Chapter 17

CHAPTER 16

Recap: "Toh as senior most students of this college, aapki duty banti hai ke aap naye students ko welcome kare," VP sir continued. "Basically, I want you all to organize a Freshers' event while showcasing different clubs and activities we have in our college. I will take care of Academic courses. If you all are up for it, you can have a couple of dances too."

 

                    "So, we are planning to keep the Freshers' next month. So you all have ample time to prepare. Aashi and Swayam, you will keep me updated on the cultural events you all are going to perform. Agar koi queries ho, ya koi doubt; you can approach me anytime. That's all for now. Aap log jaa sakte hain."

"Thank you sir" they all replied.

When they all entered the canteen, everyone was visibly very excited. Everybody was chattering so fast, as if there was something they wanted to get over with before they would forget.

Meeting with VP sir obviously went good Niyati thought sipping her cold drink. That much was as obvious as the fact that something was wrong between her brother and Sharon. Both were trying to avoid each other but couldn't help glancing every minute. Taani had filled her in on the numerous times they had cold war like this. But she had also witnessed the sweet moments between them. Niyati wanted to be privy to those.

 

          Swayam had never taken an interest in any girl before. On the contrary, he was so shy and awkward around girls who weren't Neeti or Taani, that both his sisters believed he would remain a Balbrahmachaari his entire life. St. Louis had done her brother good she thought. He was no longer shy, underconfident or unsure boy, but had metamorphosed into self-assured and confident man. The Swayam she knew would never acknowledge a problem, would behave as if it didn't exist, even if it was staring right back at him. But her brother had, not only admitted there was a problem, but offered his help in finding a solution with her. And Niyati had a strong feeling all this had something to do with Sharon.

 

"Kya hua? Sab bade khush lag rahe hain?" Niyati asked.

"We are going to throw you Juniors a Freshers' party!!" Simi chirped excitedly.

"Maza aayega!"

"Guys!" Rey interjected.

"Dhaasu karenge!"

"Guys!" He tried again.

"It's going to be so much fun!!"

"Guys!" He said quite loudly.

The chattering stopped and all looked at him. "Kya karenge karenge? Pehle decide toh karo karna kya hai!"

"Rey's right", Kria added. "Ek meeting rakhni hogi and sabhi ideas discuss karne honge. This might very well be the last event we organize at St. Louis. It has to be great.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uer5Z5Ah84               Please watch this video as you read the following paragraph and imagine each character during the montage. Do try it. Bhoolna nahi)

 

Everybody was quiet for a moment, the gravity of the words sinking in. Their carefree college days were numbered and would soon come to an end. Nobody could believe 2 years had already flown by. It seemed only yesterday that they began, what they all would like to call, their cool college days. Couldn't believe that they spent almost a year fighting against each other and another fighting challenges alongside each other. They witnessed love blossoming between hearts. Saw them shattering into a million pieces leaving a bloody trail behind.

 

 

"Haan toh rakhiye na meeting. Is mein itna sochne waali kaunsi baat hai?", Niyati voice broke the trance the entire gang had slipped into.

"Haan toh is weekend rakhlete hain. Koi event bhi nahin hai aur aap sab bhi free types hi ho", Aashi suggested recovering first.

"Great! Toh is weekend, Rehearsal hall", Swayam seconded Aashi

"No!", Sharon exclaimed, suddenly irritated. She never got the hang of Swayam agreeing to anyone except her. "Is weekend mein busy hoon."

"Yaar Sharon! Don't be such a buzzkill!", Rey tried explaining her. "Thodi der ke liye aajana. Uske baad chali jaana wherever you wanna go. Thik hai?"

Sharon seemed to deliberate for a minute. She really didn't have any work but giving in too soon would be very un-Sharon-ish. "Thik hai I'll come."

"Good, now that's settled. Toh bata Neeti, kaisa laga tujhe hamara college?"

"Dekha hota toh batati na."

"Kya matlab?"

"Subah VP sir ka cabin dekha, ab ye canteen. Aur kuch dekha hi nahin hai.toh kya bataun aapko?"

"Acha. Chal main hi tujhe college dikha deta hoon."

"Swayam, humein Freshers' ki planning karni hai. Accounts department jakar budget ki details types leni hai. Baad mein time nahin milega."

"Arre haan! Rey! ek kaam kar na? Tu hi Neeti ko college dikha de!"

"What?" Both Niyati and Rey exclaimed in unison.

"Arre! Bhao mat khaa yaar! Tour dene ko kaha hai, kidney nahin! Jaa na please!"

"Bhai! Koi jaldi nahin hai. Mere paas college ka map hai. I can find my way around. Aap sab busy hain, please carry on."

Rey noticed that Niyati wasn't opposed to the idea of somebody else giving the tour, until Swayam suggested him. Even last night, when she met him for the first time, he could detect tremors of hostility directed towards him. And for the life of him, he couldn't understand what he had done wrong!! He met her for the first time yesterday!!! How could he bring out such strong reactions from her! Resolving to get to the core of this, Rey decided to accompany Niyati.

"Haan haan! Koi baat nahin. Come Niyati. I'll show you around."

"Tum busy ho. It's alright. Please don't bother."

"Maine kaha na. Its not a big deal. Please."

Niyati couldn't refuse any further, even though the last thing she wanted to do was to go along with him. She got up reluctantly from her seat and followed him.

Precap: Rey shows Niyati around

 [NOCOPY]

[MEMBERSONLY]