Three months had passed since the classes had begun at the school. The girls had gradually acclimated to the regimented life they led within the school's walls. Their Sunday afternoons became their sanctuary amidst the mechanical routines of the week. Those precious hours of extra sleep on Sunday mornings were their lifeline, revitalizing them for the forthcoming six and a half days of relentless work. In this institution, there were no holidays for national events, regional festivals, or religious celebrations.
Mid-September had arrived, and the vibrancy of Dussehra celebrations swept across India. In North India, the rhythmic beats of the dandiya dance and the grandeur of Durga Puja captivated the hearts of the people for ten days. Central India was preparing for the dramatic immolation of the ten-headed, hundred-armed effigy of Ravana on the festival's final day. Meanwhile, in the southern regions, devotion reigned as people worshipped the Golu doll exhibits during the nin
The van screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, and Ms. Roopa, the teacher accompanying Rithanya, hurriedly called out, "Sister, please get a wheelchair for this girl." The sterile atmosphere of the school had given way to the chaotic and unfamiliar setting of the hospital. Cries of pain and distress reverberated through the corridors, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease. Somewhere in the distance, a child wailed at the top of her voice. As another girl emerged from the hospital, tears streaming down her face, Rithanya's anxiety intensified.The hospital was crowded and in a state of utter disorder, which only heightened Rithanya's discomfort. Her palms grew clammy, and her heart raced as she took in the overwhelming sights and sounds. She felt a sheen of sweat break out on her forehead, and her entire body seemed to palpitate with anxiety.The nurse, a tall and stout woman in a faded blue sari, dragged a screeching, rusted wheelchair toward Rithanya. Her v
Rithanya’s parents received a distressing call, urging them to rush to their daughter's hostel. The voice on the other end informed them that Rithanya had suffered a fall and was now under a doctor's care, advised to take a significant amount of rest. Concern gripped Rithanya's parents as they immediately made arrangements to journey to her side. It was a Tuesday morning when they set out, the sun casting a warm glow over the city streets. Rithanya's mother, Geetha, was particularly anxious. The two-day interval between the incident and their arrival seemed like an eternity. Thoughts raced through her mind as she recalled all the instances of her daughter's boundless energy, the laughter that once resonated through their home, and the dreams Rithanya held close to her heart. Her daughter had always been a spirited soul, taking on challenges with a fierce determination. This hospitalization was an unexpected twist, and Geetha's heart clenched at the thought of Rithanya in pain. Finall
The road stretched out ahead, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through the countryside. Inside the car, a scene of turmoil unfolded. Rithanya's condition was again deteriorating rapidly from her peaceful slumber. Her breathing had turned shallow, and panic was evident in her eyes. It was as if an invisible vice was tightening around her throat, constricting her airways. Her hands, once steady, were now trembling uncontrollably, and the sensation was draining from her fingers, leaving them numb. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, glistening like dewdrops in the early morning sun. Yet, despite the heat that was coursing through her body, she was overcome by chills that racked her form.Amma stood by helplessly, her heart aching as she witnessed her daughter's suffering. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of fear and despair. She wanted to soothe Rithanya, to make the pain go away, but she felt utterly powerless. All she could do was hold onto Rithanya's hand, a silent
The instant their car hit a speed breaker and she experienced a bumpy ride because of the pits and falls in the road, Rithanya knew that they have neared their house. It was dusk. The evening diyas, the clay lamps lit up the entrance of every house. The car took a sharp left turn and halted.Hearing the car, Dadda and Satvik rushed to the doorstep. “Hello, little one! Welcome home!” Dadda greeted Rithanya with open arms.Rithanya tried to get down. But she limped and lost her balance. The poor girl could not reach the shelter of her daddy's arms. She was caught by Satvik before she fell.Dadda and Satvik carried Rithanya home while the driver helped Amma to carry things inside from the car. The driver waved a bye to Rithanya saying, “Sleep well, Papa. Take rest and you will be fine soon. You won’t need me to take you back to school. You will commute by bus, you will see that! Now, good night ma!”Dadda ca
It was half-past six in the morning and the Garden City was sluggishly wakening from a sunrise slumber. In a place like hers, the month of May marked the peak of summer and the morning light was playing hide and seek through the window curtains. Rithanya was still sleepy as she woke up to some unusual bustle, rubbed her eyes and looked around her. Scratching her head, she slowly walked down the hallway to the living room. Her family was assembled there and a tense atmosphere prevailed. She looked at her father. The 5’6” figure with his tummy outgrowing his body and salt and pepper hair on a balding head, kept on punching numbers on his Nokia 1600 on the veranda. His face showed annoyance.Probably the other person is not picking up the phone, she thought. Wonder what worries him. Varadarajan – Her father, whom they called Dadda, was a headmaster in a reputed city school who taught science to the super senior level students or the Grade 12 ‘kids’.Rithanya's eyes looked for her mother.
