Humiliated Day

"Go to the principal's office. Right now."

Shlok let out a deep sigh, his eyes rolling as he murmured under his breath, Why is it always me? The classroom erupted into a mix of teasing laughter and sympathetic smirks. Reluctantly, he pushed himself to his feet, his movements sluggish as if weighed down by the dread of another inevitable reprimand.

The corridor that stretched before him was a long, echoing passageway—a signature of IIT Mumbai's prestigious architecture. Polished marble floors reflected the harsh fluorescent lights, and the walls were adorned with framed photographs of illustrious alumni, silently reminding every student of the institution's storied legacy. As Shlok walked, the murmurs and sideways glances from fellow students painted a familiar picture: he was the perennial mischief-maker, the magnet for trouble. Each whisper, every furtive smile, stung like a silent accusation.

His inner monologue churned with a blend of frustration and resignation. Ugh, not the principal's office again. The first time I went, he made me clean the entire college for a week. Please, not this time. Yet the dread of a new punishment clawed at his chest, mingling with the embarrassment of public scrutiny.

At the imposing wooden door with its gleaming golden nameplate—PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE—Shlok hesitated, his hand hovering over the smooth surface as memories of past humiliations flashed before his eyes. He swallowed hard, then rapped his knuckles against the door.

"Coming..." a voice called from within.

Stepping inside, Shlok immediately froze. The room, with its expansive mahogany desk and shelves lined with dusty volumes, felt both intimidating and surreal. But nothing could have prepared him for the sight before him. Sitting in the principal's chair was not the stern, aging figure he had expected—it was a young woman.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded over her shoulders like a silken waterfall, and her sharp, confident eyes bore into him with a mix of amusement and calculated authority. A smug smile played on her lips as she idly twirled a pen between her fingers, her posture relaxed as if she belonged there by right.

"You're..." Shlok stuttered, his voice barely audible. "What are you doing here? And why are you sitting in the principal's chair?"

Leena's smile widened, an almost imperceptible glint of mischief dancing in her eyes. "Oh? You actually remember me. Nice to meet you, Shlok. I'm the new principal. Today is my first day."

For a split second, time seemed to pause. Shlok's mind raced—flashbacks of school corridors, shared classes, and unspoken crushes mingled with the surreal reality before him. Wait… her?! he thought, incredulity mingling with a hint of nostalgia.

Leena leaned forward, her tone soft but edged with a razor-sharp clarity. "I'm Leena. Your old school friend—the one who always aced every exam while you struggled to keep up, and yes, the one who secretly adored you. I dropped hints, Shlok. I scribbled 'I love you' on the courtyard floor, but you never noticed. I wrote you love letters, but somehow they never reached you. Every time, life—or perhaps your sheer obliviousness—got in the way."

Her eyes locked onto his, as if daring him to deny the truth. "So, I moved on. I immersed myself in my studies, graduated at 17, and became a professor by 20. And now, here I am—the principal of IIT Mumbai at the ripe age of 24. Do you understand now?"

Shlok's face flushed with a cocktail of shock and dawning realization. His inner thoughts screamed in panic, Oh, crap.

Before he could process his swirling emotions, Leena continued, her tone turning coldly playful. "And before you think that our old friendship will save you from today's consequences—think again. Your punishment is as simple as it is humiliating. You're coming to my house and cooking food for me."

Shlok's jaw dropped in disbelief. "WHAT?! Why do I have to cook for you? I am NOT coming to your house!" His protest was drowned out by the sudden sharp click of her phone. With a casual flick of her wrist, she dialed a number.

"Hello? Yes, I need a suspension order for a student. His name is Shlok…"

In that mortifying moment, Shlok's world tilted on its axis. Tears blurred his vision as he sank to his knees, reaching out in desperate supplication. "I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN IT! I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!" His voice cracked with despair and humiliation.

Leena's smirk softened into a knowing grin as she reached out, patting his head with a condescending gentleness. "Now the camel has come down the mountain." She ended the call, her tone laced with finality. "Good boy. You start tonight. See you at 8 PM, Chef Shlok."

Shlok's internal scream was deafening—I'm doomed. The weight of his new reality pressed heavily upon him as the minutes ticked by.

The college day dragged on until finally, the final bell rang. Students streamed out of the campus in a jubilant exodus, chattering animatedly about the evening ahead. Some headed home to the comfort of their families, while others, intoxicated by the promise of freedom, gathered in groups, planning their next escapade.

As Shlok trudged toward the exit, his thoughts a tumultuous mix of regret and anxiety, a friendly hand clapped firmly on his shoulder.

"Hey, why do you look so down, bro?" Sumit asked, his voice brimming with casual reassurance. "Relax! You just had to clean the entire college once. It's no big deal!"

But Shlok's internal monologue roared, No, you idiot! Cleaning would have been a blessing compared to this. I have to cook at the principal's house! How am I ever going to tell anyone about this humiliation?

Forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, he mumbled, "Yeah… yeah…" as Sumit looped an arm around him.

"Forget it, man! Come with me to Zira's grand pool party tonight. It's going to be insane! You know how rich she is—she's invited the whole class. Free food, wild music, a massive pool… just the kind of distraction you need!"

The idea of losing himself in the chaos of a party—a brief escape from the nightmare awaiting him—sparked a flicker of hope. Though his mind still reeled with the morning's disgrace, the promise of a carefree night was too tempting to resist.

Shlok hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "Alright, fine. I'll come," he agreed, his voice a mix of resignation and the slightest hint of rebellion.

As the college gate loomed before him, its iron bars catching the last rays of the setting sun, Shlok stepped into the twilight with conflicted determination. The weight of his punishment would hang over him like a specter, yet for now, the prospect of the pool party—of momentarily forgetting the bitterness of fate—was enough to carry him forward.

The campus behind him whispered with echoes of laughter and shared secrets, while ahead, the night promised both oblivion and a peculiar kind of redemption. And somewhere, deep inside, Shlok wondered if this strange twist of fate might just be the beginning of a much larger, unforeseen journey.

To be continued…