Read the First Chapter of “Hold On”: Never Question a Professor
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The dying trees in the vast grounds of the Peshawar Technical University, which had just survived winters, had now begun to sprout tiny, green signs of life. The warmth of the sun had returned the splendor of the lawn with fresh foliage and florets all over the place. The sunshine was accompanied by the cool spring breeze that would gently brush past her flushed cheeks. The well-maintained flower display and the lush grass made this the best spot in the university to sit and catch one’s breath in between the hectic class schedule. Sitting under her favorite tree, Hira Aftab had the perfect view of the majestic building of the university across the grounds. Inspired by the historic Islamia College of the city, the ancient-looking brick structure proudly stood in contrast to the concrete jungle of the hustling city.
It was one of those precious days in Peshawar when the greys of pollution had cleared up, after a brief spell of rain the night before, leaving a vividly blue sky behind. In her admiration of the view, Hira zoned out the chatter that had been going on around her for the last five minutes straight. Since they sat in the grounds, Sadia had launched into a tirade against the class they had just attended. While Hira agreed with Sadia and had been equally annoyed at their professor’s frequent and casual sexist comments, she had never been much of a talker. She enjoyed Sadia’s company because Sadia seemed to understand Hira from the first day they had met. Their personalities could not be more different, but Hira loved that she did not feel any pressure to force conversations with Sadia and did not mind her chatting away all day.
As they sat basking in the afternoon sun, Hira noticed a familiar figure walking towards them.
Ahmad walked across the grounds and halted somewhat awkwardly in front of the duo sitting under the tree. He was one of the brightest students in the university, in Hira’s judgement. He was the smart and confident one in every class — always engaging his professors in a dialogue rather than listening mindlessly — the type of student other students tend to envy. Hira, on the other hand, felt she had a lot to add to their dialogues, but could never muster up the confidence… until today. Almost unknowingly, Hira corrected her calculus professor out loud during today’s class. All heads, that had been turned down trying to copy everything and anything the professor scribbled away rapidly on the blackboard, suddenly turned around to see who had spoken. As did the professor, who did not look happy at all. Sadia, sitting next to Hira, immediately held her hand and gave it a squeeze to show her support, but even she seemed too scared to speak as the professor began recounting his years of experience at the disgrace of being questioned by a young girl. He was interrupted, however, by Ahmad Ali, who had already redone the calculations and confirmed that Hira was right. The professor, shocked at what he could only deem insolence, turned away angrily and continued scribbling even more furiously than before. Questioning a professor was certainly not a norm in this university. Fortunately for Hira, and perhaps Ahmad too, the clock struck one, just then, signalling the end of the class. Hira, not wanting to risk being failed in a core course by a vengeful professor, quietly apologized to him on her way out, before rushing to her happy spot.
“I am Ahmad,” Hira snapped out of her thoughts once again to catch him looking directly at her.
“We know you quite well,” chirped Sadia instantly.
Hira did not bother to say anything, as she knew he could have only come to talk to Sadia. Anyone who ever came to the two of them would come to say hi or talk with Sadia the social butterfly. Hira was sure she had already become friends with half their batch in the first week of their degree. Hira, on the other hand, could barely manage a “hello” to anyone other than Sadia. She was a bright, young lady, who had been among the top scorers in the highly competitive Bachelor of Computer Science admissions list, yet felt intimidated by her batchmates. Where she came from, she never had the chance to work on her communication skills or talk to many people outside her family and the women and girls of her street. She knew this was holding her back, but having spent her life in this cocoon, she could not break out of it so easily or so soon.
“What brings you here?” Sadia asked him.
He smiled. When he smiled, Hira noticed, his eyes lit up and his face glowed.
“Let me sit with you guys and I’ll tell you.”
Hira and Sadia nodded.
Ahmad was frustrated about the behavior of the teaching faculty. At this level the teachers ought to be mentors for the students and should involve the students in healthy discussions related to the topic, he explained. They should be open to criticism and questions.
Hira and Sadia were inclined to agree, though admittedly, they were not worried much about the quality of education as they were enjoying their newfound freedom from the very different lives they had at home. They cherished the time they spent at the university — mostly the time between classes rather than during them.
Ahmad had other ambitions. He proposed study sessions with the two, as he was inspired by Hira’s sharp mathematical skills. Although she had always scored well in the subject, Hira was taken aback at this appreciation coming from Ahmad. Having anyone openly praise her intelligence was an alien experience for her.
For the second time that day, Hira found herself speaking before she even knew. “Yes, of course.”
The moment Ahmed left, Hira was lost in her past and the chaotic journey she had travelled to reach here.
