"Where is Urvi? What happened in school today?"- Subhash inquired the first thing returning from the office. Meghana, his wife, didn't say anything but just glanced at her room. Subhash removed his shoes and sternly moved in the pointed direction. He tapped the door twice and entered. Urvi, obviously awake, stirred inside the blanket hearing him approaching. Out of both fear and anxiety. Her heart raced faster than an F1 engine, as her papa drew closer by the moment.
Urvi was her papa's adorable clown. Papa had never raised his hand on her and apparently neither did he ever allow Mumma for the same. This unconditional love had spoiled her a little for her own good. But as they say, the only child in the house can get away with seven murders, that too when a girl. Or so she thought before today.
Urvi had changed her school recently when Subhash got transferred from Nasik to Mumbai. She became the newest kid in her 5th standard at this highly competitive English medium school in Vile Parle area of Mumbai. Other than rigorous studies, this school was very keen on the overall development of its students. Urvi's class teacher had thus recommended her to pick one option for sports hour every Saturday. Urvi had had practically no noteworthy interests so far, other than only watching cartoons and Star Plus serials along with Mumma couple of nights a week. She didn't have a sibling either to play with. And you know how the megacities these days are when it comes to playing outdoors with kids in the neighborhood. Needless to say, it wasn't Urvi but her PT teacher who picked a sport for her- Track and Field.
When she returned home that evening, her mother's excitement fizzled out knowing what her daughter was going to play. What sort of unpopular game is this, even Kabaddi league comes on TV nowadays. But call it beginner's luck, Urvi turned out to be a natural at running. As if she had wings hidden somewhere in her feet. Every race she ran in her school ground, she beat not just her 5th standard classmates but even older girls and boys too. No wonder she was soon selected to represent her school Golden Wings (what an appropriate name, no?) for under 10 category- 100 meters at the district sports meet. And boy, was she chirpy that day!
Subhash and Meghana were extremely proud of their daughter and a little anxious themselves what a big day it was going to be for their precious child. Meghana had sent her to school with a spoon of sweet curd and Subhash had his mind distracted out of office chores the whole day. In the afternoon, he got a call from an unknown number.
"Hello, Mr. Subhash?- a strict voice crackled at the other end.
"Yes, that's me."- Subhash wondered if a credit card company can afford to have such strict voices on sales calls.
"I am Mrs. Fernandes, principal of Golden Wings."- Another bout of the cold wave came.
"(Oh, that's why the dryness dripping from the voice) Yes madam, please tell."- Subhash was anxious to hear about her daughter's result.
"Congratulation, your daughter came second today. But she made a... err... there was a scene at the presentation ceremony."- Nurse Ratchet appeared to have softened her vocal cords momentarily, but regained her natural dryness quickly- "As a school which prides itself in following a strict code of conduct, I thought I might leave this one out as just a warning. But make no mistake, we will not tolerate such unruly behavior the next time."
Subhash, still grasping the gravity of the chilling words, replied- "Oh, I see. Thank you, Mrs. Fernandes. I appreciate it."
Subhash was furious all the way while returning home. He just wasn't accustomed to receiving threats. He entered the house today wondering if he will break his an adorable father's image today and his resolution of not raising a hand on his daughter.
Once inside the room, he called her- "Urvi, I know you aren't sleeping. Get up." When she still didn't move, Subhash shouted- "I SAID GET UP!!" Urvi moved to sit up straight away, still not letting her moist eyes make any contact with Subhash's. One look at her crying cute face and the father inside him melted- "(Oh come on. Am I gonna subject her to more torture, after that Mrs. Fernandes at school?) Tell me Urvi beta. What happened today?"
His unexpected shift in tone made her jump to him, hug his shoulders and let go of tears. She muttered in broken words- "I am sorry papa. I don't know what happened. That other girl was big and tall and mean. Like she wasn't even in 5th standard perhaps. And when she won, I couldn't help but feel angry. I threw away the second place medal they gave me. I don't want to race again. It's so embarrassing."
It dawned upon Subhash what had transpired. The girl had encountered the bitter feeling of DEFEAT for the first time in her life so far. And she wasn't prepared for it. She had had neither a sibling nor any playmates around. Just a lonely pampered child who had gone unopposed and unchallenged in whatever she undertook so far. And at school, oh, Mrs. Fernandes at this new school embodied the kind of social skills she was about to learn in such cruel competitive environment. It wasn't her fault at all, but her elders around were letting her down. And it is elders only who need to fix it. Subhash paused for a moment, lifted Urvi wrapping his arms around and took her out of the room washing her tears away with his palm- "Meghana, get ready. We are going out for ice cream."
"Ice cream? Kis khushi me (for what occasion)?"- Meghana chuckled playfully from the kitchen.
"But of course, for Urvi's big win today."- announced Subhash with genuine pride in his voice.
Urvi had stopped crying and was looking puzzled at her father's face now, who continued his loud proclamation- "Today our Urvi has proved to be the second fastest under 10 girl in the whole Mumbai area. We all must celebrate this SUCCESS with her favorite mango ice cream today."
And off the three went to Naturals ice cream parlor.
It seemed as if it happened just yesterday. A car stopped outside the famous Naturals ice cream parlor near Juhu Vile Parle. The driver, a young girl in her early 20s came out assisting her parents to pass through the weekend rush and occupy a just emptied bench outside the parlor. Among the curious glances of college-age couples and small kids, Urvi asked Subhash and Meghana- "The usual one then?"
"But of course, it has to be."- Subhash said. As Urvi went in, a grey-haired Meghana put her head on her partner's shoulder and reminisced the countless moments over the past two decades, which they celebrated the same way as Urvi's small victories, instead of letting her remember it forever as a failure. Today, their daughter was selected to represent India in Track and Field at the next Commonwealth games. Her eyes met her husband's and she wondered with a smile how come this impulsive baboon of a man could make such a profound decision that moment 20 years ago.
Urvi came out meanwhile with the three scoops and spoons- "Who wants some mango ice cream?"
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