The Rule Breakers

by Preeti Shenoy

  A nurse came and took Kajol’s temperature and checked her blood pressure. She recorded the readings on a sheet of paper, which went into a file. After about ten minutes, the doctor on duty came and examined Kajol.

  She looked young and she was friendly. She listened carefully to what had happened and wrote down the details on a chart. She said that she suspected a fracture and that they would have to go to the orthopaedic department and take x-rays.

  Veda and Kanika accompanied Kajol for the x-rays. By then, Kajol was in excruciating pain.

  The orthopaedic doctor came by and looked at the x-rays.

  ‘I’m afraid it’s a type of Monteggia fracture,’ he said.

  He showed them the x-rays and explained how the bone was dislocated and broken. ‘The good thing is, we can manage this without surgery. She is still not an adult, and it will heal very fast,’ he said.

  He added that Kajol would need a cast.

  ‘Oh no, doctor! She has her board exams in five days!’ Kanika said in dismay. ‘Will she be able to write them?’

  ‘Five days? No, no. Her arm will be in a cast. She will need about six to eight weeks at least, for this to completely heal. I am afraid she will not be able to use this arm,’ she said.

  Kajol looked at Kanika helplessly, her eyes welling up with tears.

  ‘Didi—board exam. . .’ she said.

  ‘It’s . . . it’s okay, Kajol. We will do something,’ said Kanika.

  ‘What, didi? What can we do?’ asked Kajol.

  Kanika didn’t have any answers.

  Ron and Veda did not know what to say either. They looked at Kajol helplessly, as her shoulders slumped in defeat. The hospital attendant wheeled her away to have a cast put on her arm.

  Chapter 30

  March 1997

  Jehangir Hospital, Pune

  When Kajol came out of the orthopaedic department, her right arm was in a cast. There was a sling around her neck and the encased arm rested in it. She was crying silently.

  Kanika rushed towards her as soon as she saw her, and gave her a half-hug. Even though Kajol could walk, the hospital attendant said that they had to take the patient around in a wheelchair till they were ready to leave the hospital. Kanika took care of the final formalities. The doctor had prescribed a few painkillers and Veda and Ron picked these up from the hospital pharmacy.

  On their way back, Kajol was still sniffling, using the arm of her kurta to wipe her nose. The tears just wouldn’t stop.

  ‘Didi—I will not be able to give the exams,’ she said.

  ‘We will see,’ said Kanika. A plan was forming in her head, but it was too early to talk about it. Also, she did not want to give Kajol false hope.

  ‘How, didi?’ asked Kajol, between sobs.

  ‘Have patience dear, and a little faith,’ said Kanika.

  ‘Didi—the money for hospital. Thank you for paying. I will pay you back, didi,’ said Kajol. She remembered that Kanika and Veda had paid for everything.

  ‘Kajol, don’t even worry about it,’ said Veda, and Kanika agreed with her.

  ‘What do we do about Sanju?’ Kajol asked.

  ‘If Sanju has gone to see this—what’s his name—already, I don’t think we can do anything, can we?’ asked Ron.

  ‘Yes, you are right, Ron. Agni—his name is Agni,’ said Kanika.

  ‘Ag-knee. What does that mean?’ asked Ron. He pronounced the ‘Ag’ so that it rhymed with ‘Bag’.

  Kanika corrected the way he pronounced it. ‘It means fire,’ she said.

  ‘Is he a dangerous criminal? Is that why you are worried, Kajol?’ Ron asked.

  ‘He is very bad, Ron bhaiya. He has murdered people. He is a goonda. Everybody is scared of him,’ Kajol said.

  ‘Why doesn’t anyone complain to the police?’ Ron was baffled. He had no idea what a ‘goonda’ meant.

  ‘He pays all the policemen. Policemen will not arrest him. If you complain against him, they will make out a false report against you and put you in jail,’ Kajol explained.

  Ron was only now beginning to comprehend the gravity of the situation. But Kanika and Veda understood it all too well.

  ‘He is the local don. He kind of rules the area and everyone has to listen to him,’ Kanika elaborated for Ron.

  ‘So does he rule over your area too? Don’t I stay in the same area? Then how is it that I haven’t heard of this Ag-nee?’ Ron was trying to grasp the intricacies of the situation.

