Hiranthi's Education

By Colombo Caner

colombocaner@gmail.com

Hiranthi Bandara Senviratna recently received a scholarship to do a three year post graduate doctoral program in Pathology at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia. This is a program many young pathologists aspire to get in to. Hiranthi first managed to obtain a first class upper pass in her undergraduate degree she completed with the University Of Colombo, Sri Lanka.  Thereafter she scored the highest marks in the examination conducted to select a candidate for the scholarship. She knew that her hard work as well her systematic approach to studies brought her to this position. She could not help been appreciative of the coaching she had from Ms. Devika Samarakone, many years ago. After failing miserably in her first two attempts, it was Devika who guided her to get through the Advanced level examination. In spite of the benefit, the chapter with Devika in her life was something she wanted to erase from her mind. That was a period she thought she was stripped of her dignity and pride. It was a period during which on the pretext of helping her in her studies she was subjected to humiliations, severe canings and punishments.

Hiranthi was naturally a very intelligent girl. She has been performing well in school until GCE Ordinary level. She was considered to be a bright student in Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Colombo 8.  She got admitted to Devi Balika by scoring high marks in the grade 5 scholarship examinations. She was always among the first three positions in class rankings. Unlike her friends she was neither a person who studied for long hours nor a one went to many tuition (additional help) classes. She just had a natural talent to memorize what was thought in school. After obtaining “A’ Grade passes in 9 out of the 10 subjects she chose to follow her Advanced Level studies in the science stream.

Hiranthi’s father was a senior petroleum engineer in a state owned firm. He tried to persuade her to pursue a career in engineering. Her mother on the other hand wanted her to do science subjects and make an attempt to enter the medical school. Knowing the difference between the workloads in OL & AL, Hiranthi’s mother suggested that they seek the assistance of the daughter of Mrs. Samarakone. Devika Samarakone thought physics for the advanced level stream in a famous boys’ school in located in Maradana. Devika and her mother were known to Hiranthi’s family as they lived in the same suburb in Mount Lavinia. The senior Mrs. Samarakone also had been a contemporary of Hiranthi’s mother when they were at Visaka Vidyalaya, Colombo.

Hiranthi was not willing to get the help of Devika for several reasons. One been although Devika was good 10 years senior to Hiranthi they had many common friends in the neighborhood. Among the neighbors Hiranthi was considered to be the brightest.  Hiranthi was also in the opinion that she does not need the help of a teacher as she had already done very well in GCE Ordinary Level exam without such help . There was another reason for her reluctance to get Devika involved. Hiranthi was uncomfortable with her as she thought Devika showed too much interest in her. She used to make awkward comment on Hiranthi’s looks and on the way she walks etc. While she would have been pleased to be admired that way by a male, she felt uncomfortable with the interest Devika showed. Both of them used to meet at the bus stop or in their bus rides to and from their respective schools. Some of the questions Devika used to ask her made Hiranthi blush. More than once she wanted to know whether teachers in Devi Balika Vidyalaya used the cane on naughty students. Those days the cane was in occasional use at her school. As a 17 year old Hiranthi did not feel comfortable discussing them with any one. She avoided such questions or gave evasive responses to them. Another time Devika would want to know whether the girls were caned on their buttocks or on their palms. While she knew there were couple of teachers who caned students on the buttocks, it is not a topic she wanted to talk about with Devika or anyone. She pretended to not to know saying the canings were not carried out in the presence of other students.   One day there was a shortage of buses and both of them were stuck in the bus halt past the start time of the school. Devika used opportunity that to continue her inquisition on punishments. That day she wanted to know how the late comers were punished in Devi Balika. When she said she didn’t know how, Devika wanted to know whether Hiranthi would get the cane today as she was late to school. Although there were instances when canings were used to discourage late comings, Hiranthi did not like to discuss the topic. When a response for her awkward question was not forthcoming, glancing at Hiranthi’s behind, Devika had said that if she ever gets transferred to Hiranthi’s school as a teacher she will regularly cane Hiranthi on her buttocks. She had also said she can make a good girl out of Hiranthi by caning her buttocks. Hiranthi was so embarrassed of Devika’s comments on caning her buttocks. From that day she took extra ordinary efforts to avoid Devika or having to talk to her. At that age of innocence Hiranthi could not comprehend why someone would want to cane another person or talk about that. All she knew of canings were a painful punishment inflicted on children to extract obedience and good school work.

