Money money

The morning woke me up with disturbing knocks at the door. I removed the blanket from my face to see whether any of my roommates is awake to open the door for that disturbing guest. Everyone is sleeping or else they are pretending like the dead ones. I woke up disturbed, and opened the door. In front of the door, our house owner seemed to be like the frightening 'poothana'( mythical character from Hindu purana ) with her flawing hair and shouting tounge.

'' Why are you guys so irresponsible! Why can't you understand ?'' She looked irritated. '' I have told you many times not to forget closing gates before you sleep! How can you do this to me.
You never paid me the rent in time and this month it is lagging. And you ever never showed a sign of apology ... Blah... blah..."

After fifteen minutes of continuous lecturing with sparks and blasts it ended quiet. Her jaws will be paining now. After finishing that massive performance she left with satisfaction.
We got it usual with this ritual every morning, with her complaints and soft abuses spreading like the morning alarm makes us energetic whole day. After her return I closed the door and made a glance at the giggling faces budded in the bed-blanket gap.

"How was today's breakfast?? " One spoke while getting up from bed.

"Not bad. But nothing bigger than what you got yesterday"

Within time we all got ready for the college and left. Again the lecturing hours started boringly at our colourful classroom. After the attendance section we were planning for our sleeping section to start. Going with the flow. Before the plan to get implemented, there came the notice saying ' All who have fees pending should see the department head and are not allowed to stay back in the class till the due is paid.' Myself with one of my poor classmate, stepped out from the class and walked towards the department head's office. While walking the way towards office thinking how to pay back the due, two of our juniors passed with both of their heads down to floor.

                         * ************************* *

Two months ago one of the problem raised among the junior-senior scenario made me involved into it. One group among the juniors tried to make seniors fear for collecting money from them by spreading a fake news that 'they are gonna complain about it soon'. We found the culprit who started spreading the fake news. And a small crowd of seniors and some of the juniors were present in that evening's platform. After some of his arguments and apologies, he got a few slaps in his right cheek making it cherry red. Then he gained some energy to say '' I'm the cousin of city mayor and m gonna complain this for sure.''

It felt like a new comedy said throughout those years in the campus. I came forward slapping him tight and finished with the dialogue. " Believe you know my name. Add this thing too with the complaint you are gonna file. " The real feeling of pride 'nothing matters'.

The next day he did the same he told, with his parents on side. The management fined us ten thousand rupee fine and we were suspended till the fine amount getting paid. Ten thousand for heroism and a brave memory. I had my fees amount at the bank account and with all pride I paid the fine next day morning itself. All of us did as well. We continued to ragging and started collecting money from them. He felt ashamed that time and his heads down every time he come across me was benefited.

                           * ********************** *

The next turn was our HOD's to scold me. Let me consider it as the second breakfast. The final dialogue from her was heartbreaking. " You know this decision is from the management. I'm helpless. Try paying the fees before 4'O clock." I walked down stairs and reached the gate. There the 'watchman' stopped me and asked for 'gate pass.'

money money

"Get the 'out pass form' signed and come back fast, then the gate will wait for you; opened." He said. Till the last day, he used to allow me out without any pass, and today fate is really bad for me. I never minded, There are old ways where we used to cross those tall walls in times of heavy ragging. I was checking sources for raising fund for my pending fees. Roaming room to room for money, searching for available sources, and they were all empty. We all had a financially tight situation due to the 'examination fee payment season'. I got messed up after that long search for money. It was afternoon and flowing wind carried hot molecules that blushed with skin making me weak. After every hope of light appeared shut, I decided to go back room.

While entering the gates, house owner was shooting me with her focused eyes, whether I'm locking the gates this time. She was giving her pet lunch. Though it was hot inside the room, I sat under the tree shade in the courtyard. Then I got a call from one of my best buddies.

" Hey, I was in a meeting, what's up man ?" He started.
I was not in a mood to start with anything. But I did. " Sorry, I called you for something.... That.... "

            " What 'something' ? " He wanted me to reply.

  " I needed some money for my pending fees and it is dry with all in here.. nd soo... I think I will miss the semester exams this time."

               " How much ? "

" Ten thousand " I felt little shy. But it is better to ask him than begging home or else I have to forget about the exams that semester.

" Okay; I will transfer you the amount, send me your account details. collect the money next Monday morning itself." The first part of the dialogue made me a bit alive but the next half made me realize today's bank hours are over.

"Thank you very much; but today is its last date for payment." Both of us are helpless now. We repeated the question ' What to do ' three times and ended the conversation with a bye. Two more calls came as a sequence. But results made me paralyzed under the tree shade. I felt like something is ready to burst inside and trying to come outside. I opened up a huge scream releasing all those maddening pressure inside. This weird thing provided a bit of peace but just for seconds. House-owner came with my late lunch ; shouting abuses and intolerable firing.

" What do you think of yourself! Who are you to shout like this.. Such mannerless creatures!! '' It was NMFP. I was not prepared for lunch and my stomach or else mind was already full with problems. She continued.

" Neighbours will start complaining and I am the one to reply them. What is your problem. I don't want you to stay in here anymore." Her voice came slow and silent declaring the scary drama is going to end. "Pay me the whole money Monday itself. Rent with an extra ten thousand. I will give you the pending fees money. " As she finished, reply came automatically.

" What!! " It took some seconds to realize, she actually said that. " Oh freak!! " It was a moment which actually slipped my mind out from its case.
By the time she returned back her home and came back in a minute with some money.

" I know what's eating you. Go pay your fees and come back with the money Monday itself." Reply stuck inside me for a second. " You never know how much I did to you wrong. I don't know what to say. Let me go and come back soon... and thank you.. "

A feeling of shyness mixed with nervous mindset left a smile for the first time.
While turning back to college, mind was fully shaded with some memories where I misunderstood her. Friends are all around. Celebrations will be there. Needs and help can introduce new characters and relations. We can see good in everyone if we are ready for it or else we should wait for regretful situations to realize it.

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share