Koyal Roy
I was 10 years old, more or less. That day, I had a dance performance at my school concert. It was a solo performance, scheduled in the afternoon. My mother was supposed to come to school during lunch break and dress me up.
For some reason she was late. I left my class after lunch, expecting to see her at the gate, but she wasn't there. Time passed-5 minutes, then 10, then 15. I was getting desperate; you see, our school was a convent one and everyone was very strict. Absenteeism at an event where you have been given a responsibility was unheard of and it could even mean suspension or expulsion (or so I thought at that time).
Waiting for Maa that afternoon, I had an unprecedented crisis of faith. Perhaps she wouldn't turn up at all, I thought. Perhaps she had forgotten, or got busy somewhere else. And now, what would I do?
I decided to hide in hindsight, it was a very stupid idea, of course, but then 10- year-olds aren't particularly known for their wisdom, especially those who had lived sheltered, protected life and had hardly faced any problems in the past. So I hid, and being utterly inexperienced in hiding, I chose a particularly open place. I hid against a wall, on which were a row of windows from where anybody could peek in and spot me.
And that's exactly what happened. About 5 minutes later, a girl who looked like a junior came to me and said, "Sister so and so wants you to see her. Follow me." So much for concealment!
So I followed her inside the wooden building and through the narrow corridors which eventually led to one of the rooms near the chapel (which had a window on the wall against which I had, so wisely, been hiding). Inside was a youngish nun and that's the only thing I remember about her. I don't remember her name or anything else. She seemed to be in the middle of a catechism or moral science class. She looked up when I entered and said, "What's your name and which class are you in?"
I replied, "Koyal Roy, Class 5 A".
"So, Koyal, what exactly were you doing, leaning against that wall?"
Somehow she didn't seem very angry or irritated, just curious.
Half stammering, half crying, I told her my story, thinking this was probably the end. I would now find myself standing near the Principal's office, or worse, my guardians would be called.
Instead, she smiled. It's over two decades since the incident, but I still remember the smile as one of the most peaceful things I have ever seen. Then she said, "Koyal, I understand you are worried, but there's no reason to panic. Instead let's all pray to God, and he will get you out of this." So we prayed; Sister so and so, me, the entire class of students unknown to me. Then she said, in that same kind, soothing voice, "Now go back to the hall and wait for your Mom, I am sure she'll be there shortly."
I went back (no question of disobeying, having been let off rather unexpectedly) and found Maa there, waiting for me! The relief and joy was enormous, and all went well that day.
As I grew up I faced much more and the innocent problems of my childhood days just seemed like part of an old world charm that was wearing out fast. However, whenever life got too trying, I remembered how I had found a friend unexpectedly that afternoon and how the day had miraculously changed. It has helped me keep faith, that even in the worst of times (or what seems to you like the worst of times) there is someone always with a gentle smile and kind words to help make things a little better.