T he not so awaited Saturday was finally here. I had been summoned by the vigilante – the disciplinary committee.
The uncomfortable bench was pinching my behind and making waiting more stressful. I had been waiting for nearly an hour and had nothing to do but wait. It was like waiting to be slotted into heaven or hell, after being butchered brutally. I felt like a sacrificial lamb.
A peon came towards me. 'Sir, they are calling you inside.' I was not sorry to leave the bench, but it took me some effort to take the next steps.
It was a full house. Eleven teachers, including three women, sat behind the long table. I knew for a fact that some of these were those useless teachers who had little to teach in their subject, so had voluntarily taken the moral responsibility of an entire generation. I had seen some of them waste their entire time in school in studying which girl was roaming around with boys, whose skirt was too high, whose socks were too low, and all those details. I wasn't too sure if it was a part of duty to their post, or the duty to their wanton spirit.
School had ended at 2 p.m., and now, at 4 p.m., it was deserted. No one in the room seemed to be in a hurry. There was no restlessness on their faces. They all looked relaxed, as if they had all the time in the world. In fact, they were anticipating some fun, like the matinee show was about to begin.
I took the lonely chair on the other side of the long table, sitting a couple of metres away, as if I would pounce on them or kill them if I sat too close.
Without any introduction, one of the oldest among them – the principal – spoke up sternly. 'Mr Thomas Hale, we have received a written complaint that you were privately tutoring a student?'
I was shaken to the core. Is this elaborate set up only for private tuition? I assumed Mia's parents were too big shot to let their daughter's name come up in an inquiry. Plus, naming her and putting allegations would have led to a scandal. I assumed they had refrained from those charges.
The respectable principal continued to read from a paper, 'The school rules clearly state that you are not supposed to indulge in such activities.' She looked up at me, hands joined on the table. 'Care to explain what compelled you to do so? You accept the charges, I believe.'
Charges! I gulped my own saliva. I felt as though the Chief Justice of Italy was about to announce a verdict against me. And the worst part, there was nobody to defend me.
'Do you accept the charges?' she raised her voice, while all others stared at me, unblinking.
'No. I don't accept them. I plead not guilty,' I spoke like a freedom fighter, refusing to surrender to the British.
'We have come to know that a female student has been coming to your room, quite often.' She finished and I could see the males of the committee smirk and pass each other sly glances.
I gathered all my patience and replied as politely as possible under the circumstances, 'Madam, I had explained everything to you the night I was asked to leave the staff quarters. I explained about Mia. I told you she had come for doubt clearance.'
'But, the panel wants to hear from you…'
The cast was complete. The free matinee show was about to start. I took a long breath. 'Mia had some doubts in maths; she came to my quarters with her mother to discuss some math problems. I did not charge her any money. It was a one-off consultation, without monetary privilege. It was not tuition in any way, because I did not ask for any compensation against it.'
The smirks only grew more evident. I had said the wrong word – compensation. They must have started imagining that if not cash, I must have been paid in kind. How could I be so foolish!
'Mr Thomas, a student coming over even after the exams, and staying for quite long…'The statement from one of the panellists raised many sarcastic eyebrows.
I remained silent. I guessed they knew more about those hours than I did.
'Mr Thomas, because of your irresponsible behaviour, other students are also demanding tuitions. There should not be any preferential treatment for anyone.'
'She was discussing the paper, because she felt she hadn't done well. But if you think that was preferential treatment, then I am sorry. I will ensure it is not repeated in future.'
'What were you teaching… biology?' One teacher mocked. The rest of them burst into laughter as though he had cracked the funniest joke. The principal and I remained serious.
The room was filled with useless jerks, who were all masters in the art of fluttering tongues to please their boss.
Unable to make me flinch, jumping from one comment to another, one teacher dared, 'Did you have sex?'
I glanced at my wristwatch. It had taken them fifteen minutes to come to the point. All this court drama and bullshit disciplinary committee! They were just interested in whether I had sex or not.
I was not going to give in, because this time, I wasn't even at fault. 'No! Why would I? I am her teacher. And how is tuition related to this in any way?'
There was an uncomfortable silence. They were not happy with my curt response.
'Is there anything else you would want to ask?' I made my displeasure clear.
'You can wait outside, Mr Thomas. We will call you soon,' the principal instructed.
After some more wait on the uncomfortable bench, the verdict was announced. I had been found guilty. I wondered how and why, but then fathomed that the image of the school was far more important than a teacher like me.
I was given two choices – either I could put down my resignation, serve the notice period and leave. Or, they would terminate me with immediate effect.
The very next day, I resigned and began counting days of my notice period.