Mina did not feel like proceeding with the class. She let the students indulge themselves with self study. She needed to think.
Her world had collapsed when the Principal had called the redhead the class head, that too, someone with intelligence at par with hers, to be accepted, even if it was for just a short term course, in a college like Vayu.
One thing about any Gaya Institutions, they had a proven record for 100% merit based acceptance. Over the last decade, not a single student had pulled through and had been assured a job after studies. Such was their reputation.
She hurried back to the staff room and dug out student record of Saka.
Her brain became a slush mass when she saw his performance report, which was phenomenal.
She couldn't breathe, out of frustration.
Roma hummed and walked into the class room.
He failed to spot Mina, who sat crouched near the cabinet containing student files.
"Holy Moly!" He muttered when she got up. He regretted walking in.
"Maw Roma, do you know Jun Saka?"
"The red head student you seemed overly fixated about?" He asked, pretending to be genuinely curious.
"Same kid! He is the class head, can you believe that?"
"Indeed?" He could only guess how much in pain she must be, after figuring this bit of information. He wanted to smile, but he held it in.
"Even I couldn't believe it! So I rushed to check the performance report, it looks spotless! I think he has some connections."
"Connections?" What did connections have to do with scoring well?
"Yes Maw Roma. Do you know his father?"
"His father is a temple priest."
She couldn't believe her ears. What? The son of a temple priest studying in Vayu, was unfathomable to her.
"A temple priest's, then he won't be having much money?"
"Well.. I don't think he will be listed in Forbes 500." Roma said it lightly, irritated by her obsession with wealthy and educated.
She laughed, thinking he had taken a jibe at Saka, and responded, "It's likely that after this three month program, he may not be able to pursue further then. Gaya Institutions are expensive."
"Gaya offers scholarship for those who have intelligence but have no money. I don't think it will be a showstopper."
She was quiet. She had worked her but off, just to get into the college, but she had all resources available to her. How a person from such a remote village, where even desktops were unheard of, could survive in such an atmosphere was beyond her.
While she was thinking to herself, Roma took this opportunity to slip out of her sight.
Maw Lava noticed the silent Mina and decided to enquire about her wellbeing. She might not be the best of teachers, but she made his life interesting. Her constant bickering with Vira lightened his day.
The Principal was kind, but he loved a good gossip. Though he wasn't instrumental in spreading any, or so he said to himself.
"Maw Mina, is everything alright? You look a bit .. quiet?"
Maw Mina looked up. "Maw Lava. Do you not think it might be too harsh on Jun Saka to face reality?"
"What reality?" He politely enquired.
"That he would not fit into a premium college like Vayu. Right now I feel we are giving him too much hope."
"What do you mean Maw?" He liked where this conversation was heading.
"There is no way a priest's son can ever afford the fees."
"Ah.. that is indeed the problem. You look genuinely concerned about that."
Maw Mina nodded her head and smiled. She could play compassionate.
"Let me dock your pay, and send Saka. You can be the proud sponsor, Saka would be so thrilled to know about it!"
Mina felt she had swallowed a raw, super bitter lemon.
"Ah, no.. he will have to work harder for the scholarship, but I am sure, a kid of his calibre can do it." She hastily responded. No way she was paying out of her pocket.
"Yes, yes, that is the level of confidence a teacher should have on her student no?"
She did not respond.
"Don't worry too much about Jun Saka. His elder brother is from a prestigious school as well. Quite sure he can take care of him."
"Jun Saka has an elder brother?"
"Why Maw Mina, you should spend some time with your colleagues, know a bit more about them, don't you think?"
She gave a sheepish smile. She had no intention of having a personal bond with anyone from this god forsaken place. And having to deal with Saka senior was definitely not in her to do list. Wait, she was working with Saka senior? Oh God.
"There is also a very rich person, with a spectacular academic background, working with you. I'll leave you to figure out who that is."
With that, Principal walked back into his cabin smiling to himself.
Now how will Maw Mina react around Vira? He wondered to himself.
Maw Mina looked like someone had socked her. Rich? Brilliant? Working with her? That should be the first person she would suck up to.
Her father would feel proud of her if he'd know her to associate herself with such a person.
She mentally thought of the people around her. The first face that came to her mind, and disappeared almost at the same instant, was Vira.
That village hoodloom was not it. Laika? No, he was rude and noisy. Roma was probably it. He was handsome, sauve, cheerful, polite.. he ticked all the boxes.
There was no way anyone else would fit the bill.
She would work harder at winning Roma's friendship. Maybe more.. she thought to herself, smiling at her own thought. She was told she was charming, afterall.
Roma felt a chill up his spine. He shuddered. Something bad was going to happen to him.
He would have to visit the temple that evening, he thought to himself.