CHAPTER 4
7:00 AM in Dev and Vidhi's bedroom
Dev standing infront of the mirror, attired in his usual white shirt, black pants and black coat, was adjusting his cuff. "Phone le liya, tab le liya, laptop rakh liya, ab bas ek hi kaam baaki hai", he said looking at Vidhi who was still in deep sleep. He went around and sat on the bed beside her.
Strands of her hair fell on her face. Dev beamed looking at her peaceful, angelic face. He moved the strands of hair gently from her face. He leaned down and kissed her slowly on her forehead. He stopped kissing for a second as he felt her smiling in her sleep. He felt it was the best feeling in the world. He started kissing her again, her cheeks, her nose, her lips, her chin, her forehead and then went all over again until she moved.
Vidhi groaned, opening her eyes slightly. "Uth jaao meri jaan. College nahin jaana? Aaj first day hai. Utho. Chalo. Good morning", he said softly, planting a kiss on her cheek again.
Vidhi grinned hearing 'College ka first day'. She put her hands around his neck and pulled him closer.
"Itti badi smile baap re baap", Dev pulled her cheeks and rubbed his nose against hers. He sat up straight and said, "Utho, Come on.. Rise and shine, my love." Vidhi got up with his support and leaned against the headboard. She was surprised to see him fully dressed that early in the morning. Clearing her throat, she asked, "Aap itni jaldi ready kyun hogaye? College toh 11 baje se hai na?"
Dev held her hands before giving her the disappointing news, "Vidhi, I know ki maine tumse kahan tha ki first day main tumhare saath chalunga, tumhe khud drop karne jaunga. But I am so sorry, woh airport waala deal tha na humara, usmein kuch issues hai. Aviation ministry se kuchh log aayenge aaj subah 9:00 baje. Bahut important meeting hai aur main reschedule nahi kar paaya."
Vidhi was heartbroken hearing this. She pouted, "Par aapne promise kiya tha." Her voice broke.
"Areh'', Dev came closer, seeing her getting upset. This was exactly what he was fearing would happen as much as he didn't want it to. He himself really wanted to go with her. He knew how she gets a bit nervous in new places. He wanted to be with her, be her support, her strength, in case she needed it. But it seemed like that wasn't going to happen this time. Inspite of his ceaseless efforts, he got caught up and Vidhi would have to do it alone. It was like God was testing both of them and Dev was sure that they would both get through this and emerge stronger than ever.
He cupped her face and said, "Vidhi samjha karo mera bhi bahut mann tha tumhare saath aane ka lekin main bebas hoon. Aur kya hogaya agar main tumhare saath nahi aaraha hoon toh? Tum toh meri star ho, you're a big girl. I know you'll rock it. Khoob saare dost banana, unke saath dher saara masti karna lekin class mein nahi haan, class mein dhyan se professors ke lecture sunna aur notes lena. Ok?"
Vidhi nodded, "Okay, Sir. Aur kuch?" She smiled. Seeing Vidhi smile again, Dev was relieved. "Chalo, bye", he was going to leave when Vidhi held his hand and made him sit down again.
"Good luck kiss kaun dega?", she said, frowning and pointed towards her cheek. Dev stared at her and smirked. He held her chin and decreased the distance between them until his lips were hovering around hers. "Yahan chalega?", he breathed on her lips giving her goosebumps as her eyes widened slightly. The mischievous smile on his lips made her realise his teasing to which she shoved him away and hid her red hue cheeks in her palms. He chortled while holding her hands, freeing her soft cheeks from them. He parted a little from her and pulled her head closer to his chest before placing his lips on her forehead leaving a long pleasant kiss there. "All the best Vidhi", he said.
10:30 AM outside CEBM Campus
Vidhi got down from the car outside the main entrance. Infront of her was a gigantic piece of architecture, written on which was 'Centre of Excellence in Business and Management - 100 years of excellence'. On either side of this were two huge black gates written 'IN' and 'OUT' and roads leading inside and outside respectively. Vidhi's heart pounded. She clutched her mangal sutra tightly and muttering, "Jai Maa Milapini, Jai Maa Milapini", she entered.
The campus was huge, spread across a sprawling 1500 acres. It had 5 academic buildings, theatres, auditoriums on either side, athletic fields, libraries and numerous hostels and so many more buildings which left Vidhi flabbergasted. "Ab main kahan jaun?", she stood there confused, as those buildings loomed large over her.
Groups of students, boys and girls could be seen here and there. Some boys running with books in their hands, maybe they were late for their classes, Vidhi assumed, some coming out with really happy and cheerful smiles, their classes got over, Vidhi thought, a boy and girl walking together hand in hand, must be a couple, Vidhi smiled…
"Freshie?", an unknown voice intervened Vidhi's train of thoughts. She turned around. It was a boy, tall, lean but well built figure, in his early 20s, in white tshirt and dark blue denims, hair not properly combed, a bag on one side, he had the looks of those carefree college going boys one sees in movies who are popular among their peers, he seemed like a gentleman though, but Vidhi was not sure.
