A Mess of Silence

5

He had decided to leave early today (by the first trip; that was around two hours before the second one) to catch some sleep, and to Ravikul it was a relief and a burden that the school hours ended. Relief as it was every day and burden because he still had the new-year party to face.

"Areh Ravikul ji," it was Bhati of course, Bhati and his Sherlock Holmes level deductions, "you're going already? It's still—"

Ravikul replied as quick as he could, "Ah yes, I'm going on the first trip today...wife needs to buy some stuff, hahha you know,"

Bhati laughed and nodded, going back into his work. Shaking hands with Divendra, Ravikul got out of the senior faculty room with a determined expression on his long face. Outside the room were standing two students: Ashutosh and Akriti. He'd found both of them kissing and touching each other near the third floor, senior wing washroom. And now that the thieves had been caught red handed, they whimpered to be spared like injured dogs.

"Sir—sir please. Sir please...sorry sir. Last warning de do sir. Ek baar. This was the last time sir, sir pakka...sir..." The big, muscular boy, Ashutosh, said contracting his face in a painful grimace. But whimperings, held as much importance to Ravikul as dead animals on the road did to drivers doing hundred on an expressway. None. The girl stood looking down, on her face a red, shameful expression.

Happy new-year students, Ravikul thought and smiled inside.

He started his walk as he gathered a loud authority tone in is voice and bellowed, "Shut your mouth! Shut your mouth and come with me to the principal's office!" his voice was thin. It wasn't shrill, but it wasn't deep or manly at all, "You wouldn't be here in the first place if you had closed your mouth on the right time," Ravikul Chandel snorted. It was his attempt at dark humour. Some junior teachers threw side glances at The Ravikul Chandel and the students tailing him. At least, he thought, there was someplace there to establish his potency. He walked, looking down at the floor his hands deep in his pockets. He was vaguely aware of the tearful whines of the students behind him, helplessly maintaining a fast walking speed to match up with his long strides. Ravikul Chandel would enjoy the scene down at the principal's office. They took the lift (strictly for staff only) and the boy continued wailing. Crying and wiping hot tears off his face. The girl maintained her silence. "Sir please! Last warning sir! Sir it'll ruin my...our new-year, PLEASE sir!"

"Sir will see about that." Ravikul said, raising his eyebrows, in a thin, quiet voice.

The buddha's kutta went inside the principal's office mentioning for the two students to stand outside. Hari, the peon outside the door gave students an eye and asked questions. Ravikul didn't hear the conversation, he was inside already.

"Areh Chandel Saab, at this time? How is everything, tell me!" Udhav Singh Verma exclaimed. His voice was as old as his age: years more than eighty-five. The skin on his face drooped in thick, wavy lairs. Wrapped around his chest and the shoulders was a white shawl.

"It's about these two students sir," in a thin voice Ravi complaint, "No shame at all sir! I found them kissing near a washroom. Shameless! Shameless fellows!" he added more than needed detest in his voice. He needed great results. But to his surprise, the old man, buddha, burst out laughing. It was new-year, Ravikul deduced, Udhav Singh Verma was in a joyous mood.

Udhav Singh Verma mentioned with his loose fingers for the students to come inside. Ravikul gave a call and the two students: Ashutosh and Akriti came in. On their faces were agonic expressions of third degree terror. Tears roughly wiped away, eyes small and bloodshot. But the old man was was still in a little laugh when they came in. Seeing the laugh their terrorised expressions went under a drastic fluctuation.