A narrow window was the only way to enter the soft light red rays of sun in the small old room. The room was in very bad condition. clothes are scattered all around in a small broken bed. old second hand books of P.C.M.B and literature are everywhere in the room. The room was itself in very bad condition like the paint on the wall had gotten pale.
The roof is cracked from everywhere. but in the center of it was a sand bag which.
THUD. THUD. CRACK.
The sound was Primal. echoing all across the room. Breaking the silence spread all around the room. A yellowish strip wrapped around Arun's knuckle were slamming the sand-bag. which itself was worn-out all around wrapped in tape. Asking to be left but he was not in the mood to leave it.
SIGH....
With a deep breath Arun stopped slamming. Unconsciously the old scattered sand bag became support to his head.
In a fraction of second thousands of childhood memories flashed in front of him like a sharp piece of mirror piercing. They were not any normal childhood memories that every child has. Instead they were disturbing heart breaking memories. Among them there was one memory which repeatedly came in front of him.
He was fifteen again, standing in a room that smelled of expensive cigars and was shiny due to original imported marble flooring — It was Principle office.
Arun standing in front of a table covered in blood stains. These were not his blood but were the stains of seniors who tried to corner him. Now in the infirmary.
"You little piece of trash. How dare I touch my son."
A rage-biting voice rang from the back of Arun. There were two people: one was a lady in a rose color dress and one was covered in expensive pearl necklaces. Another was a middle aged man whose charishma was of a high society man.
"Ma'am, You have to watch your words —"
"You nameless brat. First of all, you send my son to the infirmary. Now trying to teach me —"
Slam…
"Everyone be quiet. This is not a parliament where you can argue." Principle's voice was sharp and commanding.
"And Arun, I never thought you would do that. You were a model student and topper of school so why?"
"Sir, They're the one who'd attacked me. Because the coach chose me as team leader for the next Annual Games meet.I just did self defence." He tried to explain but.
"Boy, I know you want to get free but watch your words... Who are you accusing? He is my son." The man's voice was composed at the same time heavy.
"Sir, As your biggest founder i want him to be expeled." This time he directly threatened the principal.
'Sorry I'm late'.
A sound came near the door. He was an old man in an old rug brown coat. His face was filled with many wrinkles which shows how experienced he was.
"Good evening, I'm Avinash... Arun's Guardian." His voice was firm and steady like a wind blowing on a lake.
"So, you're the guardian of this 'brat'. As you know he injured my son and now. I want him to be expelled." The woman erupted on him.
Everything changed when Arun's gaze fell on Avinash.
His triumph shattered into pieces because the one he admired, respected and seen as a father is now on ground in his knees. Because of him.
"Sir! Ma'am, I am apologizing on his behalf. Arun is a parentless child. I didn't teach him manners properly. So punish me but please... don't ruin his life."
"Old man, please stand. I'm not expelling him or anything." Principle roused him gently. "But I'm suspending him for some days."
"Old man, teach your son some discipline. If this will happen again we're not going to tolerate it. Let's go honey." She picked her purse and left.
Later that night…
Dim lights flickering all over the room filled with beds. In the corner bed a faint shadow of a boy is visible. In front of him stood Avinash staring at the moon through the window.
"Do you think you won with fist... My boy. In this world if we win from one side then we will lose from another side. Do you know why I kneeled in front of them."
"Because of my mistake." Arun answered that his gaze was trying to escape from Avinash.
Avinash's hands gently wrapped around Arun. "My boy, this is not your fault. I did that because they have — Power, Money and background. People like them see us who have no background as insects. So I have to satisfy their pride which you broke by injuring their child."
"You have to understand that. You're never going to fight back until you think you're facing a life threat. Because today I protected you but what about the future." His voice was gentle, warm and soft.
Arun replied, "So do I have to live like this for the rest of my life.
"
"No, My child you must reach a position that no one can dare to look at you. This world only respects the one who is above them."
Arun took Avinash's word seriously and started to study more seriously. After a few years he got admission in Planet Arora's most prestigious university as a first scholarship student. He thought everything was going fine but then people started seeing disgusted looks. Started bullying him but this time he got bullied without saying anything.
RING. RING…
The phone's ring took him to reality.
"Oh..., It's already 7:00 PM. What I'm Thinking now. I should move fast for my work."
Arun swiftly picked his long-coat and charged out.