.

The principal, with a serious tone, mentioned Ram Kapoor's unexpected visit. Intrigued, Priya was questioned about the reason behind calling him. Without hesitation, Priya spilled the details of the concerns regarding Aryan's behavior that had prompted her to reach out to his father.

The principal, recognizing the gravity of the situation, directed Priya to Room No. 13, where Ram awaited. As Priya navigated the school's corridors, a mix of anticipation and curiosity etched across her face, she contemplated the unfolding scenario and the potential resolution that awaited in the mysterious Room No. 13.

As Priya stepped into Room No. 13, her eyes fell on a man in a black suit engrossed in his phone. With a clear call of "mr kapoor," the man swiftly cut the call, turning to face Priya. In that moment, their eyes met for the first time.

Ram observed Priya, dressed in a simple yet captivating salwar suit, her hair neatly tied into a ponytail. Her sharp expression hinted at a no-nonsense demeanor. As Priya introduced herself, Ram, with a quizzical look, inquired about the purpose of his visit.

In the quiet room, the air thick with unspoken questions, a dialogue unfolded, setting the stage for a conversation that would unravel the intricacies surrounding Aryan's recent behavior and the dynamics between teacher and parent.

Priya: Mr. Ram, I felt it necessary to bring something to your attention. I discovered that Aryan has been regularly visiting adult sites and engaging in online betting. As a father, I thought you should know before I address this with him.

Ram: (visibly uncomfortable) Well, teens make mistakes; it's a common thing.

Priya: (cutting in) True, but correcting those mistakes is our responsibility, isn't it?

Ram: (defensively) Are you implying that I'm not taking care of my son properly?

Priya: I'm not making assumptions, Mr. Ram, but as responsible adults, guiding our children through their mistakes is essential.

The conversation hung in the air, a delicate dance between addressing the issue at hand and navigating the nuances of parenting.

Ram: If you think you can rectify him, why don't you try?

Priya: (taken aback) What? I said I'll do my best to guide him, but it's not solely on me. You need to cooperate. His grades are slipping, and he needs time.

Ram: (irritated) I don't have much time for that. But if you're so concerned, I can offer you something.

Priya: (curious) Offer me something? What do you mean?

Ram: You can give him tuitions after school.

Priya: I can't do that. I don't take tuition.

Ram: (sarcastically) This is what I meant. Everyone has their own time limits; they can't go beyond that. Anyway, thanks for letting me know. I will handle this in my way and make sure he won't do such things in the future.

The conversation ended with a palpable tension, each party firm in their stance on how to address Aryan's issues. The dynamics of parenting and teaching played out in the exchange, leaving unresolved nuances lingering in the air.

As Ram made his way towards the exit, Priya's sudden words stopped him in his tracks. "Okay, I will give him tuition and try to guide him," she declared. Turning around, Ram removed his sunglasses, fixing a questioning gaze on her. "Are you sure?" he asked.

Priya, with a firm nod, affirmed her decision. "Yes."

With a simple "okay," Ram left, leaving Priya in a great dilemma. The weight of her impromptu commitment hung heavy in the air, as she grappled with the sudden responsibility she had willingly shouldered, uncertain of the challenges and changes this decision might bring into her life.