Jilted

I wanted to study Physics. I also wanted to gain admission to
Presidency College. However my marks were not good enough. Thus I took
up Chemistry. I was very happy to be admitted to Presidency. It is the
best college in Calcutta. Emphasis is laid here on academic excellence.
Co-curricular activity is greatly encouraged too. My father was a
student of this college. It is really a great place to learn about
life. But, to tell the truth, my first days in the college were
disappointing. I hated Chemistry and often fell asleep in class. I was
sent out of class a few times and did not attend a single laboratory
session. It was during this time that I met Mona. Mona studies English
Literature in my college. She had done her schooling in Bombay and took
admission about a month after the academic year commenced. In a few
days she became the most popular girl in the college. She was
beautiful, smart and?rich. She comes to college in the best-looking car
in Calcutta. And she refused to talk. For one full month she spoke to
no one. Then, one of my classmates, Sally helped her fill out some
forms. It was Sally who managed to get Mona to reveal her name. Two
more girls from the Physics department became friendly with Mona. The
boys longed to speak to Mona. The truth is-her wealth was the chief
attraction. In our city there are many boys who want to marry rich
girls. These people are generally ordinary students who will never make
it to the merit list. All they know is that a rich wife is the perfect
stepping stone to a comfortable life. They will do anything to please
and humour a girl who comes from a rich family. And Presidency College
is filled with such people. I always thought I was different. I felt I
was charismatic. If I approached a person she would feel obliged to be
polite to me. Well I was wrong. I tried to speak to Mona. And she
complained to the Dean of Science. I was suspended for a day.
Naturally, some other way had to be found. Sally. Sally was
sweet-looking. She was not as pretty as Mona and not rich either. But
she was friendly with just about everyone. Importantly, she was Mona's
best friend. If anyone could help me become Mona's favourite it was
Sally. So I presented Sally with a teddy bear. I know she loves them.
Sally was very pleased. I took her to Food Station which is a nearby
eatery. And over lunch I asked her to help me. She was shocked. She
wanted to leave but I told her that she was the best friend I ever had.
I mentioned that her grasp of Chemistry was much better than mine. I
was like her student I told her. She had to help me. Sally began to
smile. I requested her to merely tell Mona that I was a good boy from a
decent family. I only wanted to know Mona's sun sign. Sally promised to
help. However when I met her again at Food Station she said that Mona
was very upset. She felt that I was a bully and nothing else. Now
Sally's older brother is in the police. I had an idea. I asked Sally to
get her brother to beat me up. Not much, just a few blows. In Mona's
presence of course. In return for this I gave Sally two tickets to a
rock concert. The idea was good. Great in fact. Sally's brother, quite
a strapping man did beat me up in Mona's presence. Mona ignored all the
violence initially. Then, she shooed Sally's brother away. She looked
at me and sweetly said, "These boys will always be boys." and walked
away. I felt thrilled.
The college has its annual dance next Saturday. I was confident that
Mona would come with me. As Mona and Sally walked in through the
college gate yesterday I approached the former. "Mona", I said brashly,
"You are coming to the dance with me, right!" Even before I could
finish Mona slapped me hard across the face and scampered into the
college building. Sally was still waiting and I looked at her and said
in a hoarse voice, "Sally, you will join me won't you?" What do you
know, my old friend Sally slapped me even harder and raced into
Presidency College.