Salim and Kayal #Watty's 2016 # YourStoryIndia #ProjectWomanUp

It's a delight

Kayal's POV

In the morning after making Kambu Upma (Pearl Millet), I rushed to give it to Salim because I don't want him to be late for his prayers. I had also attached a Post it Note in the box. Jaanu and Sara also joined me in jogging. As usual he was waiting near the roundtanna. He got it from me with a "Thank you", I said a "Welcome" and all of us continued with our jogging. After returning from our jogging, I replied to Salim's texts in a hurry.

I got ready first, because I promised to help John in Political Communication Theories. Sara and Jaanu were also ready to take notes. I revised my notes and on 7:00 a.m sharp, I called Salim through Skype. He had forwarded his id to me in our group. Salim first said, "Hai", I replied with "Hai Salim". After that John and Harneet also joined us. It took me around 45 minutes to explain all the theories to them. I tried to explain the theories with real life examples. I was happy to know that all of them were pretty serious. Once, Harneet was trying to ask a stupid question, Salim glared at him and that was the end of it. After that he didn't bother me at all. Salim has one hell of a glare.

In the evening we left for the soil testing laboratory and learnt that we can grow Lady's finger, Cauliflower, Cucumber etc in that rich soil during this season. We returned with required gardening supplies. After that we went to the staff quarters to meet our gardener. His wife was hitting their daughter who must be around the age of eight. She was holding some paper in hand which looked like Answer sheets.

"Why are you hitting her Aunty?"

She looked towards me and said, "This girl is not studying properly. Both of us stopped our schooling when we were very young. That's why we have ended up doing this sort of work. We want her to study properly, but she has scored very less marks in her exams."

I said, "Give me her answer sheets".

I checked the answer sheets. Her foundation itself is very weak. For a student in III Standard she had made way too many spelling mistakes. It seems she wasn't clear with her Maths Concepts as well. I got worried for this girl. Will she end up being a maid, gardener or doing some other menial jobs? I looked at the child and asked her, "Beta(Son, used for daughters as well), what is your name? "

She replied with tears, "Muskaan."

"Muskaan, will you come to my room three days in a week for tuition? We can have lots of fun while learning."

She looked towards her mother. Her mother spoke with me, "But, we aren't wealthy enough to spend for her tuition fees."

I looked towards her mother, "No need of tuition fees. But, I need a favor. You should please help me in growing these vegetables in our garden."

The gardener and his wife both looked at me and nodded.

"Tomorrow we will come in the morning to plant these seeds. But, you please water them regularly. You can send your daughter to our room, room number 202 on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and say around 4:00 to 6:00 p.m."

Both of them were visibly pleased. With that all of us left for our room. Sara was the first one to speak, "Do you think you can squeeze time to teach her? Exams are approaching."

"Sara, we watch so many movies, read so many novels. I can cut them down for some time to help this girl." Both Sara and Jaanu nodded. After that, we had our dinner and started studying. I checked few online Journals.

Salim's POV

Today Kayal made Kambu Uppuma. It is supposed to be a healthy dish. I was pleased to know that she also cares for my health. She mostly avoids deep fried items for my breakfast. Only after finishing the breakfast I saw a little Post it Note stuck in the bag.