A Friend Or Foe

Tina was organizing her stuff. She was supposed to meet with the professor exactly two minutes ago. She drafted her outline of the content to be discussed in a precise manner. Now she needs to merge with her timing before it is too late. The cell phone vibrated with the usual ringtone. An unknown number. “Are you Reza’s mom?” “Yes.” “This is his teacher, calling from the school.” “ Yeah, please tell me…” “Reza is deteriorating with his performance. We would like to meet both parents to discuss about his progress. Since you are not available locally, do you think you will be able to attend a virtual session?” “Sure. I will be happy to.” “Please, let me know a suitable time when it is possible.” “Sure…um, let me talk to his father.” Tina tried to get Minhaz. Three consecutive times. With a long pause of ongoing ringtones, no response. A separated couple has too many loosely based dysfunctionality, in fixing priorities, in fixing purpose of meaning, when to talk and how to talk. Tina was struggling before… Tina is struggling with the aftermath too. “Sorry, missed your call. Anything urgent? Please text me.” Tina was truly annoyed. She is now getting really late for meeting her professor. A meeting about the trend of pedagogy in language acquisition and about the crisis in the young generation. A meeting bearing much importance for her future motivation. She tried to be precise. He tried to be precise too. “I do not feel any need of yours to be present. It is better to attend an on-site meet-up. I will be there. That should be enough." “Reza is lacking something….either motivation, or focus, do you not understand? Let me be there.” “ I understand. You don’t.” He finished his sentence with a coldness. “Pedagogy of language acquisition and crisis in language loss.” Tina's title of the deliverable. She needed to make up for the wasted time. She needed to make up to make her presentable as well. Not all tears are too personal to decipher. Between a friend or foe.