When the teacher becomes keechaka (Telugu Original “Guruve Keechakudaite”)

          “He’s a man, and you’re a woman. What’s wrong with his desire? You should give him what he asked for as Gurudakshina (an offering to the teacher)!”

          “I didn’t expect you to say that, being the wife of a professor.”

          “What else do you expect me to say? Haven’t you heard our great epics? The virtuous wife Sumati took her husband to a prostitute. I’m expected to think the same way. Just as Dronacharya asked Ekalavya for his thumb, my husband is now asking for your body. You should give it. Otherwise, it’s blasphemy against the scriptures and a betrayal of the guru.”

          “Madam, please! I can’t do something like that. Just ask him to take money and let me complete my PhD.”

          “Are you mad? He doesn’t want money, he wants you. He’s been watching you like a wolf in waiting for the past three years. Now that he has you, he won’t let go.”

          “Madam, when he has a beautiful and healthy wife like you, why would he have such vile desires? I’m not even worthy of your toenail.Kindly ask him to let me go.”

          “Let me tell you something.  To my husband, every other woman gleams like a heavenly apsara.  Being with her is like experiencing heaven.”

          “A guru is said to be like a father. Does this seem right to you?”

          “It’s not just you;I would never ask anyone to share a bed with my husband. But once his eyes are set on someone, there’s nothing I can do. Tell me, who can I share my agony with?”

          “Is that all, madam? Can’t you help me?” Radhika asked helplessly.

          “If I could, I would’ve divorced him long ago. I’m a parrot in a cage; you’re a deer in a trap. That’s the reality. Do what you can. All the best,” she said, rising to her feet.

***

          Radhika had come with hope but was met with despair. She walked out, emotionally drained.

          She didn’t feel like going back to the hostel right away. Hoping that the fresh air might ease her mind, she rode her bike to the nearby beach.

          The beach was almost deserted, as the day wasn’t a public holiday.  Here and there, small groups of tourists played in the waves and took photos.

          Radhika sat in a quiet, secluded spot, her mind troubled with the question, “Why has this misfortune befallen me?” She began to agonize over the past.

          Three years ago, when she was admitted to her PhD program, some seniors warned her about the challenges she might face.

          They said, “You’ve been admitted as a scholar under Professor Maheshwara Rao. He’s crazy about women. Try to get a different guide.”

          She did try to request a change, but she wasn’t successful. She felt stuck, unsure whether to join or just walk away.

          A few people told her, “Just join and see how it goes.”

          They also said, “Nando Raja Bhavishyati! Be careful. Make friends with senior scholars. If your guide gives you trouble, you can turn to them for help.”

          She joined, bolstered by the courage that the advice had given her. She took several precautions: wearing full-coverage clothing, maintaining a serious demeanour, avoiding being alone with him, and quietly slipping away whenever he tried to get close. She built friendships with female professors and senior scholars in the department.

          But it all turned out to be in vain.

          They said, “How can we act on accusations without evidence?”

          Meanwhile, Maheshwara Rao began spreading rumours that her research was flawed and her data fabricated.

          Though she knew it was pointless, she confronted him.   He responded with a venomous smile and a bitter voice, saying:

          “You think you’re intelligent. Without my grace, you can’t even submit a synopsis, let alone a thesis. Be wise; spend three nights with me. I’ll give you the degree in three months and send you on your way.”

          To earn a PhD, one had to sacrifice herself to the fire of the guru’s desire, or so he made it seem. Otherwise, the dream of a doctorate would remain just a dream.

          She wiped the tears that had rolled down her cheeks and stood up. Slowly, she walked toward the sea. As the waves touched her feet and offered a moment of relief, she paused and stood still, lost in thought.

          What if she went straight ahead?

          The one who swam would reach the shore. The one who didn’t would drown. The difference between life and death lay in a person’s mindset and strength.

