Chapter 5
The next day Khushi found herself outside the principal's office. She wasn't alone in fact a group of students both girls and boys were there in support of Payal, who had unfortunately been molested by a senior lecturer. Both payal and khushi studied in the same school but different streams , payal was a science student .
The group of students lead by shyam were demanding the accused lecturer to be fired from immediate effect. However the principal wished to hold an inquiry into the matter before taking any action. The students knew that such inquiries took time and they were in no mood to tolerate that lecturer even for one more day. Thus there was a tussle between the authorities and the students.
For once Khushi was impressed by shyam who came forward in support of her friend Payal.
Arnav was heading to the library when he noticed the students shouting slogans and protesting against the college. He didn't know what was the reason behind the protest and he would have thought of knowing it but seeing shyam spearheading the protest, he gave up the thought. Shyam was the self appointed leader of the college who aspired to stand in and win the youth elections thus more than often he instigated the students against the authorities. Arnav shook his head, he didn't have time to waste over this nonsense. Unnecessary grievances and unnecessary commotion over them!
" Arnav ji!" Arnav frowned and stopped in his tracks. He looked to his left and saw Khushi waving at him.
Why was she a part of this protest?
Anyway it was her time and her decision to spend it the way she thought best. He wouldn't interfere.
" Arnav ji, why don't you join us?"
He gave her a disinterested look. " what for?"
Khushi was surprised that he was unaware of this major incident. She quickly briefed him about the whole thing.
He folded his arms before his chest. " it's good that you are standing up for your friend but it's a legal matter and I don't think that this is the right way of handling it."
Khushi gaped at him. " what are you saying, a girl has been abused and we don't do anything about it?"
" shouting these slogans and threatening the authorities are not a solution." Arnav glanced at shyam who openly smirked at him.
" excuse me Khushi but I have other important things to do." Khushi's eyes widened in disbelief. How could he be so insensitive? It hurt her to see him react like that.
Meanwhile Mr. Bannerjee declared that the lecturer would be retained till the inquiry committee submitted its report, if the lecturer was found guilty then strict action would be taken against him and that would not mean only expelling him. He deserved a fair chance to be heard and Mr. Bannerjee requested the students to cooperate with them. He too was with the aggrieved girl but procedures needed to be followed. His words of assurance made sense to the students.
Khushi stepped forward and said, " sir, we Will wait for the report but till then we shall also boycott his classes. We can't see a culprit lecturing us."
Mr. Bannerjee agreed and decided to appoint another lecturer in place of him so that classes wouldn't be affected." Khushi glanced at Payal who nodded.
Suddenly everything was sorted. Students were agreeing with Khushi instead of shyam. In fact nobody cared to seek his opinion. Shyam griited his teeth in annoyance. The matter needed to be fuelled, it couldn't be settled so easily.
" I'm sorry Mr. Bannerjee but we're not going to buy this. You have to expel the lecturer or else I shall involve tv journalists into this. " shyam could never be trusted . He was an opportunist and even today he was using a girl's honor for his own benefit. He only wished to become a hero in the eyes of the student.
And the next moment the gang members of shyam started breaking the furniture. Khushi was flabbergasted when she saw the crowd getting violent. They even started throwing stones.
She moved to stop them when from nowhere someone pulled her in his arms and shielded her completely. She looked up and found Arnav glaring down at her. Without saying anything he dragged her away from the rowdy crowd.
He was breathing heavily in anger. " have you lost your mind? Why did you jump before those idiots?" He took a step towards her and screamed. " what if something happened to you?" His loud voice startled her and she immediately stepped back to create some distance. Arnav squeezed his eyes in regret , he didn't wish to scare her. She was already trembling in fear.
Khushi swallowed hard. " Arnav ji...I was..trying to..sttoop them. " She stammered badly as tears clogged her throat.
" like this? By standing before a crowd that has gone crazy...that's pelting stones?"
Khushi lowered her head and didn't say anything but her silence didn't pacify him.
" and who told you to be part of this mess? Don't you know shyam and his friends? Have you forgotten how they misbehaved with you on the first day?" Khushi simply shook her head, she hadn't forgotten what had happened with her. It was fresh in her mind.
" still foolishly you were getting involved in all this chaos. Do you have any idea what could have been the consequences?"
She lifted her head and blinked her eyes in confusion. What could have happened? Arnav flared his nostrils, it angered him even more to see how dumb she was.
" look there." He pointed toward the students who were creating a ruckus. He felt throbbing pain in his neck but he ignored it. Putting some sense into her head was more important.
" if Mr. Bannerjee called the cops then you could have been arrested." Khushi covered her mouth in shock, she hadn't thought about it.
" and you could have been seriously hurt. Getting stoned is not a joke. Anything could have happened to you. Is your life not dear to you?" She met his blazing eyes and once again she got teary. He couldn't imagine how ashamed she was of her irresponsible actions.
Arnav winced in pain again. Something was hurting him. He touched the back of his neck and felt something wet. It was blood. While trying to save her a stone had hit him. Seeing blood on his fingers, Khushi at once rushed to his side.
