SHE'S ONE OF US

                          

Shrinked of Shame!

The HOD was annoyed of Shree coming behind . Though the HOD was irritated to respond, She halted for a minute and said "Whatever the case may be, Please do not waste my time and pull my soul out . The Seat lost is lost. You can go and do not waste your time too" and moved on.  Shree was  unable to face her and looked down. She felt like crying but her tear glands was running out of tears.

Shree continued going to the college and followed her routine of standing in the queue and meeting the Principal for the next seven days. No improvement. Shree came to the conclusion that one year was wasted. She couldn't think any other options as other colleges were far and she could not afford the high fees and other expenses . She became silent and her mind went totally blank. With an act of surrender,She closed her eyes and rendered her hands to the fate to take her anywhere it wished. But still she believed her God. It was Day 8, Shree was waiting in the queue to meet the principal and that day the crowd was little more and people were rushing to meet the principal. Suddenly a middle aged tall man arrived out of the principal's room. He was a very famous and a wealthy man in the town and a Family friend of Shree as well . He was there to recommend his relative girl in the college. He pretended like he didn't notice her.

Shree thought he really missed to notice her and she went forward from the queue and called him "Uncle" and her intention is to greet him.  But before she opened her mouth, Shree didn't  know there was a heavy thunder awaiting. The moment she opened her mouth, the tall man raised and joined his both hands above his head  like a politician and said "No No ..No Recommendations Please" and he left the place as if he did not know Shree.
All he did was , he made the crowd to think that he was a great person.  He added fuel to the fire in her heart . All the eyes were on her. Her situation was pathetic and embarrassing. Her body shrinked of shame. She slowly moved to a place behind a pillar where no one could see her. Something blocked her throat and she whimpered. She heard an inner voice from her heart saying "Do not worry , Wipe your tears and Face your fears, Your day will come and this too will pass!". After a while, She wiped her tears away and habitually met the principal and went home.

"She didn't know a word to say which meant "more than thanks"

It was Day 09,  Shree waited for the  principal , but unable to meet her as she was out of town. Fortunately she got a chance to meet a senior professor in the department. Shree explained about her whole story and spoke in a depressed way "Madam, I am from a poor family and i need the seat badly otherwise my whole life will be ruined" .The senior professor got her file and looked into it and was  awestruck by her marks. The senior professor exclaimed  "We are lucky to have such a bright student in our department".
Ahhhh.....Those words were medicine for the wound in her heart. She felt little better. The Hope which was about to die just popped its head and was ready to get up. She perceived that God came in front of her in the form of the senior professor. The professor was kind. She notified Shree that  "There will be a meeting held tomorrow. The list of seats will be finalized and I would definitely suggest your name in the meeting and will do my best". The moment the professor said those words, with no thought Shree fell on her knees and touched the professor's feet  to thank her. The professor gave an encouraging pat on her shoulder and that really lifted her spirit. Her light of dawn came seeping through the mountains.

It was Day 10, Final seat allocation meeting for the department was about to happen. That day Sister Akhila accompanied Shree to the College. There been a great tug of war between Shree and the Fate.And now There was no point in asking who was going to win, Fate had no option rather to make Shree win, as she already been surrendered. It was like a Struggle for life and death. After an hour, the professor came out and went passing her. She hastened to her and stood in front just to help her remember that she was waiting.  Shree was restless and praying. The professor said "Oh I'm sorry I forgot that you were waiting . You got the seat. Pay the fees and come to the class".

Shree was dumb struck and missed her breath. She astounded and couldn't bear the sweet shock. She didn't know a word to say which meant "more than thanks". Her two palms joined in front of her chest and happy tears  pouring down . The professor gave a  pat on her cheeks and a warm smile and  said "You got the seat only because of your marks". Shree smiled  through her tears with eyes glittering. The Professor congratulated her and paused for a while seeing her pathetic position, and asked "Do you have money to pay the fees?" . The professor stressed the same repeatedly as she doubted whether Shree had the money.

Shree uttered in undertone " Yes Madam, I have the money to pay the fees". She was totally unhappy that she lied to the professor who helped her. The reason was Shree was very shy to reveal the truth that she was down and out of money. She was puzzled and didn't  know what to do. Akhila rushed to the nearest public telephone booth and called a friend and explained the emergency. The boy at the other end spoke "Do not worry Akhila! I am on the way to the college". The boy hurried to the spot and handed the money to Akhila and vanished.

But Shree didn't realise the boy helped her was going to exchange his soul with her in future.