Ruhani stood nervously outside the cabin of Gibu sir. He was literary professor of English and Research department. He wasn't teaching freshmen's yet but would most probably teach them in their third semester. Gibu sir was the faculty supervisor of Poetry and literary club. Even though she was already a member of poetry club and her recent performance at talent hunt auditions jolted almost everyone,she was standing outside the cabin holding a pile of documents comprising of her past achievement certificates so that she could submit them. She wanted to be the office bearer and official face of the club. For a fresher,who just joined the college nearly two months ago..it was an absurd request to make. Not to mention,there were seniors who were more accomplished and experienced. Yet she wanted to give it a try. She wanted to do more. She wanted to compete more,collaborate more,perform more..most of all..she wanted to be on stage more.
She was really anxious thinking about how she was going to make that foolish request when her eyes wandered to her left. Right next to Gibu sir's cabin,was her cabin. MISS OBEROI'S cabin. She thought of taking a peek. It was empty. As soon as her body went loose with disappointment she felt someone tapping her shoulders.
"FUCCCCCKKKKKKKK" The loudest scream left her lungs as she jumped from the floor in complete horror
"Are you stupid????" The gorgeous professor nearly shouted as she gave a tight slap on Ruhani's shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat
"Ouchhhh...." She wrinkled her nose while rubbing her shoulders
"Firstly mind that language of yours..or do you want to get suspended?" Her professor arched a perfect eyebrow. Those big almond eyes were intimidating AS ALWAYS.
"I am really sorry miss...you know..that was unexpected" she said while looking down on the floor.she couldn't muster up the courage to maintain an eye contact with her pretty professor, AS ALWAYS.
"What was unexpected..Me coming to my own cabin?" The young woman said as she huffed in a mocking tone
"Well—"
"What do you want?" She cut Ruhani's sentence half way with a tired expression on her face as if she already gave up on the conversation
"I was looking for Gibu sir"
"While peeking in my cabin?" She arched that perfect eyebrow again
"That I did only for a split second..I was looking for you...I..I..I mean you know how we students..ugh..should look..look for our teachers..and...uhm..their well being...I —" Ruhani was stuttering again. In front of MISS OBEROI,AS ALWAYS
"Gibu sir is on leave until next week"
"Ouhhh..sorry ma'am..I didn't know..I apologize for bothering you" Ruhani said with a sad and a disappointed expression on her face.Her eyes still not meeting the young professor's eyes.
More than feeling sad for not being able to meetup with Gibu sir,she was feeling apologetic.She wasn't sure of herself why. It wasn't due to Gibu sir,It was due to her english professor standing tall in front of her. Ruhani's every encounter with Miss Oberoi left a flinching pain in her heart. She wasn't running from her feelings for the young professor.Even though if it was just a teenage crush..those feelings were as real as her unnecessary existence. And everytime she met her,it resulted in a failed encounter. As if her presence made Miss Oberoi uncomfortable. Just like always,today as well..she saw the unhappiness and irritation on Miss Oberoi's face when she stood to face her. Ruhani knew her professor didn't particularly hated her. She realised that when the young woman genuinely smiled at her the other day. But she didn't liked her either and that pinched Ruhani's gut.She felt apologetic for wasting her time again. As if she was solely responsible for it,AGAIN.
As she turned around to go back on her way she heard the other woman sighing.
"I'm substituting for Gibu sir in the meantime. Those papers in your hand are hefty..come in" Miss Oberoi said as she entered her cabin
Ruhani followed shortly behind.
"Gibu sir,Doesn't teach you..Hai na?"
"Nope ma'am"
"So,they clearly aren't assignments?"
"Nope ma'am..they are all my winning and participation certificates that I accomplished over the time. Gibu sir is literary and poetry club's supervisor..So,I wanted to submit my resume for the position of an office bearer"
Miss Oberoi was quiet for a moment. She was eyeing the bundle of papers in Ruhani's hand with astonishment and surprise clearly visible on her face.
"How long..how long did it take you to achieve all these?" Miss Oberoi asked with what looked like curiosity
"Ma'am I'm performing on stage since last four years and I'm writing since the age of ten. These certificates are comprised of all the slam poetries,dramas,scripts I wrote and performed"
Miss oberoi opened her mouth to speak again but she closed it rather quickly. It looked like she had more questions to ask but she shut herself up.
"Uhm..That's great..well..you can come on saturday evening as the club offices held a meeting for members...I won't be there that day..but you can come"
"Miss..I'll be taking leave this saturday,that's why I came prior to submit these documents"
She had to attend that important business party her dad was invited to.
"In that case,I'll hand them over" Miss said with a small smile
"Thankyou so much..I'll be really grateful..thankyou for your time"
"No worries"
Just as Ruhani was about to leave the cabin she heard Miss Oberoi continuing.
"Hey,Ruhani.."
"Yes ma'am?"
"Baccha..you really are talented and one can see that..."
Ruhani's heart melted at that 'BACCHA'. Miss Oberoi used this tone at her after which felt like an eternity.
Her professor continued "..you aren't as stupid as you portray yourself. You are quite smart actually. I do understand your love and passion for your art but baccha atleast put some attention towards your studies as well. I know it's not tough for you to do that.."
"And I know your parents would be happy to see their daughter excelling in both curriculum and studies" She said it with that genuine smile of hers again. The smile that made Ruhani forget all the worries in the world.
Ruhani let out a sad chuckle at that. Miss Oberoi furrowed her eyebrows but Ruhani continued anyways.
"My parents will never be happy with whatever I do. They'll never be happy with me as their daughter" she said these lines in almost a whisper. "Anyways..I'm sorry ma'am,I'll pay more attention towards my studies. Thankyou,I'll take my leave."
Ruhani said as she exited the cabin. She knew it wasn't appropriate to say those words in front of her professor but she also knew that her professor didn't care.
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