The principal's summons felt like a bureaucratic sentence. Another event, another headache. The university's environment always belittle youngers and I can see the frustration of students but I'm just a assistant professor so I can't do much in their favour
Still many times I tried to help them specifically for girls. The system just want to suppress the voice of girls.
And this University holds many events just for politicians to help them increase their vote bank.
Ugh, this college and its endless paperwork and events.Entering her office, she asked me to sit down.
"Miss Keya," she began,
"there's an inaugural ceremony for a government scheme next week, and I want you to handle the event with Mr. Nakul. There will be many prominent political figures attending."
Mr. Nakul is a fifty-five-year-old professor at the university.
"Okay, ma'am," I said after getting the event details, and went to see Mr. Nakul.
We discussed the event for a while and decided to call for volunteers, which would be a great help. I returned to my classes and then went home.
The week passed quickly with all the preparations, and the list of politicians attending was finalized. I really dislike the political world; they're opportunistic, and their concern only surfaces during upcoming elections.
If I ever get the chance, I'll leave this country. I'm fed up with how unsafe women and animals are in India, a fact men prove daily.
Yesterday, my mom called and declared that they were searching for prospective grooms for me, without even asking if I wanted to marry.
I love my mom dearly because, aside from her, no one seems to care about me.
My father is just a provider.
What can you expect from a person who isn't affected by his wife's tears? My mom sacrificed a lot for this family, yet he never took a stand for her against my grandmother and grandfather.
I'm afraid of marriage because of my own family's environment. While most girls want their future partner to be like their father, I never have.
      Shaking off these thoughts, I went to sleep, dreading the next day.
The hustle and bustle at the university signaled the day of the event.
Keeping students calm during any event is the most difficult task.
I wore a beautiful cotton saree with simple jhumkas. We were just background organizers, not on stage, which I preferred because it wouldn't attract unnecessary attention.
Many senior professors would attend to the guests and initiate the event.
I went to the office and sat down, exhausted from standing for almost two hours in the blazing sunlight.
The building was quiet because everyone was attending the function.
Jaanu called, asking when I'd be coming and about the event.
''These politicians are such hypocrites,'' I said, irritated.
"Once they achieve their goals, they don't even spare a glance for the common people." I was frustrated by how people idolize them, even though they're often barely educated.
"Baby, calm down,"she said. "Don't create expectations for anyone." But I knew she disliked them as much as I did.
"Forget it," she said.
"Let's start a new series. We can watch it tonight. You choose, since you're better at picking." She sounded excited.
"Korean, Chinese, Thai, Turkish-which country?" I asked.
"Let's go with Chinese," she replied.
"Okay, ma'am, I'll search for something," I said.
"Okay, I'll talk to you later. These other teachers are so nosy," she said, and then hung up.
But then I noticed a man searching for something. Was he a thief? What was he doing here when everyone was outside?
"Hey, what are you doing?" I asked, approaching him.
Before he could turn around, I tripped on my saree and fell, expecting to break a few bones. I closed my eyes in terror, but I didn't hit the ground. Two strong arms were holding me, and we both fell, with me landing on top of the "thief."
I grabbed his collar. "What are you stealing?" I asked.
But when I saw his face, I immediately let go and tried to stand up. Unfortunately, my hair got tangled in the button of his shirt. I struggled to get away as quickly as possible, wanting to avoid any trouble.
"Stay still," he said in an authoritative voice. He untangled my hair, and I quickly stood up.
He was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh. Anyway, I hadn't done anything wrong. I immediately left without looking back and sat at my desk. Why was he here when everyone was outside, and his presence wasn't on the guest list? These politicians and their unholy agendas only aim to grab money from common people. Soon after, he left.
It was evening, and the professors and principal came back to the office after concluding the event. It was time to go home.
As I was leaving, I found a gold chain with a star locket on the floor. I asked the staff if it was theirs, but they said no. I figured a volunteer must have dropped it. I decided to ask tomorrow, put the chain in my bag, and went home.
After some days I forgot about the incident happened with CM sir.
The entire month passed in a blur, and I found myself standing in front of my home, which didn't feel like mine anymore.
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          Memories of suicidal thoughts from my childhood surfaced. The number of taunts I heard from my grandparents about everything I did was overwhelming.
I entered the house, and Mom welcomed me with open arms. I love her so much. I greeted my father and grandparents by touching their feet.
"Tomorrow, the prospective family is coming to see you, so be ready. I don't want any drama," he said, looking at me because I kept refusing their orders.
His tone was bitter, but Mom signaled me to keep quiet, and I did.
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"Beta, you have to get married one day. Just meet them. If you don't like them, no one can force you," Mom said, coming into my room where we both slept after the conversation. I thought about it, and it was already decided; I couldn't do anything. Maybe the man wouldn't be like my father. It was just a hope.
And hope is a slow poison that vanishes a person into thin air.
Morning came, and I got ready like a showpiece for people to watch and comment on or criticize. I wasn't nervous, just feeling bad about my fate. The man and I were sent to the garden to talk. He was an engineer named Mihir, currently working in Delhi. He was happy about my job and respected my profession.
"Do you feel bad if I ever cried in front of you?" I asked.
"Of course, you'll be my wife, and I don't want you to be sad," he said confidently. He didn't drink or smoke, which I liked because I'm allergic to smoke.
We both said yes. Actually, they had already seen my pictures, and it was just a formality to ask me. They did the roka the same day.
Maybe Mihir would be different.
We exchanged numbers, and he was quite excited about everything.
I returned to my job after two days because I couldn't take any more leave. The marriage date was set for two months later. Why was everything happening so quickly? But there was something I couldn't figure out; it was like something bad was going to happen.
I told Jaanvi about everything that happened at home. She makes me feel happy and motivated me, saying that everything will be alright.
She's a rule-breaker. She doesn't go home because her family is orthodox and wants to restrict her freedom. She's my only light, the one person I can express my worries, difficulties, and happiness to.
"You know, I like a boy..." She described him in great detail.
"Tell me in fifteen days, baby, if your opinion is still the same," I said, hiding my smile. It's her fifteen-day attraction; once she talks to him more, he'll no longer be interesting.
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