My Teacher

Chapter 3

I did my usual morning routine.

Brushed my teeth, bathed, ate breakfast and went to class.

But something different happened that morning.

I sat next to Tanya in class, as usual. Mr. Ranawat was writing on the board when suddenly a man knocked on the door and walked into the classroom, he whispered something to Mr. Ranawat and his face turned into confusion. He turned around and faced the class.

"Tina," he said. All heads turned to me. "Go to the front office. Now."

I stood up, confused. Why would I be summomed to the front office?

This hasn't happened before...

I stood outside the glass window and looked at the man in front of me behind the desk.

He looked up from his glasses.

"Miss Tina?" He said. I nodded.

"Why have I been summoned, Sir?" I asked.

He sighed. "Your hostel fees have been withdrawn from your account."

My mouth dropped. "W-w-what?" I asked in disbelief. "How could this happen? Who withdrew the amount?"

He sighed again. "Your father."

No....

No...

Not my own father...

He...he wouldn't.....would he?

I hadn't realised that I was crying until I felt a cold tear slide down my  cheek.

"Are you sure it was my father who did this?" I asked, hoping he would be wrong.

"Is your father's name Ankit Singh?" He asked.

"Yes." I answered , looking down.

"I'm sorry, Miss. But you need to pack your things and vacate your room by tomorrow." He said.

"But I don't have a place to stay! How am I supposed to find another place to stay within twenty-four hours?" I shouted.

"Miss, please calm down. Rules are rules and you're obliged to follow them." He said.

I quickly turned and ran, but I was stopped when I ran into a hard chest. I looked up and saw Mr. Ranawat.

"Tina? Are you okay?" Concern filled his eyes.

I shook my head and bolted towards the door.

I thought I heard him call after me but I ignored it. I needed to get out of there.

When I reached the parking lot I hopped onto my bicycle and rushed out of the university premises, towards my father's house.

The ride was long and emotional and a light drizzle of rain patted the road.

My only option was to stay at my old house, with my dad.

Sure it was an hour away from Uni and my dad wasn't exactly the best person to stay with but I have no other choice.

I don't have enough money to pay for the hostel fees, and I don't have any other family members to stay with.

~~

When I reached the house the door was unlocked.

The house was in a mess, empty glass bottles littered the floor, the couches were ripped and the walls were stained with blotchy patches.

I would never have called this my home five years ago.

Suddenly a glass shattered and in stumbled my father, looking no less than a homeless man.

"Hi Dad." I said, capturing his attention.

"Who the hell are you?" He slurred.

"I-it's me. Tina. Your daughter." My eyes started to water. He couldn't even remember me.

"Oh yeah, I have a daughter." He laughed drunkenly. "Well what the hell are you doing here?"

"I'm going to stay here from now onwards." I said confidently.

He laughed. "Why?" He choked out.

"Because apparently you withdrew my hostel fees and I'm compelled to stay here." I said angrily.

"I did." He threw his bottle onto the couch and its contents stained the once creamy fabric.

"Why? Why would you do that?"

"'Cause I needed the money." He answered simply.

"That money was preserved for me to enhance my education, why would you snatch it away from your own daughter?"

"Well I needed the money to fulfill my needs." He indicated to the  new bottle of whiskey which he fished out from a cupboard.

My blood boiled. "You used the money to buy more alcohol?"

"Bingo!" He said. "I've got a smart daughter after all."

I couldn't believe it.

"How dare you!" I shouted.

"Me? How dare you? You show up to my house and expect for me to accommodate you after all those years of being a worthless daughter. I don't think so you piece of shit." He dipped his head back and laughed.

My body went into shock.

"But this is my home too..." My voice was now a whipser.

"Let me make this clear," he lit a cigarette, "You. Are. Not. Welcome. Here. Now get lost before I call the cops." He threatened.

"But I have no other place to stay. Ple-"

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE!" He screamed.

Without a second thought I leaped out of the door and sprang onto my bicycle.

I felt tired. Confused. Lost. Lonely.

Tears fell like a waterfall down my face.

And to make it better, my bicycle tyre suddenly went flat.

"Damnit! Flat tyre." I sighed and rested my face in my hands.

"God, help me." I cried. The rain shot like bullets from the sky, penetrating me and revealing new, vulnerable wounds.

A car honked behind me.

I looked but couldn't see the driver.

A tall man got out of the car.

As he walked towards me with an umbrella in his hand I recognised his sharp features.

Mr. Ranwat?

~~~~~

Please VOTE and comment.

And ask any questions