Professor

02 | The Fight

~~~~~~~~~~Harini~~~~~~~~~~

The past few days was boring with my Father crying and being sad about my cousin's marriage. I did not start any conversation about my studies as I know it is definitely not the right time to talk about it.

I wanted to do Engineering. But I am sure that is purely impossible. So I was mentally prepared when I ventured in to my 11th standard. At least B.Sc computer science is what I wanted to take. 

All  I wanted is to complete my degree from a good College or University.. At least a good college is not a big thing to ask for. 

I slowly started the topic of my college admission. My mom started the same conversation with my Dad.

"Will apply for a college in Hosur" came my Father's reply.

"paa.. I want to do my degree in a University college. Not the one here in our Village."

"whichever college it is , you are going to Study the same thing. So why not the one here in our village. Your brother too studied in the same College." 

"paa. correct paa. still when you go to a good college, your placements and way of teaching all those will be good paa. It would be easy for me to get a job as well after the final year. The college in our village , it is the only College which operates for name sake. I don't think I would flourish in that . Please paa"

I spoke so many things and convinced my tough nut Dad. I succeeded in brain washing him , making him think about buying applications from a different college outside Hosur.

The day went well with usual work. I had a hope that my Dad would say something good. I too spent my time searching for the good colleges in Chennai. 

Evening one of my Uncle ( Dad's younger brother) who lives in the nearby village to us, came to meet us. 

My dad and uncle were talking in general. It was a casual visit from him. I brought the clothes from the hanger in the terrace , after folding it neatly. I moved to our room, to keep the clothes in our respective shelves when I heard my Dad and Uncle talk about me joining a college. 

"why does she want to join a college somewhere in Chennai? Did my son also not study in the same college in your village? Even your son studied there. What is the problem for her in studying in same college?" Uncle asked.

Rightu.. arambichutanga ya.. ( uff.. started)

"she wants to study in good college , only then placements would come it seems in the final year" my Dad replied.

"why to send her for job ? Once she finishes her studying , marry her off soon. You know what happened with aarthi. Still you are thinking of taking this decision"

"Correct. But Harini is not like that. If she is willing to study let her study"

I actually felt very proud of my Dad for talking in favour of me. For having so much faith and trust in me. 

"oh.. this is how we all thought and had faith in Aarthi.. Did she not bring us bad name and put us all in shame? You are taking risk is what I would say. Anyway after marriage she would sit at home and be a housewife. Only if her Husband wishes she would go to work. So it is better to make her study only degree. And that too if it is in our village it would be easy for you as well to keep an eye on her"

sss.. yaarra neengalan... engerndhudhan varringalo enakunu.. ungala ketoma karuthu sollunu..

(why do these insane people torture me like this? Did we ask any advice from you all?)

I felt irritated to be there. I looked at my Father , whose mind was getting brain washed with my Uncle's words. All my efforts earlier were erased by him with no big effort. I stormed out of our house with anger.