chapter 12

As soon as I heard about Ayush I ran towards his school. I may not be their real mother but my heart gets worried and hurt whenever they are in trouble.I directly went to their principal's office. I saw Ayush seating on the bench outside of principal's office. I ran towards Ayush and called his name. He came running to me as soon as he saw me and hugged me tight."It's alright, mom is here everything will be okay now" I said this to calm him down. In these three years I realised Ayush is understanding and mature than his age. He is sensible and knows how to take care of things. I may not be his mother but he is just like my younger self, I also used to be like this when I was a kid. At that time I was acting strong but I knew myself very well, I know how afraid I used to be in such situations. Ayush was a kid still he always take good care of Anna like a big brother. When I was busy in work he would even do the house chore to help me out and sometimes he would even help me in my shop. Even now every holiday both of them will come with me to the inn to help me out. I know there are no need for their help but I want them to learn extra things in this way. Also, like this I also able to spent my whole day with them.Sometimes I doubt Ayush actually knows the truth that, I'm not his real mother but he never expressed it. He might knows it from the beginning or I guess he became sure of it when I asked him to do rituals for Kamala's ashes. I said to them Kamala was my sister and she had no child, so every year I let Ayush do her death anniversary rituals. I understands my kids better, If Ayush got into a fight then there must have a big reason behind it and he would never start it from his side.I asked Ayush about the matter. He said it was the boy from yesterday. He deliberately provoked Ayush by doing many things but when Ayush didn't respond, he insulted me saying I'm a slut who opened a brothel that was why my business is profitable.That was why Ayush beat him."Don't worry, I will handle everything" I said to Ayush. In the meantime principal called for us. I went inside by holding Ayush's hand. When I went inside I saw principal sir, who was seating on his chair and on his opposite sit Mrs Sharma, the mother of that fatty boy was seating .The boy was seating at a distance and their class teacher was standing beside principal. "Mrs Shakti, you are here. I'm extremely sorry for all this commotion but Ayush is the one who started this fight and Mrs Sharma refused to compromise that was why we called you here" Principal said to me. "I'm really sorry sir, I apologize on behalf of my son. Mrs Sharma Please,forgive him. It was also his first mistake, he would never do something like this in future. And it's just children's quarrel and we should end it here" I said."You are right Mrs Shakti, what do you say Mrs Sharma?" Principal asked to that kid's mother."Offcourse not sir, if we forgive him easily today, then he could become a thief or gangster in future" Mrs Sharma said.I know it's not because of kids, Mrs Sharma doing this because of her personal grudge. Sharma family have a big hotel in the middle of town and they are famous for their hotel. But when I opened the inn near the tourist place then tourists prefer my inn because of its low price, homely accomodation and walking distance from the place they want to visit. Above all I could communicate to them in their language so my inn became profitable in a short period of time.This made a huge impact on their business and they wanted to buy me. But I politely refused them, that was why they became my enemies."Mrs Sharma they are just kids and in this age fights are common. Just because of this you can't say something so rude about my son" I said to her."Is this a small matter? Look at my kid's condition, his cheeks are red and swollen, his shirt also shattered if teacher has not stopped them on time then this basterd must have killed my son" she said.I wanted to solve this without making it big issue but it seems she was not ready for that."Mrs Sharma, mind your language. I'm trying to solve this matter easily, but you are crossing your limits. You can say anything to me but not my son"I said in anger."Look.. look... I told you before like mother like son. How son will get good education when his mother is like this..." she said.It was already enough for me to try solve this peacefully but when other person doesn't want it then I don't need to act kind too."You said just now of child did something wrong then it's his parents fault right!" I asked. "Offcourse, it's his parent's fault for not teaching their children well" she said."Your son intentionally provoked my son and said I'm a slut who is running a brothel. A child couldn't have thought it by himself, it means what your son did was your fault. You are the one who couldn't teach your son properly, that was why he spoke vulgar words which was the reason of this fight" I said."My son would never say such things and if he actually did that then also he didn't say anything wrong. He said what is actually everyone talking in this town. You didn't feel shame while doing all that then why should we control our mouth?" She said."Alright, I understand. Let's go Ayush" I said this and was about walked away.They all became confused. "What! Where are you going Mrs Shakti?" Principal stopped me."I'm going to police station to fill an FIR against this woman for defamation" I said."Defamation! FIR! This woman is crazy" Mrs Sharma said. She became nervous and somehow she was afraid of this."Yes, I will fill complaint against you and your son for slandering me" I said."What is this woman talking! Slandering! When did I do that! And do you have any proof!" She asked. "Offcourse, I have the proof. I recorded everything in this mobile what you said just now" I said. "What! This wild woman!" She was angry and nervous but couldn't talk anymore."Keep on saying bad things about me and let me recorded a bit more" I said."What do you want?I was just talking the things what others has been talking. Why are you putting all blame on me? I forgave you and your son, so let's end this matter here" she said."Forgive! Now you have to ask for my forgiveness Mrs Sharma" I said."Okay, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talk like that to you and your son" She said and left with her son at that instant.It's a fashion for stronger to bully weaker. But if we stay strong then no one could target us. This is what I learnt from this society.