Chapter 42: chapter 42

SHIVAAt the sound of Renu madam, we both break apart from the hug in a quick flash. A blush creeps on my face and I look away.“Omigod, you both are blushing,” she tells her eyes going wide and I glance sideways to see Gowri in a red shade matching mine. She meets my eye and then looks away flushing.I try to wipe away the grin that comes on my face but to no avail. “Shiva, you still haven’t told me why you want Jay removed from the school,” Renu madam tells.Though I told Renu madam that I am firing Jay I didn't exactly tell her the reason. Because it concerns Gowri and I am not sure if she will be okay with telling the truth.“I already told you his behaviour is not up to the standards. Look at what happened today. Is that what a teacher does? Spread fake rumours about his colleague?”Renu madam nods her head but she is not convinced. She is against the idea of firing Jay and wants to know the reason.“Aren't you misusing your power as trustee? Sure he spread fake messages but you both as well hid about your marriage,” Renu madam argues.Oh God! This man Jay sure has put his charms on the females of this school. Right from the morning, many are demanding me why Jay is leaving the school. Requesting me to make him stay here. Renu madam is sure not immune to his charms.Maybe I am misusing my power as the trustee but I don’t want any perverts in my school. What is the guarantee that he wouldn’t misbehave with any other staff or worse with the female students? No, I am not taking any risks. He does deserve a second chance to redeem himself but not in this school. But how will I explain Renu madam? She has to trust me th-“He sexually harassed someone,” Gowri tells out of nowhere. HELL! I forget she is listening to the conversation.  Renu madam narrows her eyes at Gowri like what she told her is totally impossible.“And who exactly did he harass?” she asks folding her hands. It is very clear that Renu madam doubts Gowri's statement.Gowri doesn’t miss a beat when she readily replies in a grim tone, “Me.”If Renu had been shocked at our relationship reveal that is nothing compared to the expression on her face now. She is having a heart attack. I mean it figuratively.I glance at Gowri. She is not embarrassed by the revelation she just made. She looks Renu madam in the eye and utters slowly, “Yesterday evening in the old counsellor room he tried to forcibly kiss me. He didn’t have an accident. As a way to defend me, I threw things at him and that injured him. If you think I am lying to support my husband’s decision then you can check the   CCTV footage of the corridor to see Jay entering the room with no blood on his face but exiting with a handkerchief over his eyebrows to stop the bleeding.”HOLY GOD! This woman keeps surprising me. She has rendered me and Renu madam speechless. Renu madam is staring at her with disbelief. Though Gowri's voice was firm her eyes are glazed and I know how much courage it took her to confess it to the out aloud.“Gowri, I am sorry. I believe you. I know this is not a matter a woman would lie about. I was just shocked that Jay is not the type of boy I thought he is. Well, today seems to be a day of surprises for me.  Anyway, I am sorry for what happened and I will take appropriate action against him. Shiva, I will mail you the details later,” she tells and goes inside the office.I stare at Gowri in awe. She takes a few deep breaths like trying to calm a storm that is happening inside her. Something is happening to my heart at the sight of her. I feel something I have never felt with anyone. It is like a missing piece of my soul returning to me.WAIT! WHOA, BACK UP.Ugh. What happened to me? Why am I thinking like a cheesy romantic? A missing piece of my soul? Seriously, Shiva? Get a grip on you. Falling in love with her can only cause you another heartbreak. Because she will leave you soon.No, I don't feel anything towards Gowri. She is a good friend and we have to share the same house for the next ten months and then she will go her own way and I on my own. We will part with no dramas. No heartbreaks. Only happy endings.But then the feel of her soft body against mine when she hugged me comes flashing through my mind. She caught me off guard by throwing her hands around me in an embrace. I was stunned until she uttered ‘Thank You’ in a soft voice. Before I knew what I was doing, I pulled her close to me and for the next few seconds, the only thing that occupied my mind was her. Her smell somehow relaxed my mind. Her breath tickled my collarbone as she played with my collar button. How soft her hair was.WHAT THE HELL SHIVA? THIS IS THE OPPOSITE OF NOT HAVING FEELINGS FOR HER.OKAY! ALRIGHT! I DO HAVE A CRUSH ON HER AND A CRUSH WON'T LAST LONGER. I WILL GET OVER IT.I shake my head to try to clear all the conflicting thoughts. “So, shall we go home?” I ask looking at the sky.“Yeah, if you are done with your work,” she replies following my line of sight.“No, we will go home. I think it is going to rain soon,” I tell as we start walking towards the parking area. I walk slowly remembering her ankle injury.The walk is silent and as a starstruck idiot, I am unable to look away from her. I sneak stealthy glances at her when she is not looking. “Is there something on my face?” she asks when he reaches the car. Busted. A blush creeps on my face having caught red-handed sneaking at her. Wait, why am I blushing? I shake my head no.🍀🍀🍀🍀“I never know you would make such a good blackmailer,” Gowri says buckling her seatbelt.“And you know it is wrong to eavesdrop,” I tell bringing alive the car engine.“But seriously, why were you so raged with him?”I sigh and focus on the road. I hoped no one notice it but yeah, Gowri is different.“When I was fourteen or fifteen years old, I witnessed  Swetha getting harassed. Until that day, I stupidly believed that I could protect my sisters and mother. But when those cowards touched my sister in front of my eyes, I could do nothing. I tried to but they held me back. I kicked the ground and shouted at them but they kept on touching her. I hated myself at that moment. I hated being born as a male. I hated that my sister was in pain and I could do nothing. It was like the reality slapping me hard in the face telling me that I am weak and useless. But just in time one of our neighbours came there and rescued us but that incident left a lasting impression on my mind. I felt useless and raged that day. Maybe it was the anger or the frustration of feeling useless but that day I took a decision never to let go of men like those easily. I vowed to myself that I will make their lives miserable if I come across any.”“I am sorry, Shiva. You had a tough childhood,” Gowri says in a sincere tone. I give her a nod as an acknowledgement and focus on driving.We both are silent for the rest of the drive home. When we reach the street I say, “Let’s call this game of hiding our martial status quits”“So, you mean I can tell people I am married?”I nod my head.“Can I tell your name?”“Yeah, you can tell people that you are Mrs. Shiva Subramanian.”She frowns and then asks, “Is it because of the reception that is going to be held?”Reception? I have no idea what she means by that. I tell her that.“The reception of our wedding,” she says to my utter surprise.“Whoa, why didn’t I know about it?”  I say.Her brows are furrowed like she is thinking seriously, “When was the last time you spoke to Savitri ma?”“I think last week,” I reply. “She didn’t call you this week?” “She did but I didn’t pick up,” I say feeling guilty for leaving my mom’s phone calls unanswered. “Why?” She asks narrowing her eyes.“I was in a meeting.”“You didn't call her afterwards?”“Gowri, the relationship with my family is strained. So, I didn't call her back.”She gazes at me for a few seconds. Her eyes hold mine and she wants to say something regarding my confession but thankfully holds back and says, “Well, she called me this Monday to inform me about it. She asked me to inform you about it.”“So, we are having a reception for a wedding that is soon going to be a failure?” I ask. She smiles and replies, “I guess so.”🍀🍀🍀🍀