Chapter 6: Farewell to the Class
I spent months making second and third-round revision plans for everyone in the class.
Forty-five copies, each tailored to the student.
Even though I couldn’t keep leading this class, I wanted to do my last bit of duty and show my goodwill before leaving.
During lunch break, I walked into the classroom. Fans creaked overhead, and the faint smell of ink and chalk dust hung in the air as I handed out thick revision packets.
Immediately, a chorus of complaints:
“Ugh, why are these packets so thick?”
“Every day it’s just study, study, study as soon as I open my eyes. I’m so tired I could puke.”
“Another self-study session gone...”
These little brats.
So what if it’s tiring? What final year student isn’t tired? I wanted to remind them about my own sleepless nights, but what’s the use?
I was about to say something when Kabir blurted out: “Teacher Rohan, agar hum sab top colleges mein chale gaye toh aapko kitna bonus milta hai? Lakhs milte hai na?”
I was caught off guard:
“Kya?”
“Otherwise, why do you work us like donkeys every day? Apne faayde ke liye hi na? Ab toh aap hume padha nahi rahe ho, toh rehne do.”
My face darkened instantly.
Big mouth Kabir—if he knows, the whole class knows.
I looked down and saw faces either impatient or indifferent.
They all knew their parents had reported me, they knew I was leaving, and not a single one showed reluctance or sadness.
What hurt more was that my students actually thought I made them study hard for my own benefit.
At that moment, I didn’t know how to describe what I felt. It was like a hollow ache in my chest, as if the monsoon had come but forgotten to bring rain.
I said coldly, “Alright then, keep doing your self-study.”
The moment I walked out, the classroom erupted in cheers:
“Whoa, King Rohan is gone!”
“We’re finally free!”
“No more packets! I even have nightmares about him, did you know that?”