Kulumayi
By Kanisha Shiv
I lived with my grandparents during the first 6 years of my life. Why? I don’t know. But, what I do know is that I loved it there! Yes, I did hate a few people who lived there such as my aunt and uncle. My uncle was very strict and he kept telling me to brush my teeth properly, wash hands before eating and he expected me to do that EVERY day! And my aunt trie to steal my chubby cheeks and kept calling me “Kulumayi”. But seriously, what does that even mean!?
I was very spoiled, I would get whatever I want! I could cry for cake at 2 a.m, and get it. Because of that, I would think of myself as powerful and superior! My grandpa always takes me to the sweet shop and the shopkeeper gives me whatever I point at, even he knew that I rule the world. Keep in mind I was only 3.
Every day back from work, my grandpa used to buy fresh mangoes, snacks, sweets, etc … I used to wait for him eagerly at the doorsteps with thousands of complaints about my uncle and aunt! The moment I get the first share of the delicious snacks, I forget about the complaints! Getting the first share always made me feel proud.
But, all good things have an end. Everything changed for me when my grandpa took me to this big building packed with many people. They were all carrying backpacks and wearing green and white clothes. At that moment I didn’t understand why they brought me to this place. My grandpa and I walked into the building to a strange room. My grandpa immediately started talking but, I just zoned out. My eyes wandered around the room, I looked and observed every single trophy. My eyes suddenly lit up! Grandpa was going to buy me a trophy! I was so excited and couldn’t stop fidgeting with my hands! I kept smiling and pointing to every single trophy I saw. After a few minutes, my grandpa and I walked out of the building, with a plastic bag. I kept tugging at my grandpa’s sleeve so, that I could see what was in the bag, I was sure it was a trophy.
When I got into the car, I finally got a peek of what’s inside the bag. I saw the same green and white clothes and books. That’s when it hit me... I was going to school. I immediately broke down into tears. I sobbed all the way home.” How could they do this to me?”, I thought. I am a princess, not some typical nerd! Only nerds go to school! When we got home, I ran to my grandma and started sobbing into her saree. I pointed at my grandpa and the bag. My aunt and uncle came rushing to see what happened but quickly stopped when they saw that I was afraid of going to school. I could see a big smile and relief on their face. I guess they liked seeing me cry.
I was mad at my grandparents the whole day but, I quickly forgot about it and brushed it off. The next day, my grandparents woke me at 8 a.m. I was surprised because I usually slept till 11 a.m! My aunty dressed me up in a green and white uniform and gave me a backpack stuffed with books.
“ Are you ready Kulumayi?!”, She said as she pinched my cheeks.
“Sure.”, I mumbled
My uncle offered to drop me off. As we left the house, I scowled at my whole family. “This is all their fault,” I thought. By now, I bet you all know why I hated my aunt and uncle.
As we drove to school, I bit my nails, I was so worried and scared! But then, I spotted a candy shop!
“Uncle, uncle, buy me candy!”, I shouted.
“ What?! No, we’re going to be late for school!”, He said as he fixed his eyes on the road.
I frowned and crossed my arms. Bad uncle. If I came with my grandparents they would have got me the whole shop.
When I got to school, I tried to escape but I caught a glimpse of my uncle’s eyes and walked straight to my classroom. I sat down at my desk and gave everyone the death stare. I took out my notebook and pencil, I was ready for anything....or so I thought. When the teacher walked in, the whole class froze. Why? I had no clue, after all, I was new.
I didn’t give up. Every day I came up with new ideas to skip school. "Grandma my tummy hurts", "I think I have a fever", "I lost my shoes", "I can't find my homework"! Most of the time my grandparents believed me but, the 2 villains, my uncle, and aunt always had to ruin everything.
Days passed by…..
“ Class, today we are going to take a spelling test.”
The whole class groaned. I wonder why? Spelling tests aren’t that bad, right?
“ The first word will be, Vishvamitra”, she said as she read from the book.
I almost froze. Hold on, a 5-year-old can spell that? I picked up my pencil with my shaking hand and looked at everyone else. They looked as stressed as me but, they were able to figure it out! I looked at my paper and took a deep breath and scribbled what I knew.
“The second word will be Duryodhana”
At that very moment, I knew that this was going to be a VERY long day.
Once I got home, I flopped onto the couch and groaned.
“ Kulumayi, you still got homework to do”, my aunt exclaimed.
My frown turned into a bigger frown. I dragged my backpack across the floor as I stomped to an empty room. I took out my homework and drew a big sad face on it.
After I was done with my homework, I threw my bag on my bed and rushed outside to play but, before I could put my shoes on-
“ Subashini! Don’t forget to go to your tuition! All your friends are going!”, my grandma yelled.
My eyes almost popped out. Is she serious? I don’t want to make my teacher mad but, if I want to play, I’m gonna have to make a few sacrifices.
“ There’s no class today!”, I screamed.
“Really?”
“Uhhh YES!”, I lied.
“Okay”
I cheerfully jumped out of the house and went to play with my friends! I joyfully played with my friends but it only lasted for an hour. Out of nowhere, I saw my tuition teacher walking past my house. I freaked out and hid near the bushes. As she got closer I hid deeper and deeper into the bush but, out of nowhere our eyes met.
She cheerfully smiled and said, “Suba! Are you playing hide and seek?!”
I wanted to say, “No, I’m hiding from you” but, I stopped myself. Instead, I said, “Yes”.
“ Oh! I love that game! Don’t forget to come to the tuition class!”, She yelled loudly.
I slowly nodded and after she left, I saw my grandma standing in front of the porch shaking her head. She handed me my backpack, and before long I was at the tuition class. I spent 2 hours listening to teachers’ lectures waiting for the class to end. And, it finally did. I let out a sigh of relief and skipped all the way home.
When I got home, I felt as if I was melting. I was happy though.
“Today will be my last day of school.”, I told myself.
On Wednesday, as usual, I went to school. But, something was different! There was a new student in the class! But, he looked different. He wasn’t wearing a uniform, he was wearing ragged clothes. His hair was messy and he looked like he had been working on a farm all day. I sat next to him just to get to know him better.
“ What is your name?”, I whispered.
“ I’m Ravi”, he whispered back.
“ Why aren’t you wearing a uniform? ”, I asked.
“ My family isn’t wealthy and I really want to learn! I have no one to get me ready. Both of my parents work and saved enough for me to go to school! I’m so happy and excited!”, he exclaimed.
At that moment I felt guilt sink into me. When I got home I thought about what he said. That’s when I realized I was taking everything for granted. I moan to go to school but, another kid craves to go to school. I needed to change.
So, the next day when my aunt dressed me I kissed her and when my uncle dropped me to school I waved to him with a big smile on my face, I did not moan or groan. I listened to the teachers and always had a smile on my face. Never take anything for granted.
The End.
