A Part, Yet Apart

Chapter 99 - Safety and Scars

Nandini's POV: 

I hope I'm not late, if I go late one more time, that principal would pop my eyes out. "Good morning ma'am" my heart melted when the little children wished when I got into the class. "Good morning class" I said in return. "Ma'am, Principal ma'am has asked to meet you" peon said. This is it! Now I know I'm entering into lion's den. I hope she didn't call me for a punishment. "Good morning. Ms. Nandini" she said with a not so pleasant face. "Good morning ma'am" I replied curtly. "Did you took a half day leave yesterday?" she asked on my face. "No ma'am, not half-day, I left just before an hour" I clarified. "An hour or three, that counts as half day as per the policy" she said. She and her bullshit policies, I'm sure she had written those policies so that they are in her favor. "I have availed permission from vice principal" I said. 

"I see. Well, we'll consider it as half day leave then" she said. "But ma'am," I protested gently. "I only left one hour before the school ended. It was hardly—", "Nandini," her voice cut through mine like a sharp blade, "are you arguing with me?" she said coldly. The air in the room suddenly felt thick. I could feel the shift, the way conversations can go from civil to hostile in seconds. "No ma'am, I was just explaining—". "You were just explaining?" She stood up, her chair scraping against the floor. "Do you think you can waltz in late every morning and leave early whenever you please? What kind of example are you setting for the children?" "Ma'am, I'm always dedicated to my work. The children love me, and I—" she didn't let me speak. 

"The children? You think the children's love is enough to run a school?" Her voice rose with each word. "Discipline, Nandini. Rules. These are what matter." My heart was racing now. This wasn't just about yesterday or today. I could see it in her eyes – this was bigger. "Ma'am, please, I joined just a month ago. I'm still adjusting." "Exactly. One month, and already you think you can bend the rules." I tried to speak but she interrupted again. "I've made my decision, Nandini. Your services are no longer required." The words hit me like a physical blow. Terminated. Fired. Jobless. Again. "Ma'am, please, I need this job. I can do better, I promise", I tried to convince but it was of no use. "The decision is final." I stood there for a moment, feeling the ground shift beneath my feet. The children's smiling faces flashed before my eyes. But that principal had already looked away, back to her paperwork, dismissing me like I was nothing. Like the past month meant nothing. I walked out of that office feeling hollow, like someone had scooped out everything inside me and left just an empty shell.

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"Nandini, kya hua? You look terrible." Thank God Navya came to see me. Navya took one look at my face and immediately wrapped me in a hug. Best friend ka pyaar, unconditional and healing. I collapsed into her embrace, finally letting the tears fall. "Job chali gayi, Navya. Fired. Again." "What? But why?" she asked bewildered. I told her everything, the words tumbling out between sobs. Navya listened patiently, her hand stroking my hair the way Amma used to when I was little and scared of thunder. "That woman is horrible," Navya said angrily. "How can she fire you for such a small thing?" "Maybe I'm just not cut out for this, Navya. Maybe I'm destined to fail at everything." My confidence levels seem to deteriorate with each passing phase in my life. 

"Stop it. Right now." Her voice was firm but loving. "You're one of the most dedicated teachers I know. Those children adore you, and that says everything about who you are as a person." "But what's the point, Navya? Main kya karungi ab? I need a job. I need money." The weight of my reality crashed down on me again. "Mummy-Papa ka ghar... I can't lose it. It's the only piece of them I have left." The house. Our family home where I learned to walk, to read, to dream. Where Amma taught me to cook and Nanna read me bedtime stories. Where every corner holds a memory, every wall echoes with laughter from happier times. I can't let go of it. I won't. "We'll find something, Nandini. Don't worry." she tapped on my shoulder.