30 Decision
Part 30 Decision
The next day
Teachers of Rishab school were perplexed, seeing the circular about the sudden meeting. No one knew the reason for the meeting... Not even senior teachers... Not even the vice principal of the school. All the teachers gathered in the community hall. What confused them more was, not only the teachers of all the classes but also the office staff gathered there without any differences. Usually, the meeting happened according to the program of primary, secondary, high school, and higher secondary classes. This kind of meeting was very rare. Such a kind of meeting happens only if some important message is to be conveyed. All of them were curious to know what was the special reason for the meeting.
Arnav as usual entered the hall like a storm. Teachers stood up respectfully.
"Please be seated," Arnav said, looking at Khushi.
The staff sat back. Arnav leaned his back on a table, running his eyes on them.
"I would like to make an announcement. Our school staff are going to get an increment from next month"
The hall quavered with a big round of applause. Everyone present there was delighted by the sweet news.
"And, I would like to discuss something with you all" Arnav continued.
Everyone looked at him eagerly but, Arnav's question confused them.
"What do you guys think about third-gender people?" He asked reading their expression.
There was a soft commotion raised in the crowd. Khushi and Lavanya glanced at each other.
Arnav waited for their reply but no one said anything.
"None of you have an answer?"
"Sir... There is nothing to answer because there is nothing to think about them" Shyam said.
"You are a teacher Mr. Vice Principal. You should not be irresponsible. You have to think about every aspect of this society" Arnav's voice sounded strict.
Shyam sat silently.
"Let me come to the point"
Arnav strengthened himself.
"I'm going to appoint two third-gender people in our school" Arnav gave a long pause.
Khushi was stunned whereas Lavanya smiled which was unexpected. Others murmured with others.
"Sir, this is not done. This is a reputed school..." Shyam opposed.
"Then, we have to do this," Lavanya said making everyone raise their brows.
"Lavanya Madam, you didn't understand..." Shyam said.
"I understood well. This is the place where the next generation of people be created. If students see them in the right position, they will respect them. If they learn to respect them, they won't insult them. If schools don't teach such things then who will teach them? This is the place where children should be taught to treat everyone equally" Lavanya snapped.
"This is a sensitive matter. We should handle it carefully. Parents will get dissatisfied."
"Then they are free to leave our school. Not only students but also teachers..." Arnav said, looking at the staff.
"How could you say so, sir? Who are third genders to us?" Shyam defended.
"Excuse me, sir... I would like to answer this question" Lavanya said.
"Yeah... Go ahead" Arnav allowed her.
"They are one among them, sir. They were sisters and brothers of someone once. They lived with their family just like us. They became the third gender due to hormone imbalance. What's their mistake in that?"
"What's your point, Lavanya?" A senior teacher asked.
"My point is, anyone can get the same changes within them anytime... My brother... Your daughter... Anyone... If it happened, could we supersede them?"
The senior teacher gulped down hard. Lavanya continued,
"I won't... I will stand for my brother. If each family had stood up for their children, they would not have roamed in the streets. Arnav sir is trying to change something into good. Why don't we have the heart to appreciate him? Instead of raising questions, can't we stand for him?" Lavanya questioned emotionally.
Khushi was looking at her thunderstruck. She didn't expect such support from Lavanya. She thought she overreacted with Lavanya in this issue when she defended them. But now, it seemed for good. She didn't know her advice affected Lavanya to this extent.
Arnav was really impressed and also surprised. He clapped for her daring and innovative speech. Khushi joined him. A maximum of the staff followed them.
"Thank you, Lavanya... I really appreciate your so generous thought. Whatever you said is true. I wanted to put the same points in front of everyone"
"My pleasure sir" Lavanya took her seat.
"No matter whether you guys will support my decision or not. I'm going to do this. If you guys don't like it, you can walk away. But, you should not disrespect them being here." Arnav sounded strict.
The staff glanced at one another.
