In the fading daylight of November I , saw a huge amount of people lining up for their wages . At around this time of the month people get their wages for labour in industries I, saw two lines which were most likely lining up for their wages one were filled with South Asian and another with white people.
I saw them while passing by and was on my way to the school where I, am working in right now till my eyes fell once again to that line of people as I heard a loud noise .
Their was a Brown man ( South Asian man ) debating against a white men who was the foreman as to why he was being underpaid . I could make it out as I was an Indian myself name Roy Aggarwal .
" Oi how will just take this much amount of money while he who did either the same amount of work as me or lesser is getting paid almost double than what I am getting !" he said it in hindi .One of the workers there said it and others came to Reconile him as to not make a scene and they all, after a talk went back to the line all looking frustrated and the white men laughing at them from the other line . A Middle aged man in the lane I was walking stood up and said ' Get these unwanted lads out of this place ruining my day again and again ' others in the lane had a smile on their face and went to their work .
I really didn't like looking at my own race being belittled but there was nothing I can do after all the British ruled for over 2 centuries and even after independence people come here to work cause of the pay ,I sighed with my mood being ruined . A thing which I learned here was to mind my own business and beware of a white men in proper attire who says something which directly benefits others.
I looked at the clock in the fast food shop nearby the university and I had 20 minutes left for my first class to start .
As I entered the the watchman which was wishing good evening to everyone didn't greeted me and instead, harshly asked for my Id as a Professor here where I come almost daily. After checking up with him I went to the University.
In the staff room I, was the only non-white teacher even though in South Asian standards I would be considered white as my neighbour would say me " Gora-chitta ladka hai ". However I, was too brown in English standards . Anyways being A
non-white used to make me feel isolated in here.
A knock was heard from the staff room door and a student said to Mr. Greenwood that Principal Sir is calling Roy in a disgraceful manner . I heard that loud and clear with knowing the way he called me out and under normal circumstances I would have been angered but in here I was too used to this to feel that.
"Mr. Aggarwal, Principal is calling for you " Mr. Greenwood said while I adjusting my tie in the staff room mirror . I said "I will be going then sir, I hope your lessons go well today and hopefully you have a nice day " to Mr. Greenwood and he replied by saying "Same to you , Sir ." As I left the staff room I could only say one good thing in my mind that at the very least my colleague's are friendly.
I knocked at the Principal Sir's office and I sharp and piercing voice came which said " Come in ." This guy's voice is just like my time's knot which keeps digging into my throat like his word's " Stick to arthimetic, eh? The lads won't grasp your... exotic methods . So why don't you make it simpler
and more easy to understand otherwise, I may have to fire you ." In a threatening manner.
This guy is the most annoying bastard I have ever seen in my entire life I thought to myself. "Mr. Roy? Are you day dreaming now as well ?" Principal snapped his fingers . " No , Sir I was simply worried about myself and I won't make any more mistakes like this ever again,' I replied to him." " Well , you better not ." Principal said that and allowed me to leave.
I sometimes really do wonder if I, should quit this work or not as I thought that suddenly, I remembered my struggling brother who worked hard for me to settle in London and my mother. However, still the fact remains that I give these youngster free remedial classes yet, this baldy scolds me , I said it angrily and frustrated after coming out of the roam and went to the corridors for fresh air.
I sighed leaning at the wall reflecting at myself for the choice's I have made and their outcomes. I clenched my fists out of frustration but their was no point to it as no one cares .
I sighed, let's get ready in 5 minutes my class will start I, said to myself and headed to my class .
' Well hello, everyone please take out your textbooks and today we will be doing Lagrange's theorem and cosets.' These students won't even budge to stand up and reply and dismayingly try to look outside or start talking amongst themselves. The worse part is that a few of them try to pull pranks with me but I try to ignore it as much as possible as none are on my side and getting into the university with my over-qualification still barely allowed me to be a teacher here which gives an okay salary to me despite being underpaid by my colleagues who are qualified for their jobs but are underqualified than me.
As I sat, after giving them a lecture and a minute break a very unexpected student named Billy asked me a doubt. This is unusual the leader of these bullies , a ruffian like himself asking me a question? I paused for a second there and went there to see where he had doubts as he called me .
" Where are you having trouble ? You clearly copied all the classwork " I said impressed.
" Ah, Sir looks like I understood it the moment you came " , Billy replied laughing snickeredly.
I thought he was improving as he was complained by many and was close to suspencion but looks lke it was my imagination.
I holded my head and sat at the chair not knowing a student had sneakingly swaped the chair with another and as I sat I fell. I immediately stood up disgusted. However I, dismayed the very thought and continued with the class with a rotten mood as the giggling would not stop.