  ‘Let’s just say there is a huge class divide in India. He typically rules over the lower economic strata, as they are powerless. People like us live in residential complexes, which are insulated from things like this,’ Kanika explained.

  ‘That is just so unfair then,’ Ron said in anger.

  ‘It is, and more than unfair, it is sad,’ Veda replied.

  ‘What do we do, didi—about Sanju?’ Kajol asked again.

  ‘I think the best we can do is to inform his father,’ Kanika said.

  ‘No, didi. His father hits him with a belt. And one more thing, didi,’ Kajol hesitated, unsure as to whether she should say it or not.

  ‘Yes, Kajol. Go on. Tell us,’ Kanika coaxed her.

  ‘Didi—please don’t tell anyone. Sanju—he stole money,’ Kajol blurted out.

  ‘Stole money? From whom? And for what?’ Kanika was taken aback. Veda and Ron looked stunned as well.

  ‘He stole from his father, didi. His father was going to buy new seat cover for his auto-rickshaw. So he had the money at home. Sanju stole it. He told me, didi, and showed me the notes. He said he would get the question paper. Then he would make photocopies, sell them, and earn back the money. His plan was to replace the money.’

  ‘Good lord!’ exclaimed Ron.

  ‘So why did he show it to you, if he stole it? I would have thought that he would hide it,’ Veda asked.

  ‘Didi, I said I did not believe him when he told me he had money. I told him he was lying. That was when he showed me the money. He . . . he had hid it, didi. In his underwear,’ Kajol said, a little shyly.

  ‘Oh, I see! And that was when you tried to stop him?’ Kanika asked.

  ‘Yes, didi. That’s when I knew for sure that he was serious. I said I will not let him go,’ Kajol confirmed.

  Kanika took a minute to absorb this information. She wasn’t sure what to do about Sanju. She decided she would focus on Kajol first.

  ‘Listen, Kajol—I am going to see what can be done about your exam, okay? We have all put in such a lot of effort, and we can’t let it go to waste. I am not sure yet, but please come and meet me at Ron bhaiya’s house tomorrow evening, and we will let you know what can be done, alright?’ said Kanika.

  The car had reached the arch at Sitawadi, and Kajol said she would make her way home from there.

  ‘Kajol, about Sanju. Let’s wait and see. For all you know, he might have changed his mind, or he might not have been able to meet Agni. Anything could have happened, right? You go home safely now and take care of yourself. Here are your medicines and here’s your prescription,’ Kanika said, as she handed them over to Kajol.

  Kajol took it with her left hand. Her eyes were red from all the crying, and she looked miserable.

  Veda was distressed at the turn of events and so were Ron and Kanika.

  ‘So, what can we do about it? What is your plan?’ asked Ron, as they emerged from the taxi and walked back to the intersection of the road. From here, Kanika and Veda had to go in the opposite direction as that was where Kailash Mandir Colony was situated. Ron’s apartment was across the road.

  ‘I have heard of this system, where if a student is indisposed, or if they suddenly fall ill, they can still take the examination with the help of a scribe. The school education system is sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities. So, usually, blind children give the exams with a scribe. Another person can write the exam for them, and they dictate the answers. I am wondering why the same can’t be applicable to Kajol as she is handicapped tempora
rily. I think we should try and approach the school education department to see what can be done,’ said Kanika.

  ‘Oh, that’s wonderful, if it can be done! I can be her scribe,’ said Ron.

  ‘Well, let me inform Aparna. Once she gives us the go-ahead, we could try and meet the deputy director of education tomorrow. I don’t see any other way out of this,’ said Kanika.

  ‘I will go with you,’ Veda volunteered.

  ‘Oh, me too,’ said Ron.

  ‘So let’s meet here. Tomorrow at 8.30 in the morning?’ asked Kanika.

  ‘That sounds like a plan,’ said Ron.

  By the time Veda got back home, it was well past 9.30. Bhuwan was not yet home, but Padma Devi was waiting for her. The door was left open and she was sitting in the living room, looking up every now and then to see if Veda was back.

  The moment Veda entered, Padma Devi said, ‘Give a camel an inch, and it will take the whole tent. Is this any time for you to get back home?’

  ‘Maaji, I have told Bhuwan that we have to be there for the students for the exams, and that I would be coming late. I had informed you too,’ said Veda, as she walked in, removed her slippers, and placed her handbag on the sofa. She was exhausted from the day’s events, and the last thing she wanted was to give a long explanation to her mother-in-law.