To answer his question she said, "First year MBA."
"Areh waah main bhi", he raised his hand for a high-five. Vidhi hesitantly reciprocated it.
He said, "Chalo humara class building no. 3 mein hai. Waise kya naam hai tumhara?" "Vidhi", she replied as they walked together towards academic building no. 3.
"Aur aapka?", Vidhi asked.
"Ivaan… Naam toh suna nahi hoga", he stopped to spread his arms. Vidhi looked at him baffled.
"Nahi", he sighed when he saw his little act had failed to impress Vidhi.
"Guyyysss… Meet Vidhi, our new batchmate", Ivaan shouted as soon as he entered the lecture theatre. Vidhi stood there with a smile looking at everybody.
"Shaadi shuda hai kya?...Haan shaadi shuda hai… Areh nahi yaar… Shaadi ke baad padhne aayi hai… Shaadi ke baad… Shadi ho gayi… Khoobsurat hai'', mixed voices reached Vidhi's ears. She kept smiling nervously while looking around as she couldn't quite figure out how to react.
"Chal baithte hai", Ivaan led her to the third bench in the row. "Innse mil yeh mere dost hai", he continued, while settling down beside them. "Yeh Abir aur yeh uski gf Prisha", Ivaan said. Both Abir and Prisha waved at Vidhi with a smile. Vidhi too waved at them.
"Aur yeh dono", Ivaan pulled the hair of two girls sitting infront of him, "Aashvi aur Nainika." Both of them turned around, irritated.
"Tu maar khayega aaj", Nainika said and started throwing her hands out at him. Ivaan giggled while successfully dodging every one of her slaps.
"Bas karo tum dono. Vidhi tum humare saath baith jaao. Uss bench mein already 3 log ho gaye hai", Aashvi smiled and shifted aside making space for Vidhi.
Vidhi had hardly settled when their professors entered their class. Everybody stood up to greet them. One of them stepped up to the podium, "Good morning students. I am Professor Bhaskar Gupta. I will be your batch coordinator for the first semester. So if you people face any problems regarding anything in this first 6 months, you can come to me without any hesitation. My cabin is on the ground floor in academic building no. 1. And just informing you, that you people are going to have your Fresher's Party after 10 days, official notice chala jayega but…." "Woohhooooo", the whole class hooted and clapped in excitement. "Yes I know it's very exciting. But let me tell you no unruly behaviour is going to be tolerated. You can have as much fun as you want but maintaining the discipline and decorum of the college", Professor Gupta added after the class silenced down. "Now it's time for your first class. Sir please take over", he asked the other professor accompanying him.
The class stood up once again as Professor Gupta left. "Settle down everybody. I am Professor Manas Chandra. I am going to teach you Business Economics. It is a core subject and very very important. So everybody please pay attention."
The professor started with his class. Everybody took out their copies and pens and listened to him, well, some really did and some just pretended.
In the middle of his lecture, he stopped to ask a question. "Come on, this is an easy question. Agar yeh nahi aata toh aap log ko yahan nahi hona chahiye. Kaun try karega? Who is confident enough? Aap koshish karna chahengi?", he pointed at Vidhi.
Vidhi was startled, she stood up. She knew she didn't know the answer to his question still she thought she would give it a try. "Sir woh ummm… according to market strategies…", Vidhi fumbled badly. "Pata nahin hai agar toh saaf saaf bol dijiye… This is a serious course. Koi khaana banane wala course toh hai nahi ki aap paani milake ya ek masale ki jagah dusra masala daalke bach jayengi. Agar padhai karni nahi hai toh admission kyun liya college mein?", he chided Vidhi. "Baith jaiye.. Aap unki bagal mein aap bata sakti hai question ka answer", he pointed at Aashvi. She got up and very diligently answered his questions. The professor was impressed. "Waah! Good, very good. Aise hoti hai padhai. Dhyaan se, lagan se, puri imaandaari se, aisa thodi hai ki padhai bhi kar liya uske saath saath ghar sansar bachcha sab sambhal lenge aap, kuch na kuch toh chootega hi", he added.
Vidhi knew all this was meant for her. She could hear muffled laughter coming from the back benches. Even Nainika was trying to hide her laugh. Vidhi felt lost. For the rest of the time, she couldn't concentrate on his lecture. She tried to but couldn't. It was her first day and she already felt like a failure. Everybody knew the answer but she didn't. The professor thought being married, she had an extra burden of responsibilities which prevented her from studying but she herself knew that wasn't the actual fact. She just didn't know the answer, the answer to a simple question, the answer she was supposed to know. These self-loathing thoughts were like a black hole swallowing her up from inside.