When her mother suggested seeking help from Devika for her studies, therefore she wanted to avoid that at any cost. She insisted that she does not need any assistance from Devika. She did that by convincing her mother that she is quite capable of making good in Advanced Level exam on her own.  In a way she herself believed that she will be able to handle the higher level exam in the same way she did the OLs. This however was not to be. Her habit of not having systematic approach for studies and exams backfired in the Advanced Level studies. Subjects such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Zoology required a methodical approach to them if one is to get a hang of the volume. When her scores in the monthly assessment examination were going down she hid that from the parents.  She pretended that she was doing reasonably well in school. When all other avenues failed, she resorted to seek help from her friends. This was by way of letting her cheat (copy) in examinations. As she was known to be a bright student the teachers did not suspect any foul play. She bribed her friends with many things that they didn’t have access to such as comic books, money etc. As Hiranthi’s mother worked as a senior medical officer in a government Para medical institution, she did not have the time to follow Hiranthi up on her studies.  Her mom had to organize or to attend many conferences both here and abroad. She was also required to undertake extensive travelling within the country. Hiranthi's father too was not the type of a person who would take a day off to go to her school. He didn't even attend parents’ teacher conferences regularly. Although this was good for some time Hiranthi knew that she will be exposed when she had to sit for the government conducted advanced level examination. Consequently she was so far behind at the time of AL exams. Knowing the outcome if she sit for the exam, she pretended to be sick on the first day of the examinations. She complained of unbearable stomach cramps. Although the doctors, who examined her, found nothing wrong with her physically, they assumed that it could be due to depression. Hence they advised the parents against forcing her to go through the exam as she ran the risk of having a mental breakdown. With this prognosis the school too allowed Hiranthi to forego sitting for the examination that year.

Hiranthi therefore had to join the junior class in which the students were to sit for the examination in the following year. There she did not have her trustworthy friends. Hence, she could not repeat what she did in the previous year. Therefore, she did make a genuine effort to study more hours than she previously did. It too did not work as she had not trained her mind to study in an exam oriented manner.  She only managed to score very low marks during the term tests. Gradually the teachers and her parents came to accept that she is not going to do well in her advanced studies.  They knew that she will not be able to accepted in to a university. Once again Hiranthi’s mother brough the subject of getting Devika's help.  Hiranthi insisted that her plan was to get good scores in the government exam although she did not do in school exams. She promised that she will somehow do better when it comes to the final exam.  She managed to live the lie until final grades of the examination were announced. Hiranthi only managed to get two simple passes for Botany and in Physics. 

Having done everything she knew to do, Hiranthi was not sure of getting any better outcome if she repeats the exam. Her parents however insisted that she makes another attempt at it. They enrolled her in private tuition classes conducted by popular teachers of that era such as M/S Reginald Senviratna, Asanga Abeysundera, and H.R Nonis. Most of the lectures were held in the evenings or on weekends in a private academy situated in Railway Avenue, Nugegoda. Few weeks after she started attending these classes, her mother mentioned that Devika’s mother had offered the help of Devika insisting that she would be able to help Hiranthi get better grades.  With her aversion to Devika in the back of her mind, Hiranthi did not see any value in getting her help. Her plan of succeeding in the exam continued to be attending the lectures, making her own notes and thereafter revise those couple of weeks before the examination. This time too Hiranthi succeeded to fend off Devika's attempt to get involved in her education. She once again made a genuine effort to study longer hours. Unfortunately she found the vast volume of topics that had to be covered in four advanced level subjects overwhelming. After a lapse of another year she only managed to get two ‘C’ grade passes and two 'S' grade passes. Although she had managed to do better than previous year her scores were not sufficient to get acceptance for University studies.  

