I am 23 years old. I became friendly with one of my classmates but did not meet each other after our course got over last year. Recently, I met her at one of my cousin’s wedding and since then we started seeing each other again. However I’ve come to know that she is getting married soon. I don’t know why she kept me in the dark about the entire episode when she knew that I have a soft spot for her. I have snapped all ties with her. I have stopped taking her calls and I don’t even reply to her text messages. I feel cheated and miserable now. I am deeply in love with her and was planning to convey my feelings to her. Please help me deal with my emotions.

Soumyak Dutta, Calcutta

There is no reason to feel so bad my friend. It is not as if she made any promise to you: women are typically like this and the sooner you realise this, the better off we all shall be. She perhaps didn’t tell you because it was not relevant to what she actually felt about you so I would ignore it. Have a great time with her as long as you can and then start worrying about what to gift her for her wedding. Fine, son?

I am a 19-year-old girl. I always have panic attacks just before my exams. Consequently, even if I am well prepared for all my papers, it has never been a smooth run for me in the last leg. I just finished my first semester exams and fear that as usual I won’t fare well. My parents are equally worried about my performance. The anxiety is killing me and I can’t even focus on my books. Though I go to college regularly, I end up spending most of the time in the canteen. I just can’t concentrate on my studies. How do I overcome my worries?

Name and address withheld

Look I am no doctor and my guess is you need medical help. This panic attack stuff to my mind is all humbug. Every loser claims panic attacks: this is more in your own silly little head rather than some serious problem. So my suggestion is stop thinking about the panic attacks and you’ll see how quickly they disappear!

I am a 30-year-old woman working as a teacher. I teach at a boys’ school. Of late I have been diagnosed with a medical ailment and have been losing a lot of hair as a result of the treatment. Though I never thought much of this earlier, I recently overheard some of my students making snide remarks about me. Since I have taught these kids for years now, I feel miserable at this. I realise that I am beginning to get irritated very easily at the boys after that incident. I can’t even take my classes in peace. How do I handle this?

Name and address withheld

The best thing would be to join a girl’s school or better still invest in a fine wig. Kids are brats and they will always be wicked. There is nothing better to have a bald lady teacher if you really want to have a blast in school so why blame the kids. If all else fails, then do the Yul Brynner look and shave off all your hair. If Persis Khambatta could do it, why can’t you?