This silence
Manu was deeply troubled.
He did not respond to the many phone calls he received.
After he became the Assistant Commissioner,
his old classmates arranged a reunion.
But Manu did not feel like going.
There was a quiet pain inside him that he could not express.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
When Manu opened the door, his classmates were standing there with concern and affection.
“Manu, what happened?
Come with us.
Teacher has surely forgotten everything long ago.”
With gentle smiles and warm laughter,
they took him to the reunion hall.
Inside, the hall was filled with joy and memories.
Everyone was happy to meet after so many years.
They spoke with love and pride about Manu’s achievements.
Teachers and friends praised him sincerely.
One by one, former students went up to the stage,
sharing stories, jokes, and moments from their school days.
Finally, Manu walked to the stage.
He stood silently for a few moments.
Then, instead of speaking,
he stepped down and walked to a quiet corner of the hall.
There, Rani Teacher was sitting silently.
Manu knelt down and touched her feet.
Tears streamed from his eyes, falling onto her feet.
In a soft voice, the teacher said,
“My child… stand up.”
She held his hands and helped him rise.
Her eyes, too, were filled with tears.
She smiled gently and said:
“Should the Assistant Commissioner of this city cry like this?”
She encouraged him to return to the stage.
“We are all waiting to hear you.”
Manu went back with a small, trembling smile.
He began to speak:
“Today, I am filled with emotion.
Years ago, when I left this school,
I was filled with pride and anger.
In that moment, I even threw a book at my Rani Teacher.
That was the greatest mistake of my life.
But Teacher never held hatred in her heart.
She forgives because she loves.
As I grew older,
I wanted to ask forgiveness many times,
but I did not have the courage.
Today… I am asking.
Teacher, please forgive me.”
Manu stepped down again.
Teacher touched his cheek lovingly and said:
“Why speak of it now, my child?
I forgave you long ago.
You are still my little Manu.”
She took out a small letter
and placed it in his hand:
“Give this to Basil Father.”
Manu gently said goodbye to everyone and left.
The next day,
Manu visited an orphanage.
There, he met Basil Father, the elderly caretaker.
Manu told him everything that happened
and gave him the letter.
Father listened quietly and said:
“My son…
Years ago, when you left school,
Teacher called me, crying, and said:
‘Please continue his studies.’
From that day on,
all the expenses for your education
were paid by Rani Teacher.
She wanted to see you reach great heights.
Every time you achieved something,
I called her.
But she never came.
Her love for you was so deep.”
Tears filled Manu’s eyes.
His voice shook.
Father placed his hand on Manu’s shoulder and said:
“You are walking on a good path, my child.”
He opened the letter.
Inside, there were only two words:
“Thank you.”