" oh my God Arnav ji..you're bleeding." She couldn't hold back her tears anymore and let them fall. He was hurt because of her. She pressed her dupatta on his cut.
" I'm sorry Arnav ji..really..sorry." He could hear her sobs and it killed him. It enraged he him that he was the reason behind them. In his anger he had badly shouted at her. He shouldn't have.
Arnav stopped her by holding the hand that was pressing his wound. He slowly brought her before him. Fresh tears filled her eyes.
" its okay. Don't cry." Khushi felt awful seeing him like that. She pressed her lips hard to prevent herself from sobbing but failed miserably. As soon as she closed her eyes, tears cascaded down her cheeks. Arnav held her by her shoulders.
" please Khushi stop. I'm alright. It's a minor cut."
She slowly opened her eyes and wiped her face with the back of her hand.
" Arnav ji whatever happened with Payal was terrible. I couldn't stay quiet. I had to do something for her. But I didn't know that shyam would mislead the students and things would turn so ugly. He came up to me for support and I thought he deserved a second chance." Khushi looked away and added. " but I was wrong. I accept my mistake." Actually it wasn't entirely her fault. It was her first year and she barely knew shyam to suspect his real intentions.
Arnav followed her gaze. She was silently peering at a girl standing in the corner who appeared lost and distressed. He didn't have to think hard before guessing who she was.
" Khushi, get your friend here." Khushi knitted her brows together as she looked at him.
" we'll go and lodge a police complaint against the lecturer. Right now."
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Payal was totally shaken up by the incident, standing in the police station she looked at Khushi for reassurance who pressed her hand. Yes she was with her. Payal hesitantly opened her mouth to narrate what had happened but before that gazed at Arnav. He understood her discomfort. " I'll wait outside."
Khushi gazed at his retreating back. What a true gentleman. Without creating any fuss he brought them here then sensing Payal's hesitancy in narrating the incident before him, he left them alone with the cops.
And shyam had left no stone unturned to sensationalize the whole thing. How shamelessly he had threatened to involve media in to this. Khushi shuddered. If this incident was made public, Payal's reputation would have been in tatters. Unfortunately in our society people find fault only in a girl. At every step she's supposed to prove her innocence.
Shyam began to disgust her. Not even once did he think of Payal's honor. She mentally scolded herself for trusting him. How could she even think that he would fight for a girl's respect when he himself disrespected them.
After filing the complaint and on being assured that immediate and strict action would be taken, Payal was somewhat relived.
She hugged Khushi, thanking her for being her real strength. Then looked at Arnav.
" thank you so much."
Arnav nodded. " we can drop you home."
Payal shook her head. " it's alright. I'll take an auto." With eyes still moist she glanced at both of them one more time and forced a smile. A simple thanks couldn't do justice to what they had done for her. Back home there was nobody to stand for her. Her parents had suggested her to keep quiet and not take any action on this matter. They feared that all this would defame her. And here were these two people who weren't related to her, yet they believed in her and didn't think twice before helping her get justice .
She'd never forget this and hoped to do something someday for them.
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Wordlessly Khushi walked back. Payal's statement occupied her mind. She couldn't imagine the trauma that Payal must have experienced. God forbid if something like that happened with her... A shiver ran down her spine. She would have been shattered. Supporting and fighting for someone else was easy. However she doubted she had the ability to stand for herself. She lacked self belief, she lacked the confidence to fight for herself.
The silence between them was disturbing Arnav. True, he had vowed to keep distance and not involve himself in her matters but he couldn't see her fallen face.
" look Khushi I know you're upset and what happened with Payal was horrible but have faith in the system. She will get justice soon."
" hmm. You're right."
" so try and come out of it."
Khushi nodded her head in agreement.
Arnav let out an audible sigh. " now I don't know about you but I'm starving."
Khushi smiled at him. Today she had skipped her breakfast for an early morning class and later this happened. Like him she was also hungry. She glanced at the road side vendor selling golgappas.
" Arnav ji let's have golgappas." Arnav at once rolled his eyes.
" oh please... it's too unhygenic. Don't even think I'll eat that stuff or let you have it."
Arnav took her to a nearby cafeteria. It was a decent place with good ambience. While going inside Khushi collided with an an old lady as a result her college bag fell down and the contents of it dropped out. The lady apologized as Khushi bent down to put her things back. Meanwhile Arnav took a table for them. The waiter approached them with the menu cards. It was way past lunch time.
" cold coffee?" Arnav asked. Khushi smiled and nodded.
Arnav peered up at the waiter and ordered. " one cold coffee, cheese burgers with French fries grilled sandwiches and chocolate pastries." He glanced at Khushi. " anything else?"
Khushi's jaw had already dropped seeing him order so much. " NO no Arnav ji..it's already too much."
" good. More is fine but it shouldn't be less.. and the treat is on me." He handed back the menu card and added. " one black coffee as well. Thanks."
Wouldn't call him a spendthrift but he didn't worry about saving money. Khushi recalled how he hadn't cared to bargain when they went shopping. But then he earned much more than her and probably was wise enough to know how to use it as well. Khushi wasn't really a miser but surely she didn't appreciate wasting hard earned money.