That was her second attempt at the Advanced Level examination. Hiranthi's mother knew that many of Hiranthi's friends who were academically below her standard when they were in Ordinary level classes, are now in the second year in the medical school after getting 3 to 4 'A' grade passes.  Hiranthi, who was now 20 years old, too was frustrated with the state of affairs. Many of her cousins and friends were either in the university or had found employment in private sector companies. Some had given up science studies and were pursuing professional studies in Chartered Accountancy or in marketing. With incomes from state jobs her parents did not have sufficient funds to send her overseas for higher studies. This was long time before local branches of foreign universities and private schools such as SAITM, SLIIT or APIIT were set up in Sri Lanka.  The extended family gatherings became somewhat humiliating and belittling to Hiranthi. The parents and also the kids were boasting of their achievements whilst Hiranthi was the only one in the clan who had not gone beyond the A. Level. Hiranthi then attempted to convince her mother to let her start a professional course in Human Resource Management as that was a field that was at that time getting popular in Sri Lanka. Hiranthi’s mother was not going to have any of it. Her intention was to make her child to pursue University education or if that fails to get her married as soon as possible. Although Hiranthi was not against having a man in her life she was not ready to get married and settle to be a housewife. She didn't want to end up there when her friends who with new found freedom as University Students or as employed, were having much fun in their lives.

With nowhere to turn she decided to make one last attempt at the Advanced Level examination.  Meanwhile having got to know of the not so satisfactory outcome of Hiranthi’s second attempt in AL’s, Devika had personally made a visit to meet Hiranthi's mother. Hiranthi was not at home that day. In her absence Devika had managed to convince Hiranthi's mom that with her guidance Hiranthi would make good in ALs and had offered to guide Hiranthi on her exam preparation. She had gone to the extent giving a ‘guarantee’ of her success, provided she was allowed use whatever means necessary. When Hiranthi got home that evening she had to face the staunchest canvassing on Devika's involvement in her studies. Her mother was insisting that Hiranthi take the guidance and support of Devika. To her utter discomfort, her Mother was repeating what Devika had told her on guaranteeing that Hiranthi will get in to the university if she was given the freedom to use 'whatever means necessary'. She knew that her mother had no clue of Devika’s ulterior motives. Hiranthi was certain that Devika had meant the authority to cane her by using the phrase ‘whatever means necessary’. She could not gather enough courage to tell her mother about the comments Devika had made about wanting to cane her. Not having an acceptable excuse she finally had to succumb to the pressure mom was exerting.  Another factor also contributed to her agreement this time to be helped by Devika. To enter to a Sri Lankan university a candidate has to score the required marks within 3 attempts. As she has already used two of them this was going to be her last attempt. She therefore didn't want leave room for her parents to accuse her of not taking all possible help when the help was willingly offered by Devika. She knew that her mother will use that to push her for an early marriage if and when she fails this time. Her mother was naturally ecstatic when Hiranthi agreed to get the assistance of the daughter of her dear friend. She quickly phoned Devika and invited her along with her mother to come to their home to dinner on the following day. 

Hiranthi dreaded the prospect of Devika been in charge of her life for one whole year. She knew Devika will mentally and physically humiliate her. Her words three years ago that she would cane Hiranthi's buttocks were reverberating in her ears once again. She knew that Devika will find excuses to cane her and relish the opportunity to do so. She blushed profusely thinking been 20 years of age the prospect of undergoing a caning on her buttocks for punishment. She however did not have any other options. The dinner was not as bad as Hiranthi expected it to be.  Devika was presenting a pleasant and friendly face in front of her’s and Hiranthi’s parents. During the dinner the two mothers were reminiscing of their school days and all the activities they were involved in while in school together. Hiranthi could not help thinking how simple the life had been during her mother’s time. Majority of the then students had secured good higher education opportunities without much of an effort. 

After the dinner while Devika’s mother was talking of mundane things over coffee. Meanwhile Devika wanted to talk to Hiranthi and Hiranthi’s mom privately about the modalities of her involvement in Hiranthi’s studies. While she was mostly talking of an extensive program for exam preparation, Devika was stressing the fact that lot of work has to be put in by Hiranthi if she was serious of succeeding. She went on to give details of the type of such guidance for exam preparation given in the boys’ school she teaches in. According to her the boys were required to agree on weekly, monthly and quarterly targets in both areas of studies and also the marks they had to score in mock and term exams.  The school made sure that the students stick to their agreement by using a carrot and stick method. The students who showed gradual improvement were given 'stars' for recognition while the ones who did not meet the targets were punished by way of caning. Hiranthi saw a glee in Devika’s eyes when she was describing how the students had to line up at the deputy principal's office on Friday evenings to be caned on their backsides. According to Devika canings given on their backsides had a positive impact on the boys as by many of them were getting better in studies.  Although Devika was facing in the direction of Hiranthi’s mother, she was glancing at Hiranthi once a while as if to see her reactions to her description of the punishments.  It was uncomfortable and embarrassing for Hiranthi to be listening to these details in front of her own mom. Also She thought that Devika was not telling the truth as she has never heard of Advanced Level boys been caned at school.  

