I spent the rest of the week resting at home.

I was getting regular updates about what was happening at the college from Mary.

Apparently, a disciplinary committee was set up to look into the issue.

Even though fights among students was not rare, any conflicts on campus were taken very seriously.

I heard the Disciplinary committee wanted to hand out heavy punishment to send out a strong message to all the students. Frankly, I was a bit worried when I heard that.

I tried my best not to think about it. There was nothing I could do now. The die was already cast, and I will have to handle whatever comes my way. I could only wait to see how it all played out.

At the end of the week, I got a call from Mary.

The final verdict was out, and it was very different from what anyone expected.

The panel had initially decided to suspend both Gaurav and me from college for a month. That would have put us in a lot of trouble, making it very difficult for us to catch up with the rest of the class.

But apparently, at the minute the Dean had intervened. Something he had never done before.

Even though the Dean has the power to do that, he rarely exercised it, and thus no one saw that coming.

The Dean had decided the punishment needs to be revised as I was just a third party in the whole incident trying to stop an argument. He also pointed out the fact that Gaurav was the one to start the physical confrontation.

After Dean's recommendation, the final decision was to give Gaurav the original one-month suspension. And my punishment was revised to only a week, which I had already completed away from class by now.

I returned to college the following Monday, but I was told to meet the Dean first before entering the class.

I reluctantly went to his office. I had a feeling this visit will not be as pleasant as my last one.

When I reached his office, I was allowed inside immediately.

He was working on something and didn't look up immediately.

I didn't know if he was unaware I was there or genuinely ignoring me.

After a few minutes of silence, I cleared my throat to let him know I was there if he was unaware.

"I know you are there, Jacob. No need to make it obvious.”

Ok. I decided to stay silent.

After another 10 mins, when it seemed he had finished reading through the report in front of him, he finally looked up.

"So? What do you have to say for yourself?”

I didn't know how to respond. So I decided to take the safest route I knew.

"I'm sorry. I should have behaved better. “

"Anything else you want to add?”

I was trying my best to find the proper answer.

"This won't happen again.”

"I sure hope so. You have made me do something which I loathe the most. You made me interfere in a correct judgment and made me use my position to change the outcome of it.”

I could see genuine anger on his face now.

"I'm sorry about it.”

And this time, I really meant it.

"What's done is done. The reason why I have called you is to explain something. I interfered because you have been a model student so far, and I believe you deserve a second chance.”

He added after a short pause.

At the same time, I want to make something clear so that are no misunderstandings. This shouldn't happen again. And suppose you happen to get into any more trouble during your entire time at the college. In that case, I will interfere again, but only to make your punishment worse. So that balance and justice remain. I want you to be aware of this. So be very careful. I will have my eye on you. “

I realised he was very serious and the next time I got into any trouble in the college would most probably be my last time.

I made it clear that I understood him well and left his office to return to my class.

Life returned to routine for me with classes, sessions with Priya, studying and coaching classes. I did notice certain changes around me, though. Some of the students started keeping their distance from me. Well, the right thing to say would be that they kept more space than usual.

The sessions with Priya also felt a bit different. It was almost as if our relationship has evolved a bit. She became more accommodating and even started having more chats with me about topics not related to studies. With time I even started looking forward to our sessions. It felt like a good break from my usual mundane routine.

I have not enjoyed my life much. Thus I decided to enjoy her company while it lasted as I didn't see it interfering with my goals or objectives.

It was only later that I understood the reasons for some of the changes around me.

Certain rumours were going around in college. That the Dean was thrilled with my academic performance. And because of that, he had decided to protect me from all troubles at any cost.

I had suddenly become off-limits for all the trouble makers in the college.

One of the other rumours was that Priya and I were in a relationship, which was why I beat up Gaurav.

The fact that I got off with a reduced punishment compared to Gaurav only cemented all the speculation. It also seemed Priya was also benefitting from this. As people had started treating her also as off-limits.

Even though the rumours were far from the truth, I didn't spend any efforts correcting them. If it could keep me away from trouble, it was definitely worth it. And I'm pretty sure Priya knows what's between us. So no need to clarify anything with her as well. Overall I was happy with the results. So all good.

The next couple of months passed away quickly. I gradually increased the workload I was putting on Priya. I was a bit concerned if she would be able to handle it. But I saw no other way she could meet her goals otherwise. Despite my apprehensions, she kept along with all the extra work without any complaints.

I could see she was struggling a lot, but she still somehow managed it. My respect for her continued to grow.

There was only a month left for the second year final exams. And we were on our last planned session together. I could see Priya was a bit concerned today. I could understand what was bothering her with the exams looming over us. So I decided to give her a word of encouragement.

"Hey. Is there anything on your mind?”

"Not much. I’m just worried about the exams and wondering if I'm ready.”

"Just listen to me. You still have a month left. The worst you can do right now is worry and waste the remaining time. Don't think about the results and continue with your efforts as you had been doing so far.”

"Ok. But it's easier said than done. “

After a minute of silence, she continued.

"Can I ask you a question?”

"Sure. “

"Do you really enjoy this? I mean studying all the time?”

"Let me ask you something first. Do you enjoy this? You have been at it for almost a year.”

"No, I don't. I'm just doing it to get my car and prove my point to Dad. “

"It's the same. I also don't enjoy it. It's just that my goals are a bit bigger, and thus I have been at it for far longer than you.”

"Wow. I never thought it that way. So what is your dream, if you don't mind me asking?”

"It's ok. I don't have anything specific. I just want to live my life the way I want. I also want a life of luxury. Good car, big house, foreign trips and everything else. You know, the usual stuff. And I'm ready to sacrifice my present to achieve a better future for me. Since I started with nothing, I just have to put in more effort than others.”

I could see Priya s expressions changing a bit. I guess most people would assume I just enjoyed studying. I decided to end that conversation there.

We continued our remaining session in silence. Just before leaving, Priya spoke to me.

"You know. I had a really different impression of you. The more I know you, the more I respect you. I'm sure you will achieve everything you set out for. “

She was in a talkative mood today.

“I'm also going to forget about the results and just continue with my efforts. I also like the fact that how you fight for what you want. I genuinely respect that. We all get to live only once. We should live it the way we want. I fully support that. “

She continued before standing to leave.

“Well, take care. Now that we have completed all the sessions, I'll continue my studies along with all the materials you have given me. I'll call you in case I need any help. I’ll try my best not to disturb you, as I know this is valuable time for you. All the best.”

Priya left after saying that. I didn't see her before exams after that. She occasionally called to clear some queries. But that was it. I had good hopes for her.

With the second year final exams just around the corner, I also decided to put my best into my studies.

I just hoped both of us can meet our goals.