Unfinished Business: Isabel

She came, she saw and she conquered. She was no less than Julius Caesar in her own right. Her zest for life, infectious smile, perfectionist attitude, indomitable spirit, laudable sense of humour, unconsciously fashionable attire, feminist streak and 'n' number of positive and rare characteristics attributed to conquering realms of student population. On the shortcoming side, she was handicapped when it came to appeasement and hypocrisy. Isabel would smile only if she felt like. A striking no or an outright yes- no way for a middle path. That was Isabella- indisputably the most popular person at ISB. Yes, she had as many friends as enemies, for diplomacy was still an unexplored arena to her even at that age of experience! Its rare to find a person of her kind- so pure by heart and thought, who despite being grown up was still a child at heart- her curiousness, courage, eagerness and reasoning lending substance to it. I was an admirer of her sense of fashion even before I became her student. Every other little boy harboured a secret crush on this vivacious teacher.
I must say, rather I admit that she was totally biased (towards me). One day she rushed into the classroom, thrusting a Parker Ink Bottle and Ink Pen at me, and authoritatively ordered me to use the same henceforth to make an improvement in my handwriting. I was spellbound and looked around only to find either dropped jaws in shock or grinning teeth in anguish. But she was in nonchalance. For her, I was the most beautiful, the most charming and second to none. She always protected me from the wrath of male gaze and the unwarranted questionings of other teachers. I was her highly protected secret protege, and whatever I did, spoke and yearned was thought to be right! I was her love, her ambition, her pride, her solace. In deed, I was her Daughter.

Isabel, you have gone and I have not shed a tear of sorrow for you. How come? They say the best roses are the first ones to be picked. And there! It had to be so early for you, and so many unfinished business here... We hardly talked when out of sight. But you were there in action everywhere for me, like a propagandist, celebrating my achievements even so small. You have planted a part of you somewhere in me- believe me Isabel, unconsciously or consciously I have imitated you and I would be further doing so...For every small happiness of mine...I will be searching for those boisterous words of praise and hefty hearty laughter...until we meet somewhere

9/10/07

Dearest Sreekutty,

Hello! Thank you so much for remembering!
Before I write further - Hearty congratulations on your wonderful success - I'm so proud of you & you have not let down our faith in you! Keep it up!

I wanted to come personally & greet you on the 13th of August alongwith my brother, Charlie & Guddu but just my bad luck that my handicapped aunt had to travel to Bangalore all of a sudden! & since she looks after my mum all year round - I had to accompany her. ( you're aware that my mum's paralysed & has lost teh ability to speak. After that it just never materialised. Anyhow next holiday I shall surely meet you in Delhi!

I had a short & hectic holiday this summer. My life seems to be too busy these days - I seem to be working all the time. Many teachers are leaving the school, many have joined & things seem pretty shaky in the Commerce dept. Too many new faces!! I, too, have started working as Professor for undergraduates at NYIT - Its a good institute & I have access to good books. Considering that I have decided to register for PhD. Hope everything works out & I manage to get a Guide who's willing to review my work twice a year.

2 days back I met your classmates - Mahmood, Naveen, Emad & Dylan. I shared the news & they were not surprised - its like you're expected to achieve - ofcourse they were very happy for you. Emad has completed his commercial pilot training & can fly as a pilot - he's trying for a job in Gulf Air - he's doing well. Naveen's working in Bahrain & is involved in composing & making some rock music. He's broken wup with Hina. It was sure fun reminiscing on old times & the children haven't changed much expect they all look wiser & more mature! We were standing & chatting for nearly 2 hours & no one realised it! Sameer & Shaheen from our class are engaged!
Naveed has become my husband's financial consultant - advising him on which shares to invest - He runs the event mgmt during his spare time so I do meet Najma. He also helped by organising the games for Charlie's Confirmation party. He's a smart kid! I'm so fortunate having such wonderful students - believe me I have never regretted working with children!

My own children have grown up & they were really looking forward to meeting you! Just our bad luck I guess! Right now they're totally smitten with India & Charlie wants to relocate to India.

I guess I've written quite a bit - Take care & keep me posted!

Lots of love & blessings always,

 Miss Isabella 

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9/13/07

Dear Teacher,

At the outset, I was so thrilled to read a long reply after a gap. I was not very sure of my message reaching your inbox because this is one rare successful attempt among the earlier failed ones.  And by the way whatever you write is something worth treasurable for me! (Considering what you wrote towards the end in your reply).

That was very great of you to have thought of making a visit to Delhi, especially to greet me. Its more than what any teacher could do and more than what any student could expect. Trust me, nobody here believes that we had such a friendly relation. They just hear and nod their head thinking how it can be ever possible for a teacher to go so friendly with students. And why do you think you need a Phd or something of that sort. Its no exaggeration or flattering, you are far better and capable than many of those Phd holders I have so far come across. At graduation level, our lecturers and professors had good knowledge but most of them lacked an enthusiasm to teach. Quite often, I had to tickle my upper jaw with my tongue to keep myself awake!!! 

Here in D-school, I must say,  there is variety. This year I have got a paper of Marketing Management and our professor is the Dean of Commerce Department in Delhi University. The duration of our lesson is for continous, solid 2hrs and God only knows how time flies away when Prof. Jain starts delivering his lecture. His teaching is just like the way you do- making learning a sort of fun. He cites relevant examples at the same time sharing his personal experiences and blending it with his own 'patented' sense of humour. He is a blunt talker and straight shooter, and has an eye for innovation, hence he is being disliked by  his colleagues and other staff. And he reminds me of someone who is  an audacious talker and innovative thinker, and the troubles she had to handle because of this very nature of her's. On the other hand, we have a Prof for Management Accounting- Dr. Jawaharlal.  Can you believe that he takes an entire span of 2hrs to explain a simple definition? Thanks to him, I have learned to sleep in the class with my eyes wide open.

 Well, how is the new Principal? I happened to read about him in the school web site. Is Mr. Mohanchandran there? If so, can you please forward me his e-mail address. With the help of this social networking site- orkut, I am able to be in touch with many of my school friends and acquiantances. Do you remember one M.R. Aditya from Science Stream? He was a bacthmate of Shreyas Venugopal (x Head Boy). I happened to see his photo in one of the business magazines where he was placed among those who scored a 100 percentile in CAT. Its quite probable that he might be doing his MBA from IIM-A. I was so happy to learn that someone from our school has reached such a great height.

Its been a long time i met someone from our school. I really miss those days and i keep on pestering my friends with my memories of that wonderful crowd and kind teachers and one SPECIAL TEACHER. Once upon a time, I was in school, then in college and once again back to school ( Delhi School of Economics). Its impossible to get back to Indian School and be your student once again. I'm severely missing those carefree and fun-filled days...

Regards to Guddu, Charlie and Mr. Andrews....

A Grateful Student