Encouraged by the silence of Hiranthi and of her mother, Devika stressed that if she was to accept the responsibility of getting Hiranthi in to a university, she should also be given the authority and discretion to reward or punish the performance as appropriate. Hiranthi felt an inexplicable feeling that she thought is a mix of anger and embarrassment. When Devika commented about wanting to cane Hiranthi’s buttocks, she was only 16 or 17 years old. She now is a grown up woman of 20.  She had not heard of 20 year olds been caned.  Hiranthi's parents were progressive people and didn't resort to corporal punishment when she was growing up. Hence Hiranthi was shocked and disappointed to see that her mother agreeing to Devika's 'demands'. Hiranthi’s mother’s comments were limited to say how happy she was that Devika is willing to help Hiranthi. She was grateful to Devika for 'selflessly' undertaking to help Hiranthi in spite her been busy with her work as an Advanced Level teacher. As her mother didn't mention anything about the punishments she thought she may have to agreed Hiranthi to be punished. Even if she didn't she knew Devika will interpret her silence on that specific issue as an acceptance. Hiranthi was also wondering whether her mother had only heard the part of rewarding the good performance. She thought that mom may have not comprehended the part of 'punishing the bad performance' adequately, which is most likely to be relevant in Hiranthi's case. She ended up been thoroughly confused, embarrassed and frightened at the same time. She was so tensed that she could not say anything or to oppose to someone outside the family been given a blanket authority to punish her. After the 'chat' her mother and Devika walked arm in arm back to the hall. The rest of the time Hiranthi was withdrawn from the conversation as the prospect of Devika having the authority to cane her was difficult for her to come to terms with. After the visitors left, Hiranthi thought of telling her mother what Devika had told her many years ago about wanting to cane her behind. She however could not gather herself enough to do that.  It was not a topic that a daughter would find easy to discuss with a mother. Ultimately she thought that she will go along with what is going to happen. She however decided that if Devika punishes her unreasonably or if she manages to get some kind of solid evidence of her dubious intentions to confront her mother with it.

Devika's guidance sessions were held on Mondays and Fridays of the week. For this most of the time Devika came to Hiranthi’s place. When she was busy Hiranthi had to go to Devika’s house, which was 600 meters away. The sessions started uneventfully except Hiranthi been told to address Devika as ‘Teacher' rather than by her name. Hiranthi too saw some sense in it and had no qualms about calling her ‘Teacher’.  Gradually Hiranthi began to realize the value in the organized and methodical approach Devika was guiding her to. She was required to get the copies of the syllabus of each subject and to organize her notes under each topic. Thereafter Devika spent many hours with Hiranthi going through the past exam papers. This was to identify the pet ears of the examiners and to comprehend the examining patterns. Hiranthi realized the flaws of the amateurish nature she prepared her self for the exams in previous attempts. She hence faithfully followed everything she was asked to do. Towards the end of the first month Hiranthi was beginning to like Devika and appreciating the help she was giving. She was looking forward to the sessions. She was made to read on the topics before she attended lectures. she realized that comprehending what was thought in the tuition class was becoming  easier. Lectures she was attending hence became more productive. She began having doubts that she may have been wrong on her presumption of Devika’s intentions. As she now knows how to do exam oriented studies she was sure that she can do much better this time.

