When Radha went back to college…

I penned this story, When Radha went back to college…, as a Guru Dakshina to all my teachers and professors, some years ago.

When Radha went back to college…

Shalini Sharma was standing in front of the airport gate. She saw her former student, Radha Srinivasan coming toward the gate with an unaccustomed look on her face. Shalini had been Radha’s favorite professor, when the former was teaching journalism in a Mumbai college. When Radha saw her, her face glowed with happiness. Shalini had requested her help regarding something, which the former had not specified. And Radha had decided what better Guru Dakshina, could she give than helping her teacher, when she was in need of it.

“Long time no see, Ma’am.”

“Yes, dear.” Shalini’s face was writ with concern.

“Ma’am, what are you doing with yourself lately? You left Mumbai just after I finished journalism. It was around 2 years back, right?” Then, after looking at her face properly in the evening light, her forehead wrinkled and she lowered her voice. “What happened, Ma’am? Anything wrong?”

“Come home, I’ll tell you. This is private and very personal.”

To be continued…