Boy this was going to be tough. A new college in midsession...why?
But then again, why not? Nothing could be worse than whatever had already happened. I could not possibly study, dance, or be myself in this city...my city...the city that I had grown up in...the city that had suddenly begun sneering at me with his memories. No, I could not live here with this sour aftertaste.
I hated him...hated him for making me feel so emotionally weak...even hated the air he breathed. I could not believe I had fallen for a guy I knew so little about...this was not me. I had always been the smart one, then why...?
I wish I could tear him down somehow...right now...verbally at least, if not with a chainsaw...but how was I supposed to find him?I didn't even know where he belonged from. At this point, I didn't even know if he had told me his real name. Gosh...was I a mess or what! That darned trip to Jaipur...
'Someday, you will realize what you lost', I often found myself imagining to tell him. But will he, will he really? Did he fit into the species that recognized how much they had hurt and crushed someone? I don't know... he was...well...a pig.
Anyway, I had to finish packing tonight. Dad's decision to move his business to Mumbai had to be a tremendous gift of God. I was going to miss those 5 months spent as a St. Stephen's fresher though...oh, and "The Plutos" of course...my dear dance group...but I actually looked forward to the shift.
'So Latika Rathod,' I told my reflection on the mirror, 'finally...bye bye Delhi, and hello Mumbai!'
1
So this was St. Louise? Not bad. Not as good as Stephen's though.
'Ahh, who am I kidding? It's almost as grand...and cute boys!' I was loving it. 'Good thinking mom, good choice of college.'
It'll be the best. Dance, basketball, and 'bird-watching' were going to get that creep out of my mind. I still hated him...and I had to transcend this hate. I didn't want him to matter at all.
I took out the cold-coffee carry bottle from my duffel, and took a sip. Oh, this bag was the best...had been beige once, now acutely bordering on dark brown...but my trademark all the same. It had seen me through the best 2 years of my life...maybe old and crummy, but I loved it!
"Hey could you tell me the way to the principal's office?" I asked a boy with freckles, wearing black. Wasn't it too humid in Mumbai to wear black? Oh well...
He looked at me, and suddenly appeared tranced. Not again! I snapped my finger in front of him...yet another guy caught in the classic Latika-stupor...gosh, why did boys act as though I was some kind of a visual drug? I found it more funny than flattering. I was no Deepika Padukone, and I knew that...but I guess I was the closest the boys were going to get...even though I was much shorter, and margined on a tomboyish disposition. I laughed at my own "modest" joke, and waited for the guy to get back on earth, but he didn't, so I left him at that.
I looked for someone else to ask, but noticed the other boys around gaping at me as well. 'So what's new', I yawned. See, I liked attention, but not right now. I needed to get to the principal's office, and figure out my schedule for FYBCom. Besides, I wanted to find out if this college had a decent dance group.
'Forget it', I sighed and left the boys alone. I needed to find some girl for help.
Oh there was one. "Hey, could you tell me where the principal's office is?" I put out, as I walked up to the girl.
"OMG I love your shorts, where did you get them?" she asked me instead, this girl with short hair and blue highlights. Loved her hair!
"Oh, it's just good old Benetton you see, you can always trust Benetton," I smiled back.
"What's this colour?" She gushed. I loved her enthusiasm ;)
"Wow, you noticed? It's new this summer...glazed coal. Ok, about the principal's office - "
"I love what you have done to your hair!!!"
I had to laugh; I was beginning to enjoy this. Here was this girl I had placed an inquiry, and she was asking me questions!
"It's really nothing, I just asked the stylist to give my hair some volume and side bangs... and she created the rest. By the way I love the blue on your hair too. But hey the principal's -"
"Whoa its awesome dude, and thaaanks!"
This chic wasn't listening, I thought I had to look for the office myself now. Just then I heard a roar.
"SIMI!!!"
The girl in a jolt looked towards the corridor the sound came from. Everyone else around froze too, and began scurrying away. That's when I noticed everyone in college was wearing black. I think it was their college T-shirt or something...but was this, College T-shirt day?
"OMG...Sharon - " Simi stuttered.
I was surprised. This girl with blue streaks looked quite poised and confident...why did she look so moved over a college-mate's scream?
"Simi, how irresponsible can you be?" the angry girl shrieked. "You were supposed to drop those files in RDX sir's office. Those are for the upcoming Dance Gala event if you realize the importance. They are priority#1! And here you are chitchatting with this...this...who is this by the way?" she asked, throwing a flamed glance my way.
"Sharon, she's new, she - "
"She'll speak for herself Simi" Sharon snapped at her.
"Yeah, I am - " I began.
"Whatever! Why aren't you in our St. Louise tee today? Newbie or whatever ... you've gotta buy the T-shirt right away and wear it today!!!" she almost screeched.
"Dude, why are you shouting? I'll buy the tee when I have time, right now I need to find the principal's offi - "
"HOW DARE YOU talk to me like that? Do you even know who I am?" she demanded, furrowing up her face. She was actually quite pretty, if only she'd let her face be, and not scrawn it up like that.
By now I was actually amused. Dramatic people never failed to crack me up. This must be some rich popular girl this college had managed to spoil.
"No, I don't actually...but I do know those boots are so last season!" I snapped back and started walking away. The crowd was still silent, but I could hear snickers against Sharon. I wondered how she'd handle this...and most naturally she fumed and shouted again. "You are so going to be in trouble for this!"
"I am petrified," I answered with a disinterested shrug, and looked around. That's when I spotted him...O my God was it really him? YAY!!!
"SWAMMYYY!!!" I hollered in delight.
He looked at me, first in surprise, then in shock, and finally in joy. How completely Swayam!
"Lattie?"
I flew off the atrium and hugged him. So my only best friend alive went to this college? Could it get any better? And I hadn't even remembered? Man, that two-faced creep was sure taking a toll on me.
"Tu kya kar rahi hai yahan? Tu Mumbai me kaise?" Swayam asked in delight.
"Arey socha tha aaj hi tujhe phone par surprise dungi, but tu YAHAAN!!! Yesss!!! Accha chal pehle mujhe principal ke office le chal!" I chirped
"Theek hai, chal!!!"
The crowd had been swallowing the events in silence until now. As Swayam and I started walking away, the crowd began dispersing too. This morning had given them enough material to talk and text about. Through the corner of my eyes I saw Sharon looking at me with a livid glance, until she completely lost sight of me. I felt she did not like the idea of me being with Swammy...I dont know, a girl's insticts...but well, I could be wrong.
"Kaun hai yaar ye?" I asked Swayam.
He looked at me and smiled, but stayed silent. I insisted again, but he looked away. Well, I knew what that meant.
"Oye, don't tell me, ye hai wo?" I exclaimed.
He kept smiling bashfully, and faced me this time. I playfully held his collar "Swammy tujhe aur koi nai mili?"
He laughed out loud. "Don't say that Lattie, she's a nice girl."
"Or so I've heard...and seen completely different. Hmmm...so yahi hai Sharanjeet?"
"Haan...and beware, ye naam tu uske samne kabhi use mat karna," Swayam grinned.
"oh...issues?" I chuckled.
"Yeah, issues", he winked back.
"Theek hai yaar done! Look, whatever I have heard from you, agar wo sab sach hai...then this is not the real her. And ab Lattie aa gayi hai, toh she'll get the Sharanjeet out of Sharon...and thaaat's - "
"A DEAL!!!" We both said it together the Clint Eastwood way, and laughed hard. The good old days were back, and forgetting the jerk was going to be a piece of cake...well, hopefully.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Cricket
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