After three months or so after the first session, Devika one day came with a thin but long cane. Hiranthi's fingers began to shiver and her mouth went dry when she saw the thin yellow long instrument of torture. Although she attempted to speak no words came to her mouth. She could not hold the pen properly as she was feeling so tensed. She naturally began to wonder as to why she was going to be caned because she knew she has not committed an offense. Devika casually placed the thin cane on the side of the table and calmly went on to check Hiranthi's books. Hiranthi had done everything she was required to do that week. She was sure there were no faults Devika could find to cane her for. Towards the end of the session Devika sat back and looked at Hiranthi in a way a butcher would look at a lamb about to be slaughtered. She said "You must be wondering why I brought a cane?" as if she is expecting a response from Hiranthi. In the absence of a reaction from Hiranthi she continued. "I brought this cane to leave it with you" she said. “I know you have improved a lot from the time we started”. “Now it is a matter of maintaining the momentum”. “now you know how to study". I want to hold practice tests to prepare you”. “I will use this cane if and when required and specially to push you for higher scores". “You have done well up to now”. Although she having done well is a compliment, due the context it was used it did not make her happy. Therefore she continued to be silent. Devika on the other hand continued with her speech. "You have nothing to worry about as long as you do not make mistakes or disobey my instructions". "If you are to be found lazy or lagging behind I will not hesitate to cane you thoroughly".  When she heard that Hiranthi choked due to fear of been caned. Devika was using a stern tone as if to insist what she was saying is not up for negotiation. "I cane hard and after a caning from me for days you will not be able to sit on your haunches".  Hiranthi was getting more and more tensed and red faced when the talk was getting in to the actual caning. She felt like a small kid hauled in front of a strict teacher. What embarrassed Hiranthi most was what Devika said next. "Remember, I will not hesitate to remove your cloths to cane you". "I know that you are 20 but you have no reason to be embarrassed".  "I knew you from childhood and when you were a baby I have seen you naked". Hiranthi was not brought up in a way that undressing and nakedness is discussed with others. Devika was not only talking of removing her cloths to make her buttocks naked, and also hitting the buttocks with a cane.  She felt feverish. Verbal humiliation she was been subjected to made her heard pound fast. Finally Devika told Hiranthi to keep the cane in her room to remind her of the canings if she does not do what she is told to.

Hiranthi could not get any sleep that night. Several times she sat up in the bed to look at the cane that she kept under her mattress. She held the cane in her hand and realized how whippy it was. She noticed that it is much longer than the ones she had seen in school. She didn't know whether she could cope up with been hit with it. As she had not been caned before she didn't know what to expect if and when she is made to undergo one.   In the following session too Devika brought the subject of punishments and canings for discussion. Hiranthi at one point began to think that the actual canings albeit painful may not be as humiliating as much as talking of the canings. She knew that she will be the loser in Devika’s cat and mouse games. She knew that she will be caned very soon in some pretext. In the months that followed Hiranthi’s fears came true. Devika caned her many times. As both her parents were at work there was no one else in the house during the canings. The sessions were held in the dining room in the ground floor. Hiranthi had to bring the cane down for the sessions. For punishments she was always marched to her own bed room that was in the upper floor. Canings comprised of 4-5 cuts across her clothed bottom. Devika whilst caning hard also used to have 30 or 45 second gaps between the cuts. When Hiranthi inspected her behind in the mirror at night, she had seen 5-6 parallel wets each with a distance of few centimeters of each other. All cuts were in the mid to lower area of the buttocks.

She had to study four subjects each with several sub topics. Therefore Devika hence found it easy to find enough faults to cane her at least once a week. Hiranthi knew that up to that she was only caned for her own mistakes. She also realized that probably due to fear her performance was improving leaps and bounds. This made her admit reluctantly that canings had been effective. She even felt that had her parents had used the cane on her to push her in her studies she would have done better long before. She also became convinced had she agreed to take Devika’s help on the first time it was offered, by now she would have been in the university. She was however unsure whether she could have undergone those severe canings as a 17 year old.

Hiranthi came home from work, early as friends had organized a party to celebrate her winning the scholarship.  She realized she had spent over an hour reminiscing of her AL days and her punishments. She got ready quickly and got in to her car. She had to get to the venue soon as she didn't want to keep her friends waiting. Although it was around 7 in the evening she could see a large number of students returning from tuition classes. She remembered the time when she was one of them. She remembered many of the girls having boyfriends. They were hanging around for several hours before they got to their homes. She didn't have that luxury when she was a student. On her way back she could only think of what was discussed at the class. This method of immediate recall helped her to remember what she learned. It was Devika who thought her that technique. These instant revisions helped her to do well in the mock exams Devika used to make her do. Even at the times when she saw a good looking boy and her mind temporarily got distracted,  the thought of having to present her naked buttocks to Devika to be caned, was strong enough motivation to rush her mind back to the lecture. 

