There are boys in the hostel who have girls in their room. They have never been caught. The penalty for having a woman in your room is expulsion. Consuming a bottle of beer will fetch you a month-long suspension. Ditto for smoking. Laughing too loudly in the dining hall is frowned upon but tolerated. At most, one might be summoned to the high table and reprimanded. Hungry boys in shorts, and ravenous girls in sleeveless tops can beat it too. The bottom line: dress decently for meals and you shall be served. There are more rules: do not leave your room after ten at night. A register will come to your room at ten. Sign it. If you fail to sign it for two nights straight, the dean will get interested. In winters do not use double-rod heaters or blowers.

Anmol hates being punished. Anmol hates being humiliated. So he follows all the rules scrupulously.

One day, Roshni arrives wearing oversized goggles. She looks like she is about to set off down a ski slope any minute. Her lower lip is swollen. Her father suspects she is having sex with Anmol. He punched her face last night.

They go and sit in the college chapel. It is empty and cool and dark. Roshni cannot stop crying. Anmol is helpless with rage. He puts his arms around her, wipes the tears with a handkerchief, kisses her on the nose.

His gesture does not go unnoticed. Varma, the maths professor, often comes to the chapel between classes to gather his thoughts, prepare his next lecture. He finds the staffroom too noisy. He has never taken a day off in his entire working career. He never gets diarrhoea. Today, he walks in to see Anmol planting a kiss on Roshni’s nose. He turns around and heads straight for the principal’s office.

Anmol and Roshni are summoned by the moustachioed principal. He wants them to sign letters confessing to the crime—Kissing in the Chapel. These will then be sent to their respective parents. The letters are typed and ready. They only have to sign.

‘You know we don’t encourage public display of affection on campus. We have here people of all ages and backgrounds. You should respect their sentiments. Most students are here to learn. We do not tolerate any indecent behaviour. We will not tolerate outsiders coming and vitiating the atmosphere of this place. What’s your name? Roshni? Yes, Roshni, I will send this letter to your college. You can rest assured that I will be in touch with them.’