My Sister's Daughter - Chapter 15 - Another Note

Pia wasn’t bothered by my dilemma in the least. She went about her happy way, unaware of my inner turmoil. I looked down at the note in my hand. Maybe it wasn’t as bad this time. I opened it.

Pia was involved in a fight today…  the note started. I turned towards Pia. She didn’t look as though she had been involved in a fight. There were no scuff marks on her. I glanced back at the note.

She picked a fight with a child two years younger to her. Needless to say, she had the upper hand. We do not know what caused Pia to fight, but we do not tolerate this kind of behavior in our school. Please accompany your ward to school tomorrow and meet the headmistress.

 I reread it to ensure I hadn’t read it wrong. No, there had been no mistake. Our sweet li’l Pia was a different person at school. I made a quick decision. There was no way I could be lenient about this.

“What is this Pia?” I asked sharply.

Pia froze on hearing the tone of my voice. She turned and looked up at me confused.

“Did you hit someone?” I raised my voice a little. Pia had to know that this behavior was not acceptable.

I could see tears brimming in Pia’s eyes. I wasn’t handling this very well.

I gave up the act of acting tough. I wasn’t made of strong stuff. I put my arms around her and gently wiped her tears.

“Why did you fight Pia?” I asked tenderly.

She was sobbing now.. Her tiny body shaking with every sob. I could only wonder what had transpired between her and the other kid that had upset Pia this much.

“I didn’t want to hit him..”

“Then why did you?” I could tell Pia was genuinely sorry. Pia remained silent.

 “Pia? What is it?” I was perplexed at her silence. Who was she trying to protect?

“Am I in trouble?” Pia’s only concern right now was whether she was going to be punished.

“I don’t know Pia. I don’t know what your headmistress is going to tell me. Is there something you should tell me first?” I couldn’t believe I couldn’t even get her to confide in me.

Pia shook her head slowly. Whatever it was, she wasn’t going to tell me. I suddenly felt angry and hurt with her behavior. I had given everything up for her and Pia couldn’t even confess to me.

I walked out of the room swiftly. I needed some advice and I went straight to my mother.

My mother was pretty cool about the whole thing.

“Calm down Khushi..” She said when I told her about Pia keeping things from me. I glared at her, was she going to take Pia’s side?

“Khushi.. When you had a problem, you came straight to me. Where is Pia supposed to go?” My mother, with one question, threw all my arguments out of the window. She was right, as mothers always are.

“Pia doesn’t see you as the motherly figure..” Then after a moment she added. “Yet..”

“Give her some time..” My mum brushed a stray strand off my face and I realized how small familiar gestures make the world feel a lot less intimidating. Pia had lost everything that was familiar to her and obviously she would take time to get used to the new changes. I would have to be patient.

A little arm encircled my waist and I heard Pia’s voice.

“Are you mad at me? Will you go away again?” She was sniffling a little.

 I turned around and cupped her little face in my palm and said in a surprisingly confident voice.

“No Pia.. I’m never going away again.”

My Sister's Daughter - Chapter 6 - Back From School

I felt as though a great weight had been lifted off my shoulders. This is what I wanted.. This is what my sister would have wanted me to do.

I spent the rest of my afternoon making arrangements. Calling schools, checking up on day care services in my city. I was even redecorating her room in my head. Walls the color of honey, a doll house on the side, a book shelf on the other.

A sudden creaking noise caught my attention and I peeped down from the window. There she was. Pia.. I waved at her but Pia’s attention was else where. She was dragging her feet while walking. Occasionally, she would lift her hand and rub her eyes. What could have upset Pia? I rushed down the stairs.

My mum was calmly wiping away her tears saying something softly to her. Pia nodded a couple of times and then held out a piece of paper. My mum took the paper and put it in her pocket without reading it.  Then, she leaned in closer and whispered something in Pia’s ear.

Suddenly Pia's face lit up with a sunny smile. Had my mum told Pia about what we had discussed in the morning?

I went a little closer. No.. they were talking about food. Something that my mum had made for Pia. I tried to hide my disappointment but my mum must have noticed.

All in good time. She mouthed.

“Hey Pia,” I pinched her cheeks. I know how much she hated it when anyone did that. She frowned at me and then, when she saw me laughing at her reaction, flashed that lovely smile of hers. She clutched my hand in a seemingly innocent gesture, but it meant the world to me.

“Do you know what nani made for me??” She called my mum that, nani.

Pia was looking at me expectantly.

“Not really, she didn’t tell me. What is it?”

“Its awesome!! You have to taste it!! Come…” She tried to pull me along as she rushed inside the house. My mum slipped the note into my hands as we passed her. I resisted the temptation to open it and read it.

Once inside, Pia left my hand and darted to my father evoking a hearty laugh from him. He picked her up, holding her high, leaving her squealing with delight. My mum touched my arm and we both exchanged a smile. She beckoned  me to follow her. We left quietly, careful not to disturb the playful banter between my father and Pia.

“Did you read it?” My mum asked me once we were out of hearing range.

“No, what is it?” I asked, even as I opened the note.

My mother didn’t answer. I scanned through it quickly. It was a teacher’s note.

“Pia withdraws into a shell when she enters school. She stays quiet, refusing to participate in any discussions or games. Although I understand the great tragedy that has befallen her, it is worrisome behavior and I recommend that she is seen by a psychologist as soon as possible.”

I looked up, confused. “Is this why Pia was crying?”

“No.. It was much trivial. Some students were calling her names in school.” She paused, “But this is something serious. Every day her teachers send a note. Some days Pia refuses to talk, some days she bullies other kids, some days she deliberately tries to disrupt classes.”

“Pia??” I was shocked, I could not imagine Pia bullying other kids. Or being disobedient.

“You never know what’s going on inside a child’s brain. I haven’t been able to understand her behavior.” My mum shook her head.

Frankly, I wasn’t too concerned. Of course, it was a little weird, this erratic behavior, but Pia would be okay with time. I was sure of that.

“Don’t worry ma, I’m sure she’ll be fine in some time.” I reassured her. My mum smiled at me. I don’t know whether she was smiling at my naiveté but she didn’t comment on it further.

Instead she said, “When are you planning to ask Pia whether she wants to live with you?”

“Couple of days.” I felt an uneasy dread.

It had never occurred to me to ask Pia.

 I hadn’t even considered the possibility that she could refuse.