Anvesha:

I slapped him.

And I do not regret it.

I cannot explain the satisfaction I got from it. I really wanted to do this last time, but it would have been extreme. But today, he deserved it.

Whatever the people around us were saying or trying to imply, I didn't care. I knew what I did was right. That man really needed to be shown his correct place. And I think that slap did the job.

After I slapped him, I left the place. I did not want to have another fight or hear his hypocritical comments.

When I left, he was in a state of shock. He had his hand caressing his left cheek, where I slapped him and was glaring at the ground. Even his friends were not doing anything. They were just standing there, one had kept his hand on the man's shoulder and the other was staring with his mouth open at me.

"Anvesha, look at me. Did you slap some British man or not?" my father asked me in a very serious tone. I snapped out of my thoughts.

My father got to know everything that happened between me and that British man from the people of the town. Of course, they didn't have anything to do of their own and always indulged in other peoples' matters!

"I did. He deserved it Papa! He was saying awful things about us Indians!" I said. Then I explained to him what had happened earlier today, in the afternoon.

"Do you have any idea what the people are saying? They are doubting the morals and ethics I gave you. I...I am in so much trouble." my father said, disappointment clear in his tone.

If a woman fights back for her self-respect, the people have to criticize her parent's morals, but if a man does it, then the people pat his back and tell him that he did well! I never understood this. Even my father didn't believe in this, because he gave me full power to make decisions, right or wrong, for myself. But I already know why he was paying more attention to other people today.

My father knows what this incident can result into. He can even lose his trading business because of this. Yes, the British are this cruel!

Now I was starting to regret my decision to slap him.

When I looked at my father's face, I saw deep worry lines etched on his forehead. His eyes were distant and he appeared in deep thought.

I couldn't see my father like this. What I did today was manipulation of the freedom my father allows me to have...and now I regretted it thoroughly.

As much as I hated to say it, I said, "Papa, what can I do to correct all of this?"

I cannot see my father in tension. The last time he was this worried about something was when my mother passed away. And to see him like this was really depressing.

"I...I don't know Avi. On one side, it's you and your self-respect. What you did, was not entirely wrong. But on the other side, you could have used your words than your actions. Slapping the man was an extreme action. And you know, we aren't allowed to do these things to them. They think they are above us, and to maintain that position, they can do anything." my father said, now appearing somewhat calm.

When I was small, my father always used to say that what you say has more impact on others than your actions. He used to tell me that we should have more power in our words because, even a simple word can turn the whole scenario upside-down. That's my father for you.

But I believed in the universal truth. Actions talk better than words.

I will do anything for my father though. As I took my father's hand in my hands, I said, "I apologize, Papa."

He didn't say anything for some time and we just sat there in a comfortable silence. Then he said, "Avi, you should apologize to him."

I froze. My mouth suddenly went dry and my eyes widened to the point where I could feel theair sting them.

Did I hear him correctly?

I couldn't apologize to that man, after what he said about Indians. No...NO! I just couldn't!

As if quickly realizing about my shock, my father added, "No, you don't have to apologize for what you said to him. You are going to apologize to him about the...slap." He hesitated on the last word.

I didn't know what to say to that. On one hand, it was my father, who can lose his job and what could be more insulting and depressing than losing your job? But on the other hand, it was me and my self respect. But...of course, I would choose my father over me.

The decision was ready in my head. I nodded to my father and let out a soft sigh. "Okay, Papa. If I ever see him again...I'll apologize." I said, slowly yet determinedly.

"I know it's hard for you, but, you will have to understand me Anvesha. I--"

I cut him off and said, "I understand, Papa."

My father smiled at me.

I know it's going to be hard for me and my self-esteem, but if this slapping incident costs my father, then I will do anything to correct it.

...

Today is Monday. I am supposed to get my results about my admission in Bethune.

The day before yesterday, was the worst day of my life. It was because a certain British man entered it.

He had insulted me and said things about Indians. And, I slapped him for that. Though, I do agree, slapping him was very satisfying.

I was deep in thoughts when I heard someone knocking at the front door.

My result!

I ran out of the room and opened the front door. A postman was standing there with an envelope in his hands.

"Anvesha Anand?" He asked me.

"Yes, that's me." I said in Hindi. He handed me the letter and I thanked him. Then he went away.

I closed the door and went to my room. As I sat on the bed, I took a deep breath and tore the letter's seal.

...

I got it! I got it! I am so happy that I can't even explain. I got a seat in college!

I couldn't wait for my father to come, so I decided to go meet him at his workplace. I got dressed in a plain red saree and tied my hair in a simple braid. Then I packed some lunch for my father and left.

As I walked to my father's workplace near the docks, I prayed that I didn't come across those three Englishmen. I did promise my father to apologize to them, but I wasn't ready.

Thank god, it didn't happen. As I neared my father's office, I got more excited. When I reached the gates, the guards smiled at me and let me enter. They knew me since I was a child because visiting my father with his dabba after school was my favourite thing to do and those guards would always be there, waiting to hear my useless chatter and then letting me inside the gates. Not anyone was allowed to enter, but I was an exception.

When I reached the office, I saw my father working on some papers. When he saw me, he asked, "Beta, what are you doing here?"

Without saying anything, I walked towards him and handed him the letter.

As he read, a big smile crossed his mouth and he hugged me.

"I am so proud of you shona. I knew you could do it. Your mother would be so proud of you..." My father rambled as he placed a hand on my head to bless me.

I smiled at him as my eyes started to get watery. Okay...I can't cry right now.

Be strong...be strong.

Before a single tear could escape my eyes, I quickly said, "Papa...I brought food for you." As I placed the dabba on his table. He thanked me and then told me that he had work to do, so I left soon after.

...

Jordan:

We just attended college. It was our first day and it went...uneventful. We didn't have any stupid encounters. After what happened on Saturday, Alex had been quiet and whenever he would talk, he would use an annoyed tone. He clearly didn't expect her to slap him, it was a shock for all of us. But, even I admit that he was saying extreme things. Still, what else could have been expected from him? He was always like this.

We were leaving college. As I was driving on the road where we first met that woman, I was praying that we don't run into her.

"Stop the car!" Alex whisper shouted me, and I pressed the brakes.

"What happened?" I asked him.

"Let's take some other road." Alex pointed at something, and when I saw who it is...my only thought was "Uh-oh".

But wait, did Alex really ask me to "take some other road" because of that woman?

"You're Alexander Stewart right? Anyway, this road is better than the other roads", I said.

Alex was silent for some time, but then he said, "Okay..." I know he was going to say something, but he didn't continue.

"For God's sake Alex, don't do anything you shouldn't." Matthew said. Alex just nodded.

As I was driving, I saw that the woman was looking in our direction and as if realizing something, she quickly started waving her hand to us, for...stopping us? I don't know.

Alex was froze in his spot. He sighed heavily and when I looked at him and he just nodded, giving me permission to stop the car. He looked like he had just seen a ghost, which was foreign. I drove towards the side of the road, where she was standing and stopped the car.

"I..uh, I need to talk to you." she said to Alex.

"Talk." Alex said.

Shock. Again.

I mean, he was talking to the woman who slapped him! And that simple "talk" was the kind of reaction I would never expect from Alex. Something was seriously wrong.

The woman hesitated.

"Look woman, we don't have time, so if you'll please hurry up." Alex said, surprisingly calm again.

"I..uh. Um...I am sorry!" she said quickly.

She said sorry.

THE WOMAN SAID SORRY!

...

Hello! I just wanted to ask you guys for some feedback. Please feel free to do so! I would love to hear what you guys think about this book till now. (for the people who actually read...LOL).