Chapter 28: A Dream Come True
The small school on the edge of the village once consisted of only two classrooms and a faded signboard. The walls were dull, the floors dusty, and the voices of learning children were often drowned out by the roar of passing vehicles. But for Boase, that place was the embodiment of a long-held dream—a space where village children could learn without fear, free from the limitations of poverty.
And now, he no longer pursued that dream alone.
Now he had Saraswati in his life—a gentle, humble woman who shared the same vision. Saraswati, the woman he loved deeply. Even though she already had a child, Amara, it was never a barrier for Boase to love her. In fact, he loved them both.
Saraswati had been helping Boase for the past few months. At first, she was simply there to accompany him. Then, gradually, she began teaching, organizing the library, creating activity schedules, and eventually helping develop a simple curriculum that truly touched the hearts of the children.
"This school should be a place where children feel safe and valued," she said one morning while pinning a picture of the sun on the classroom wall. "Not just a place to memorize facts."
Boase smiled, looking at the woman beside him—no longer just his life partner, but now also his partner in building a dream.
"You make this place come alive," he said.
Together, Boase and Saraswati began planning new programs. Sitting in the modest teacher's room, they shared ideas over mugs of steaming coffee in chipped cups.
"I have an idea," Saraswati said. "What if we take the kids on a trip to the museum in the city? So they can see the history and culture they've only read about in books."
Boase nodded in agreement. "That's a great idea. We can take the older class first, teach them how to use public transport, proper manners in public spaces, and how to write a field report. It's both educational and a life lesson."
Saraswati smiled. "And let's register two teams to join the upcoming subdistrict coloring competition. Many of our kids love to draw, but they've never had a chance to show it."
Boase opened the calendar. "We've got three weeks. I'll help find the registration forms. You can lead the training sessions," he said. Saraswati nodded with a smile.
They also discussed the teachers. Saraswati proposed training sessions to help improve teaching skills.
"Our teachers are enthusiastic, but many are unfamiliar with active learning methods. What if we hold internal training every Saturday? I can start next week with a 'creative classroom' session."
Boase jotted the idea in his planner. "We also need to register all the teachers and staff with the District Education Office. So the school can gain official recognition."
"Let's gather the documents this week. I'll help complete their data," Saraswati offered.
Step by step, the school began to change. The classroom walls were filled with children's artwork. Laughter echoed more frequently. And teachers began to get used to discussing ideas in weekly meetings—something that had never happened before.
Their evenings were now filled with warm conversations about education, the children's future, and small plans to grow the school into a learning center for the whole community.
"Sometimes I still can't believe it," Saraswati said one evening as they sat on the veranda sipping tea. "There was a time I felt like my life was broken. But now… it feels like all that pain has helped something grow."
Boase looked at her tenderly. "Because you didn't give up. You chose to give meaning to your pain."
And it was true. These days, Saraswati woke up each morning with a renewed sense of purpose. Not because her life was perfect, but because she felt needed. There were children's laughter waiting for her at school. There was the passion of young teachers who looked up to her. And there was Boase, who never stopped believing in her—even when the world once doubted her.
In the corner of the school yard, sunflowers bloomed—planted by Amara and her friends. Every time they blossomed, Saraswati was reminded that none of this was a coincidence. This dream was becoming real—not by magic, but through perseverance, hard work, and the courage to love life once more.
And among the sound of children's laughter, scattered storybooks, and little scribbles on the whiteboard, Saraswati finally realized:
She could now feel that her life truly had meaning.
She no longer felt alone.
She had Boase by her side, and Amara too. More than that, she and Amara could now live more peacefully. The judgmental stares were gone. People no longer looked down on her or her child.
But all of this didn't come from a title or status.
It came because she chose to keep giving, even after being broken.
Because she believed that the most beautiful dreams are the ones fought for—together—with people who are sincere.