“It is just 968,” said father rushing inside. Rithanya was looking at him in awe. Both Dadda and Amma seemed a bit disappointed. Satvik was too confused to show any sort of emotion. He was stumbling over his expressions.“Yay! 88 per cent. Wow, I aimed for 85% but I have got more.” Rithanya exclaimed with joy. If any of you do not know how to add fuel to the burning fire, you should probably approach Rithanya. For, she was doing exactly that with her words.“Well, I am disappointed with you. I was expecting you to score above 1000 out of 1100. So, it remains my dream!” said Dadda.“No Dadda. I am content with 85% and now the additional 3% is a bonus and I can celebrate it, right? If I had aimed for 95% and had got only 88% I would not be able to celebrate.” Rithanya responded in a merry mood.“I should have seized the bike and stopped you from playing matches. You would have scored better.” Amma’s disappointed voice came from the corner of the room.“No Amma, I would have failed if yo
For a girl born and brought up in the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan city with high rise buildings and snail-paced traffic, rural villages were a wonder. Rithanya’s new school was located 380 kilometres away from her home city, Bangalore, with a tedious eight-hour journey by bus and no connectivity via rail or air. So her parents decided to take their car and drive to the village where the school was located. Loading the extra-large suitcase, bags and books, and all other miscellanies, Dadda and Satvik occupied the front seats with Dadda driving; she and her mother were seated at the back. Rithanya relaxed enjoying the scenery. Her parents never knew how village atmosphere could offer boundless happiness to a city-bred girl of 16 years. On both sides of the road, the vast countryside spread in green splendour cultivated with paddy, sugarcane and bananas bathed in bright sunshine. It was a feast to the eyes of one who loved nature without any bias. Rithanaya liked the place wholeh
Has anyone ever thought for a minute how one gets a gang of friends? Well, it all just happens in hostel life. Rithanya's new roommates were depressed missing their parents. She was the only person who remained happy in the room, laughing at others and making fun. She began talking to her roommates, going around the room, hugging them and consoling them. Raised as a city girl it was easy for Rithanya to shed inhibitions and begin the interaction to make friends. There were five more girls in her room; Janet, Rheya, Fowzia, Diva, and Moni.Fowzia and Diva were classmates from high school days. Fowzia could not speak the local language and knew only Urdu, Hindi and English. She was a devout Muslim. The warden and the school instructed her not to wear the burqa inside the school campuses. So, she had requested for full-sleeved uniforms and permission to wear hijab, the covering for the hair. Moni was a very shy girl who talked sparsely. She just cried and cried and cried. Maybe she had b
The instant their car hit a speed breaker and she experienced a bumpy ride because of the pits and falls in the road, Rithanya knew that they have neared their house. It was dusk. The evening diyas, the clay lamps lit up the entrance of every house. The car took a sharp left turn and halted.Hearing the car, Dadda and Satvik rushed to the doorstep. “Hello, little one! Welcome home!” Dadda greeted Rithanya with open arms.Rithanya tried to get down. But she limped and lost her balance. The poor girl could not reach the shelter of her daddy's arms. She was caught by Satvik before she fell.Dadda and Satvik carried Rithanya home while the driver helped Amma to carry things inside from the car. The driver waved a bye to Rithanya saying, “Sleep well, Papa. Take rest and you will be fine soon. You won’t need me to take you back to school. You will commute by bus, you will see that! Now, good night ma!”Dadda ca
The road stretched out ahead, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through the countryside. Inside the car, a scene of turmoil unfolded. Rithanya's condition was again deteriorating rapidly from her peaceful slumber. Her breathing had turned shallow, and panic was evident in her eyes. It was as if an invisible vice was tightening around her throat, constricting her airways. Her hands, once steady, were now trembling uncontrollably, and the sensation was draining from her fingers, leaving them numb. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, glistening like dewdrops in the early morning sun. Yet, despite the heat that was coursing through her body, she was overcome by chills that racked her form.Amma stood by helplessly, her heart aching as she witnessed her daughter's suffering. Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of fear and despair. She wanted to soothe Rithanya, to make the pain go away, but she felt utterly powerless. All she could do was hold onto Rithanya's hand, a silent
Rithanya’s parents received a distressing call, urging them to rush to their daughter's hostel. The voice on the other end informed them that Rithanya had suffered a fall and was now under a doctor's care, advised to take a significant amount of rest. Concern gripped Rithanya's parents as they immediately made arrangements to journey to her side. It was a Tuesday morning when they set out, the sun casting a warm glow over the city streets. Rithanya's mother, Geetha, was particularly anxious. The two-day interval between the incident and their arrival seemed like an eternity. Thoughts raced through her mind as she recalled all the instances of her daughter's boundless energy, the laughter that once resonated through their home, and the dreams Rithanya held close to her heart. Her daughter had always been a spirited soul, taking on challenges with a fierce determination. This hospitalization was an unexpected twist, and Geetha's heart clenched at the thought of Rithanya in pain. Finall
