Miles to go…..
‘Hey! What’s your name?’
‘hm,,,hm… Mahalakshmi’.
‘ha..ha..ha..did I ask your grandma’s name? tell your name along with your
surname…’
‘Mahalakshmi Muraleedhar Dhikshith’….
‘oho ho ho….the senior girls’ loud laughter almost hit the compound walls of that college.
‘ok..ok. now we all feel that it is just not enough that you said one time…so say your name atleast 5o times together with your surname. come on dear Mahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa’.
Maha very humbly listened to the senior girls….
It was her grandpa’s desire that Maha should study in that college as it is famous for many celebrities and great women did their graduation there. Moreover, her dad also insisted to have her go for only womens’ college and not for ‘co-ed’. Now, Maha is paying for it….
Maha knows that there would be ragging in the colleges, and she has to face any kind of situation. Her mother brought up her with more discipline and values. ‘Maha. Try tobe patient under any circumstances as Patience creates confidence. When we have patience, our mind gets aligned with reality and our energy makes the good things to happen’.
Like Maha, there were some more new facets undergoing such kind of ragging by the senior girls. This was their first day…..so have to wait and see! Whenever the new girls pass by the senior girls, they have to salute them and have to carry out their commands implicitly. Maha was wondering as if any horns had grown for the seniors to behave like this? Hm….Maha sighed.
‘Aye, Mahaaaa. Can’t you hear me? Come and finish the notes in my record book. Fast…fast. I need to submit it tomorrow. Commanded the fatty & chubby Premi, who always lead the senior girls with her roaring voice. Maha controlled her anger and conducted herself very professionally. And sat for writing notes for Premi…
‘Oi girl….Maha, who is that cockroach sitting closer to you? Ask her to sing a song while you are doing the record work. Hullo, girl? Whats your name?’
‘I…I..am Suma. Sorry I don’t know music. Cannot sing…’ the poor Suma with her trembling voice came forward to say sorry.
‘What? How dare you are talking back? Here, as a new comer you have to obey our commands and it is the rule forever. Understand? Now, sing Chamak Challo from Ra-0ne. If you don’t sing, we all would strip you, mind it.’
Maha whispered to Suma. ‘tears won’t help Suma. Do what they say… Sing any song’.
Suma started to sing a Bhajan song…..oh…ho..ho…all the senior girls laughed chorusly. ‘Hey Suma…this is a college and you are in hostel…ok? Don’t invite the donkeys by singing…che, so horrible! ok Maha, let us leave Suma…better you sing the Chamak Challo’. They don’t want to give up that simply. When Maha started to sing, one of the senior girls did dance, other one made fun of her and the rest were all laughing .
Poor Maha tries to hold back her tears….oh! this is too much and vulnerable! For how long these demons would tease me like this? … rediculous!
Premi screamed…’Hi Mahaaaa! Whats this? You are crying…so you are a cry-baby now. oh baby…we want to make you happy…you know, how? all the babies like to play with water, right? so we want to bathe you….come on… girls….help Maha to take out her dress…
‘oh! please leave me….let me do other things’
‘Ok.ok…cool..cool. Then stand with a wild smile, meaning showing your teeth for 10 minutes. ok?’
Maha did so. She felt as if her mom’s voice whispered in her ears…’Maha! Better tobe patient than powerful. I am sure that small changes may create bigger things just beyond imagination and may lead to worst situation…so just be strong because patience is a virtue, love is a value and life is a gift.’…..
Maha keeps silence, expecting their commands to carry out. Fatty Premi ordered…’Aye Maha…now we are all very hungry and we are all fed up with our hostel food. We are all dying for Pizza. So, go and order Pizza and Coke for all of us’. Maha ordered and they all had enjoyed the dinner at Maha’s cost.With the roaring laughter, they all left to their rooms without even thanking Maha.
Maha could not get into sleep. Felt like returning back home. She was very much upset as they threatened her to strip. What kind of girls are they? Infact Maha got herself well prepared for any kind of ragging….but this was ridiculous! They all enjoyed the cheap pleasure by teasing others…hm! She never knew when she slept.
It was 9am when she woke up. Except one or two girls every one went to college. Maha’s class was to start only at 11am. Maha took her books for studying. She has to concentrate on studies….She tried to forget the previous day’s ragging experience as well. Somehow she has to tackle the situation….she just made up her mind to forget the unwanted things and started deep brething exercises to overcome the frustration. She didn’t want to allow the anger and other negative feelings to crowd out the positive feelings, as she feared that she may be swallowed up by her own bitterness or sense of injustice. As her mom always mentioned that forgiveness is the best way to keep everything go smoothly……she thought that things would change slowly in the days to come…
Dadar….Ah….AMMA! ….there came a louder bang of sound and somebody screamed….’oh! my God…I fell down and can’t get up. Is anyone there? Please come and help me to get up’. It was none other than Premi, who fell down in the bath room due to current failure.
Maha rushed to bathroom….oh! poor Premi was really in bad shape ….. all over her body was lather. Maha gave her shower, covered her with towel and assisted her in lifting her up…
Hm…Premi could not step out as she felt acute pain in her knees. With the help of Suma and others, she was immediately taken up to hospital to have treatment as it was a fracture. It was Maha who helped her on time so gracefully!….
when Premi got discharged from the hospital after a week, Maha helped her in many ways. Premi got moved and cried….’Oh! Maha…I am extremely sorry for all the trouble I had given! I am ashamed of my brutal behaviour…..I learnt a biggest lesson from you. Hereafter, we will never treat anyone so badly….please forgive me. …. You are really great as Maha means great too!’….I cannot forget you forever! ‘
Gentle Maha caught hold of Premi’s hands and said….’oh, its nothing Premi. I have been practising the virtue of patience, though it was hard …that’s all. Thanks to my mom, who brought me up with morality and values. This is a lesson for me too! … Let’s be friends’. And don’t forget that we are here to study further to achieve the goal and for that we need to travel miles ahead….ok? Let us cross the miles in a friendly way so as to reach the destination safely. ok?’ As if new blood got flourished , fresh Premi nodded her head positively!
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Story By:
BANOORAVI/Singapore