Lakshmi..

She sat down on a corner where a chair sat uninvited just like she was. She took a biology book from the racks and sat on her own. Her face looked tired. She bunked her history class and came to library. Everytime she thinks of her history class, she feels a knot tying up in her stomach. She totally hated that class. Her ma'am Judy was a nag. She would generally ask Lakshmi to stand up and read out loud.

Lakshmi was an Indian, she has recently moved into this new town. She was 10 when her parents left India and right after moving out, they have been moving from one city to the other. Her studies were being affected by this. She had to change schools because her father's job made them go around places.

This school was new too. But one thing was common, she was a stranger and a person of colour. Back in India, when she was born, her mother said she was quite fair. Her grandma was happy that she was not born dark like her mother and named her Lakshmi. Now she doesn't feel empowered nor an ounce of confidence in her name. Lakshmi, she was named after the Hindu goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity.

Here in her school she was looked down upon for being a brown. She thought of her mother who was always bullied by her mother-in-law for being dark. How she coped up with it all her life, she wondered! She pitied her mom but herself more. Her mom was courageous and shut everyone's mouth by continuing her studies after her marriage. Today she is a biochemist and has availed a prestigious job in a reputed company, earning more than her father. Her colour doesn't matter at all now.

The other day, ma'am Judy asked her to read a passage of the chapter 'The Revolutionary War'. She stood up and fixed her glasses and started to read from the passage. Ma'am stood next to her correcting her pronunciation. It wasn't the first time her English was made fun of, adding to other flaws that was joked about. Like her thick glasses from her greasy hair which were long and thick but was overlooked by the bullies.

Judy made her sit after 3 lines of the passage that were read by Lakshmi. She asked her to act, talk and think like American if she is planning to stay up in States. But more importantly to work on her Indian accent that somewhat apes the British one. The next day, Judy brought some tutorial guides for Lakshmi and handed her after the class. And on one occasion, she even openly talked about how she despised immigrants looking at Lakshmi.

Lakshmi spoke about bullying with her mom. Her mom promised that she would speak to her principal and asked her not to bunk classes. But poor Lakshmi lacked the courage to face Judy. A warning letter was issued to Judy by the officials. This made Lakshmi to better avoid those piercing eyes of Judy and also her classes. Her presence never really affected the strength of the classroom.

She preferred library over the classes. Ms. Joyce, her librarian had become her new best friend. They discussed social issues on many dimensions. Ms. Joyce loved India and wants to visit it once in her lifetime. She learnt about Indian culture through Lakshmi. Lakshmi got a Saree for Ms. Joyce and taught her how to drape it.

Lakshmi's attendance were not good. Her mom was called in and her mother fired back at the school authorities for not taking any action against Me.  Judy. The authorities said they don't have proper evidence to fire her. The discussion went on and Lakshmi's mother decided to pull her out of the school.

Today unfortunately was the last day of her school. Her mom came to the library to pick up Lakshmi, she in fact met Ms. Joyce and narrated the whole story to them. Lakshmi tiredness had now turned into elated relief. She loathed school and no longer had to attend it. Ms. Joyce was more than happy for Lakshmi, her dearest brown friend. How she also yearned that Lakshmi wouldn't leave. Lakshmi and her mom left with tears in their eyes, promising the librarian that they would stay in touch.

As the days passed by..

She is being schooled at home by her mother presently and went to the community library for her hunger to learn more and engross herself in all sort of books. She missed Ms. Joyce and was still in contact with her. Bullying took away a school life from her but Lakshmi found a friend in Ms. Joyce. Bullying made her stand in her mother's feet and understand how it feels to be bullied. She has started an awareness programme #Against Bullying & Empowering Oneself. She stood up against bullying and encouraged other such victims to stand and fight against it.