Stand in My Shoes

49. Letter of Dismissal

After the classes

Sooraj was walking towards the head student room while Louis called him from behind.

Louis: Mr Gour, you are wanted by Professor Gregory. Please come

Sooraj: Okay

He reached his cabin and knocked the door.

Sooraj: May I come in, Sir

Pr. Gregory: Yes. Come in

Sooraj: Louis said you had summoned me to your office.

Pr. Gregory: Yes. I wanted to talk something important to you.

Sooraj: Sure sir.

Pr. Gregory handed over a brown envelope with a letter inside it. Sooraj opened it and took it out.

His eyes widened as he went through it.

To Sooraj R Gour
BSc Computer Science
St. Xavier's college

                   We are sorry to inform you that you are currently dismissed from the post of the head student for indulging in violence inside the college campus, which is strictly against the rules and regulations of the college. You are requested to submit your badge and clear out your table at the earliest

From
The Director
St. Xavier's college, Oxford

Sooraj: I can't understand...Why did they dismiss me from the post?

Professor Gregory: As a former head student, you should have known the rules and regulations of this college. If a head student goes against the rules, he/she will be dismissed by the institution.

Sooraj: But there is a valid reason to it. He tried to assault a girl and I reacted. That's what's happened.

Professor Gregory: See, if such an incident happens, the management is the one who takes decisions. Who told you to interfere? Moreover, there are many witnesses to this. So, if we don't take a decision according to the rules and regulations, we'll be answerable towards the entire university.

Sooraj: I was suspended for two weeks for that. Isn't that enough?

Professor Gregory: Lower your voice first. Thank your stars that you didn't get dismissed from the college. What you have done would have led to a straight dismissal.

Sooraj: But....but sir... Please don't do this.

Professor Gregory: It's not my decision. It is taken by the board. I can't do anything. I'm sorry

Sooraj came out of the cabin like a decriept wreck. It was raining heavily outside. He got out and sat on a bench in the garden, letting himself get drenched in the shower. He burst out, crying in the rain.

Nila packed her things and was about to go out while she noticed his bag and phone lying on his desk.

Nila: He hasn't gone yet. It's gonna be 3: 45. Where is he?

She searched for him everywhere in his department. Most of the students had gone out and the classes were empty.

Riya: What are you doing here?

Nila: Did Avinash and his friends go early?

Riya: Yeah he went an hour ago. What happened?

Nila: I was looking for Sooraj.

Riya: He should have probably gone with them.

Nila: No. His bag and phone are at his table. Don't know where he is.