I was very happy with the venue this time, as it was my campus. So I knew that there would be no early alarms ringing. But I began feeling happy too soon as the news came that there are three KV’s all around the place. The venue was not at all clear till the very next day. Adding to this was that the author was unreachable. I knew this was a plot by my alarm clock as it did not like the comfortable and cozy relation I shared with my bed. Urgh!!!

So I was all red in the eyes, no clue as to the venue or the author.  I was all set to read out the stories to the kids if no answers were received within the next half an hour.

Soon Pallavi texted me the authors new number , I buzzed Tanya Luthra Aggarwal. She was all set and met me with a sparkling smile on her face. Elegantly dressed in green, we had a brief conversation about her eight year long journey as an author. Her kids being her greatest critics gave her the inspiration to come out with the best within her.

The head mistress welcomed us full of energy as the kids settled down looking excited. As Tanya started off with her sweet little story about ‘bulbulli’ the restlessness gradually stopped. Intrigued by her presence and her stories the students were already on their way to the discovery of ‘Masala Chai’. And despite the sun rays blocking their view the little boys sitting at one corner were completely captivated by the author’s voice.

As the stories ended the kids came to the stage to share their views about the stories and what they learnt from it. They all thanked the amazing story teller as well as me and rushed to us for a perfect picture at the very end.

- Debahuti Brahmachari