The recess bell brought Vidhi back. Ivaan was the first one to jump out of his seat as soon as the professor left. "Canteen chalein? Chalo chalo", he didn't even wait for others to answer. Abir, Prisha, Nainika left their seats and followed him. Aashvi waited for Vidhi. On their way, Aashvi was the first one to talk, "Upset mat ho Vidhi. Yeh saara kuch book mein hai. Maine wahin se padha. Woh kya hai na hostel mein seniors ne humko bola tha ki Manas Sir achanak se kahin se bhi questions puchte hai toh hum prepared aaye the." Vidhi forced a smile, but she was crestfallen.
The six of them sat at a round table. The five of them bought snacks from the canteen whereas Vidhi opened her tiffin box. "Dabba laayi hai ghar se? Choti bachchi hai kya?", Nainika mocked Vidhi.
"Kyun? Dabba laane mein kya problem hai? Ghar ka khaana hai, kam se kam yeh pizza aur burger se toh healthy hi hai. Mujhe toh lagta hai tum log ko bhi ghar se dabba lana chahiye", Vidhi retorted.
Nainika laughed, "Ghar se dabba? O madam, hum hostel mein rehte hai."
"Taste kara?" Aashvi cut Nainika in between, taking a bite from Vidhi's tiffin. "Mujhe bhi, mujhe bhi", Ivaan took a bigger bite. Prisha followed him. "Woww yeh sabzi kitna tasty hai Vidhi. Tune banaya?", Prisha asked.
"Nahi, Abhimanyu bhaiya… I mean mere devar ji ne", Vidhi replied with a pleasant smile.
"Tere devar ne tere liye tiffin banaya… Wow yaar.. That's amazing. Waise tere husband ke baare mein bata na", Prisha was curious.
''Haan haan jijaji ke baare mein bata Vidhi. Naam kya hai unka", Ivaan joined.
Vidhi : Unka naam Dev Raichand hai aur…
"Ek minute.. Dev Raichand… matlab THE Dev Raichand… Raichand Industries ka maalik tera pati hai", Nainika intervened, with eyes wide open, eyebrows raised, and jaws dropping open.
Vidhi now got shy and just nodded. "Ohhhooo blushing blushing", Prisha and Ivaan started pulling her leg.
"Ek minute chup karo tum dono, mujhe bolne do", Nainika still wasn't done. "Matlab woh news sach tha… Dev Raichand ne sach mein apni umra se aadhi umra waali ladki se shaadi ki hai aur woh tum ho", she said.
"Haan pyaar hogaya tha mujhe unse aur unko mujhse… umra ka koi lena dena nahi tha ismein", Vidhi replied. Ivaan, Prisha, Abir and Aashvi cheered hearing her. "Waah waah", they said.
"Umra ka nahi toh unke paise aur property ka lena dena hoga", Nainika rolled her eyes. Vidhi looked at her in disgust. Others too shared Vidhi's expressions. "Kuch bhi mat bol Nainika", Aashvi attempted to shut her up.
"Kya kuch bhi… Dev Raichand iss seher ka… seher ka kya, iss country ka one of the most successful businessman hai. Unko isse kaise pyaar hogaya? Kya dikha unko iss mein? Aur jo bhi huya hai usmein sabse bada fayda toh iss hi ka huya hai. Life set hogayi hai iski. Tumhe ab MBA kya kuch bhi karne ki kya zarurat hai?", Nainika lashed out at Vidhi.
Vidhi was furious at her at first but then she laughed at her immaturity. She just said, "Shayad tumhari umra utni nahi huyi hai ki tum Dev ji aur mere rishte ko samaj paao. Koi baat nahi, I'm sure ekdin tum utni mature zarur hogi aur yeh samjhogi ki jab do insaan ek dusre ko pyaar karte hai toh baaki sab kuch... unka status, paisa, physical appearance, sab kuch maano gayab ho jaata hai."
"Okay okay, choro yaar isko.. Tum ab yeh toh batao ki yeh love story shuru huyi kaise?", Prisha nudged Vidhi's shoulder. "Kabhi aur bataungi… abhi class chale.. Next lecture bas shuru hi hone wala hai", Vidhi packed her tiffin box and got up to go.
4:00 PM outside CEBM campus
Vidhi walked out of the gate alone, thinking about her day. Aashvi came running behind her, "Sun, Nainika ke baaton ka bura mat manna. Woh dil ki buri nahi hai bus usko thoda sa time de. Main bachpan se uske saath hoon, woh bahut achchi dost hai, bahut helpful aur caring hai bas usko logon ko accept karne mein thoda time lagta hai. Main chalti hoon woh mera wait kar rahi hogi. Chal, bye." Vidhi saw her disappear.
