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Part 3: The first meeting.
Manvi's home:
Madhura was in a great hurry because it was her first day and it was necessary that she goes early and finish some formalities. She went to Manvi's room to see whether she is ready or not and to her horror she saw her daughter sleeping peacefully hugging the teddy which her father gifted when she was 3 yrs of old. Madhura quickly went near Maanvi and tried to wake her up. After 15 min of her persistent trial finally her daughter showed mercy on her and as usual Maanvi stretched her right hand towards the side table for her family photo and opened her eyes taking glimpse of the photo and looked up at her mother making puppy face and pouted, "What's so hurry? U ruined my nice dream!". "Hurry up!!! Look at the clock it's already 8:30 am and I have to be in college at 9 am and you are still sleeping. Common get up quickly and rush to dress up. I am waiting for you at dining table", scolded Madhura and was about to leave the room when Maanvi sleepily said, "What's up with this drama everyday mom! Why don't u have breakfast and leave to college because it is you who must be early not me. Mine College is at 11 o'clock mamma". To which Madhura simply replied, "It's because you know, since your childhood that I love to eat with you". Hearing this Maanvi snapped out from her sleepy mood and she cursed herself sensing the sadness in her mother's voice. She immediately apologized to which Madhura simply nodded and left the room. Though Maanvi never understood the logic behind having breakfast together because majority of the times they fight about some or the other thing. Definitely they don't fight on silly things. Maanvi doesn't know what makes her mother happy or sad. She tries everyday hard to keep her mother happy but majority of time fails miserably in doing so. Thinking all these in her mind she made her way to washroom and to get ready for the college.
Virat's home:
In contrast to Maanvi, Virat was an early riser and fitness freak. He daily went to nearby stadium for running and jogging. Today was also no different. He came back at 7:30 am and was present exactly at 8 am near dining table. He greeted cheerfully to everyone and saw that even Vaishali was present which was by the way not unusual because Sharma's and Vadhera's are close family friends and Vaishali comes often to their house. As everyone was having breakfast Virat addressed Vaishali who was sitting opposite to him besides Vanshika, "I thought you will not be here". Seeing her confused expression he continued, "Well I thought that you will go to VP's house in order to meet her daughter and accompany her to college. By the way what's her name? ". "Maanvi ", Virat's head snapped up hearing her name not because it was familiar but because it's not Vaishali who answered but his father Vinay. Virat looked at his father and asked casually, "So u met our new VP. U didn't say that to me." Vinay just looked at his plate without answering but dadaji covered up saying, "No we didn't meet them Virat. It's just that we heard about VP" and gave a smile which is usually given to hide lies. Virat felt little suspicious about this matter but he didn't go on and continued with breakfast but he noticed the same suspicion in Viren's eyes who was eyeing their dadaji and parents with curiosity. Viren caught that Virat was staring at him and looked away. Virat's silence was broken when Vaishali hit him hard on his hand. He looked at her confused and mouthed, "What happened?" Vaishali retorted saying," I was giving u the detail reply about the question you asked about Maanvi but you are not listening to me. I bet u didn't listen a word of my answer" Virat decided to end this topic seeing the previous reactions and environment and said, "Oh sorry actually I was thinking about my practice anyways cum lets go to the college if you have finished eating because today there is cultural meeting". Vaishali nodded in agreement while hurriedly stuffing the last piece of bread in her mouth and reaching for a glass of water. Viren said that he is also coming with them because he has some work in college. While leaving the dining table he addressed his father, "Papa so I will inform personally to Sharma uncle that you have a important case" to which Vinay nodded but Virat enquired," Papa but today all important people including trustees of our college are supposed to come then why you '." Vinay cut in the middle of Virat's sentence and said, "I have an important case to work on and I don't have much time, so I am not coming. On my behalf, Viren will attend". Vinay left the dining table leaving no scope for further conversation which Virat and Viren both felt weird.
In the college:
Virat entered the college's parking area and after parking the car both Virat and Vaishali bid goodbye to Viren because he had work in Principal's office whereas cultural meeting was going to be held in the meeting room. It was 8:45 am and they still had 15 min for meeting so they decided to go and check the notice board if there are any new announcements.
