“ Amma, school fees to be paid tomorrow.” Rama yelled out to her mother.”Same as last year ? “ was Vijaya’s query. “School has told for non Government employees,it is more .The list of fees is given in the school calendar .”

Vijaya was reading the newspaper. She knew that if she lazed around with the newspaper ,she would forget about the chore of paying fees. and even others as well.Reluctantly,  she got up & opened Rama’s school bag.She rummaged through the bag.Found the school diary & started searching for the fee schedule.Rama was in class 8 now.Her fees till she was in class seven was just five hundred rupees.This was because it was a government school.And tas Rama’s dad was  working for private employers,she had to pay a paltry sum.Those parents who were government employees were spared even the princely amount of Rs 500..Vijaya used to feel guilty many times that though ,they could well afford to pay many times more,they used to pay just a bare minimum.She sighed as she recalled that the best things in life come free ! Yet ,paying so less for literacy is an a irony.Just like the Government which spends crores & crores on defence & not even the barest  minimum on education.

Vijaya was going through the fee schedule now.As Rama was in class eight ,her fees was not rupeees three thousand .Out of this ,an amount of five hundred rupeess  was towards the computer education & the rest that is two thousand five hundred was to form part of an education fund. Vijaya noted that tution fees for girls was nil .Vijaya called out to Rama,”Fees is Rs 3000/ - for you.I will come with you to school tomorrow & pay it off.”

Vijaya took out the needed sum from the almirah safe & put it in her purse.That was that.So next morning ,she would be comfortable knowing that she has already got the fees in her purse.Mornings were always hurried .Rama was a late & reluctant riser.She would keep postponing getting up from bed by two minutes,five minutes & so on.Vijaya would be busy making some snack for Rama’s tiffin box .And then Rama’s bath water had to be ready .In between ,she had to repeatedly wake up Rama.Rama would get up & take bath.She would brush her teeth while she took bath.After bath,she would change into her school uniform.Then she would have her breakfast of cereal & milk and  sometimes a banana chocolate smoothie.THen her hair had to parted for making two ponytails.Schools wanted two ponytails if hair was shoulder length & beyond.Rama being a rebel that she was, skipped making two ponytails .Yet,Vijaya wanted Rama to be in two ponytails as per school rules.Vijaya was in secret agreement with Rama that two ponytails or one made no difference to any student .And yet,she did not want Rama to know that, for obvious reasons.Rama would have forced her mom to become an activist & write letters to school requesting that one ponytail be allowed & so on.Vijaya was hoping that when she accompanied Rama to school tomorrow,Rama would have put two ponytails.Rama made ponytails herself .Only parting of hair was done by Vijaya .It was not always  like that.Rama had   wanted hair to be long.So she started growing her hair.Vijaya had  short hair & she wanted Rama to follow suit.When Rma saw all her friends growing their hai,she wanted to have long hair too.And that;s where it all started...the argument about Vijaya never got the parting right & how Vijaya made ponytails at varying heights & so on. Vijaya used to wonder how her daughter always opined that the two ponytails were very dissimlar & looked disgusting.So fed up of Amma’s disability of making ponytails ,Rama had taken upon herself to make her ponytails.And whenever anything went wrong ,Vijaya ‘s parting of hair could be blamed.

Vijaya finished her dinner.She called out to Rama & served her dinner.Rama just ate a katori of dahi rice.The leftover was wiped clean by Vijaya.Vijaya sighed that Rama was always keeping leftovers for amma to finish off as she suspected that Vijaya was dieting.Vijaya promised herself each time she finished off the leftovers that this was the last time.and yet again she would be gorging on leftovers.She believed in waste not want not.Never mind that her body was getting wasted .Akin to nthe dustbin which collected all trash.

Vijaya & Rama went off to bed at around 11.Next morning ,the alarm rang.Vijaya got up & brushed her teeth.Then she prepared some sandwiches for Rama.Next ,she gave Rama a nudge to wake up for school.Vijaya then put on the geysar for Rama’s bath.Again ,tried to wake up.Rama sleepily replied,”Two more minutes.”

The bucket was full.Vijaya put off the geyser & closed the tap.Vihaya went & woke up Rama.Rama once again promised to get up after two minutes.Vijaya went & put the sandwich box in Rama’s bag.Then she took out Rama’s uniform & laid it out on the bed. Vijaya called out ,”Rama,please wake up now.” “Amma,why do you have to scream ? I got up already ” was Rama’s reply.Vijaya thanked Almighty as always as this was a daily chore for Vijaya.She kept mum as her replies to Rama’s accusations would make matters worse .And they would get more delayed.

Rama finished her bath & brushing & dressed up.Next , she ate a few teaspoons of cereal soaked in milk..That was her breakfast.”Amma ,” called out Rama.”Please come & do my hair parting .” Vijaya obeyed .She parted the hair & Rama was okay with it. Vijaya knew that it was wise to keep mum & go out of the room. If she dared to ask if parting was fine,a volley of complaints would  hit her .

