Vani, an autistic child, had a tremendous story-making capability since childhood. She also knew how to seek revenge. A humourous story, by Reetwika, for the Special Feature, exclusively for Different Truths. 

Vaani was the only pampered child of her doctor parents. She demonstrated a few autistic symptoms as she grew up. But parents still tried to provide a life as normal as possible so that she may come out of her behavioural limitations with time. Nonetheless, Vaani was one of the most adorable yet mischievous kids in the play school.

Uncharacteristic to her autistic traits, this little girl had a tremendous story-making capability since childhood.

She was around five-and-a-half-year when parents got her admitted to a convent school. Uncharacteristic to her autistic traits, this little girl had a tremendous story-making capability since childhood. You would sense her brewing up stories when caught red-handed after silent mischief, but the way Vaani delivered her excuses, would be absolutely flawless! In fact, her parents as well as teachers too enjoyed that very much and never let the kid know about it.

Vaani was quite a late riser. It was prescribed to ensure at least eight to ten hours of undisturbed sleep due to her regular medications, but she, being a clever child, soon started making use of it as a smart excuse of late rising.

Every day she wakes up just half an hour before the school prayer and anyhow manages to enter the premises just in time. One day she got late by 15 minutes; by the time she reached the prayer hall, the door was already closed. She had no choice than to wait till it got over.

Vaani was just in her V standard. She made an utterly sad face, explaining her reason for late coming.

After the prayer, seeing Vaani standing outside the hall, Father John took her to his cabin. He was not a man to be trifled with and was one among the most stringent missionaries. Vaani was just in her V standard. She made an utterly sad face, explaining her reason for late coming. She was on time like other days; but mid-way, unfortunately, she got dripped into a drain – her white dress got so dirty that she had to go back home to freshen up. This made her late and hence missed her prayer that day. The story was so well put, that even an impenetrable man like Father John could not break through. He realised the fact but had no choice than to allow her ultimately for the day. He enjoyed the little girl’s wit and shared the story with me – her class teacher.

Soon after the Easter, her health deteriorated, missing her classes for over a fortnight. The following month, Vaani was down again in fever. This time, parents strictly ensured bed rest for their little daughter. Eventually Vaani missed her school again. Time was heading towards the unit tests.

Sadly, the poor kid was in Ms. Marya’s bad books due to her autistic traits and the lady often complained Father John about her unmingling attitude.

On grounds of unapproved leaves, the rule in school was such that the absentee had to get signed a guardian’s letter by the assistant head-mistress Ms. Marya Fernandes. The South Indian lady was known for her over strict norms, rough behaviour and bitter words. So, was applicable for Vaani. Sadly, the poor kid was in Ms. Marya’s bad books due to her autistic traits and the lady often complained Father John about her unmingling attitude.

Unfortunately, Vaani’s parents forgot to write the absent note and sent her to school on the exam day. Even with repeated requests, Ms. Marya denied Vaani to write the test. On top, Ms. Marya rebuked Vaani so harshly that the little kid had to go back crying. Perhaps for the first time in life her parents saw Vaani coming back from school in tears.

Since that day, Vaani was in search of the right opportunity to take her revenge.

Vaani was never a girl to accept this insult silently. She discovered a top secret about Ms. Marya from one of the senior students. Since that day, Vaani was in search of the right opportunity to take her revenge.

After the final term results were declared, a formal Parent Teacher Meeting was summoned by Father John where all the students and their parents were invited to discuss their respective kid’s results. Due to an overwhelming audience size, the meeting was always held at the school’s auditorium and concluded with a group photo session. This year too, there was no exception. Vaani figured out the brightest opportunity to avenge her grudge. She managed a place to stand exactly behind Ms. Marya, who was sitting at the centre of the front row.

Suddenly the entire crowd rolled into chuckling laughter. Oh my God! I too could not believe my own eyes. Ms. Marya was sitting bald, with her wig lying on the ground.

Nobody except Father John noticed what actually happened with Ms. Marya.

Nobody except Father John noticed what actually happened with Ms. Marya. But he kept mum, as if he too was astounded. He was repeatedly receiving complaints against Ms. Marya’s impolite attitude with the tender hearts and Vaani’s case too was not out of his radar.

Months later, Father John revealed to me what he saw that day – as the photographer was just about to click, Vaani gently swept her palm over Ms. Marya’s hairs. It was so embarrassing for her to face the students thereafter.

Photos from the Internet