Veena was 21 year old studying in standard XII (Second year junior college - Also called Grade 12). She was an under average student. It is already evident from the age and grade she has been able to reach. To get out of the school, she spent 2 years each for standard IX and standard X (Grade 9 and Grade 10). Even her first year junior college was two years. The problem was that being under average student all her life, barely passing at the lowest passing grades but as we all know the higher the standard, higher the difficulty and tougher the exams.
But what Veena feared the most about her dumbness and her weak performance, was her father. Huh! You would ask what is this relation between the father and her weak performance and dumbness. The same as a laborer has with his donkey. Punishment for not doing the way it has to be done.
Father was very clear right from standard V that she has to study well and get good grades in exam but even today she faced the same weak grades even after 3 years of constant punishments on every time the report card came home.
Veena decided to do something about it. She talked to Mr. Varghese, her professor. Veena sat in his room and said,
"Sir, please help me improve my grades. If I keep on getting this type of grades then I will be punished by my father."
Mr. Suresh Varghese found out that Veena was really weak in her studies in all subjects. Suresh was a new class professor and covering three subjects and was getting acquainted with his subjects attending class. Veena was the only one in the class who had already failed a year in standard XII and with the end of first quarter, it seemed she was the most laggard even after attending the classes for the second time. Suresh said,
"Alright, I can help your grades next time. But for that you will have to study really hard. There are techniques to improve your concentration powers. These techniques can help you improve yourself and your grades. But for that you will have to attend my extra class on Saturdays."
Veena said,
"Yes sir, I will. But the present report card, it is already bad. I will have to face the punishment at home today. Can you not help by just making my grades look good? I promise with the techniques you teach I will excel in studies. But please save me from the punishment today."
Suresh pondered over it and replied,
"Veena, you should have come earlier to me. Now the grades have been confirmed and I have already sent the records to the principal. There is nothing I can do. But I assure you that once you start attending my extra classes on Saturdays, your grades in the next exams will be really good."
Veena agreed to attend the extra classes from coming Saturday. As she left class professor's room, her only thoughts were of the punishment she was going to have to face that day.
Veena sat in her room at home studying literature. She knew as soon as her father looks through the report, she will have to face it. Her mother had seen the report in the evening and she knew that her loving daughter will have to face the wrath of her father. Her father arrived at 8:00 pm. The family had their dinner. There was not even a murmur while the dinner was being consumed. Veena knew father had seen the report card. After dinner, father told her,
"Veena, why are you still weak in studies? Haven't I spent enough money on your education? Why can't I see you having good grades like all other children? You understand what this calls for right?"
Veena silently nodded with tears in her eyes. She looked at her mother. There was nothing even her mother could say. Once when her mother had voiced her opinion on not punishing the daughter, her mother also had to face wrath of her husband. So there was no running away from the punishment.
As per the routine, Veena dressed in her night gown sat on the chair in her father's study. Her mother was there to console her. It was normal practice when her father administered the punishment, her mother had to watch over the proceedings. Father always said,
"I want you to watch that I love my daughter and I am doing her a favour by punishing her. When you see the punishment you will know that I am not doing anything wrong with her."
Father arrived in the study room holding a wooden foot sized ruler (foot ruler). He sat on the chair facing Veena. Veena was already in tears. She could remember the pain she had to go through when the foot ruler hit her hard. She braced herself for the punishment.
Father said,
"So as usual, we will have to administer a good punishment. After each hit, you need to say to yourself that you will improve yourself in studies. If you miss then the hit will be repeated. Okay stretch out your right hand as a good girl."
Veena extended her fair right hand hesitantly, in front of her father. Her night gown was sleeveless and her complete hand along with fore-hand was exposed. Father raised his hand high in air and brought down the ruler hard on her palm. Veena screamed with tears and folded her palm and said that she will improve. Tears started rolling from her mother's eyes as well.
Father did not stop for her palm to open and landed the next one again on her palm. The wooden ruler hit knuckles and fingers. The tears and screams were the only sounds heard in between the whacks of ruler on her palm. After the fifth hit, father manipulated the ruler to come horizontally and ruler hit the joint of her shoulder and arm. Veena's palm and fingers were already red and paining like mad but the joint stroke jolted her in her seat. But she continued to say that she will improve.
Veena was still crying and sobbing when her father told her,
"Ok now on the chair girl. I don't have the complete night. You better remember that this punishment is not what I like to give, but it is administered for your own good."
Veena got up from the chair. She positioned her knees on the chair and got up the chair holding the back rest of the chair with her hands. The sole of her legs were the next target. Veena dreaded these the most as she was then not able to walk properly for days and her shoes constantly reminded her of sore sole. But it was supposed to be that way.