Black Spot

-Surya Kumaran

Chandu recognized him from afar. The man coming with yellow bag held under his arm must be the teacher, Bhagiyaraj himself!

When he was in Fifth Standard, he was his teacher. He’s very strict! He had one strange habit. If anyone was caught making any wrong, he would make a spot with Eyetex on the cheek of the boy. He’d to remain with that black spot till the last bell.

Chandu was fighting with a boy in the playground. That boy lied to the teacher, ‘Sir! Chandu took the flower from Dhanalakshmi, kissed it, and placed it on the window sill.’

Chandu denied it many times but Bhagiyaraj didn’t listen to him. He made a round spot on the cheek of the boy. Later, Dhanalakshmi herself came and told the teacher that Chandu didn’t do any such thing. Her clarification also went useless.

The teacher came in to cast his vote and sat on the bench. When a black spot was made on his left forefinger with indelible ink, the Election Officer asked, ‘Sir! Everything is all right?’ Chandu was the Election Officer on that day!