40 Round 2 (2/2)
It was a splendid example of human beauty.
”I-I-I was her-here to hand you m-my notes.” I struggled to get the sentence out of my mouth. But I was glad I did. Now all I had to do was hand her my material and dash out of the building.
I fished my bag and pulled out a red file with good amount of papers in it. I pushed it in her direction and let go. Then I immediately turned around and ran through the red and black corridor I came from.
Oh god, why did I do that? what would she think about me? Would she even be obliged to bump up my grade now?
All these thoughts consumed my mind as I dashed to the front gate and stopped right next to it. I was huffing, trying to get all the air I could to top up my lungs. I turned around and neither saw nor heard anyone coming in my direction. It was a moment of relief for me and I turned the knob sideways and stepped back in the bustling street.
But I had just set one foot out on the uneven concrete when it hit me: why a professor had such power to make a change in my grade? Was she bluffing? Did she even have that power? Was I being used?
I released my bag pack from my clutch and stuck in halfway in the doorway. Then I completely step out into the brightly lit street. The air I breathed here was refreshing. But I had no time to waste. I turned around to face the door that was still slightly open. I looked for the intercom and asked a few questions.
”Professor, were you using me the entire time? And if you were, for what purpose? Was I too easy to manipulate? Huh? Do you even have the power to boost up my grade?”
”One question at the time, dear,” I head professor's voice turned into a robot. It felt like she was talking through a carburetor. ”I do have power to do whatever I can with your grade. You see, I'm like a tree. On the top of the ground, the trunk, that's me-The professor. But the strength of a tree doesn't depend on its trunk. It matters on its roots. And I, my dear, have my roots running deep through this world. Especially our little university.”
The ominous message that spat through the metallic filter gave me chills in my bones. She didn't talk for almost ten seconds before she continued,” I don't care about the grade, you can have it. But the disrespect you have caused to me and my home, that is something you'd have to pay. The same woman who fetched you from the gate is coming back to fetch you, once again. Please make sure you follow her guidance and meet me in the main hall. I'll be waiting.”
I heard a beep and the line on the other side went static. I let go of the 'SPEAK' button and stood still for a second to register the threat she had imposed on me. Her roots ran though the world? That's ridiculous!
I stood in the doorway and waited for the maid in question. But I didn't have to. I could just pull out my bag and go to Pokhra three hours early. The grades weren't that bad in the first place. So why did I wait? I could be ignorant and be on my way. But if there was a tiny sliver of chance that Amaan had more power than she let us see, I wanted to see it. I wanted to be safe from it. I wanted to do it… for me.