Miss Gurung belonged to Nepal and within three months of her joining this International School, she had emerged as the most popular teacher in the campus.
Student pundits were sure that her stature could be attributed to the fact that her husband was a Senior Manager with a cosmetics company.
The charismatic madam made both the school kids as well as her husband happy. The girls relished taking home sample cosmetics like eye-liners and lipsticks while Mr. Gurung was pleased that his new cosmetics got adequate publicity and demand was being created for his products.
One day, Miss Gurung's class had a team of exciting visitors. A tall, well-built man was accompanied by a lady.
They were organising a project contest and they named it: APE FACTOR. They promised the girls that there would be prizes galore for the best speaker.
"Please be original," exclaimed the gentleman, " And try and work on the project without discussing with your chums.
" And before the duo, the gentleman introduced himself. He was none other than ‘Guru' Gurung the Marketing Head of the cosmetics company.
Sandra, Fatima, Shoma and Madhumita formed a ring around Miss Gurung as soon as the guests had left.
"Madam, please give us a hint," begged Shoma.
"No, never!" Miss Gurung erupted like a volcano.
The girls had one whole week including a full weekend to work on the APE FACTOR. The girls of the class huddled together. "I know whom we are to please," winked Shoma, "This is Miss Gurung's husband who is organising the project contest."
"In that case, I'm sure he's trying to promote original indigenous cosmetics," said Fatima.
"Sssh…I've got a brainwave!" whispered Shoma, " We'll work on the project together.. secretly…no one will know."
"How?" asked Sandra, "Without Miss Gurung finding out."
"Let's meet at my house next Sunday," suggested Madhumita, "We will collect material, download from the internet, use still photos and slides to show how Indian school girls are aping foreign cosmetics."
"Fantastic idea!" spoke Madhumita," That is just what will please the judges. " "We will speak on different aspects of apeing," said Fatima, "The judges simply won't guess that we worked together."
"Hey, this sounds great!" said Madhumita, "Only Tina stands no chance. Fine, she's diligent but stupid," said Shoma, "And moreso, she was absent when the project contest was announced by the judges." It was on a Thursday, week to Christmas. The gaggle of girls entered the class, chirping excitedly. Within half an hour, the corporate duo arrived. The gentleman did not wear his sun glasses on this occasion. The lady was dressed in a pink silk sari. Two other persons tailed them carrying big packets in attractive colourful wraps. "Truly wonderful prizes!" the man spoke enthusiastically. "For the girl who deserves the best!"
