Christmas Carol

Adichi kept walking through the corridor, hearing the similar cacophony of students emanating from the classrooms that she crossed. She was sad! And she wanted Miss Atasi to know about it. She peeked into the teacher's room, but could not see her teacher. As she was about to turn around, she saw her coming from the teacher's room. She ran towards her.

Atasi was surprised to see Adichi outside of her class, loitering in the corridors. She decided to follow her, and here she was. Why does she look so dull? Did anything happen to her? She waved at her, smiled, and reached for her forehead to see if she was running a fever. But she seemed fine.

She took her to the side and asked her what the matter was.

"Miss, I want to participate in the Christmas carol group!"

Atasi was a bit taken aback. Christmas Carol? All of a sudden? Why?

"Adichi, tell me, why do you want to participate in the carol group?"

Adichi thought for a little while, and then replied," Because my best friend is there in the group, and I am not in it!"

Atasi smiled and rubbed her chubby cheeks with her hand.

"But Adichi, the carol group has already been decided, no? Why did you not tell me when the group was getting selected?"

Adichi flinched and stamped her foot on the ground.

"I don't know, Miss. You have to select me, else I won't go."

Atasi knew that the situation is going in a different direction. She could sense globules of tear accumulating in Adichi's eyes. She had to do something.

"Adichi, listen to me. Let the carol happen this year with the group that is already formed, and I promise you that you will be there in the next year's carol. Is that fine?"

"No, Miss, No. I want to be in the carol group this year itself." she kept stamping her foot.

Atasi knew that the water has crossed the danger level and kept thinking about what could be done.

"See, Adichi, there is this function in a few months for the founder's day in our school. Why don't you prepare for that? I promise to select you there!"

Adichi kept looking at her through her big, black eyes, which had some dried up tears accumulated on the sides.

"But Miss, during the Christmas carol, the Santa comes in, and everyone in the carol group gets a gift from him. I have seen it every year. The others, they do not get anything. Everyone loves the Santa so much." her eyes glistened, there was a ray of happiness that could be seen on her face.

Atasi understood the real reason now. She smiled to herself.

"I will tell the Santa to get gifts, especially for you, this time. I will make sure that you get a gift as well. Is that okay? Now, let's go back to our classes. It is already late."

She took the eight-year-old's hand and walked through the corridors towards her class.

"Miss, Can I say something?"

"Sure, Tell me!"

"I don't have too many friends, very few talk to me. Is it because I am..? I am a bit fat? They even call me by that name. They make fun of me. Only Rupsha talks to me, and that is why I wanted to be in that carol group. So that I could make friends."

Atasi was stunned by that statement. She knelt down beside her. Adichi was literally upset and now on the verge of crying. A reel of memories kept spinning on Atasi's head.

"Look at me, Adichi. It is not about that. You know, just like you, I was a little healthy too. And some of my friends called me by that particular name. But I had a best friend like you have, named Urmi, and she was there with me, always. One day, when she was not there, and everyone kept calling me by that name, I went to one of them and told him sternly to never call me by that name again else I will complain to the class teacher. And that boy got afraid and never called me by that name. Sometimes, Adichi, you have to speak up. And I am always there for you. Your parents are there with you. Don't you worry."

Adichi listened with lots of interest. Her big eyes and face brighten up a bit. Maybe this pep talk would help her. But anyway, she will have to keep a closer look on her, call a small meeting with her parents and maybe call Rupsha to get the names of the group who called her by that name.

It was Christmas Day and the carol was about to begin. Adichi was sitting in their school hall perched between her parents. She saw Atasi Miss and waved at her who waved back and came towards her. Has she come to take her to the Santa? Will she get a special gift from him? Her heart pounded faster and faster as Atasi Miss came nearer and nearer. She smiled at all of them and asked her parents if she can take her. They smiled back and nodded.

"Miss, are you taking me to Santa? Will I get a gift now?"

"We will see to that, Adichi."

Soon the carol began, and the Santa arrived in between, with a sack of gifts and a bell. The Santa looked towards the audience, waved at them, and then went around towards the carol group, presenting them with gifts from the bag. After that was done, Santa turned towards the audience, threw a packet of chocolates towards them, and disappeared through the door.

Atasi was looking at the events that unfolded. She just looked at the Santa. She was amazed at how Adichi was able to handle the whole act with only an hour of rehearsal. She was, indeed, a very talented little girl. Her decision to bring in Adichi in place of the original Santa, who fell sick, seemed to pay off hugely. The happiness in her eyes on becoming the Santa was beyond description. Atasi was so happy for her. Maybe this small act would instill the required confidence in her to face all her demons in life. Maybe she'll feel part of the group now.

Atasi went to the stage and thanked everyone for coming, and named every single child who had participated. The audience was a bit surprised when they heard Adichi's name as the Santa. Still, eventually, that met with the loudest applause. Atasi looked at the chair as she got down, and there was Adichi, beaming with joy, sitting between her parents, and enjoying this little phase of importance that is well deserved for her.

***