Three months had passed and today was the day I had been waiting for.
Zarina Madam had called me to inform that my admission procedures would be completed today. Since I was joining through distance education, there was no need to visit the university itself. She had already chosen a learning support center affiliated with the university, one that conducted offline classes on weekends and coordinated everything with the university on behalf of students.
I got ready wearing a new salwar I had bought specially for this day and neatly braided my hair. With all my documents in hand, I stepped out, locked the door, and headed to the NGO office.
I arrived early and Zarina Madam smiled the moment she saw me.
“Are you ready, Meera?” she asked, noticing my excitement.
I nodded eagerly and she patted my back reassuringly. Picking up her handbag, we got into her car and drove to the learning support center. On the way, I handed her the documents she had asked me to bring.
When we entered the office, the coordinator welcomed us warmly. Zarina Madam had already spoken to him about me, so he didn’t ask many questions except to confirm my willingness to join the course I had chosen.
He handed over the admission form and Zarina Madam passed it to me.
“Fill it on your own, Meera,” she said. Her words carried more meaning than they seemed, they showed how much she believed in me.
I held the pen, took a deep breath, and wrote my name boldly ‘MEERA’. Then I filled in the course details, B. Sc – Criminology and Police Administration.
Finally, I signed the form and returned it to the coordinator along with all the supporting documents.
“You have an excellent academic record, Meera,” he said, glancing through my marksheets.
Zarina Madam paid the fees and he handed over the receipt.
“Zarina Madam mentioned that you work and may not be able to attend regular classes. Still, I want you to know that we conduct weekend sessions and you’re always welcome. You can also contact us anytime if you have doubts.” he said kindly and I thanked him sincerely.
He then called a staff member and handed him a small note. A few minutes later, the man returned carrying a small bundle of books. The coordinator smiled and handed them to Zarina Madam, who in turn passed them to me.
“All the best, Meera. I know you’ll give it your best.” she said warmly.
I touched my forehead to the books in gratitude and hugged her tightly.
“Thank you so much, Madam. I’ll be forever grateful to you. I promise, I will do everything I can to help save girls like me.” I said, my voice filled with emotion.
Together, we thanked the coordinator and walked out of the learning support center, my heart full and my hands holding my future.
Zarina Madam offered to drop me home, but I gently refused, telling her she must have plenty of work waiting at her office. Instead, I boarded a share auto. All the way home, my smile refused to fade and I kept caressing the books in my hands as if they might disappear if I let go.
When I got down at my stop and turned into my street, I saw Arjun standing there.
I frowned. It was unusual to see him at this hour. “Wasn’t he supposed to be at the office? ” I wondered. Without slowing down, I walked past him, ignoring him the way I always did.
But he jogged up beside me, smiling.
“All the best, Meera,” he said and I stopped walking and turned to face him.
“Please don’t kill me with that look. I know the university announced admissions recently and I was sure you’d get in. Since you are working, I guessed you’d complete the process on a Saturday or Sunday through a learning center.” he added quickly.
He took a breath and continued, “I came this morning and saw you leave. I followed you from a distance and watched you enter the learning center. When you walked out with the books, I knew. I just wanted to wish you… so I came here early and waited.”
I remained silent.
“I promise I won’t disturb you, but if you ever need anything……anything at all, please ask me. I’d be happy to help. Take care, Meera. I wish you all the very best.” he said earnestly. With that, he turned and walked away, just like he always did, leaving me confused and unsettled.
“This man is so adamant. I don’t know when he’ll stop following me.” I thought, shaking my head
I walked home and placed the books carefully in front of the small photo of the goddess on my shelf. I lit the lamp and closed my eyes.
“Goddess, please help me balance everything. I can’t stop now. I can’t let down the people who believe in me. I know I can do this, I just need to stay healthy.” I prayed with my heart.
With renewed determination, I sat down and opened the first book immediately.
I had taken the day off, so I ordered a full meal, planning to save half of it for dinner. While waiting, I read and took notes diligently. When the food arrived, I ate quickly and returned to my books without wasting time.
” I won’t waste even a single minute”, I promised myself, smiling.
The smell of the fresh pages sent goosebumps across my skin.
By night, exhaustion finally caught up with me. My eyelids felt heavy and when I checked the time, it was already eleven. I decided to sleep, I had to return to work the next morning.
