Read Becoming Her - A New Life :: Chapter 13 part 2

Later that afternoon, Raj parked his motorcycle in the college parking lot. He had taken half-day leave after lunch, unable to shake the guilt of leaving home without a word that morning.

Kiran had apologised. But he had just walked out on her like that in the morning.

He wanted to surprise her—take her out, maybe a short ride somewhere quiet, romantic. And he had another purpose too. She had mentioned that the principal had been threatening her job. If that was the source of her stress lately, Raj intended to put an end to it.

He tried calling her, but the phone rang unanswered. Probably in a lecture, he reasoned.

He still had some time before her classes ended. Might as well deal with the principal first.

Principal Manek’s office was on the first floor. As Raj climbed the staircase, he saw a group of students playing football in the field below. A peon sat outside the principal’s room.

“I’d like to meet Mr. Manek,” Raj said politely.

“Please wait, sir. He’s in a meeting.”

Raj nodded and took a seat. Across from him, two teachers were chatting. Their voices were low but just audible enough.

“Did you see the pics Roshni posted on Facebook yesterday from Kiran’s sister’s engagement?”

“Kiran looked so beautiful. That saree… and her look..lovely.”

“And Sameer—our hot new lecturer—he was looking dashing too.”

“They danced together, right? Roshni, Kiran, and Sameer?”

“Oh yes. I’ve got the video. Here…”

Before he could hear more, the peon tapped his shoulder.

“Sir, the principal will see you now.”

Raj got up, but those snippets lingered in his mind. Jealousy stirred in his chest before he could push it down.

Principal Manek was seated behind his desk when Raj entered.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Manek. I’m Raj—Kiran’s husband.” He extended his hand.

The principal’s face drained of color. “H-h-hello…” he stammered.

Raj didn’t waste time. “I’ll be direct. My wife tells me you’ve been threatening her job. I’d like to know why.”

Manek blinked rapidly. He had been expecting a confrontation—just not this kind. So Kiran hadn’t told her husband about this morning’s incident . Maybe she was scared of the fallout. Women often stayed quiet to avoid scandal, didn’t they?

Only this morning, he had received her confirmation letter from the head office. He had planned to give it to her today. Maybe he should have given it to her...then that slut would have allowed him to kiss her, he thought.

She was so friendly with that new lecturer Sameer, wasn't she?

He smiled at Raj. " Oh no, Mr Raj. There seems to be some miscommunication. Kiran is one of our most valuable teachers. In fact, I had recommended that she should be confirmed as soon as possible. I received her confirmation today."

He took an envelope from his drawer and handed it over to Raj.

"I was going to give it to Kiran beta myself, but who better than you to give her the good news" he said, his voice kindly.

Raj left the office slowly, uncertain now. Had Kiran misunderstood something? Or exaggerated? The principal didn’t seem threatening at all.

Still holding the envelope, he turned to the peon outside.

“Where can I find Kiran Ma'am?”

“Most likely in the canteen, sir. With Roshni Ma’am and Sameer Sir. Tea break.”

Raj walked down to the canteen and paused at the doorway.

Inside, he spotted them—Kiran, Roshni, and Sameer, seated at a small table. Kiran looked tired but was smiling faintly. Sameer leaned forward, speaking softly, and reached out to pat Kiran’s hand gently. Roshni said something that made all three of them laugh.

Raj stood frozen.

His stomach twisted. Was it about last night? Had she confided in them? No, she wouldn't, would she? Or was she… being comforted for something he had done?

Were they laughing about him?

He turned away abruptly, retreating toward the parking lot, a cocktail of confusion and jealousy clouding his mind.

---

“We’re here,” Sameer’s voice cut through Kiran’s spiraling thoughts.

Startled, Kiran looked out the car window. They had reached his home.

He had stayed back a little after the end of school hours to submit the question papers he had prepared for the upcoming exams. By the time he rushed to the bus stop, the school bus had already left.

He had stood there, shoulders slumped, feeling frustrated.

Roshni had already left too. As he was about to call a cab, Sameer had driven up and honked gently. “You missed the bus?” he had asked through the rolled-down window.

Kiran had nodded, sighing.

“Come on, I’ll drop you. Your place is on my route anyway.”

And now, here they were.

During the ride , Sameer had again tried to persuade him to file a police complaint against Principal Manek. He and Roshni had both been urging him to take legal action.

“Such people don’t stop, Kiri,” Sameer had said seriously. “They don’t suddenly become better human beings. If not you, someone else will face the same thing. Maybe worse.”