The van screeched to a halt in front of the hospital, and Ms. Roopa, the teacher accompanying Rithanya, hurriedly called out, "Sister, please get a wheelchair for this girl." The sterile atmosphere of the school had given way to the chaotic and unfamiliar setting of the hospital. Cries of pain and distress reverberated through the corridors, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease. Somewhere in the distance, a child wailed at the top of her voice. As another girl emerged from the hospital, tears streaming down her face, Rithanya's anxiety intensified.The hospital was crowded and in a state of utter disorder, which only heightened Rithanya's discomfort. Her palms grew clammy, and her heart raced as she took in the overwhelming sights and sounds. She felt a sheen of sweat break out on her forehead, and her entire body seemed to palpitate with anxiety.The nurse, a tall and stout woman in a faded blue sari, dragged a screeching, rusted wheelchair toward Rithanya. Her v
Three months had passed since the classes had begun at the school. The girls had gradually acclimated to the regimented life they led within the school's walls. Their Sunday afternoons became their sanctuary amidst the mechanical routines of the week. Those precious hours of extra sleep on Sunday mornings were their lifeline, revitalizing them for the forthcoming six and a half days of relentless work. In this institution, there were no holidays for national events, regional festivals, or religious celebrations.Mid-September had arrived, and the vibrancy of Dussehra celebrations swept across India. In North India, the rhythmic beats of the dandiya dance and the grandeur of Durga Puja captivated the hearts of the people for ten days. Central India was preparing for the dramatic immolation of the ten-headed, hundred-armed effigy of Ravana on the festival's final day. Meanwhile, in the southern regions, devotion reigned as people worshipped the Golu doll exhibits during the nin
The doctor, Dr. Sharma, emerged from the physician's room with an air of professional concern. His eyes, usually sharp and analytical, now held a mixture of empathy and detachment as he approached Ms. Roopa, the hostel warden, who was anxiously waiting for his assessment of Rithanya's condition.Dr. Sharma cleared his throat before speaking, choosing his words carefully. "Her blood pressure is fluctuating," he began, his voice measured. "I've administered some injections to help her relax. She appears exceedingly weak, as if she hasn't had a proper rest in a long time. Her body is utterly drained, saturated, you might say. We'll keep her on the IV for a few hours, and she should gradually start recovering."Ms. Roopa nodded, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her. She appreciated the doctor's competence and the reassurance he provided in this trying situation. The sight of Rithanya unconscious had filled her with dread, and now she was relieved to hear that
Rithanya's life took a sharp turn one fateful day when the school announced the results of the recent exams. It was a day that would push her to her limits and force her to confront the expectations and pressures placed upon her. In the days following the exams, Rithanya had appeared to be returning to her usual self. Her smile had returned, she seemed brighter, and her interactions with her roommates were filled with happiness. She greeted the warden and teachers with warmth, seemingly on the path to recovery from some unseen emotional turmoil. However, the announcement of the exam results would prove to be a tipping point for Rithanya. **Title: Breaking Point: Rithanya's Struggle Unveiled** Rithanya's life had been shrouded in a gloomy cloud for weeks. Her classmates noticed the change. Once a vibrant, cheerful girl, she had become withdrawn and distant. But when the regular school sessions resumed after the exams, Rithanya seemed almost back to her o
Rithanya was so mad that afternoon. She sat in the tree shade, aloof for a long time trying to relax her nerves. The timetable indicated that the next day's exam was Chemistry. She rushed to the hostel and got her chemistry notes. “I would like to study on my own,” she requested her chemistry teacher. “Okay, but you must be in the school building and should not go to the hostel,’ the teacher permitted. Rithanya pointed out the tree near the entrance. "Okay, I will be under the tree in the shade. I might go to the hostel to only get water if I need it." “What about your lunch?” the teacher asked. “No ma’am, I am not hungry. I will have some biscuits.” Rithanya showed her a pack of Britannia Milk Bikis. Rithanya rushed to her classroom. Aditi had kept her bag there and she opened it. Aditi had brought her lunch. Rithanya ate it very quickly. She took one idly, laced it with the sambar and wrapped in the food wrap. She put the wrapped piece in her dress pocket and walked down to the
It was Wednesday. The regular afternoon session of the day was suspended and instead, it was taken up by the physics teacher. He instructed the girls to study for the next day‟s exam. The four girls sat on the steps in the corridor and started preparations. It was again Rithanya‟s turn to clarify few Alternate Current circuits and Kirchhoff‟s law.The most awaited D day- Thursday finally arrived. The bell rang at 9 am sharp and the girls rushed out of the hostel. It was their first exam in the school and fear and tension were written on their faces. Everyone was walking with open books in hand and reading in final preparations. Rithanya and her classmates assembled in front of the classroom.“Roll number 1–32 please go through the first door. Roll Number 33–64, please go through the second door.” Naren announced.The two classrooms were merged into one big hall. The intermediate temporary wall had been removed. There were four teachers to monitor the whole room.