It's been a few seconds... Ross hasn't spoken a word.

"So I take it that Anna has given a perfect clause to showcase the real value of culture to the young generation" Ms. Caesar says to cut off the drawing silence.

"Actually no, Ms. Caesar" Ross says and pauses and then he continues.
" We do go for the stories and so called 'logical explanations' trailing behind each of the practices that have been going on for ages now. And that's exactly why we say certain rituals/ideologies/rules or stuffs defining the term culture is absurd or baseless. However, interest in a particular thing shouldn't mislead us into believing it just because everyone did till date. I would very much like to say that one who doesn't know how to change the perspective of a particular thing from one point to another, might get deceiving at the end causing unnecessary trouble and disbelief. Culture shouldn't be based on just some random terms and instead it should be understood and loved , the practises should be loved enough to obey through and everything else." he finally stops.

I know Ross isn't referring to the debate of culture completely. He is emphasizing on the terms and lines in particular, in metaphor to actions related and involving me.

"Okay. I think, it's not only the culture.....you are emphasizing on .... whatever it is, i would like to draw a line to the controversy now." Ms Caesar says clearing the tension.

As she turns to write something on the white board, the bell goes off marking the end of the class. I just somehow wait for her to leave the class. I need to leave. I know he'll be coming after me. I need to go to the washroom now.
NOW!!!!

The minute, she leaves the class I get up and start pacing up my walk to the washroom.
The hallway is half crowded, so there's least a chance of some common face popping up in the middle.

I enter the basin area of the washroom and make my way to the girl's section.

Finally. Hoffff. Finally.

I lean across the walls of the washroom, and just recall everything. My head is killing me , and I am seeing fucking ripples in my vision.

Okay calm down Anna. You know you don't have to face him. You know he won't be the support to your panic attacks anymore. You need to get a fucking hold of yourself. You cannot breakdown like this. He'll know. He'll fucking know.

The bell rings and I hear a light chaos fade away in the hallway. I am finally able to get hold of myself. I stand up straight and take a few more deep breaths before heading out of the girls area. There is pin drop silence and the only sound that can be heard is of the running water from the tap I just opened. I splash some water on my face and look into the mirror.

I am drained.

I wipe the water droplets off my face with my wet hands and take one more deep breath.
I close the tap and turn to get down from the basin area.

I take a step in an attempt to turn towards the hallway and i stop. I STOP.

What the actual fuuuuckkkkk!!!!

"Hello, lil girl", he says.

What?
Lil girl?
What?

I am taken aback by the appearance and the nickname at the same time that it actually takes a few seconds to process the situation.....and the voice....