Riya and her friend Mahima walked down the long corridor toward the principal’s office. Their footsteps echoed against the marble floor. Riya’s jaw was tight, but her eyes were steady.
They stopped outside the wooden door.
Riya :- “Sir… may we come in?”
Inside sat Mr. Dutta, the Principal of Kailash University — a man known for his calm authority and sharp observation.
Mr. Dutta :- “Yes, come in. What seems to be the problem?”
Riya stepped forward.
Riya :- “Sir, our Philosophy professor behaves inappropriately with students. He makes unnecessary comments about girls… about their clothes.”
For a moment, silence filled the room.
Mr. Dutta looked genuinely shocked.
Mr. Dutta :- “What are you saying? Dr. Mehra is sincere. Extremely professional.”
Riya’s voice did not shake.
Riya :- “No, sir. He told me, ‘Don’t your parents give you money to wear proper clothes?’”
The words hung in the air.
Mr. Dutta leaned back slowly.
Mr. Dutta :- “Alright. I will speak to him.”
He pressed the bell and instructed the peon to call Dr. Mehra.
A few minutes later, Dr. Aryan Mehra entered the office. His posture was straight, his expression controlled.
Mr. Dutta :- “Mr. Mehra… what am I hearing? That you are misbehaving with students? Commenting on their clothes?”
Dr. Mehra’s face tightened slightly.
Dr. Mehra :- “No, sir. You don’t know the full story. These girls come to college dressed like they are going to a club. A classroom has discipline… does it not?”
Riya stepped forward before she could stop herself.
Riya :- “What we wear is our choice. Who are you to decide that?”
Mr. Dutta’s tone turned firm.
Mr. Dutta :- “Mind your language. You are speaking to a professor.”
Then he looked at Dr. Mehra.
Mr. Dutta :- “Mr. Mehra, even if students behave wrongly, that does not give you the right to speak like this. You must maintain your professionalism.”
For a brief second, something flickered in Dr. Mehra’s eyes — anger, maybe pride. But it disappeared quickly.
Dr. Mehra :- “I apologize if my words were inappropriate, sir.”
The matter seemed settled. Riya and Mahima left the office. Dr. Mehra followed shortly after, his steps slower now.
Whispers spread through the campus within hours.
Many thought perhaps this would change him.
Perhaps he would soften.
But the next day, as soon as Dr. Mehra entered the classroom, the air turned cold again.
He placed his books on the table and looked at the students — his gaze stopping, just for a second, on Riya.
Dr. Mehra :- “If anyone does not like the way I teach… or the way I speak… they are free not to attend my class. Stay at home. I know my work. And I will not change it.”
The room fell silent.
Riya understood.
Those words were meant for her.
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