Remembering vividly the first time she was stripped to be caned Hiranthi felt the blood rushing to her face.  During that time Hiranthi had to answer several past papers once a week. As Devika was a Physics teacher she herself corrected the physics answer scripts. She had arranged to get her colleagues in her school to mark the Zoology, Botany and Chemistry scripts. By this time Hiranthi had become very good in physics due to Devika’s guidance. She still had some issues with other subjects. Normally she got the answer scripts she gave to Devika on a Monday, on following Monday. Devika had brought the marked answer scripts on a Friday and Hiranthi had scored much lower than the previous week. Hiranthi knew that she will be caned for it. That fateful day she was in a denim skirt and a white t-shirt. As customary she was asked to take the offending answer scripts and march up to her bed room. Devika followed her with the cane in her hand. Hiranthi was a well proportioned girl and had fairly prominent hips. She knew when she walks her buttocks moved provocatively. She always thought while following her with a cane in hand, Devika must be enjoying the sight of her hips and contemplating on the caning she was going to give.

Seeing what she was in, when they were going up the stairs Devika had said that she is not going to waste her energy in caning her when she is in a thick skirt. Blood rushed to Hiranthi’s face due to embarrassment when she heard that. When they reached her the room she quickly picked a thinner skirt up to change in to and removed her denim skirt. When she was about to put the other skirt on Devika had said it was not necessary to put that on and she would cane her without a skirt. Although she felt debased Hiranthi had known all along that eventually it would come to this. Hiranthi was asked to raise the t-shirt up to the arm pits and stand near the bed. She only had her thin cotton underwear on to cover the nakedness of her lower back.  She felt the usual tapping of the cane on the summit of her buttocks.  She braced herself for the first stroke. She knew that unlike the skirt the thin cotton panty will not give any protection against the pain.  She was however relieved that the panties, ones girls wore in that era covered good part of her buttocks.  Her relief however was short lived.  Withdrawing the cane Devika issued a dreading order “tell you what, take those panties off”.  Her face began to heat up as she realized she is going to get this caning on the naked buttocks. Not only she had to expose her buttocks to another adult, but also she had to let her cane them. This was too much for the 20 year old. She wanted to resist, but did not have enough resolve to confront a person who is holding a cane. Having no say in the matter she humbly lowered her panties to the middle of her thighs exposing her full bottom area and pulled the t-shirt up.  She realized that this is the first time in her life she had stood naked in front of someone else. She felt helpless in the naked state she was forced to be in. Her mind came back to what is going to happen when she felt the tapping of the cane on her naked buttocks. She felt the coldness of the cane on her naked flesh. Her buttocks twitched involuntarily. She was bracing for the first cane stroke on her naked buttocks.  “Take them off completely” said Devika. "What?"Why? she asked. "Take your panties off !" Devika said in a way to show her displeasure of been confronted. "Hiranthi could not fathom as to why the panties had to be taken off completely as her entire bottom was already fully exposed and panties were down good six inches below the point the buttocks and her legs met. She realized that Devika is trying to humiliate her as much as possible. She once again obeyed Devika and took her panties off her legs. She felt more embarrassed to be without panties than having panties pulled down to her thighs.  In that state she felt as she was deprived of the last bit of her dignity.  She felt vulnerable at the mercy of the person who had professed of her liking to cane her buttocks. Now she is presenting her naked buttocks to her to do just that. The caning she got that day was severe than many she had had before. By that time she was used to getting 5-6 cuts on her clothed buttocks. That day she was caned at least 11 times. The caning was also more forceful than other days. Cane hitting her naked skin alone was more painful. As there were no panties to hold her buttocks together she felt as if her buttocks were dancing violently with every stroke. She knew that Devika will cane her more if she let the t-shirt fall and use the hands to rub her buttocks. Writhing in pain she kept on holding her t-shirt high exposing the entire behind of her 20 year old self to be mercilessly flayed. She was howling like a small child throughout the caning. Hiranthi thought that having her naked below her chest level and seeing her naked and  round buttocks for the first time may have exited Devika to make her cane more times and cane her more vigorously. She felt as if her entire dignity as an adult has been stripped and now she is reduced to a mere slip of a girl   after the caning she felt thoroughly subdued.

