Lost, and Finding the Way (Part4)

Suddenly, I bumped into someone — my temper immediately flared up.

Anusha: Can’t you see where you’re going? Were you walking with your eyes in your hands?

The boy: ????

Anusha: What happened? Why are you staring like that? Haven’t you ever seen a girl before?

The boy: Maybe I was walking with my eyes in my hands, that’s why I didn’t see you. But tell me, do you see with your nose instead of your eyes? And how will you see anything if you keep your nose held so high like that?

Anusha: ??????

The boy: By the way, I’ve never seen you in this college before — are you new here?

Anusha: I’m not obligated to introduce myself to you. — Saying that, Anusha walked away briskly.

The boy: Wow, I like that attitude!

Anusha: Ugh, where do these types of guys come from? They just love to pick fights for no reason.
Anyway, I just need to find the principal’s office now. Oh — there’s a girl over there, I’ll ask her where it is.

Hey, excuse me please!

The girl: Are you calling me?

Anusha: Yes, could you please tell me which way the principal’s office is?

The girl: Come with me.

Anusha: Okay, thank you so much.

The girl: It’s okay — this is the principal sir’s office. You can go inside, I’ll be right back.

Anusha: Okay, thank you.

The girl smiled softly and walked away.

Anusha: Assalamu Alaikum, may I come in, sir?

Principal: Hmm, come in. I don’t think I recognize you.

Anusha: Uncle Anis sent me, sir.

Principal: Oh! You’re Anusha! Anis told me about you — actually, he mentioned you a few times, but my daughter Onni talked about you even more.
According to Onni, you were supposed to come earlier — why so late?

Anusha: Actually sir, there was heavy traffic on the way.

Principal: It’s okay. Onni said you’re very good at your studies, so I trust her word. I’m not taking any admission test for you — especially since it’s the end of the year, and most colleges aren’t even taking new students now.
Onni is like my daughter, so I couldn’t refuse her request. I’ve processed your admission, but you’ll have to attend classes regularly.

Anusha: But sir, it’s hard for me to attend regularly — I have a job, and I also tutor students at night.

Principal: Hmm, that’s a problem. But listen — if you want to do well in your studies, you’ll have to make some sacrifices. Quit the job, and find a few more tuitions instead.

Anusha: But sir, where will I find tuitions?

Principal: Don’t worry, I’ll help you find them. You just focus on your studies.

Anusha: Okay sir, then I’ll take my leave.

Principal: Go safely.

After leaving the college, I kept thinking — there are so many types of people in this world. I would never have understood that if life hadn’t thrown me into this storm.
My father — it disgusts me to even call him that — had not a shred of love for his own children. Fine, he didn’t love my mother, but what wrong did we three sisters do? We’re his daughters too! Yet he left us and built a new life with another woman. Ugh, shame on such men!

And Nihal — because of one small mistake, he left a huge scar on my life. Truly, such men can’t even be called men — they’re cowards.

And the college principal sir — I only met him a few hours ago, yet it felt like he was someone very close to me.
Lost in thought, I hailed a rickshaw and got on.

As soon as I sat down, Onni called — another girl I don’t think I could ever forget. My mom and Onni — they’re the two best people in my life.
Oh Allah, please, never take them away from me.

Ah! The call got cut — but it came again, and I picked up right away.

Onni: Hey, where were you? Why didn’t you answer? Did everything go okay?

Anusha: As long as I have a friend like you by my side, everything will be fine.

Onni: I wanted to stay by your side, but you’re the one who didn’t let me.

Anusha: What do you mean? You’re always in my heart.

Onni: Haha, fine. Now tell me — how did you find the principal uncle?

Anusha: Oh, don’t even ask! He has such a fatherly vibe. It doesn’t even feel like he’s a teacher.

Onni: I told you so! He is my dad’s friend, after all.

Anusha: Hmm, he’s just like your uncle.

Onni: Where are you now?

Anusha: On a rickshaw, going home.

Onni: Okay then. From tomorrow, start attending classes and study hard. I want even better results than your SSC exams.

Anusha: After everything that’s happened, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do well again.

Onni: You will. I know how strong your heart is. Take care, okay?

Onni hung up. Having a friend like her is truly a blessing.
The rickshaw reached my house — I paid the fare and went inside.

When my mother saw me, it seemed like she felt relieved, as if she’d found me after losing me for a long time.

Anusha: Mom, why are you looking at me like that — as if you’re seeing me after years?

Mom: Shouldn’t I look? You left in the morning without eating — do you think I wouldn’t worry?

Anusha: Oh, Mom! I’m not a kid anymore, look — I’m all grown up now.

Mom: I can see that. You’ve grown up — that’s why you don’t listen to your mother anymore.

Anusha: Mom, you’re too much. I’m starving, give me some food.

Mom: Hmm, coming.

After eating and praying the Zuhr prayer, I lay down with Mom, chatting about the day — I told her everything about the principal sir.

Mom: The principal is right, dear. Having a job now isn’t the best idea. First focus on your studies and get good results — then you can work.

To be continued…

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