SANDHYA'S DAWN

Perseverence of a lady paid her off well.

- Sewak Nayyar

I had first met Sandhya in the lobby of my college. She had big, beautiful eyes, a slim frame, slightly dusky complexion and glowing skin all in a very charming persona. She stood calmly leaning on the side of the reception desk, dressed in a well-draped, simple, yet elegant, printed saree with small blue-and-yellow flowers. I stopped near her before entering my cabin, which was close by, and asked her, "Who do you want to meet?" Very confidently, she replied, "Sir, I work here."

I gave her a gentle smile and headed towards my cabin. Later in the day, I learnt that she had, during my recent absence from the college, been employed by the Principal as a peon. I was pleased with the Principal's choice.

Sandhya was a conscientious worker. She performed all her duties diligently, such as cleaning the admin block, attending the office bells of the Principal and the director, preparing students' folders etc. As soon as the college clock struck eleven in the morning, she merrily appeared in the staff room carrying a tray full of glass tumblers containing steaming-hot chai, which she made in typical Marathi style, with all ingredients mixed proportionally.. Whenever she had free time, she sat quietly in her seat behind the reception desk reading something or the other, even a Marathi newspaper.

One day, very modestly she told me that she had passed her matriculation with distinction and would have loved to study further if not for her alcoholic father, who for his self-interest and blinded by the sheen of a local farmer's wealth, married her off to the latter's good-for-nothing, spoiled brat of a son, who happened to have developed a liking for her in their childhood.