7. Repercussions

As the college came to know about the ragging incident, the seniors involved were suspended for a month. Every faculty were asked to be more strict if they saw any Seniors loitering around junior classes. Even the bus service had a staff member. It's was more like military order around the college campus. 

Slowly things went back to normal in Anjali's life. Her friends were supportive and they went back to getting busy for their first semester exam. Lecturers were in hurry to wrap up and students were busy making notes and preparing hard. Mood had shifted from this bad incident to more studious environment.

" You know Anjali, I heard something about our hot Physics HoD." Remarked Sushree.

"What is it?" I said with curiosity.

" He is always in the campus till late evening and I heard music playing in his room." 

" What's so strange about that?" I asked.

" He may be working while listening to music just like any of us. " I continued.

" Yes, but stays late everyday. Doesn't his wife complain? " Sushree replied.

" Why are you worried if his wife complained or not? " 

" Anyways stop listening to such gossips. He is great person and good teacher. " Anjali said.

Anjali had kept a tiny secret from her friends.

After the ragging incident, Anjali ran to an empty room and sat in the corner crying. She had no interest to meet or hear anyone. 

" Why are you sitting here and crying? " A male voice asked her.

She looked up to see her physics HoD standing at the door. Anjali couldn't utter a single word and tears kept flowing.

" Will crying solve the problem? Stand and fight for yourself. Report this right away and get the miscreants feel the pain you are feeling now. " 

 He walked up to Anjali and held her shaking hands and made her standup. 

" Shake away this feeling. Fight and everyone will support you. " 

Anjali looked up at his worried face and felt encouraged. She is not feeble delicate girl'. 

He wiped away her tears and caressed her cheeks lovingly. Anjali lowered her eyes under his soft touch. 

" Do you wish to be left alone for sometime? " He asked.

" No, I am better now after talking to you, Sir".

They were standing so close to each other. She could smell his cologne and its delicious. Her own heart was beating hard. How can a person's touch be so repulsive and another person's touch be so sensuous. Anjali wondered.

" Eat this chocolate. You will feel better. " He handed her a chocolate. She opened the wrapper and took a heavy breathe while nibbling at the chocolate. Everything started with this chocolate. She ate unmindfully. 

" You got chocolate all over your lips."

He rubbed it off from her lips and licked his own fingers. 

" Let's go to Dean's office now. " 

Anjali was still under the spell of her HoD's soft touch on her lips.