The next day—morning at school
Anurag Sir had arrived at school very early that morning. Classes were still a long way from starting, but there was no peace in his mind. His eyes kept drifting toward the school gate again and again.
When would Sneha arrive?
His heart seemed to be pounding right beside his ears. Every passing schoolgirl's shadow looked like Sneha to him today.
Finally, around half past nine in the morning, he saw her—
Sneha was entering.
Head bowed, hair tied back neatly. Eyes fixed on the ground, arms wrapped tightly in front of her body. School bag slung over her shoulder.
Today she seemed even quieter than usual. She passed through the gate and walked slowly inside.
Anurag Sir was standing on the school veranda. He didn't have the courage to call out to her.
Sneha suddenly noticed him standing near the stairs on the veranda. He was positioned right in the path she would take to go up to the third floor.
As soon as she came close,
Anurag Sir finally spoke in a slightly trembling voice,
"Sneha… one minute… would you come to my room for a moment?"
Sneha stopped. Still keeping her head lowered, she gave a small nod. She didn't even look up into his eyes.
Anurag Sir slowly walked toward his cabin. Sneha followed quietly behind him.
Anurag Sir stood at the door.
Anurag (softly):
"Come inside."
Sneha stepped into the cabin with slow, hesitant footsteps.
Anurag Sir pushed the door shut behind them.
Then he came around in front of her, sat in his chair, and gestured for her to sit as well.
Sneha sat down quietly.
The room was silent. Only the ticking of the clock could be heard.
After a pause, Anurag Sir spoke,
"Sneha… I don't know how to begin."
Sneha remained silent.
Anurag:
"The night before last… you came. I… I to you… (he took a deep breath)
I'm very sorry. I didn't… I didn't harm you in any way, did I?"
Sneha didn't lift her face, but the slight trembling of her shoulders was visible.
Just then, Meenakshi Ma'am arrived. She didn't bother knocking politely.
She wore a light sky-blue saree, hair neatly pinned in a bun, a faint touch of lipstick on her lips—her usual smile firmly in place. Today her eyes seemed unusually sweet, almost syrupy.
As soon as she entered, she said,
"Anurag Sir! You've been here since morning! You've really surprised me."
Her glance flicked toward Sneha, who was sitting with her head bowed. For a split second, jealousy flashed in her eyes—then the familiar sweet, venom-hidden smile returned.
"I'll come back later then… it seems you're… busy with class right now?"
Anurag Sir averted his gaze slightly.
"No, Ma'am. I was just talking to Sneha about some study matters."
Turning to Sneha, he said:
"You can go now, Sneha. Come to my room during tiffin break for a bit, alright?"
He spoke the words in such a way that it was clear he didn't want her to leave at all.
Sneha gave a slow nod, then rose quietly and walked out.
Inside, Anurag Sir felt a surge of anger toward Meenakshi Ma'am. Because of her, he had been forced to send Sneha away.
Meenakshi Ma'am watched Sneha leave from the doorway, secretly feeling a little pleased.
Then she closed the door, came even closer to Sir, leaned forward deliberately to show off her blouse's cleavage, and said,
"So tell me, Sir… why are you so interested in this girl? You seem unusually serious about her! But she's still just a child… whereas I'm not a child anymore…"
Anurag Sir understood her hint and felt irritated. He was already angry with her. There was no doubt in his mind that this woman—along with a few other female teachers—had complained to the headmistress about him paying "too much attention" to Sneha.
Looking at her sternly, Anurag Sir said,
"Ma'am, please behave yourself."
Meenakshi Ma'am straightened up.
Anurag Sir:
"She is my student. I am allowed to talk to her. But it's not good for you to keep such close watch on my work… and I don't like this overly forward behavior of yours."
Meenakshi Ma'am felt hurt inside.
Meenakshi Ma'am (in a trembling voice):
"Sir… I love you."
Anurag Sir (after a long silence):
"Tell me honestly, Ma'am. Are you really that desperate?"
Meenakshi Ma'am was stunned.
Anurag Sir:
"Ma'am, I'm not naive. But you seem terribly naive to me. Don't you understand that I don't like you?"
Meenakshi Ma'am was deeply wounded.
Meenakshi Ma'am (eyes filling with tears):
"Sir…"
Anurag Sir (harshly):
"Please don't act coy in front of me. I absolutely hate it. You think I'm such a good man, that's why you like me so much? Listen carefully. I am not good at all. Stay away from me."
Never before had Anurag Sir spoken to Meenakshi Ma'am like this. In her mind, she was certain it was all because of Sneha.
Overcome with emotion, she began to cry as she spoke,
"You're attracted to a teenage girl!!! You know this is immoral!!! What do you think!!! I can see there's something going on between you and her!!!
You're going to get into big trouble!!! I'll make sure you're punished!!! Then you'll get what you deserve!!!"
Threatening him in this way, Meenakshi Ma'am stormed out.
Anurag Sir thought to himself,
Let her hate me! Fine! At least there won't be any more of this lovesick nonsense!
He already knew he was playing with fire—and in this fire, he would have to burn!
But no matter what, he was not a womanizer. In his life, apart from Sneha, he wanted no other woman. If anyone hated him for it, so be it—he didn't care.
Just then, Shikha Ma'am arrived. Though unmarried and young, she was probably two or three years older than Anurag Sir.
Shikha Ma'am (knocking at the door):
"Sir, may I come in?"
Anurag Sir (in a stern voice, without looking up from his files):
"Yes, Ma'am, come in."
Shikha Ma'am (in a slightly shy tone):
"Sir… are you free this afternoon?"
Anurag Sir (firmly):
"No."
Shikha Ma'am (anxiously):
"But Sir…"
This time Anurag Sir spoke in a hard voice,
"I'm not interested in any discussion with you outside of professional matters, Ma'am. Please leave now."
Shikha Ma'am felt disheartened and left quietly.
To be continued...