The morning hustle at the fish market near the famous riverbank was a sight to behold. It was a well-known business hub of the fishing industry. The tan-colored fishermen were busy at work, their sunburned faces glowing with the pride of hard labor.
Wearing kurta-dhoti ... the traditional attire for men ... they carried long sticks over their shoulders, with buckets of fish hanging from both ends. Auctions were being held along the riverbank; some were selling, others buying.
Amidst all this, a five-year-old boy clutched his mother's finger, whispering insistently into her ear.
"Maa, that chocolate-flavored one… I like it so much," he said, holding tightly to her dupatta with one hand and pointing at a toffee container with the other.
"Beta ( son), are you buying the candies for yourself or your friends?" she asked with a raised brow.
"Maa, it's my birthday today! Everyone at school brings sweets and candies on their birthday. I want to give my friends my favorite ones," the boy explained eagerly, justifying his request with innocent logic.
His mother knelt down to his level and spoke gently.
"My son, your sister had a fever last night. I actually wanted to take the day off today, but since you insisted, I came along," she said with a mix of complaint and affection.
"Maa, she had a fever last night, but she's okay now. Nani is taking care of her… don't worry. But if I miss my birthday today, it won't come again until next year…" the boy tried to reassure her in his tiny voice, clutching two large packets of candies, a school bag slung over one shoulder, and a water bottle hanging from the other. The little boy struggled to match his pace with his mother's as they entered the school building.
Excited, boy tried to dash toward his friends, but his mother stopped him.
"Don't distribute the candies now. I'll help you after my class," she instructed.
"Okay, Maa," the boy agreed and ran off toward his friends.
His mother glanced at the principal, who was standing on the raised platform, waiting for assembly time. She began walking toward her.
Her daughter had been very ill the entire night with a high fever, it was only that morning that the fever had finally subsided. She was a teacher at the same school where her children studied. Although she wanted to take the day off, her son's birthday and his insistence had brought her here.
She knew that once she entered the school premises, the principal would not allow her to take a half-day leave. Turning to her son, she said:
"Go to your class and put these packets in your bag. Don't touch them yet. I have a class with you after break time. Let your friends have their lunch properly first. If they eat candies before lunch, they won't eat well."
She hummed softly and patted his head with motherly affection.
"Okay, Maa," the boy replied obediently and ran off to join his friends.
She strode toward the principal, though her heart longed to go back to her daughter. She knew the principal would likely refuse, but she still wanted to try one last time.
It was assembly time. Teachers were busy lining up students, though a few notorious kids still found room for mischief. The morning breeze was still fresh, though the sun had almost reached its peak.
"Good morning, Ma'am," she greeted with utmost obedience.
"Ah, good morning, Miss. How are you?" the principal responded with her signature smile.
"I'm really impressed with your teaching skills. No doubt, you are an asset to this school," she added, her voice laced with pride.
"Thank you, Ma'am. Actually, I wanted to request something…"
She knew it would be futile, once you entered with the bell, you could only leave with the bell, but still, she wanted to try her luck. That was why she hadn't wanted to come today but couldn't ignore her son's plea to distribute candies on his birthday.
"Ma'am, can I take a half-day off today? My daughter had a fever all night. I want to reach home early to feed her and give her medicine," she explained, searching the principal's face for hope.
"Oh, Miss, I'm so sorry, but a lot of teachers are absent today. If you also leave early, it will be difficult for us to manage," the principal said apologetically, just as she had expected.
"Okay, Ma'am, I understand," she replied, bowing her head slightly with respect. She turned to help her class students prepare for assembly when she heard...
"Yes… but only if you can exchange classes with the other teachers, you may leave early," the principal added.
The words were so unexpected that she couldn't hide her stunned expression. A few nearby teachers, who also overheard, were flabbergasted, their mouths agape.
"Oh! Thank you, Ma'am. It really means a lot," she managed to say, controlling her surprise.
"Normally, I don't grant such favors to teachers, but you are special. In such a short time, you've proven yourself to be one of the best," the principal continued, breaking her own record of being a strict boss.
"Really… Thank you so much, Ma'am!" she said, feeling triumphant. At last, her morning had truly begun.
