Free Your Dreams Are Mine Now by Ravinder Singh Page B

us, who had to leave midway because of this monster? No one knows where she went after she left her studies suddenly, or what happened to her. We too are partly responsible for this state of affairs, by not raising our voices against it. If we don’t stand up against people like Mahajan, believe me, this one Mahajan will breed more Mahajans. Together, they will increase the number of ill-fated Raheemas in our society. Gradually, people will start accepting the rule of the jungle. If we keep thinking of just ourselves and don’t stand up for others, we will always leave the good alone and that’s where evil will triumph. Today, Mahajan is doing what he wants because he knows we are alone. But tomorrow, if the entire college is united and shouts outside his cabin, he will be worried and will have to change his ways or better still, leave.’
    After a brief pause she added, ‘There are moments when we conveniently ignore the logic, just because it works for us. But please understand, Saloni, I cannot do that. I cannot ignore that. That’s how I am. What do I do?’
    No one could have refuted the honesty with which Rupali spoke. Saloni didn’t know what to say. A few moments of silence were what she needed to understand and digest all that Rupali stood for. There were simply no ifs and buts in the argument. It was the plain naked truth. When you don’t fight against evil, you too are to be blamed as much as the evil itself. You have two choices. Accept it, or fight it out.
    After listening to Rupali, Saloni’s thoughts too began to change. At least Rupali thought so when she did not hear Saloni argue further. She was about to ask Saloni if she had been able to influence her thoughts when Saloni’s cellphone interrupted the brief silence.
    ‘Hi baby!’ Saloni said but not with her usual level of excitement.
    It was Imran on the phone.
    ‘No, I won’t be coming today. You guys play,’ she said. ‘Rupali isn’t feeling well, so I am with her. You guys go ahead. I will call you at night. Yeah, bye.’
    Rupali looked at Saloni and before she could ask why she wasn’t going to play, Saloni came and tightly hugged her roomie. She then kissed her forehead and sat next to her.
    ‘You are so brave!’ she said softly but with a lot of pride in her voice for her roommate.
    ‘But not as brave as you to get your boyfriend inside a girls’ hostel, that too in broad daylight!’ Rupali teased Saloni and smiled to lighten up the mood.
    Saloni too tried to smile but the red impression of Mahajan’s hand on her friend’s face stole her smile.
    By morning, Rupali had Saloni’s full support. She was convinced that her friend was doing the right thing and therefore she was going to back her in her endeavour. At the same time, Saloni continued to worry about Rupali. She had offered Rupali her father’s assistance—he was a renowned advocate in the Delhi High Court. Rupali knew that Saloni was trying to help but she said no to involving him in her fight—at least at that point of time.
    However, the more urgent thing to do now was to get dressed quickly.
    In the bright morning sun, life was again back to normal in the college block. The classes finally resumed as the elections were over. The hostel mess, where footfall during breakfast had plunged, suddenly witnessed a surge. The demand for paranthas was more than the supply. So a few students simply had the tea and opted to move out and grab a sandwich from the college canteen. The sight of students—in groups and on their own—walking towards the college block in the morning hours, after a break of a few days, appeared delightful. The noisy corridors became a treat to everyone’s ears, including those of the faculty. The entire college atmosphere was recharged with energy after the election break. The resumption of classes gave an opportunity to the hostellers and localites to interact, update each other on the news and share a few light moments with each other.
    Amid the