  ‘I hope you have eaten, Maaji? What is for dinner? I have had a long, tiring day, and I am hungry,’ said Veda, as she walked towards the dining table.

  ‘I have eaten. You can go help yourself. The food is on the dining table,’ Padma Devi said gruffly.

  Veda washed her hands and sat down to eat. She did not even think about how she was no longer as scared of her mother-in-law as she used to be. Her mind was preoccupied, worrying about whether Kajol would be able to get a scribe.

  Kanika knew where the Department of Education offices were located. In the course of setting up this Sankalp centre, she had met the deputy director, Mr Palekar, a few times with Aparna, to let them know about the organisation’s activities. Mr Palekar was a pleasant man, and he had always been helpful.

  Veda and Kanika met Ron at the intersection as agreed.

  ‘I called Aparna this morning and she was aghast. Kajol is our star student. She was in complete agreement with our plan,’ Kanika informed them.

  ‘I do hope we succeed in getting her a scribe,’ said Veda.

  They took an auto to Bhabha Saheb Ambedkar Road, where the offices were located.

  ‘Shikshan Upasanchalak Karyalaya,’ Kanika read the board in Marathi, and directed the auto-driver to take them to the education offices. It was a pale yellow, one-storey building. The peon made them wait for about forty-five minutes, saying, ‘Sahib is busy.’

  ‘Do you think he wants a bribe?’ Veda whispered to Kanika.

  ‘No, this is how it is here. We have to wait,’ sighed Kanika.

  After another fifteen minutes, they were shown inside. Mr Palekar recognised Kanika immediately.

  ‘Welcome, welcome, Kanikaji. Please take a seat. How are things?’ he asked.

  ‘Thank you, Palekar sahib. Things are going very well. These are my colleagues. This is Veda and this is Ronald. Both of them teach at Sankalp too,’ Kanika said.

  ‘Which country are you from?’ asked Mr Palekar, as he shook Ron’s hand.

  ‘I’m from England,’ said Ron.

  ‘How are you liking India?’ asked Mr Palekar.

  ‘It is such a wonderful country. I love it,’ said Ron. Then he explained how he had stayed back to help coach Sankalp students.

  ‘Very nice to know,’ said Mr Palekar.

  Kanika then explained the reason for their visit. She said that Kajol was one of their brightest students. She had brought along Kajol’s answers sheets from the mock board exams and she now handed them to Mr Palekar.

  ‘See sir, see for yourself how well this girl writes. She definitely does not deserve to lose a year because of her fracture. Could she please have a scribe and write the exams?’ Kanika asked.

  ‘I volunteer to be her scribe,’ Ron piped up, before Mr Palekar could answer.

  ‘You?’ Mr Palekar looked surprised.

  ‘Yes. I would love to,’ Ron said.

  ‘See—that’s very kind of you. But these things are not so simple. We have rules for taking a scribe. The rules specify that the scribe has to be two classes lower than the student, so you do not qualify, Mr Ronald,’ Mr Palekar said firmly.

  ‘Oh, I see. But how will a Class 8 student write the exam for a Class 10 student?’ Ron asked.

  ‘I do not make these rules. We have to follow them. The Class 8 student has to only write what is dictated. They don’t have to understand. So what is the problem?’ Mr Palekar looked a little annoyed.

  Kanika indicated to Ron with her eyes that she would handle it.

  Ron did not miss the cue.

  ‘Yes, right, sorry!’ Ron said.

  ‘Also, in case of a sudden accident, like that of your student, you will need to produce a medical certificate by a medical officer of a rank not less than an assistant surgeon from a government hospital. Then there are other formalities, like registering the name of the scribe. We have to also arrange for a separate room and a separate invigilator. It’s not so simple,’ Mr Palekar explained.

  ‘Sir, we would be extremely grateful to you. You hold the future of a girl child in your hands, sir,’ Kanika said. Her tone, her body language—all of it had changed to become as ingratiating as possible.

  Ron and Veda did not miss it. They followed suit.

  ‘We would be highly obliged, Mr Palekar. I know it is complicated, but could you please help us out?’ said Ron.

  ‘Sir, we will get all the necessary paperwork done. Please sir, help us,’ said Veda.

