It was sunny as the clock ticked ten in the morning and warm as well inside the staff room of the school campus. Anjana and Meera, two newly appointed teachers, had arrived fresh out of training.
Anjana was wearing a pale yellow cotton saree with a short sleeved blouse. Meera meanwhile wore a deep green saree with gold borders, with a deep olive colored blouse.
The seniors watched the new recruits closely.
"Such fresh young teachers we have this year," said Nandini, who was the most senior among them.
"You both look so delicate but can you handle the rules of our staff room?" She asked.
Anjana and Meera looked at each other.
"Yes, ma'am," Anjana said in a low voice.
Latha, another senior, reached out against the pleats of Anjana's saree.
"So stiff and neatly tucked," she said.
"Did you pin it?"
Anjana nodded.
"And your petticoat," another teacher said looking at Meera.
"Does it match your blouse? Or is it mismatched?"
"It matches," Meera said.
"Oh? Let us see," Latha said.
She reached and lifted the edge of Meera's saree a bit to reveal the cream-colored petticoat beneath.
The others laughed.
We have a small tradition. New teachers must show that they can handle discipline." Nandini said.
"Discipline?" Meera asked, surprised.
"We test your endurance and now you must bend over slightly while we inspect how well you can handle correction." Nandhini said.
Anjana's breath hitched but she obeyed and bent slightly forward and placed her hands on the table.
Latha walked behind her and moved her fingers along the waistband of Anjana's petticoat.
"Such a thin knot, what if it comes undone?" she asked.
Before Anjana responded, a soft smack landed on her saree covered backside making her gasp a bit.