Vidhi started playing the whole day in her mind. Hell of a first day it was!! She hadn't imagined it to go like this now really. She was feeling unmotivated, like she had lost touch with the ground. The day had begun with her getting scolded in the very first class, her love being questioned, critical eyes fixed on her, judging her, passing comments, even the last class didn't end so well. She seemed to be the professors' favourite student to ask questions she didn't know the answer of. The whole class seemed to know the answer, but she didn't. She was tired, really tired. She kept walking, her mind absorbed in these thoughts.
"Areh areh areh ruk jaao meri bullet train, chalke jaana hai kya ghar?", a familiar voice, more importantly, her comfort voice called her out.
"Dev ji", Vidhi sighed. Just seeing him had automatically put her in a better mood, everything felt easier to her now. She ran into his arms. His touch made her feel a little less war torn. She wasn't sure what peace is supposed to feel like but she thought it may feel a lot like him.
Dev felt from her reaction that maybe her day didn't go that great. "Drop karne aa nahi paaya tha, toh socha receive karne aa jaata hoon", he said. "Kaisa raha aaj ka din?", he further asked.
Vidhi said, "Ghar chalein, mera sar dard kar raha hai."
Dev held her hands and said, "Mere saath chalo. I know a spot." He put his hand over her shoulders and pressed her close to his body.
On the way, Vidhi started describing her day herself. She told him each and everything, to its minutest detail, everything that was on her mind, that was troubling her. Dev didn't stop her, he let her finish, all the while he kept holding her hand. He could feel her palms get cold, clammy and shaky whenever she talked about the not so good parts of the day. She stopped finally letting out a sob.
"Vidhi baitho", Dev asked her to sit on a wooden bench infront of them. Vidhi didn't even realise where he had led her to. She looked around to find he had brought her to a tea stall. She sat down. He entered the stall and said, "Bhaiyya do mast khadak adrak waali cutting chai. Mohtarma ki sar mein zara dard hai."
He came out and sat beside Vidhi. He turned towards her and said, "Ek baat batao, main yeh jaanta hoon, mujhe yeh aata hai aur main yeh nahi jaanta, mujhe yeh nahi aata hai.. ismein kya farq hota hai?" Vidhi couldn't quite get what he was trying to say. She shrugged her shoulders. Dev laughed pulling her cheeks, he said, "Usmein yeh farq hota hai ki main seekh loonga." He further elaborated, "Aaj pata nahi tha toh nahi aaya.. Kal seekh kar aaunga toh aaram se kaam kar lunga." Vidhi understood what he meant.
Dev didn't stop there. He said, "Aur yehi jahan humein buri baatein sunne ko mili, jahan humein logon ne nahi samjha, humein bhala bura sunaya, humein ganda feel karwaya wahin kuch log aise bhi the jinhone humari madad ki, humein samjha, humari khushi mein khush huye. Jahan humein Nainika mili, wahin humein Ivaan aur Aashvi bhi toh milein… Toh humein kya karna chahiye jinhone humare saath bura bartav kiya unpar rote baithe ya fir woh chota sa part ignore karke jinhone humare saath achcha kiya, unke liye Bhagwan ko thank you bolkar aage badhe?"
Vidhi smiled and grabbed his arm. She placed her head on his shoulders and said, "Thank you bolkar aage badhe." Dev kissed her head.
Dev : "Aaj se har roz office se lautkar hum padhne baithenge, main tumhe padhaunga taki meri Vidhi ke paas professors ke har sawal ka jawab ho. Aur rahi baat logon ki humare rishte pe comment karne ki toh uska kya kar sakte hai meri jaan?... Kuch toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna, choro bekar ki baaton mein kahin beet na jaaye raina." They both laughed as Dev hummed the song in her ears.
Vidhi looked at him with all the world's affection in those eyes. "Meri har problem ka solution aapke paas hota hai na Dev ji? Aap kitne suljhe huye hai, aap ko humesha har cheez mein positive dikhta hai. Agar aaj abhi aap mere saath nahi hote toh main toh pakka roh deti. Aapko pata hai kabhi kabhi main bhi sochti hoon ki aapne akhir mere andar aisa dekha kya?", Vidhi raised her eyebrows.
This question made Dev smile in his mind. He looked at her.
"Sahab chai", the chai wala came with two cups of tea. They took it from his hands. Vidhi very carefully blew on her tea. A gentle breeze flirted with her long, glossy hair. Dev tucked her hair behind her ears and looked at her sweet, puckered lips sipping on her tea as a song played on the radio -
"Zara kabhi meri nazar se khud ko dekh bhi
Hain chand pe bhi daag par, na tujhme ek bhi."
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