FF: Geet-The Song of Life (note pg 35) - Page 20

The First Day

"We're in room G210, which suggests somewhere on the ground floor," Geet said, reading the introductory letter.

"What a genius," Jen sighed, looking around reading door numbers.

"Aah, here we are," Aman said, having walked ahead and found the right room.

Entering the small room from the back, they walked to the front and took their seats in the first row. "Arrgh do we have to sit in the front row?" Jen asked.

"Stop being too cool for school," Aman said, "and you might just have noticed there are no other seats."

"I feel like a nerd."

"That's because you are," jibbed Geet.

The classroom was filled with an excited buzz as the exchange students made subtle conversation.

"Do I really have to be here?" Vicky asked Sakhi, frustrated. "Couldn't they think of any other punishment, like afternoon-detention?"

"Wake up; you're not in high school anymore. Plus it's just for a few days then you can go back to your mediocre ways."

"And you can go back to your lonely nerdy self."

"I might only have few friends but their tonnes better than your lafunga friends."

"Ok, quiet down everyone. I'm Mrs Chopra and I'd like to extend a warm welcome to all our exchange students," the professor started, "I'm going to keep this short. So i've assigned everyone a partner from the same course to show you around and help out with the first couple of days. Some of the volunteers may be assigned two 'exchanges'. The lists are up on either wall. Enjoy your time here, make the most of it." Having said so, she walked towards the back and turned at the door, "Vicky, behave."

The student all got up and moved towards the two lists. "How are we supposed to know who Sakhi Khurana is? Geet said out reading the name next to hers and Jen's.

"Here, write it on this paper and hold it up," Jen replied.

"Aman Singhania!!" Vicky shouted at the top of his voice, causing everyone to jump.

Every face in the room turned to stare. "Well it doesn't really help when everyone turns around," he sighed.

"I'm Aman." Vicky heard a female voice behind him. What the? I thought Aman was a guy's name. Well this is one lucky chick, all alone, Vicky thought as he turned around to face Aman.

There stood one of the most endearing girl he had ever seen. Her posture, leaning on one leg with her hands on her hips, and facial expression exuded confidence. With a slight smirk appearing on his boyish features, he strolled towards her and extended his right hand. "Hi, I'm Vicky." Extending her arm she shook his outstretched hand.

"Well you already know mine, so shall we skip the formalities and get a move on. My first architecture lecture starts in fifteen minutes." Ah crap! She's the punctual nerdy type. What's the need when she looks like that? Her legs never end!

"Come on sweety, we've got fifteen whole minutes. A lot can be done in that time. Let's start with a tour of the campus grounds." Just my luck! Stuck with a lousy dunce!

***

Having written 'Sakhi Khurana' in capitals on a piece of paper, Geet held it high above her head. And slowly swivelled around, making sure everyone in the room could see it. She noticed a tall beautiful girl read it and smile widely. Looking down at Geet's face she started to walk towards her in long strides. "Hello there, you must be Geet Handa," she said leaning in for a hug, "and this must be Jenna Liang," she continued, coming out of the hug and turning to embrace Jen.

"Yeah that's us," Geet said, smiling widely. "So Sakhi, you're a med student too?"

"Yeah, I'll show you around the medical sciences building, where we're housed, before our first lecture."

"Sounds good," Jen said, as Geet rolled her eyes. Building tour? Isn't it supposed to be a campus tour? Geet thought.

***

"So how'd you like our campus?" Vicky questioned, sitting next to Aman in the back row.

"It's pretty," she replied, looking ahead and trying to understand what the lecturer was going on about.

"Yeah, really is," he sighed ogling at her side profile.

Shooting Vicky a look of utter disbelief, she turned back around. Did I really just say that? When did I turn into such a sleaze? Flirt, yes. But sleaze? Vicky bashed himself

"So, how come you decided to come to India on exchange?"

"Already regretting it," Sakhi whispered.

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

"So are you always like this?"

"Look, can you just shut up for a few minutes! I'm trying to hear what the lecturer's saying."

"Technically you can hear what he's saying. You're trying to listen to what he's saying."

"No, I cannot HEAR what he's saying above you nonsensical banter!" Her voice rising.

"Keep it down, you're attracting attention."

"Up the back!" boomed the professor's voice. "You! Stand up!" he continued pointing straight at Aman and Vicky. Raising her hand and pointing her index finger towards herself, she questioned with her face.

Precap: "Hey! Why don't you guys come over for dinner?"