To the Professor, with Love (Complete)

Chapter 11

Flashback

Sidharth entered the room after a knock. A bald man in his late 50s in a crisp white shirt and a blue tie and thick rimmed glasses sat on the chair behind a huge desk.
The man said, "Yes, Sidharth, come inside. Take a seat."
Sidharth nodded his head and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"Sir, you wanted to talk to me?"
"How are you? How is your mother?"
"Sir, you haven't called me here to ask me these questions. You can come to the point directly."

The man removed his glasses and said, "Listen Sidharth, I am not only the Principal of this college but also your father's friend. Whatever I am going to say right now is only for your own good."
"I know Sir, what do you want to talk to me about. But I don't think there's any good for anyone in this."
"Calm down,Sidharth. You are the most logical person I have ever seen in my life. Then why are you reacting this way?"
Sidharth smiled, "Really Sir? That boy, Sanjeev did so much and you could not even suspend him. A girl's name was involved in this. How can you expect me to stay logical and calm?"

The Principal nodded his head, "Sidharth, try and understand. You don't have any proof against him. He was one among a few other students who found you there in the auditorium. His presence can't be the only reason I would suspend him."
"I had brought him before to you. He had beaten up another student. He did things only to get back at me. I know it was him. He accepted it right in front of me."
"There were hundreds of students then who had seen him hitting the other kid. This time there was no one when he accepted that he did it. You have to keep your calm. Threatening him at the hostel, like you did yesterday will damage the situation even more. I can't let you do that."
"I didn't threaten him. I just.."
"You are not going anywhere near him. Do you get that?"

Sidharth turned his fingers into a fist, "Are you firing me for that?"
"No, Sidharth. I am not. I want you to continue here as I know how good a teacher you are. You are just like your father but he was an emotional man. You are different there. You are more practical. I want you to remain that."
Sidharth sighed,"What do you want from me?"
"Listen, what has happened can't be changed. I have ensured the photographs no longer circulate here on the campus. No one will speak about you or the girl. Now you take a break. Go on a holiday or something. And when you return back, stay away from Sanjeev."
Sidharth didn't say anything and got up from his seat.
"One more thing Sidharth. You need to keep your distance from the girl as well. Stay away from her. That's what I want you to do."
"Stay away from her..."

"Sidharth! Sidharth! Hey!"
Shehnaaz touches his arm to shake him out of his trance.
"Where were you lost?"
"Nothing, just thinking about you."
He extends his hand and she takes it. He pulls her closer into his arms.
"Say something nice."
"You are beautiful."
She smiles, "And?"
He rubs his thumb on her arm, "Every time I see you, you look prettier."
"And?"
"You are the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen."

She sits up straight, "Sidharth, you said the same thing three times."
"No, I said three similar adjectives in different forms. They are synonyms of each other but are after all three different words in three forms. You know I love adjectives. They are so interesting. Positive, comparative and superlative forms. They were my favourite thing in school."
Shehnaaz slams her head, "I thought you were romantic. Tum toh English teacher ke teacher hi reh Gaye. You are discussing grammar with me right now. I am no longer your student, Professor Sahib, I am your.."
He yanks her towards him, "You are my.. what? Girlfriend?"
She lowers her eyes and blushes.

"You are the most beautiful girl;
I can't stop myself from saying it.
I can't help it what to do;
Your beauty is unmatched,
No one can beat it.