The Unventured Passions

A Lesson to Remember

The resolution of conflicted feelings is an inside job that requires self honesty, all self delusions rescinded. Ever before she had seen him, his familiar deep husky voice arose havoc inside her. Unparalleled excitement made her spark-plugs roaring and her heart purr in anticipation. It was only for a moment, for when he walked inside the classroom, her blood woke up her brain, though she had thought herself to be awake already. Her smile grew unknowingly of its own accord and that was the moment of decision. She could either let him see what he had ignited or hide it, and in either way, she knew him to be the most exciting adrenaline coursing through her senses.
Bracing herself and taking a deep breath Bondita sat upright on her desk, as she heard Beena's gasping words.

"My... My... Who is this man!! I could totally fall for him any moment now..." Her hushed words made Bondita narrow her eyes at her, needless to say, making her blood boil a bit.

"He isn't that great." She hushed back faking an annoyance.

The buzzing murmure that had rose inside the classroom had stopped immediately as Anirudh opened his mouth to speak again. Professor Prathamesh Ganguly was standing beside him, silent, probably a little intimidated by the magnetic aura of his guest.

"This is a class of women studies I'm being told, and yet I see men and women alike, sitting here holding their attention on a Thursday afternoon." He paused to take a turn, walking up the gallary to connect with the students.
"You could have been anywhere today, attending any lecture, Mathematics, English, Philosophy,... but instead you chose to be here, in this classroom, and that tells me, somewhere... you all are intrigued or eager to know more about the topic I'll speak today, women rights. So what is women rights?" He looked at the eager eyes staring back at him with rapt attention.
"Don't scare me with that serious look on your face." He let out a soft chuckle bringing down the temperature of the class in a second.
"Women rights is basically human rights. And, in a society where the rights and potential of women are constrained, no man can be truly free, he may have power but no freedom."
He paused.
"We can't be truly free till the time even one woman is in shackles, even if her shackles might be different from ours."
Anirudh paused.

"But, Anirudh... How can a woman be free? Aren't they free already?"
A question came flying from a young man sitting infront.

"Are they? Truly free?" Anirudh threw the question back at the young man.
"I believe in a world of justice and human rights for all. A world where girls can grow up to be free... free from the fear of abuse, free from shackles, restrictions, inhibitions... A world where women are treated with respect and dignity that they deserve. And it is up to you... you fine young generation, to make this world yours", he smiled at the young boy brightly.
"And coming to your question on how women can be free? I would say it's up to them to make themselves free... to claim their freedom... it's high time that they speak up for themselves... and, remember when one woman speaks, she not only speaks for herself but for the entire woman folk." He paused to gauge the reaction of the class.
"A woman can only be two things... who and what she wants. And, as for us men, it's our moral and humanitarian responsibility to stand beside them. They aren't weak... they won't need our help, or guidance, so what all we can do is support them in every way possible."

"Anirudh", a soft feminine voice called his name from the back row making Bondita turn her head around.
"How can you say men and women are equal? I mean... look at your biceps! Are you saying I could ever win a duel with you?" She giggled. "So how are we equal?"

Anirudh's eyes quickly brushed Bondita's flushed face as he let out a short courteous laughter.
"What is your name madam", he asked her politely.

"Satarupa", the woman replied and smiled flirtatiously at him, a suppressed seductive undertone was evident in her voice.