          She remembered her friend’s harsh words:

          “The problem is your mindset. Why be so old-fashioned? Do you really have the strength to say no and still get your degree? If not, shut your mouth, do what he wants, and get it over with. How many girls don’t sleep with their boyfriends before marriage? Why do you have a problem that they don’t? Are you scared no one will marry you? Times have changed—morality and purity are outdated ideas.If you don’t agree with us and think you’re capable, then do something. Show him the stars. Just don’t sit there crying.”

          They said only those with strength should fight.But that isn’t true. Even without strength, one must step forward, because when you have nothing to lose, why not fight?

          The question iswhere does that kind of courage come from?

          Who protects people like me? Only God can protect unfortunate people like me, those who come from simple, middle-class families.

          O Lord Narasimha, you came to protect Prahlad, will you come for me too?

          She took two steps forward and raised her hands in prayer, but the force of the waves made her sway to one side.In the next moment, a powerful wave pulled the sand from beneath her feet, nearly causing her to fall.And just then, two strong arms reached out and caught her, holding her steady.Startled, she turned her face to see who it was.

          A man in his thirties, with an unkempt beard, whiskey breath, and red eyes.

          Fear gripped Radhika. He held her firmly and said, “Come, sit on that cement bench over there” as he led her towards the shore. She tried to pull  away from him, but failed.

          “Don’t do anything foolish. Tell me your problem,” he said.

          Surprised by his strange attitude, she replied, “I didn’t mean to die. I just slipped. Let me go,” 

          “I don’t believe that. I’ve been watching you for half an hour, praying with tears. That’s why I came.”

          “It’s true that I have a problem. But I don’t have the courage to die. If I had the courage, I would have exposed my professor’s evil deeds and thrown him in jail.”

          Seeing her anger, he laughed. That laugh was like the laugh of a father who has heard the pretentious words of a child, and it was pleasant.

          He said softly, “My name is Ravi. A year ago, the girl who was supposed to be my wife committed suicide here. She worked at a jewellery store. The owner was sexually harassing her, and she couldn’t take it anymore. I killed him.”

          Radhika gasped. “You didn’t go to jail?” she asked, fear in her voice.

          “The police are my friends. I found black money, worth up to one crore rupees, in that owner’s house. I gave half of it to the police.Now tell me. What’s your problem?”

          She told him everything, briefly.

          “Got it. That man shouldn’t be troubling you. And you just want your degree. That’s it?”

          “Yes, that’s all,” Radhika said, feeling lighter.

          “This is simple. If I threaten to chop off his genitals, he’ll come to his senses. Today’s Tuesday. Don’t go to the university for the next two days. By Friday, you’ll get a call. Trust me. Give me his name, phone number, address, yours tooand photos of both.”

          After collecting the details, he stood up and said, “You won’t need to meet me again. My people will keep an eye on you. If you face any trouble, I’ll know. Now go. All the best.”

          Radhika stood up as well. “You’ve brought light into my life. I’ll never forget your help,” she said, bowing slightly.

          “Good. Once your studies are over, don’t delay, get married,” he said, and walked away.

***

          Radhika returned to the hostel, wondering whether everything that had happened was real or just a dreamand, whether she could truly trust him.

          On Friday morning, just as Ravi had promised, Radhika received a call. Following the instructions, she met Professor Suhasini.

          Welcoming her warmly and offering congratulations, Suhasini said,“You’ve finally succeeded. Maheshwara Rao has handed over your case to me. You don’t need to see him again. I’ll take full responsibility for your PhD.”

          Radhika’s heart overflowed with joy and surprise. As she stepped out of Professor Suhasini’s office, she unexpectedly ran into Maheshwara Rao’s wife.

          Smiling, she hugged Radhika and said,

          “When the deer turns into a lion, won’t the caged parrot find its freedom? Thank you, Radhika. Where there is a Keechaka, there will also be a Bhima. You’ve shown that this is not a land of lust, but a land of righteousness.”

*****