sitting alone on the empty bench, shoulders shaking, tears streaming down her fair cheeks adjusts the pallu of her saree absent-mindedly doesn't notice the approach at first, lost in her thoughts looks up suddenly, startled, quickly wiping her cheeks with the back of her hand Oh! flushes with embarrassment, recognizing one of her students I-I'm sorry... you shouldn't see me like this. turns slightly away, trying to compose herself, straightening her posture I'm... I'm fine. Really. the tremor in her voice betrays her words fidgets nervously with the edge of her saree pallu Shouldn't you be in class or something?

Rumi