The ritual of punishments changed from that day. She realized that Devika had liked the caning she gave her to her naked behind and wants to continue that. During the sessions Hiranthi was required to be in her pajamas.  For canings she was made to remove her pajama bottom and the panties off and fold the pajama shirt up all the way up to the arm pits. Every time Devika continued to cane her buttocks until she had satisfied her fancy. Hiranthi knew that Devika had taken absolute control of her mind and her body. She realized that Devika is considering her buttocks as it her private territory to be tortured. She has taken Hiranthi’s mind over to be dominated and play her games. She knew that she is caning Hiranthi to satisfy her sensual pleasures. Once Devika decided that Hiranthi should be caned, the severity of the fault did not matter anymore. Hiranthi’s performance was improving so much there was a point that she was wondering why she needed to be caned that severally and that humiliating manner. Devika however continued to cane her using tiniest of errors. Some days Hiranthi was spanked instead of been caned. She has to either lie over Devika’s lap or lie face down on the bed. Devika would spank her buttocks with so much ferocity. Sometimes in between spanks she would rest her hand on a buttock. Hiranthi could feel that Devika is mildly squeezing her buttock cheek. She felt that she is been used as a piece of meat for her sexual gratification. Few times she was also caned after been made to lie face down on the bed. Such times Devika would insert a small pillow under Hiranthi’s loins so that her buttocks are raised to meet the cane. She also introduced a ritual of regularly inspecting Hiranthi's buttocks. Before a tuition session began Devika made Hiranthi to turn around so she could lower the back of her pajama bottom to inspect the effects of the previous caning.  Devika would make comments about the welts and ask Hiranthi whether it still hurts. Hiranthi knew it was only an excuse to see her bottom. She thought that Devika is enjoying looking at her buttocks like a small kid looking inside a bag for his favorite sweets. Hiranthi did not know what to do with the inappropriateness of the severity of the canings or the regular embarrassing inspections. She knew very well that the canings had by that time lost the punishment objective. However when she was not caning Devika was very professional and passionately guiding her studies.

On the days when she got caned she used to get very angry with her mother. She felt that the mother was responsible for torture she had to suffer at the hands of Devika. She however knew that her mother had no idea of Devika’s regular merciless whippings.  Her agitated mind made her fight with her mother over mundane matters. Hiranthi became so rude to her mother and she always ended up crying. Warning by her dad to not to scold the mother angered her more. She however knew the mother cannot be held responsible for her suffering. It was she that did not have the guts to tell her mother of the canings. Hiranthi’s parents on the other hand were wondering whether her outbursts had anything to do with the depression she had suffered couple of year ago.  Sensing that Devika had the obedience of her daughter, she had told Devika of Hiranthi’s outbursts and had told her to advise her to calm down. This had a disastrous consequence to Hiranthi. One day she was summoned to Devika’s house. She went there without knowing what she had done wrong or what was in store for her. She realized that Devika was alone at home. Seeing her coming in Devika started scolding Hiranthi for shouting at her mother. Hiranthi realized that her mother had told Devika of her outbursts. That day Devika looked and sounded menacing. She pulled Hiranthi from her hair and slapped her several times on the face. Not satisfied with the fear she had instilled on Hiranthi she ordered her to strip naked to be thought a good lesson. Hiranthi didn't know what to do or say but knew she is in for a good thrashing. Devika went to a room and returned carrying two long whippy canes. The sight of this woman holding long canes was enough to make her pee in her pants. Devika caned the side of Hiranthi’s thighs several times demanding to know as to why she has not stripped as she was told to. Crying uncontrollably due to pain and fear Hiranthi quickly removed her lower garments. Meanwhile another swipe of the canes cut her at the same place of her thighs. Devika told her to remove everything thing that she was wearing. Even when she was removing the blouse and the bra Devika was already caning her thighs and legs mercilessly. Hiranthi was ordered to remove her earrings, bangles and even her hair pins. Finally she stood there in her birthday suit with nothing on her other than the skin and hair. Devika dragged Hiranthi in that naked form to a room and tied her hands to a window railing. Then like a possessed woman she commenced flaying Hiranthi on her buttocks, legs and thighs. Her nether region hitherto has never experienced such a torture. Hiranthi lost count of the number of strokes she had endured. She did not have the strength to cry or protest. Her whole body was going numb. The pain was so intense she lost consciousness after about 20 or so minutes of merciless whipping. When she regained consciousness she was on Devika’s bed. Devika told her that if she ever scolds her parents again she will get a double dose of what she got that day. This put a mortal fear in to Hiranthi. The welts of the thrashing remained for about 3 weeks. She wore long sleeve shirts and long pants during that period to hide the scars. During the following weeks there was no caning during the study sessions. 