After break time, she entered her son's class. She had already exchanged her free periods with other teachers so she could leave early for her sick daughter.
"As-salaam-alaikum and good noon, dear students," she greeted warmly.
"Good noon, teacher!" the students cheered. They brightened at the sight of their favorite teacher.
"Before diving into books, I have something special for you…" she said with a smile, building suspense.
"Today is someone's birthday."
"Yay!" the children shouted in excitement, clapping their little hands. For them, even small joys were reasons for great celebration.
The teacher called her son to distribute the candies. The students gazed at the packets with wide, eager eyes, waiting impatiently for their turn.
But suddenly .... the ground shivered. It was an earthquake.
Before anyone could react, a second, stronger jolt struck, creating cracks in the walls. The teacher realized they would never escape in time ... the old school building could collapse any moment.
"Relax, children! You will be safe if you listen to me!" she shouted above the chaos. The students, who had been screaming and pushing, froze at her commanding voice.
Another jolt came. The wall with the exit door collapsed, trapping them inside.
The children fell silent, terror in their eyes. The teacher knew she had to become their shield. Twenty innocent lives depended on her.
"Listen! Wear your bags and join the desks ...quickly!" she instructed.
The next tremor shook the classroom, widening the cracks.
"One by one, get under the desks! Go to the furthest end. Don't push each other!" she ordered.
The children obeyed. But then, a massive jolt brought the whole building crashing down.
She had no time to take shelter. Heavy debris crushed her legs, leaving her in unbearable pain, but her upper body was free. Gritting her teeth, she forced a smile.
"Don't worry, we will be safe. You all did a great job," she said softly. Her smile gave the children strength.
"Now listen to me carefully. Soon they will rescue us, but you must obey me, hmm?"
The little heads nodded silently.
Another tremor came. Dust filled the air. She winced as pain shot through her legs, but she steadied her voice.
"Don't focus on that. This is only a test...a game. If you stay strong, you can win it."
Gradually, their fearful expressions eased.
"Now, remove your bags. Take out your lunch boxes and bottles. Keep them with you. Lie on your stomachs and put your bags on your backs," she instructed.
They followed, clinging to her every word.
"Beta (son) give me the packets of candies," she said. The boy handed them over, eyes full of trust.
"Listen, children. We will be saved, but we don't know how long it will take. Eat only when I tell you. Just enough to stay alive....not to fill your tummy."
Another violent jolt came.
"Put your bags on your heads!" she cried. With a deafening thud, the rest of the roof collapsed, trapping them completely.
After that, only minor aftershocks followed. They were buried under concrete ... but still alive.
Time crawled on. Despite her piercing pain, the teacher kept talking to distract them, asking about their daily lives, telling small stories. When night fell, she rationed food: only a few bites and one sip of water each.
Three days passed. The lunchboxes emptied. Water bottles were nearly dry. Her legs had gone numb ... she knew she had lost them forever. Quietly, she stopped drinking water, saving her bottle for the children.
Twice a day, she distributed candies instead, tiny bits of sweetness to keep their spirits alive.
On the seventh day, her son cried, "Teacher, Alina is not responding!"
"Try to wake her up," she said, handing him her water bottle.
The boy looked at it longingly, his throat dry. But his mother's firm eyes reminded him.
"No, son. Alina needs it more than you. Be strong."
He obeyed. A few drops revived the girl, who blinked weakly and managed a faint smile.
That same day, the teacher grew quieter. She no longer told stories or encouraged them. Her strength was fading.
"Teacher… teacher…" her son called softly. He wanted to say "Maa," but she had always told him not to at school.
She opened her eyes, forcing one last smile. Her body was failing, but her love was unshaken.
Then ....a sound. Machines. Voices. Rescue workers.
Summoning her last breath, she whispered, "Your… test is over. You did it." She raised her hand weakly, making a victory sign, and smiled at her son before closing her eyes forever.
Hours later, the rescuers pulled out the frail little bodies from under the rubble. All the children survived. But one body remained on a stretcher, face covered. Their teacher.
She had given her life so they could live.
Not a teacher by profession alone....
but a teacher by virtue..