I closed the book carefully, placed it safely aside and lay down on the mattress. The moment I shut my eyes, my thoughts drifted to the character from the story I had been studying recently. I’m sure the author must have updated a new chapter by now.
I took a deep breath. Then, as if from nowhere, I felt a presence, felt a voice whisper near my ear. Strangely, it sounded a lot like Arjun. This man is messing with my mind.
“Sleep, Meera, you’ve chosen the right path. You don’t need me or anyone to hold you anymore. Just focus on your lessons. I can’t wait to see you in uniform someday, very soon.” the voice murmured gently.
A faint smile touched my lips as sleep slowly claimed me.
The next morning, I reached the restaurant and informed the manager about my admission. His face lit up with genuine happiness.
“That’s wonderful news, all the best.” he said warmly and I thanked him.
I changed into my uniform and stepped back into my duties carrying not just trays and orders, but a quiet determination that felt stronger than ever.
As I was arranging the tables, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and froze seeing Akash’s name. He hadn’t called me in months so I was scared of what could be the reason behind his call. I looked at the screen for a second before answering.
“Akka, our college culturals are starting next week. I’m participating in two events this time. could you please come ? Its been months and we all miss you. We would be happy to see you ” he said and I closed my eyes briefly.
“I’m sorry, Akash, I can’t come. I can’t take leave right now and I have other commitments.” I replied softly.
His excitement dimmed, replaced by hesitation. “Akka… Appa’s health isn’t good. His sugar levels are fluctuating again and he’s been feeling very weak these past few days.” he said and my fingers tightened around the phone.
“Is he seeing the doctor regularly? ” I asked, forcing my voice to stay steady.
“Yes, amma is taking him and I do when I m home. Don’t worry, I m responsible. I just thought… if you came, he’d feel better and we would be happy ” he said pleading once again and my chest felt heavy, but I knew my decision.
“Take good care of him, Akash. Make sure he eats on time and doesn’t skip his medicines. Call me if there’s any emergency.” I said firmly yet gently and there was silence on the other end.
“I won’t be able to visit, not now.” I said once again.
“Why, Akka?” he asked quietly.
“I got my college admission, in distance education ” I told him.
“What ? That’s amazing ” he said and I could hear his genuine happiness.
“I want to focus on my life now, Akash. I’ve paused myself for too long. This time… I need to move forward.” I said honestly and he sighed softly.
“I understand. I’m proud of you.” he said.
“Study well, and enjoy your culturals ” I reminded him.
After the call ended, I stood still for a moment, steadying myself. Then I slipped the phone back into my pocket, tied my apron tighter and returned to work.
During lunch, I told Shanthi Sister about my admission. Her face lit up instantly and she wished me luck with genuine warmth.
“Meera, I think you should stop working on Sundays and focus on your studies instead.” she said thoughtfully but I shook my head without hesitation.
“No, Sister. Akash has one more semester left and I still need to pay his fees. I hope he gets a job soon and takes care of the family, relieving me of that responsibility. Until then, I have to support them.” I said and she gave me a sharp look.
“You are a truly peculiar human being, Meera. A stubborn woman who never listens to my advice.” she said.
I laughed softly and pinched her cheek. “Just a few more months, then I’ll listen to you.” I said.
We continued eating and after a moment she asked casually, “What about Arjun? Is he still waiting?”
I sighed. “He hasn’t stopped.”
She laughed knowingly. “Mark my words, that man is going to show up at your convocation and then again at the police station where you’ll be posted. You won’t have any choice but to give him a chance. He seems like a genuine man, Meera.” she said.
I fell silent, staring at my plate.
” Would he really wait four or five years? ” I wondered. A part of me wished he would stay. Another part of me didn’t want to be selfish, to hold someone back, to ruin his life by making him wait for me.
The thought lingered long after lunch ended, quietly unsettling my heart.
That night, as I lay on my mattress with my books stacked neatly beside me, Shanthi Sister’s words echoed in my mind but so did my own resolve.
Some paths demand patience.
Some dreams demand sacrifice.
And some hearts… must learn to wait or let go.
I didn’t know what the future held, whether I would wear a uniform, whether I would stand strong enough to protect others like me, or whether the people who cared would still be there when I finally reached the end of this road.
But one thing was certain.
I had taken the first step for myself.
With tired eyes and a determined heart, I turned toward sleep, holding onto hope, courage, and the quiet promise that one day, everything I was fighting for would be worth it.
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