"If you guys are hesitant to handle parents, send them to me. I will deal with them" Arnav added.
He saw Khushi looking at him with admiration. He tried hard not to steal her glance but he could not. He glanced at her often while talking.
"I'm ready to support you in this" Manju said, raising her hand.
Seeing her, a few more staff raised their hands up.
"I'm giving you two days' time. Those who are not interested can collect your certificate from the office and leave the school" Arnav said and walked out.
Shyam looked annoyed. If Lavanya had not stood for Arnav, he would have lashed him over. He didn't like the idea completely. Taking his mobile, he dialed Sheetal. She received the call.
"What the hell is wrong with Arnav?" Shyam asked.
"Hold on, Shyam. It's me who usually raises the question. Today, you?"
"I don't like what he is doing"
"What does he do?"
"He is going to appoint third-gender people in school"
"Whaaaaat?" Sheetal was shocked.
"Why does he do this? I don't know what's cooking in his mind. Who asked him to change society? Is it necessary for him? Can't he just do his work just like others?"
"You are questioning me as if he does everything with my acceptance. Here, my condition is swinging like a pendulum... What could I ask him?"
"What happened to you? You usually talk a lot...?"
"From the time, he talked about divorce, I'm really scared Shyam," she said fearfully.
"Can't you do anything about it?"
"I don't know what makes him do all this. Without knowing the cause of the problem, how could we root it out? This is what I asked you to do. Find out the reason for his guts"
"Ok... I will do it" Shyam disconnected the call.
Kapoor villa
Arnav was sitting with baby Khushi and helping her to do homework. His phone beeped with a message tone. His face wore a smile as the message was from Khushi.
*Congratulations on the gutful decision*
Arnav smiled and sent a reply.
*I had missed making a gutful decision once. Not anymore*
Khushi swallowed hard. Suman who came there saw that. He read the message that was clearly visible to him.
"What gutful decision our hero made?" He asked.
Khushi looked at him jerking.
"When did you come?"
"Just now..."
"What would you like to have?"
"I will tell you later. First, tell me what Arnav did"
Khushi hesitated.
"Is it personal between you two?"
"No, nothing is like that. I don't know how would you react to it"
"Me? What's there for me to react?"
"Nothing... Just leave it"
"Hey... What's wrong?"
Khushi sighed and went in. Suman was curious. What was that Khushi was worried about his opinion? Taking his mobile, he dialed Arnav. Arnav saw his number.
"Khushi, Daddy will just come. Ok?"
"Ok Daddy"
Arnav came to his room and attended the call.
"Hello, Sumi..."
"Is everything all right?"
"Why? What happened?"
"I'm sorry I read your message... Trust me, it's not intentional"
"There is nothing secret in my message that should remain personal"
"Then, why didn't she deny telling me the matter? Why did she congratulate you?"
Arnav was thoughtful. He understood why Khushi didn't want to tell him.
"I hope you won't react to it oddly"
"What happened to you guys? Khushi also worried about my reaction and you also..."
"Actually, I took a decision to offer jobs to third-gender people in my school"
Suman was speechless. He could not believe Arnav had taken such a decision.
"Sumi, are you there?"
"Are...you...really going to do that?"
"Yes"
"It will create a problem, Arnav"
"Without facing problems, we can achieve nothing. Why should we be like, WHO WILL BELL THE CAT? Why not you do that? I don't want to be the one who feels bad for the sake of others for a while and concentrate on my job, wiping it off"
"This is truly a GUTFUL decision..."
"Thanks... I want to tell you something"
"Tell me"
"Live your life how you want to. Live it as per your wish. Come out of the shell, Sumi. Live as Sumi."
Suman gulped hard.
"I'm here for you. I will do whatever you want. This is not just words. I would like to do something for you because I know how it feels to live, shielding ourselves."
"I want to meet you"
"When?"
"Now"
"Will come"
Arnav disconnected the call and started to Gomti Nagar.
To be continued...
The next three updates are available on INKITT.
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