Just then, professor Duan's stern voice interrupted their conversation.
All students turned to look towards the podium where the professor had already done his arrangements for lecture.
Professor Duan teaches them about equipments and instruments used in arch-technology. His classes always lasts till one and half an hour , because he also has to show the equipments to the students and explain them thoroughly.
After this class, everyone skitted off the classroom one by one for recess, to meet in the canteen area.
Baizhi and Anning also went off together, chatting about the recent equipment which can measure the quality of stones.
"Anning, your parents are still not home?" , Baizhi asked once they reached the canteen area.
"No. Why?" Anning replied.
"I've heard there's going to be a tsunami in the western Maldives. That's why."
"Oh! But they're already in plane. Guess, you don't have to worry about it."
"Hmm. Perfect then. By the way, when are they landing here?"
"Maybe tonight."
"Oh"
They've already sat at an empty table at the corner. They sling off their bags on their respective seats and went to order some food. Both were not so big eaters , therefore, soon their orders had arrived.
Anning ordered French cucumber salad with sour plum dipping, while Baizhi ordered some stuffed meatballs with veg Manchurian.
After taking their food, they again went to their table , but....
"Excuse me senior, but that's our seat." Baizhi said to a tall girl sitting on her seat where her bag was placed previously.
This was their senior , always ragging her juniors, with a bunch of more mean, tall girls. Senior boys bullying girls was rare but not unseen, whereas, senior girls bullying junior girls was a common occurrence.
Not again.
Anning thought as she quietly stared at their now thrown bags on the counter.
She went and picked up her and Baizhi's bagpacks instead placing their food on counter.
" Yo, look who it is. The quiety and the round face." The senior girl said mockingly followed by a boisterous laughter.
" Hey kid, don't you know manners? When your seniors want a seat , then you should give up on yours , respectfully." Another of their senior gang chided.
Both Anning and Baizhi knew, that they were just here to pick fights.
Since when, a cornered table is happened to be the preference of these show-off gangs.
Therefore Anning said, not in the mood of fighting, " Zizhi, let's go. Some tables are still empty."
She has just done talking and wanted to take a step back when , the leader, that tall girl said, " Hey hey, look-look. The quiety said something. I can't hear it clearly. Can you say it again?"
The group again burst into laughter.
Anning pursed her lips just staring at them.
Baizhi was going to say something but was held back by Anning.
" Someone's offended, huh? " After saying this the tall girl stood up from her seat and was going to flick Baizhi's forehead with her fingernails.
But before her fingers reached , she was caught on the wrist by a slender hand.
" Senior, we were just having a conversation. Why resort to violence." Anning said, still holding her wrist. The senior girl raised her eyebrows and looked at Anning, then freed her hand from her grasp.
And said as afraid no-one could hear her, "And you dare to raise your hand against your senior !"
Baizhi looked at her clearly baffled. Before the commotion could increase, Anning took Baizhi's hand to get away from here.
She was not afraid but rather thinks that wasting her words against those scumbags isn't worth it.
After picking their food from counter , they sat on another table.
" Ridiculous, why do they always pick on us." Baizhi said angrily.
" Hmm. Ridiculous." Anning replied.
Baizhi went on, " They should be helping their juniors and freshers , but rather than that they are bullying us. We should complain to professors . If not professors, then principal.
" Have they even submitted anti-ragging certificate?..... That's why they're not good at studying. Just picking fights to get attention!..."
Baizhi didn't stop until Anning stuffed a spoon in her hand.
It was always like that, Baizhi speaking and Anning mostly listening and providing commentary from time to time.
Anning looked at her and pointed towards her tray and said, " There's not much time left. Those scums have wasted our time."
Baizhi stuffed one meatball into her mouth after saying, " Oh yeah ! We have to go to the auditorium too."
Both of them finished their food quickly while sharing with each other.
Anning doesn't like to eat from other's hands due to cleanliness, but as always, this is an exception.
" Let's go." Anning said after they washed their hands.
From every department and section, everyone was heading towards the auditorium, making a line as designated.
Once the invigilator saw that everyone has arrived, he rechecked the mic and started announcing to not to make any noises.
The auditorium was dome shaped above their heads. Everyone was in a clear sequence both in rows and columns, girls and boys separated alternatively column-wise.
In front of them the stage was hundred meter square area , where now the invigilator started to inform faculties to come on stage and taking it's leave towards the entrance door.
Along with the faculty, there was also a strange person, the chief guest talking and walking with the principal.
All the students were silent and some were murmuring, thinking about who this guest was whom the principal himself is accompanying.
That chief guest or strange man's attire was quite unique in a classy way, inspite of the man being in his sixties.
His face was wrinkled at corners of his eyes , slightly at cheeks and had a wrinkled smile.
He was talking with the principal and glancing at the students below from time to time.
The principal was also giving him face, which showed , he was not some ordinary guest but of some reputation.
But why they hadn't heard about him anywhere?
Amongst the hubbub, the principal went to to the mic, while the guest waited behind smiling.
But there was a completely different scenario at the faculties side. All of their faces were written with worried expressions.
The principal -" Good afternoon all students and all the faculties. Today we have a special guest."
There was a curious silence all over the auditorium, such that even a pin dropping could be heard.
" You all have already attended such as this gathering. So without wasting your precious time let's just do as you have been already told."
After the principal stopped talking, the invigilator motioned at them to do as said.
All the students stood in the position attention, straightening their hands and closing their eyes, followed by further silence.
Amidst the silence, the chief guest walked off the stage and was checking every student column-wise.
Suddenly, he stopped in front of a girl having a high ponytail and wearing black rimmed specs.
The girl might had actually felt his gaze on her , since she opened her eyes instantly, calmly looking back at him.
The principal also came in front of her while professor Lin tagged along.
The chief guest asked the principal in a clear, amiable voice, " Who is she?"
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