Regular caning commenced after about 6 weeks and at that time Hiranthi was so meek she would do anything and everything Devika told her to do. She pretended to be humble towards her parents as she knew if she lost her temper and if her mother complained to Devika another dose of whipping was in store for her. She resigned to her fate and concentrated on her studies. Only saving grace was it was only 2 more months to go the exams and she knew after that she will be out of Devika’s grip. The end result of her resolve and endurance of the abuse was her obtaining one "A" pass and 3 "B" Passes in the exam. She studied and did so many past papers and practice exams in a manner she never though she was capable of. Devika had told her she will cane her for a week if she don’t score B passes in all subjects. Whether due to that threat or for wanting an end to the whole saga, Hiranthi succeeded in the ALs. She also got accepted to the University of Colombo to follow a degree program on pathology.  The day she got her acceptance letter from the University, Hiranthi and her mother went to Devika’s place to thank her. Devika hugged Hiranthi and patted her bottom on the sly as if to remind of her all the canings she was given by her to that area. At that time there was a delay of about two years between the time a student completes the ALs and admission to the universities. During that time Hiranthi managed to find a job at Hayleys Ltd. She was 23 or so when she started the first year in the University. She thought that the work also helped her to regain her self confidence and dignity. 

After about a month of starting the university sessions, when she got home on a Friday she found Devika at her home and chatting with her mother. Although it had been two years since her last caning, when she saw Devika Hiranthi went pale and weak. She however pretended that she was pleased to see her. Devika inquired about her university studies, and Hiranthi was responding cautiously. After few minutes of chit chat Devika turned to Hiranthi’s mother and offered to help Hiranthi through her University studies. Hiranthi thought her heart stopped when she heard that. She knew very well that only reason she wants to 'guide' her again was get another opportunity humiliate and to cane her naked. She feared her mother would accept it then and there. Hence she quickly muttered something to the effect that as it is only the English lessons during the first three months that she will think about it once the academic sessions begin. Once Devika left Hiranthi’s mother was very appreciative of Devika and suggested that Hiranthi use Devika’s help in University studies as well. She was not going to let that happen this time. Hiranthi now knew how to conduct her studies methodically and plan well ahead for the exams. Hence she knew that she did not need any more help from Devika. At the age of 23, she was not ready to be subjected to the humiliation of stripped naked and caned once more. She told her mother that she wants to get involved in societies and sports in addition to studies and hence she is considering renting a room close to the university. She also told her that as she has sufficient money saved from her job the renting of the room will not be any additional cost to the parents.  Within two weeks Hiranthi managed to rent a room and moved out of home. That helped her to completely close out the chapter of the abuse she suffered in the hands of Devika although it was her intervention she finally managed to get in to the university. 

Hiranthi arrived at the lobby of the Hilton Hotel where the party was held. Her friends were there in the lobby to greet her. All were rushing to congratulate her on her success. They were praising her for her hard work. They didn't have to know what made her to get there. They didn't have to know the abuse, humiliation, or the mental and physical pain she had to undergo to make her succeed.

More than anything she was pleased that her success brought immense happiness to her parents. She knew that she was in a position to look them after in their old age. As for Devika she knew that she continued to be a teacher in some school. She was convinced that Devika extracted a heavy price for helping Hiranthi to succeed. Devika used Hiranthi for her sensual enjoyment while giving her what she needed. Therefore she didn't feel obliged or indebted towards Devika. In the long years that passed Hiranthi learned that no one can take her dignity away by subjecting her to humiliation the way Devika did. She knew that dignity was something within her. She knew that pride and dignity never left her in those dark days. Hiranthi held her head high and she walked in to the room where her colleagues and friends were. 

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