Vicky was now clearly torn between school and the function. He loved going to school, which was more like a play zone than a school, but he also loved the attention he got at these gatherings. He finally decided that going out in Ajji’s Innova was a better deal for the day. Anu had no problem with Vicky’s decision to skip school that day. She was not one of those who believed that kindergarten was a stepping stone to IIT. But Sanju did think so. He thoroughly disapproved of how Anu let Vicky sleep in a few mornings and skip school. In her defence, some days Vicky looked too cosy under the quilt to be woken up.

Anu turned on the TV holding a plate of hot Uppittu and chutney. Her mother took food very seriously and couldn’t till date understand why Anu hadn’t inherited her love for cooking. Anu had inherited her mother’s love for food but not for cooking.

Anu reached the school ten minutes early. EARLY! That was what she needed. Small goals that were met. Feeling a tad too happy, Anu parked her Santro on the street and waved at the security guard, handing him a fifty. ‘Wipe the windshield, Dasappa.’ That was not in Dasappa’s job description, but all the teachers got their vehicles cleaned from him. Anu had started the trend and the principal had turned a blind eye to it. That was how friendly her school was. Anu loved working there.

‘Hey Anu, looking like a movie-star, ya!’ That was her colleague Smitha. ‘Your hair looks fab!’ Anu had great colleagues who weren’t petty at all. According to Shwetha, none of them made any real money so there was no scope for fights or for being petty.

Anu beamed. All that effort she had put into dressing up that morning was already paying off. She had to meet somebody or go somewhere that evening. When you are having a good-face day, you have to flaunt it. A dozen names came to her head, but she picked Shwetha.

When she was about to enter her class, a helper asked her to meet the principal after the class. Anu wondered what it could be. She anyway met her at the end of the day every day. She was not just her principal but she was Sumitra aunty. Someone she had known all her life.

When Anu entered the principal’s chamber, Sumitra aunty looked a little hassled, which was very unlike her.

‘Anu, sit down. I have asked a few other teachers to join in.’ Sumitra aunty rubbed her temples.

‘What is wrong, aunty?’ Anu felt alarmed. Something was not right.

Four other teachers walked in before the principal answered.

‘A few parents are objecting that we aren’t affiliated with any board.’ Sumitra aunty spoke wearily. ‘They are demanding a meeting after the holidays.’