my story

We got that message at 9:07 PM on our official school WhatsApp group. Principal Ma'am had sent a notice image. It said "Teaching shall remain suspended up to 1st October in view of the ongoing tournament." I read it twice. Teaching suspended up to 1st October. Means 5 days no class. I was so happy. I immediately forwarded it to my roommate and said "Chal, kahin ghoomte hain, chutti mil gayi." In the students' group also, kids were sending "Yayyy" and party emojis. Everyone thought it's a holiday.
Next morning I went to school a little late, at 7:40 AM. I thought since teaching is suspended, there will be no assembly, no periods. I will just have to help a little. But as soon as I entered the gate, the watchman said "Madam, jaldi jao, Ma'am bula rahi hain, meeting shuru ho gayi hai." I ran to the ground. All teachers were standing in a line. Principal Ma'am was taking attendance. She looked at me and said loudly, "I said teaching is suspended, I didn't say you can come late and enjoy holiday. Be professional."
That day I understood. Teaching suspended is only for students. For teachers, work becomes double. Myduty was at the main ground entrance. I had to give chest numbers to players, check their IDs, manage parents who were shouting "My son is not selected, this is partiality." I had to say "Please talk to sports sir" 100 times a day. From 7 AM to 5:30 PM we were standing. No chair, no place to sit. My legs were paining like hell. Lunch was only one samosa and cold chai at 3 PM. And that too we had to eat standing.
One day it rained so heavily. Shimla rain is very cold. The full ground became mud. My white shoes turned fully brown. My register became wet, ink spread on all pages. I was holding a big flex banner which was tearing because of wind and water. But we had to stand because DEO sir was coming for inspection. So we had to smile for photos even though we were fully wet and cold.
Students were actually enjoying. They were playing, shouting, eating chips. And we were standing at corners likewatchmen. On 1st October, tournament finally finished. We thought chalo, tomorrow is holiday. Then at 6 PM, another message came - "All teachers to come tomorrow at 9 AM for report submission and ground cleaning. Regular classes will commence from 3rd October."