THOSE DAYS

THOSE DAYS

From Manu Nair

Born at Calcutta on 16th August, 1974, within one hour of my birth I had an attack of pneumonia and one of my lungs had collapsed and this was my Journey into the new world and then arrived at Lucknow where I studied in St.Francis College cum School and was selected to play for sports for Francis’ House in the same institution as the College had 5 Houses. But could not pursue this as we had to move to Bangalore due to my father's transfer.

Travelling from Lucknow to Bangalore the search for admission for the Xth standard had been going on. Just after two days of search I got admission in a prestigious school in Bangalore. The classes were to start the next day. I felt nervous as how I would adjust to this new environment as I had been a very shy boy and would not talk to anyone at all. Speech impediment (stammering) was, has been and is one of my set backs.
The next day the classes began and a week had passed. Our English Madam had noticed that I had been keeping away from others. The next day, she remarked in front of all the other students, “Manu, you are still in the egg shell, when are you going to jump out? It is time for you to break up from your shell and come out in the open as you may have seen the chicks hatching out from the eggs and are ready to face the world.” I was taken aback and shocked as inspite of teaching all of us which comprised about 70 of us she had observed each and everyone. This had helped me to break out of my shell and come out in the open to face the due challenges of the world.
Few months passed by and the school had decided to organize an exhibition on Saturday from which I did back out at first but the same English Madam did not allow me to do so and made me the Incharge of the Ice-Cream stall. I had to collect the paid coupons for the Ice-creams and then sell the ice-creams. The day came and I began selling the Ice creams. There was a large crowd for the ice-creams and as I was busy selling the ice-creams. As I had been selling them someone had placed the soft drink tray over the ice cream cart and as I just opened the cart the soft drink tray jumped out and the bottles broke spilling out the Pepsi on a teacher’s sari who was standing just beside me. Her sari had been spoilt. This matter came to the notice of the English teacher and I was forgiven. When the classes began on Monday, the English teacher remarked that all the ice creams had been sold on that day.
Looking over the pages of my diary when I look back I owe my thanks to the teacher who had helped me to overcome my shyness and face the world with confidence. If I was not to break open from my shell I would have remained a shy boy forever! If it were not so I would have remained aloof from the world. Now I am having a Job as well I also do write for leading Newspapers and Magazines.