Written in stars (Discontinued)

Destroyed

ch 64

Chandhini sat outside the staircases that lead to examination hall, she stared at her hands, and she knew that she had given many wrong answers in her haste to complete the paper, her writing was almost illegible at many places. A single tear escaped her control and slid down her cheek, she rubbed it away and tried to think how to reach back home. She didn't have mobile, she had only 5 rupees and most people had already left.

Should I ask someone for money?but who? Everyone was staring at her like she was an alien. I better wash my face before asking anyone, she got up and went toward ladies washroom.

Prof. Romila met her on her way and asked her to come to her room, chandhini went in after her worrying, maybe I wrote wrong roll number on paper? or maybe they will cancel my paper because I was late?

Her leg was paining her more, chandhini rubbed it and went inside the room.

Prof romila sat down on her chair behind the desk and pointed chandhini toward one of the chairs in front of the desk, she sat down.

Prof,''Are you alright?''

Chandhini,'' I am fine...er I my car...at last moment I got to know that I have to travel by public transport and so I got late.''

Chandhini knew she was making no sense, her sentences broken but she was scared now.

Prof. Romila frowned at her and said,'' Go to wash room and correct your clothes.''

Chandhini was puzzled and went inside and then she looked herself in mirror and she was shocked, her lips were badly swollen, her eyes red like she had been crying, her hairs were still in pony tail but it looked almost opened.They were in wild disarray at places where advay had pulled his fingers through them. And she was wearing her shirt inside out, one of bra clasp was broken and it was visible since chandhini hadn't spread her dupatta.

she stood there staring at herself, she had travelled half of Delhi in this state, she had ran on roads and she had given an exams in this state and didn't even realize it. She felt something broke inside her.

She wore her shirt correctly, placed her dupatta properly and washed her face, then she opened her hairs and braided them, so that they would look tidy. She came out of the washroom and sat in the chair again. She was composed, her spine straight, she was beyond tears, beyond pain.

Prog. romila,''If someone attacked you, you can tell me. I will help you.''

Chandhini cut her,''No, madam, it's nothing like that. I am fine.''

Prof Romila,''In that case, I may have to take action against you for indecent behaviour for coming to college in this manner. You will need to present your case in front of disciplinary committee.''

Chandhini clutched the chair arms tightly with her hands and said,'' It was an accident. I had no idea I looked this way. Please, madam you have taught me for an year, you can judge that I have strong moral codes.''

She was desperate because if a disciplinary action was taken Arnav would hear about it.

Prof Romila,''that is the reason, I called you in my office and gave you a chance to speak for yourself. This is an educational institute, a student cannot walk in wearing visible sign of her past hour activities with someone.''

Her tone was icy cold.

Chandhini decided to tell her the truth because she had no other option,'' My husband actually.'' The prof. waited looking at her expectantly, ''He was with me and then he realized he was late for his flight and he left me but I didn't know and thought he was waiting for me downstairs and in my hurry I didn't check myself.''

Chandhini saw the pity flare in Prof. eyes for a moment and then vanished. Chandhini looked her straight in eyes.

Prof. Romilla,'' I see. Was there no one else to drop you or tell you about your dress?''

Chandhini shook her head in a no,''We live alone.''

Prof. Romilla,''Ok, I will see that no charges are brought against you but how can I be sure that you are not lying.''

Chandhini took out the mangulsutar out from her shirt and showed her, it was inside her shirt and when chandhini wore dupatta, it was hidden under it.

Prof. Romila,''ok. You may go now.''

Chandhini sat there glued to chair and asked her for some money, she could not go out and tell another person her story again.

prof.Romila nodded and got up,''I will drop you at your home.''

Chandhini got up her whole body hurting and followed her outside.

After asking where did chandhini lived, they went out of the campus. As Prof. Romila drove she asked small questions from chandhini,''Is your husband always like this?''

Chandhini kept looking out of the window and replied, ''Yes.''

Prof. Romila,'' Did you tell your parents about it?''

Chandhini replied,'' My parents, they are dead.''

Prof Romila went quiet and then said, ''what about his parents?''

Chandhini,''baba and ayi doesn't know about it.''

Prof. Romila,'' why don't you tell them? maybe they can talk to him.''

Chandhini's smile was bitter, he was forced to marry against his wishes, now what can they say, love and respect can't be forced.''

She had learned the bitter lesson today.

chandhini,''if things got too much he will leave me,and then where will I go?'' she had realized it today. she had been so naive, already her relation with Veer was destroyed, ayi was angry at her and they will take advay's side once everything was out in open. Maybe Arnav will at least listen to her.

prof Romila spoke,'' There are always options. For example our institute helps women such as you in need. It's sort of a coincidence but the founder of this organization have started a welfare program under the name of his daughter chandhini Raizada, same name as yours. It helps students find jobs and other financial support.''

chandhini kept staring outside the window as tears started falling down her cheeks one after another as she replied bitterly, ''lucky girl, this Chandhini Raizada.''

Prof Romila watched her with sadness and thought poor girl,''chandhini you can apply for it, In fact I will add your name in the list, Arnav Raizada is coming here next month, he meets the each candidate individually. You don't need to feel embarrassed or insulted, today we are helping you, tomorrow you will help someone else.''

Chandhini closed her eyes and took deep breaths and lied, ''I will call you.''

Chandhini asked prof to stop near the gate of her colony and got out, ''Thanks.'' she said through the open window.

Prof Romila,'' Chandhini please think about what I said, a man who doesn't love you, you can live with him but the one who doesn't respect you, it will destroy you.''

Chandhini didn't say anything. Just waved at her and went inside the colony.

she knew what Prof. was saying. He had used her like a whore and then left without a backward glance.

...