Vijaya went into the bedroom & changed into a blue salwar kameez. Combed her hair .Thank God,she sighed,the dupatta was hanging on the hook.She donned it & collected her bag with the fees securely inside it.On the way to the living room ,she collected the keys dangling  in the passage.She saw that Rama was in the living room putting on her shoes.Rama saw her & asked,” You are coming to drop me ? “ Vijaya said ,” I have to come to pay your school fees.” “Aaah,ok.” Rama replied with no particular interest.

Vijaya glanced at the clock.The school bus time was over.It did not matter that day as Vijaya was going to school & she couldn’t have accompanied Rama in the bus.She could have & yet that  was impossible as Rama would never allow that.Vijaya would have been immensely satisfied travelling in the school bus,counting how much she saved by going in school bus rather than the auto.Rama always quipped that her mom was typically middle class though Rama suspected it was simply  Miser class. And more specifically, Miser trying to pass off as class !

Vijaya hailed an auto & soon they were zoooming towards the school.In 15 minutes,they had reached school.Rama rushed out & said ,”Bye “.She never wanted to be seen with her mom who was always simply dressed with her short hair in disarray. Vijaya paid the fare & entered the school garden.She stood there  for some time.Kids were entering school….some happy,some worried,most of them chatting with their classmates,.The school garden gate closed.A guard stood there, to admonish children who arrived late.

Vijaya started towards the school building.She was stopped by a guard at the doorway of the building.She told him that she had come to pay the school fees.She told him that she had to pay fees for class eight.He directed her to go upstairs on the second floor where Rama’s class was situated.The school  made the teachers do much of administrative work like collection of fees etc.So fees were collected in classrooms.Vijaya wailked up the stairs.She mused that bringing up kids was a real exercise & as if that was not enough,she had to climb up to pay fees as well !

Vijaya looked around for Class eight.A lady teacher was walking in the passage & Vijaya asked for class eight.The lady teacher said,”Please go to the last class at the end .” Vijaya thanked her & walked towards the end.She stood at the door of the class.She saw that Rama was engrossed in chatting with her classmate.Two lady teachers were sitting across a table on a slightly raised platform .They had a register open in front of them.Vijaya spoke up from the door ,”Ma’am ,may I come in .” The two teachers nodded. Vijaya entered the class.She went to the teachers & stood besides the table. “Ma’am ,I have come to pay Rama’s school fees. “ The teachers smiled & said ,”Yes, of course.Just give me a minute .I have to look up. “ Vijaya stood there. Vijaya waited & then after five minutes she said ,” I looked up in the school calendar & it says that fees for female wards of non government employees is three thousand “One of the teacher queried “’Rama is your only girl child ? “ Vijaya said ,’Yes,only child .” Then why don’t you get a certificate from the Executive Magistrate that she is the only girl child ? “ Vijaya said ,” Is this essential before I pay the fees ? “ “ The other teacher butted in ,” No ,not that way.If you get it certified then ,you need to pay just a thousand as fees.This is the government’s Sukanya scheme.”

Vijaya   thought for a minute &  said ,’When is the last date for payment of fees  ? “ “That would be the last day of this month ,” replied the teacher.Vijaya said ,” I don’t think ,I want to do that ” .”Why not ? You can save money. Why pay more ? Are you planning another child ? “ the teacher asked so innocently. Vijaya wanted to burst out laughing rather howling.Vijaya looked old as her hair had greyed & she had to apply henna on a monthly basis.  She was in her mid forties, hubby was nearing fifty & Rama was more than a handful. And both parents were somehow managing Rama’s hyperactivity. Another child ? Vijaya said ,” No planning.We have no such ideas. : Vijaya managed to keep a straight face even as she answered this.”You know ,every year till she completes school ,you have to get certified by Executive Magistrate that Rama is your only girl child .Because ,in the span  of an year ,there could be another addition to the family ,.” the teacher continued.Vijaya was getting embarrassed by now. She thought as if she had come to a Family Planning clinic.Next,she would be told about various contraceptives like Nirodh,& maybe tubectomy ,& what not . She believed in family planning .So also her hubby.They were content with Rama. She said ,’Ma’am ,I would rather pay the full fees of rupees three thousand .. I am busy till the month end as I have some errands to attend.So it would be impossible to do that.””Are you sure ? This can be done in a day.In fact ,in half a day.” “ Not possible,Ma’am,I am too busy.” Vijaya said in a final tone.She paid the full amount ,collected the receipt & left.

Vijaya had no errands to run.She thought that she will have to pay a fee to the Executive Magistrate which would invariably be more than what she would have given in school as fees without the document certifying Rama as their only girl child.And money spent on education was better than filling coffers of Executive Magistrates.And that too year after year.Moreover,she never wanted someone other than a doctor to certify her reproductive history as also future !