Jahrae had skipped a few days of classes at Arrhazon College, caught in the maelstrom of marriage and Nenseru Woods. On her first day back at school, she walked into the financial aid office and asked to speak with the financial aid director.
Jahrae was asked to take a seat, the administrative assistant explaining how the director was fielding a call, and would be out for her shortly. She settled into one of the rather uncomfortable, metal frame supported, upholstered cushion chairs, and then reached for the magazine pile on the coffee table in front of her. Jahrae fumbled through the stack before settling on the student Converging Moons weekly publication.
Flipping through, she zeroed in on upcoming events. The following week would be the semi-annual semi-formal dance, open to all students and their guests. “Hmmm” thought Jahrae… does one’s wife count as a guest?
Before she could ponder the humour and the pride that came with the thought, Director Xhallszen was directly in front of the coffee table and looking at Jahrae. “How can I help you?” he asked.
“Hello, Director. I’m Jahrae Khentavra. I’m finishing my second year, and have been attending on a full scholarship. I’d like to discuss this matter with you, if we may.” Jahrae half-asked and half-stated her intent to talk.
“Very well, won’t you please join me in my office?” the director politely extended the expected invitation.
“Please have a seat, Jahrae.” he added moments later, slowly sinking into his overstuffed chair in front of his overgrown desk. After Jahrae was seated, the director’s eyes focused first on her crossing legs and then on her low cut top. His eye exploration was interrupted by the sound of Jahrae speaking, forcing him to raise his eyes toward hers.
“In the last week, I’ve married,” Jahrae began in a matter of fact way, annoyed at where the director’s immediate interest truly lay. “As a result of my marriage, my partner and I agreed that it was best for me to resign my scholarship, and allow it to be used by another student or students who might be in need.”
“That is a very considerate and generous thing to do Miss –“ he hesitated, forgetting Jahrae’s name.
“Jahrae. Jahrae Khentavra. And it is Ms, not ‘Miss,’ Director.”
“Oh, yes. Mzzzz Jahrae. My apologies, my mind has been distracted today.” the director coupled an a half-hearted, go through the motions apology with subtle mocking of her title.
“Yeah, I can see that!” Jahrae dearly wished to say, but she kept the words confined to a thought. She had formed an immediate dislike for this man, his attitude, and his roving eyes.
The director found his place, and resumed speaking. “Ms um… Jahrae, I appreciate your um… change of status, but um… what has changed beyond this such that you could forego your scholarship?”
“Well, I’d guess that is rather personal, and I’m not really willing to discuss it, excepting the renounced scholarship. That and also how we wish to establish a scholarship for women who need financial assistance to attend school.” Jahrae just upped the ante, and she could see the Director’s expression change to sensing opportunity.
“Wha – what did you have in mind, Ms Khentavra?” suddenly the Director was treating Jahrae with more reverence, which was about to ratchet up to another level as the sound of Jahrae speaking $350,000.00 was captured by his ears and processed by his brain.
“Yes, I said $350,000.00 Director. Annually.” Jahrae was enjoying this.
“Annually.” Jahrae could see him rolling the word around in his mind, savouring the taste. The Director reached for a pen on his desk, and once in hand, began to roll it around, over and over and over. “That is most generous, Ms Khentavra.” The Director now made use of the pen as an inadvertent pointer, pointing it in the general direction of Jahrae as he continued. “Naturally, we will have to ask for financial data to verify the funding will remain in place before we make the announcement. We cannot allow students to apply for assistance until that time.” The Director was a little too inquisitive and interested.
Jahrae reached into her backpack and pulled out an electronic tablet. “You will find all the information you desire is on this tablet, Director. We will expect reports on how the money is dispersed, including the names of recipients. Naturally, we – llhaesa and I – might meet with the students from time to time to make certain they are satisfied with their scholarship and the service they receive from this office.
If we are satisfied with how you handle the scholarships, we may increase the endowment in the future.” Jahrae almost burst out laughing delivering this spiel, knowing she had just turned his words around on the stunned director.
“Yes, yes, of course. We trust you will find we meet or exceed your expectations at all times!” In one 15 minute conversation, the Director lost his air of superiority, which seemed to find the window and fly out into the cloudless blue sky.
“I further expect you to treat each recipient with dignity and respect.”
“You can count on me, Ms Khentavra. I am sorry for my lack of recogntion earlier, I had a rough night last night.”
And while he was unaware she could read him like a book, Jahrae rose from her chair and gave her leave, knowing he had no clue of who she was. as she left, she extended graciousness and courtesy to the Director she hardly felt inside.
Jahrae was all too aware that the Director was now looking at her as if she were some kind of royalty, and as Jahrae walked out through the now opened door, her thoughts pondered the chameleon setting in the office she had just left.
[...] recall one day – it was right after we married – where she decided to renounce her scholarship and make monies available for new scholarships at Arrhazon [...]