I used to teach at an engineering college, where most classes like mechanical and civil had only males except in IT and Computers where there were lot of girls also. Each class had a maximum of 20 students but the co-ed classes had up to 30 students. These girls were from very rich and extremely modern backgrounds so the atmosphere of the college was really very lively. I was from an extremely conservative family. In my house everyone used to remain covered completely and they expected the females to cover their faces with ghoonghat (a veil) in presence of outsiders. But outside my house when I used to go to college for teaching, I used to wear decent and conservative clothes like loose salwar suite and or a well-covered thick saree but did not use any ghoonghat (veil) etc. I used to have two classes. One was co-end and one was male-only. Other female teachers were mostly less conservative and some even used to wear jeans-kurti or even long ankle length skirts at times. The most conservative girls used to wear jeans and tops or Kurtis while the most modern girls used to frequently wear short skirts and capris and revealing tops especially on Fridays etc.
In the beginning everything was fine, but in male-only class the attendance was not good. But in co-ed class the attendance was much better. In my co-ed class the performance was not good while in other classes where teachers were not so conservative, the students were performing better. In the male-only class the situation was worst in my class compared to all other teachers. This used to trouble me but I could not do anything about it as my parents would never let me wear any modern clothes. They always said after marriage you do as you and your husband feel like, but till marriage you have to be covered like this. So all the ripe beauty of a 24 year old girl remained hidden. Nobody knew that I actually had a great figure that would make guys drool, if only they knew. I had just finished my own studies and this was my first job. I had no experience and used to wonder how to improve attendance and performance in my class, so my career can progress further. I was beginning to feel depressed and at times I used to wish weekends were longer and Mondays would never come.
One day I was scolding a guy for very poor attendance, he muttered and called me aunty! I was very disturbed since in my face he was making a very crude remark about my dressing sense and blaming this for his lack of interest. In my free time I used to sit at library or in my cabin attached to my class. I had developed friendship with two boys in the co-ed class who were the top performers. They were smart and very intelligent. Their names were Rajesh and Rohan. One day I remarked to them that I wish others could also perform well, even if only half as your level. Rajesh replied that actually these guys are also intelligent but they are not interested. So they don’t pay attention and are always lost in thoughts of their girlfriends instead of listening to you in class. Rohan also pitched in and said that they dream about it when in class so their performance in low, and whenever they get any chance, they bunk the class and sit in canteen with the girls so their attendance is also low. I told them, I know, but I can’t do anything, my parents won’t allow me to change my dressing style. They both used to share a two bedroom house very close to college, and very hesitantly made a suggestion. Why don’t you change at our house? I was shocked and scolded them that I thought you are good guys but you make such indecent offers to your teacher! But after few days, I thought it was not a bad idea. These guys seem to be decent and I won’t spend much time at their house.