C24 College

It was a fine day. Not too sunny and not too cloudy either. A gentle breeze was blowing refreshing the minds as it struck one’s face. An ideal weather to start an ideal day; nature has its own ways to cheer up the most unhappy person in the world, but the tragedy is that most of the people fail to notice it drowning themselves in the melancholy affairs of the world.

Abdul was sitting on his bike chatting with his friends when he saw a group of five girls walking towards them. He was a radicalized youth who strongly believed that everyone who did not belong to his faith was inferior. He always made friends with like-minded people who had been brainwashed since childhood about the infallibility of one faith.

“Wow! What a beauty!” he commented as the group of five girls came closer to them. His buddies chuckled.

“Who are you referring to bro?”

“The one in white saree.”

“Yes bro. It would be great if we could get her.”

“Why don’t we ask her, herself?” he gave a small whistle. “Hey, you!”

Sarvani lowered her head further in an attempt to avoid looking at them as she passed them by.

“You – White Saree! Stop!”

Sarvani increased her pace as she desperately tried to avoid any confrontation with the boys. One of her friends who was covered from head to toe, turned towards the boys and spoke in a language they understood.

“Don’t you have any shame?”

“She is not one of us sister.”

“So, you will tease her and show our faith in a bad light?”

“You misunderstand sister. She deserves it. She...”

“No one deserves to be treated like that.”

“But....”

“Look here. You called me sister. So, can’t you leave her for your sister’s sake?”

The boys looked uneasy and looked at each other. A finally gestured for her to go; the group was relieved and went fast to their college.

“Thanks, Ameena.” Sarvani said gratefully.

“No, problem. You are my friend, and I will be there for you. Don’t worry.”

Sarvani was relieved to find that the college was nothing like what she had faced previously. As soon as her admission was completed, she had been given her timetable. The college had everything the students needed within the campus which meant the students didn’t have to go out much. She also noticed that it was a girl's college.

It took her an hour to complete the formalities in the office where her certificates were verified and returned to her. She had been asked to submit a set of Photostat copies at the time of her admission which she did. She had then been directed to the principal who had given her a small pep talk. She had then bought the necessary books in the college stationery shop. She had also been provided with a rule book by the shopkeeper.

“That Rule Book will be your lifeline in unexpected situations. Memorise it.” He had said surprising her. She had nodded her head as she had been in a hurry to attend her first class which was actually the third class of the day. She had already missed the first and the class was almost over, she had to find her way which fortunately proved not so difficult to accomplish.

Time flew as she attended class after class till lunch where she was dragged to the mess hall by Ameena. She noticed that the mess had only the first-year students who were busy finishing their lunch boxes or taking food from the counters.

“You can also take food from there whenever you get bored of home food.” One of her friends explained. “Food is free and delicious here, but you have to eat whatever you have taken. Wastage of food is punished severely.”

“Of course. Food is divine and should never be wasted.” Replied Sarvani. “Where are the seniors?”

“They have different mess timings to avoid any unpleasant experiences for the freshers. The contact between seniors and juniors is kept at a bare minimum till everyone settles down. Once everyone is busy with their own schedule, the timings are relaxed.”

“Besides, ragging is prohibited and results in expulsion from college. So, no one dares to do that.”

“That sounds nice.”

“Yes. Anyway, it is a girl's college and girls in this province are mature enough not to inflict pain on fellow females.” She took a deep breath. “At least not till now.”

“Are there any male staff?”

“Only one – Mr. Parasuram – the Principal of AVM Girls High School. He is a guest lecturer here and usually gives motivation lectures.”

“How is he like?”

“He is very strict, but you can learn a lot from him. His punishments are also very productive and beneficial to the students. That is one class you should pay attemtion to.”

“Wow! He sounds interesting.”

“He is. You will come to know about him slowly. Don’t worry.”

Sarvani relaxed as her fears about her teachers were alleviated. She listened to her friends as she ate the meal her mother had packed for her. Mess food, no matter how delicious it was, could ever replace the taste of homemade food prepared by a mother.

The day flew by after lunch and before she realized the day was over and it was time for her to go home. ‘That was fast’. She thought as she packed her bag and left the college on her long walk back to her house. She was in high spirits as she chatted with her friends. One by one all her friends bid her goodbye as they entered their respective houses.

Suddenly, Sarvani found herself alone as she walked the final 500 meters to her house. The problem was that she had to pass by the very place where she had been teased that morning. She turned the corner praying that it would be empty.

“Welcome back baby!” the voice chilled her bones to the core as she realized she didn’t have anyone to defend her. She walked fast hoping to cross the gang quickly but found her way blocked. She turned back hoping to find another route but found that blocked as well.

She was trapped!