Half Girlfriend

teachers won’t come to a school without basic facilities. Students can’t
be taught without proper classrooms. You can’t have a real school
without toilets.’
Riya’s eyes stayed on me. They kept me going.
‘I don’t want to beg from our government. I don’t want to beg
from anyone, actually. Money is not my thing. I left a job at a
multinational bank to be here. But sadly, you need some money to do
even good things in life.’
Riya signalled for me to sign off; the speech ended around here.
However, I continued to speak, unrehearsed and impromptu.
‘Mr Gates, people must tell you that you are a lucky man to have so
much money. It might irritate you also, since what you have achieved
is not just because of luck. It is because of your creativity, vision and
hard work. You deserve it. However, let me tell you one place where
luck helped you.’
Riya looked at me, shocked. When had I come up with all this, she
seemed to be wondering.
I continued, ‘Where you are truly lucky is that you were born in
America. To be born in a country where everyone gets a chance. One
of my kids may have it in him to open a global company like yours,
but he won’t get a chance. Mr Gates, you were lucky to get that
chance. Today, we don’t run the school in the hope of aid or
recognition. All we are trying to do here is ensure that every kid in our
school gets that chance. Thank you.’
Thunderous applause. Some in the crowd, including Riya and Mr
Gates, stood up. Soon, the rest of the crowd followed. I received a
standing ovation. I couldn’t believe I had delivered the speech I had
obsessed over for months. I couldn’t believe I had conquered one of
my biggest demons—English. I folded my hands and left the stage.
I walked back to my seat. My mother turned to me.
‘You learnt so much English?’ she whispered.
‘She taught me.’ I pointed to Riya.
My mother and Riya smiled politely at each other.