Kiran had promised to think about it.

He had been lost in these thoughts—of today’s events and last night—when Sameer’s voice broke his reverie.

He thanked Sameer and got down from the car.

Sameer reached out through the unrolled window and patted Kiran’s hand gently.

“Take care, yeah?” he said softly.

Kiran gave him a grateful nod. Through all the chaos, he was thankful—deeply—for the quiet strength of Sameer and Roshni.

He walked slowly toward the door, not noticing the pair of angry, watchful eyes glaring at him from behind the curtain inside the house.

---

Raj had returned home from the college a mess of emotions—anger, jealousy, disbelief.

What he had seen at the canteen wouldn’t leave him.

Kiran, laughing with Sameer with that Roshni. Sitting across from each other like old friends.

Why had Kiran lied to him about the Principal threatening to sack her ?

Why hadn't she told him that her old college friend had joined her college as a lecturer.

Was this the reason for her distance all along?

Had they shared a past? Was that past resurfacing? Were they—

He slammed his fist against the wall, hating the storm of jealous, irrational thoughts in his head but unable to push them away.

And then there were her words from yesterday—“You raped me.”

But she had apologized, hadn’t she?

He had clung to that apology like a lifeline. Yet now, all he could feel was betrayal.

Why lie about the principal? Why hide Sameer?

He looked out through the window as a car pulled to a stop in front of their house. Then his anger sharpened, as he saw Kiran stepping out of the car, Sameer’s car.

He saw Sameer lean across and pat her hand gently before driving away.

That simple gesture—the ease, the familiarity—was fuel to the wildfire already raging inside Raj.

----

Kiran turned the key and opened the front door.

He entered, surprised to find Raj standing stiffly in the living room, arms folded, jaw clenched.

“Oh, you’re home?” Kiran asked, setting his purse down from his shoulders and trying to read his expression.

He wanted to talk—needed to, actually. He had planned to tell him everything, to confide in him about what had happened in college today. He wanted to share his fears, ask his advice about whether to file a police complaint.

“When did you come?”he asked.

“A while back,” Raj replied, voice clipped.

Kiran frowned slightly at the tone. Was he still upset about yesterday?

“Raj, look, I’m sorry about—”

“Sorry?” he cut her off, voice rising. “Sorry about lying to me? About making up stories that your principal threatened to fire you? Or about conveniently forgetting to mention that your old college buddy now works with you?”

Kiran blinked. “What are you talking about?”

“I went to your college today, Kiran,” he snapped. “To meet the principal. To defend you. I thought he was harassing you. But guess what? He told me he’s been pushing for your confirmation. Said you’re one of the best teachers there.”

He pulled the envelope from his pocket and threw it on the table.

“There. Congratulations. You’ve been confirmed.”

Kiran stared at the envelope, stunned. His voice came out slowly. “You came to my college… but didn’t meet me?”

“You were busy,” Raj hissed. “Laughing with Roshni and Sameer.”

Kiran looked up sharply. “Wait… what are you talking about?”

“I saw you,” Raj said. “In the canteen. The way you looked at each other. He held your hand.”

“Oh for God’s sake,” Kiran muttered, then narrowed his eyes. “Raj, are you implying… that Sameer and I—?”

Raj didn’t answer.

Kiran let out a dry, bitter laugh. “Wow. Just… wow.”

He threw up his hands in anger and disbelief. “That’s what you think of me? Of your Kiran?”

“You’ve been distant. Cold. Is this why?” Raj asked. “You told me it was because of stress at work—because your job was on the line—but none of it was true.”

“My job was on the line!” Kiran snapped. “You think that envelope changes what happened? Do you even know what that ‘good man’ you met today tried to do to me?”

Raj’s face darkened. “I talked to him. He was respectful.”

Kiran’s fury erupted. “Respectful? That ‘respectful’ man tried to... kiss me this morning!”

Raj stepped back slightly.

There was silence.

Raj’s voice dropped. “Then why didn’t you tell me?”

Kiran shook his head. “I was going to. But you are too busy making me feel like a liar. A whore. Like I owe you explanations for every man I talk to.”

Raj moved toward him. “Kiran…”

“No,” Kiran snapped. “I understand now why it happened. You didn’t deserve Kiran . You don't deserve Kiran ”

He grabbed his purse and stormed out of the door.

Raj stood there, stunned, the slammed door echoing through the silence that followed.

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That's the end of Chapter 13 part 2. Do let me know your thoughts on the chapter. Comment freely.

Thankyou

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are either the product of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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