Chapter 7: Aftermath and Resignation

I was so disappointed, I couldn’t sleep all night. I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, the city sounds outside muted and distant, as if even the world was turning its back on me.

The school acted quickly. Next day, the new class teacher was appointed—just as the parents wanted: single, unmarried, honest, and living in the teachers’ quarters. The kind of teacher who could be summoned at any time, even if the milkman was late.

The class WhatsApp group buzzed:

Kabir’s mother: “Parents, Teacher Sneha may be young, but I’ve spoken to her privately, and she promised to take good care of our kids.”

“This time, it’s all thanks to Kabir’s mom for working so hard for our class.”

“No need to thank me, we’re all doing this for the kids.”

“Exactly, exactly.”

I didn’t want to stay in that group for another second. After handing things over, I left the group. The silence in my phone felt heavier than any scolding I’d ever received.

Then I handed in my resignation to the school.

The department head was annoyed: “Teacher Rohan, you’re not some naïve rookie. Even if you weren’t at fault, is it necessary to threaten the school with resignation? Koi bhi teacher bina shikayat ke kaam nahi karta. Frankly, even if a parent hit you, you’d just have to swallow it.”

There was nothing more to say.

I didn’t explain further and firmly completed my resignation.

When I left, not a single student from the class came to see me off.

Just take it as my two years of devotion went to the dogs. I walked out past the school gate, the familiar chowkidar nodding at me in confusion.

At home, my wife silently offered me chai, her eyes worried. The TV in the background played a news segment about teacher shortages, the anchor’s voice rising over the pressure cooker’s whistle from the kitchen. For once, I didn’t have to rush to check homework or answer another parent’s message.

During my time off, I had minimally invasive surgery, slept till I woke up naturally, ate three meals on time, read books, watched Netflix. Not only did my minor ailments disappear, I even gained five kilos in less than a month. My wife was delighted: “You look human again!”

A few days after I resigned, the first big exam of final year took place.

Class Six was still ranked first in the grade.

A few parents who forgot to delete me posted on their WhatsApp Status:

“Facts prove that the kids’ excellence is all their own, has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“To certain self-important people: No one in this world is indispensable.”

They might as well have written my name directly.