" what's that scrapbook that you're carrying...part of some project?" Khushi gazed down at her open bag and fondly took out that book. " this.." She caressed its cover before opening it. " these...are my dreams...and I always carry them with me."
Arnav frowned.
She showed him the book that had cuttings of various types of rooms like bedroom , kitchen, dining area then pictures of different houses and lawns.
" my dream house should be something like this." Along with the broad smile that adored her pink lips, Arnav noticed that the houses that she had selected were all very simple and sober nothing lavish. She turned the pages and showed him the dresses and jewelry that she wanted to have. Again nothing flashy or branded.
She sighed as she kept the book back. " but then Arnav ji these are dreams and dreams hardly come true."
Arnav disagreed with her. " you make your own destiny. You can realize all your dreams if you work towards them."
As Arnav spoke to Khushi, she found him gazing out of the window. She followed his gaze. He was admiring a Mercedes Benz. She grinned. " now if I'm not wrong then that's your dream?"
" Yes. One of my dreams." He couldn't take his eyes off that luxurious car.
" Khushi I wish to own a huge bungalow ... chauffeur driven cars...run a business that has turnover in millions." Khushi saw how his face just lit up as he shared his dreams with her. Mixed emotions ran through her. His aspirations, made her happy and apprehensive at the same time.
" you know Khushi I wish to give my family a kind of lifestyle where they won't have to think before setting their eyes on anything."
" and how far could you go to fulfill your dreams?" she didn't know what prompted her to ask that but she wished to know.
Before he could reply,the waiter came with the order and interrupted their conversation. However while eating Khushi couldn't stop thinking about his ambitions. She realized that for him money was very essential.
" but Arnav ji money can't always buy true happiness." Arnav chewed on the sandwich and thought that she was too naive.
" money gives you power and control. When you have the power to control things around you then you're bound to be happy." She glanced back at him like a confused child.
" Khushi, in life the lack of money will make you realize its true value." Now his words struck the right chord or she would say...a painful chord. Who better than her could understand that? She had already paid a heavy price for it.
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Stepping out of the cafeteria Arnav stretched his arms and stifled a yawn. He had really eaten a lot.
" come Khushi let me walk you back home."
" oh please don't trouble yourself. My home is nearby..just twenty minutes walk." She smiled. " I'll manage."
Arnav peered at the sky above, though it wasn't late in the evening but the grey clouds had enveloped the sky. The road was also deserted. It wasn't safe for her to head home all alone.
" I'm troubling myself for myself. After those heavy snacks, I badly need a walk." Khushi smiled and didn't argue. It was a pleasant stroll, with light breeze blowing. In fact a much awaited respite from the sultry heat.
They were still on their way when it started to rain. Arnav shot Khushi an unbelievable look..She had predicted that it would rain and now look it was.
" Khushi, you're an astrologer or what? Or do you secretly work in the weather forecast department?" Khushi just giggled and didn't say anything.
" I guess we should wait under some shed..let the rain stop."
" oh no Arnav ji, we're almost home. Just five more minutes." She had left early in the morning without completing all her chores, she feared her aunt would scold her if she returned late. As it was she didn't appreciate her going to the college.
Arnav took out his waist coat." Okay fine. But before that you take this." She opened her mouth to protest but he had already wrapped the coat around her.
Again his thoughtfulness touched her.
On reaching home she invited Arnav inside but he politely refused. He needed to rush back to hostel, take a quick nap before going for his night shift.
Khushi returned him his coat. " Arnav ji, I'll get you an umbrella."
Arnav waved his hand in the air, dismissing her offer. " Don't bother. I'll take an auto or something."
Khushi nodded and flashed him a smile. " thank you and take care."
" you too."
Khushi opened the door with her set of keys. She peeked inside her aunt's room. She was busy watching her favorite tv show.
Khushi sighed and went to her room to dry herself and quickly change so that she could start making dinner.
She picked a towel and stood before the mirror as she rubbed her open hair. While doing so she noticed that her left earring was missing.
Oh no it was her favorite pair, after cutting a picture of it from a magazine she had looked for it in various shops before finally finding it.
And today she had carelessly dropped it...but where? She searched her room but it was not there. Perhaps earlier in the day when she was protesting with other students, she had accidentally dropped it there.
She threw the towel on her bed. She didn't wish to recall that incident again but ended up doing just that when her gaze fell on her dupatta that had spots of blood.
She remembered how Arnav had pulled her away from the crowd...how he had lost his cool and yelled at her. All these years when her aunt shouted at her she'd feel bad and insulted however today when Arnav did the same she didn't mind. The eyes that were spitting fire, surprised her because for the first time she saw fear in someone's eyes for ...her. He was worried for her. He couldn't see her getting hurt and for that he pushed through the crowd to save her. Protect her.
He was mad at her, that she didn't care about herself about her life..however in the end he too didn't care about himself and his life. He became her shield so that she wouldn't get injured. He bled so that she wouldn't bleed.
Nobody had ever done that for her.
If till yesterday she respected him...was attracted toward him..then from today what she felt for him became much more stronger and deeper...something that she wished to cherish...something that warmed her heart.
Thanks for reading
Rose
Anupamaa
33