Rishabh readily sent message to Sister Margaret who was a reputed teacher from the nearby missionary school. That evening itself Sister Margaret reached the Mukhopadhyay house to meet her new student. "Madhu, come, meet Sister Margaret. And Sister, meet my wife Madhu," said Rishabh as he introduced them to each other. Madhu looked at the old lady with utmost horror. The sister was wearing the dark robe with only her face visible. Her skin was very pale, and eyes were set deep in the socket. "Come to me dear," called the sister, but Madhu stood like a statue, unable to react. "Madhu," nudged Rishabh and pushed her a little, so that Madhu faltered and sat beside the old lady. "I will be teaching you English, Mathematics, History and Geography. I will come every evening and after each session I will give you homework which you will have to complete before the next class. And then at the end of each month there will be tests. Are you fine with it?" asked the sister. Madhu was having great difficulty in understanding her broken Bengali with heavy British accent, and added to that her whole attire was too intimidating. Rishabh seeing Madhu's lack of response, answered on her behalf, saying, "Yes Sister, she will do as you have planned." "Great, so see you tomorrow then. Rishabh, please get those books as per my list," said the sister and took their leave.
Madhu snuggled in Rishabh's chest as they lay tangled after an hour of passionate love-making. "I am scared," whispered Madhu. "What?" asked Rishabh, unable to hear her clearly. "I am scared of that teacher," replied Madhu hesitantly. "What? Why?" asked Rishabh in confusion. "She looks so scary. I didn't understand half of what she said," said Madhu. "Now stop making excuses, Madhu. She is the best teacher in this area, and you will have to be serious in studies with her." Madhu understood that Rishabh would not be budged by her anxiety. So, she kept her doubts to herself.
After another day Rishabh left for his hostel. Madhu cried a lot in their room after seeing him off. Radha came to inform her about Sister Margaret waiting for her in the library. "Madhu, what happened my child?" asked Radha seeing Madhu in tears. "Nothing Ma, it's just that I felt bad to see him go." "Stupid girl, come to me," said Radha and hugged her tight. "You miss him already? Ok, I'll arrange for a horse carriage which will take you to him at his hostel. But before that go and study hard," said Radha.
Two hours with Sister Margaret was a huge ordeal for Madhu. In fact, more than her harrowing experience of studying at her village. The sister was a strict disciplinarian, rebuking Madhu for every trivial things. After she left, Madhu ran to her room and broke in tears, yet again. After two days of similar experience, Madhu decided to take the situation in her hand. "I will teach her a lesson," said Madhu to herself, as the old, naughty Madhu kicked within her.
"Good evening Sister," greeted Madhu with an extra-sweet smile. "Good evening Madhu. Have you completed yesterday's homework?" asked the sister as soon as she settled in. "Yes Sister," said Madhu and put forth her notebook. As the sister started to go through the notebook, Madhu started babbling. "Ha re Poltu, so how many mangoes did you pick today?" asked Madhu looking at the space beside the sister. "Who are you talking to?" asked the sister bewildered as she could not see anyone else in the room. "Poltu, my friend. See, he is standing beside you," pointed Madhu at the empty space. "What nonsense!! No one is there," replied the sister in agitation. "Yes he is there. Poltu, talk to Sister Margaret," asked Madhu. Out of nowhere a shrill voice spoke out, "Sister how are you? Can't you see me?" "Jesus Christ!! Who was that?" shouted the sister, as she jumped up from the chair. "That's Poltu, still you don't see him?" asked Madhu innocently. The frightened sister gathered her belongings and dashed out of the room. As she hurried through the corridor she almost knocked off Radha who was passing by. "Sister, what happened?" "I am not coming back in this haunted house ever," shouted the sister and fled off. "Haunted house? What is she talking about?" wondered Radha. Meanwhile Madhu was laughing her heart out with Tiku, son of one of the servants, whom she had appointed to make the weird voice of "Poltu".
Rishabh was very tired after a day-long practical class of anatomy. He reached his room when the hostel manager called him, "Rishabh, a visitor is waiting for you outside in a carriage." "Visitor? In a carriage? Who could it be?" asked Rishabh and hurried outside. "Madhu? What are you doing here? Who sent you here all alone in this carriage?" asked Rishabh. "Ma said I could come and meet you," said Madhu, a little hurt seeing Rishabh's angry look. "Oh god!! Has she lost it completely!! This is a boy's hostel, how can you come here to meet me?" shouted Rishabh in agitation. Madhu's eyes stung with tears at his outrage. "I am sorry. I was very upset after you left, so she sent me here to meet you. I will go back now," replied Madhu hesitantly. Rishabh shook his head and took a deep breath to control his temper. "No need to go back right now. I cannot take you inside the hostel. Let's go to Rukmini's place. There we can speak freely." Rishabh climbed inside the carriage and asked the driver to take them to Rukmini's house.
"Oh my god, such a beautiful surprise. I am so happy to see you Madhu," exclaimed Rukmini as she saw them waiting for her at the drawing room. "I am sorry to bother you Rukmini. Madhu wanted to meet me but it is not possible to take her inside the hostel, that's why.." said Rishabh when Rukmini interrupted, "Please Rishabh babu, there could not be a better opportunity to have my new friend with me," and smiled at Madhu.
They had a nice time talking and laughing about several topics. Suddenly Rishabh remembered and asked, "Madhu, what about your studies? Aren't you supposed to be studying this time with Sister Margaret?" Madhu lowered her head and spoke softly, "She left." "She left? When? Why?" Rishabh asked shocked. "I scared her away," murmured Madhu. Rukmini struggled hard to stop laughing, and bit her lower lip. Rishabh stared at Madhu in utter shock for few moments. "She was always scolding me, and I did not understand half of what she said," stated Madhu. "Good, now no one will come to teach you henceforth. I suppose that makes you a happy person now," replied Rishabh agitatedly. Madhu did not reply, just looked at Rukmini for support. "If you do not mind Rishabh babu, could I help Madhu learn the basics? Even I do not have much to do in the evenings these days. She can come to my place and study, and you can also come and meet her here," suggested Rukmini. Madhu eagerly looked at Rishabh for his response. Seeing her cute expressions, Rishabh could not hold on his ire anymore, and replied smilingly, "As you wish."
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