Mine, my beloved (On Hold)

15

Ganga

“What is your problem? How many times should I repeat that I don't like you!? Try to understand Nathan,” I screech in irritation.

“I don't care whether you like me or not. I like you and I'll keep chasing you,” he's a nut case—spoiled by watching too many movies.

“This behavior, makes me despise you more,” I admit with a sickening expression on my face. “No worries. You'll like me eventually,” he smiles cheekily. “I'm not a movie actress to like you while you do such disgusting stunts,” I put forth with hatred, finding this conversation pointless.

Why did I even bother to speak with him in the first place...

I should have directly gone to the HOD and complained about his atrocities.

But before doing so, I wanted to give him one last chance. Now it's obvious that it's a waste of time. “This is my last warning to you Nathan. Stop disturbing me or else I'll report it to the HOD,” he chuckles upon heeding my words. “Damn, I'm so scared,” he pretends to be terrified of what I said and I found myself simmering in anger...

“I wasn't kidding, Nathan. I'm going to report you now,” I determinedly turned around, ready to walk to the front of the canteen where Maalini was waiting for me. The college has dispersed and at the moment, in the lone space to the right of the canteen, I was with Nathan. Taking me aback, I suddenly feel his hands on my braid.

He heaves me back by his hold on my hair and my eyes go round when he crashes me with him. I felt repelled by his demeanor and instinctively, my hand creeps to the side cabinet of my backpack. That is where the pepper spray sits.

“If you don't leave me now, I'll burn your face,” I state with disdain dripping from my words.

“Huh?” he laughs again.

I felt a little fearful and hesitant about using this spray.

However, once I sense his hands sliding against my waist, my nerves kick up and I pull the spray up to his countenance and spatter the liquid.

He left me and started to groan and scream in pain. My heart was thudding furiously beneath my chest as I watched him go through pain.

“Ganga! What did you do?” Maalini runs to me and questions in terror. “He tried to cross his line so I sprayed it on him,” as soon as I say that, she catches onto my wrist. “Let's leave, come,” she seems panicked. Giving a glance to the idiot who now attempts to clean his face with the kerchief and walks to the sink that stands to the side of the canteen, I walk ahead with Maalini. “What If he takes revenge on you for what you've done to him now?” she asks in a concerned tone as we pause at the bus stop.

Her question had me stare at her, baffled. I didn't think about this when I used the spray on him. But now that she says it, my stomach churns in fear. “We should complain to the HOD as soon as possible,” Maalini utters sternly. "Yes, we should!” I nod toward her and as the bus stops in front of us, I anxiously climb in and sit at one of the empty seats. Maalini perches on the vacant one behind me.

I was frightened.

I told this to my mama through mobile and he said he would look into the matter and asked me not to fear. Yet I couldn't help it. On the subsequent day, I went to college intending to complain to the HOD.

Nathan was absent today and we planned to go meet the HOD during the break time. While the first hour was going on, the HOD interrupted and asked me to go with him.

I was beyond shocked and gave a dubious look towards Maalini before following the middle-aged man out of the class.

“You are the cousin of Mithun, right?” he asks as I walk beside him. “Yes, I am,” Does Mama have connections with higher authorities?