  Mr Palekar sat up a bit straighter in his chair and leaned back.

  ‘Normally, the application has to be submitted many days in advance. We have to get permission from concerned officials.’

  ‘But the fracture happened just yesterday evening. And we have come as soon as we could, sir,’ Kanika said.

  Mr Palekar scratched his chin and thought for a minute.

  ‘Hmm . . . Since this is a deserving case, I will see what I can do. Get the papers and submit them here, today itself. The board exams start in four days. We don’t have any time to waste,’ he said.

  ‘Thank you so much, we will do the needful,’ Kanika said.

  ‘Much obliged,’ said Ron.

  Veda too thanked him.

  Once they were out of earshot, Kanika said, ‘You are a fast learner, Ron. I noticed how quickly you changed your tone.’

  ‘Ha! I was only following your lead. How did you learn to speak like that?’ asked Ron, and he imitated Kanika, exaggerating her pose and adopting a subservient tone. ‘Please sir . . . help us,’ he mimicked.

  ‘Well, we got our work done!’ said Kanika, as she joined in the laughter.

  ‘Now, who do we get as a scribe? We need someone from Class 8, according to the rules,’ Veda said, as they got into an auto to head back.

  ‘Do you have any suggestions? You work with the junior classes, don’t you? Any bright kids out there?’ Ron asked.

  Veda thought about all the junior students she had worked with. One name stood out. ‘Preksha. She is smart and hardworking. She also has good handwriting. Let’s ask her if she will be Kajol’s scribe,’ said Veda.

  When they reached Sitawadi, Kanika and Veda decided to go to Kajol’s house and take her to the government hospital to get a medical certificate. Ron offered to come along, but Kanika and Veda said they would manage.

  ‘We don’t want Kajol’s father to punch you once again,’ said Kanika.

  ‘God no, I don’t want that either,’ said Ron.

  Veda and Kanika went to Kajol’s home and gave her the news. She was happy to see them and to hear about the possibility of getting a scribe. She said she knew where Preksha lived, and all of them made their way to Preksha’s home.

 
Seeing the didis in her home, unexpectedly, was a big moment for Preksha.

  ‘Ma, come here. See—these are my didis,’ she proudly introduced Veda and Kanika to her mother.

  Preksha’s mother insisted on serving them tea. She was happy that her daughter was chosen to be the scribe, and she told Preksha that she should accept.

  Getting the medical certificate from the government hospital took another two hours. Except for the fact that they had to wait in queue, it wasn’t very hard. After that, they went back to the deputy director’s office.

  By six in the evening, all the paperwork was ready. Mr Palekar handed over the necessary documents to them.

  ‘Thank you so much, sir, this means a lot,’ said Kanika.

  ‘It is our duty to help. That is what we are here for. All the best to Kajol,’ he said.

  Veda and Kanika were overjoyed. They couldn’t wait to get back and tell Ron.

  Kajol would be able to give the exams. At last, she had a scribe.

  Chapter 31

  March 1997

  Kailash Mandir Colony, Pune

  Ever since Bhuwan had hired a cook, Padma Devi had stopped asking Veda to make tea. She would sit in the drawing room on the sofa and call out to the cook, ‘Niranjan—one cup masala tea please’, and Niranjan would happily oblige.

  Padma Devi had never had a cook before. When her husband was alive, and she broached the subject with him, he would dismiss it as wasteful expenditure. ‘Now, if you were working, I could understand; but why employ a cook when you are at home all the time?’ he would say. Over the years, Padma Devi had accepted that he would never agree to it, and she had become resigned to being chained to the kitchen all the time. When Bhuwan had got married and Veda had come into the house, Padma Devi had derived great pleasure in having someone to ‘order around’. Now she had transferred what she had designated as ‘Veda’s job’ to Niranjan.

  Veda was not completely off the hook, though. Whenever Padma Devi caught her sitting in her room, her aches and pains would suddenly start, and Veda had to press her feet.

  But, of late, Veda had been so busy with Sankalp that she hardly spent time at home. On the rare occasions that she was at home, and Padma Devi asked, Veda did it uncomplainingly, even though she did not feel any great affection for the old lady. She did it out of a sense of duty. The most important thing was that Padma Devi’s demands had stopped bothering Veda the way they used to.