Another car entered the parking area and Maanvi and her mom got down from it and they were arguing. Mrs. Choudhary was so nervous and was scolding Maanvi, "See this is the first day and what impression will I make on my superiors for being late" To which Maanvi replied, "Relax mamma. Oops sorry I must call you maaammm(stretching the word) since we entered the college premises, ok mam relax still there is 10 minutes left for 9 am so you now go quickly instead of arguing with me about my sleep timings and anyways it's okay for you to be late after all know one dares to say a thing to VP, nai? ", saying this she winks to her mom. Mrs. Choudhary didn't bother to reply and went away hurriedly who was followed by Maanvi who was thinking what she will do for 2 hrs. She voiced this concern to her mother who by hearing this stopped in her tracks and turned to face Maanvi and replied with anger in her voice at full volume," I have no answers for such stupid questions now. Can't you see I am in a hurry? And I didn't ask u to come with me to the college early. It was your wish. Are you just irritating me because I told to have breakfast with me? ". Saying this she went away, looking at directions on board for Principal's office and without giving second glance to Maanvi. Maanvi saw few students nearby eyeing curiously at her and they probably heard her conversation with her mother. Tears started brimming in her eyes thinking that what did she say such a wrong thing that her mother became so hyper but she controlled her tears because she knew her mother was in tension and her way of easing her mother's tension was not correct and her mother getting hyper is not new to her but the fact is that these outbursts are increasing in number in last 2 days from the time they entered Chandigarh. She just started roaming around in the college aimlessly thinking how to make-up with her mother.
She loves her mother tremendously no doubt about it but she hates to say but her mother is too strict, stubborn and always in a snappy mood. She still remembers how her mother used to be extreme loving and caring during her childhood. Though Maanvi was very mischief in her childhood, Mrs. Chaudhary would never scold her. She was the apple of the eye of her parents. But after her father's demise everything shattered! Nor does she enjoys spending time with her mother, neither does Madhura seems to care about Maanvi's feelings but only cares about her education and other stuff. During the course of time they are just drifting apart, the thought which is bothering Maanvi a lot now-a-days.
She came back to present, when she heard someone calling her name. She was curious that who knows her name since she is new here but when she saw Vaishali calling her name her doubt was clarified and she felt relieved that at least she has someone to chat with. She started walking towards Vaishali and she noticed that Vaishali was talking excitedly with other guy and from the gestured she gathered that they were talking about her. She reached Vaishali and shook hands with her then she looked at other guy. "Virat", saying his name Virat extended his hand towards Maanvi, who took it and was about to reply when Virat said, "Maanvi ; I know". Seeing the confused expression on Maanvi's face he continued, "Vaishali told me about you and even if she didn't say still I would have known your name . In fact anyone in this premise in last 2 minutes would have known since Vaishu called by your name clearly and loudly and the fact that you replied to her call" and gave her the teasing smiling along with a wink by which Maanvi who was dumb-founded by his reply and was thinking, "How stupid I am that I was not able to apply simple logic! " She was brought back to reality when Virat said,"If you don't mind can we stop shaking hands because mine are starting to pain" hearing which Maanvi immediately broke the hand contact and was embarrassed. Virat chuckled seeing her cheeks which now turned deep red due to embarrassment. Vaishali who was eyeing their conversation with interest gave a friendly smile and hug to Maanvi and asked the reason behind her being present here so early. When Maanvi told her that she came here accompanying her mom who was required to come early but she herself has nothing to do now, Vaishali offered her to join them and she looked at Virat for his reaction to which he simply nodded and said looking at Vaishali," Hurry up now we have only 2 min to be there" and he looked at Maanvi and gave a small smile and told her to acompany them. Maanvi didn't know where they were taking her except the fact that they told her to join. She didn't know why but she had a feeling that she met this guy previously somewhere. But then the next moment she thought that it is impossible. How could she meet Virat who stayed in Chandigarh while all these years she was staying in Amritsar. One thing she knew was that she got new friends- Vaishali and Virat because she was feeling relaxed and cheerful in their presence but she told her mind not to jump on decisions because who knows whether they are ready to accept her as their friend. She thought to herself, "Don't jump on conclusions Maanvi. May be they are friendly because I am new here and that too VP's daughter. So for few days they may spend time with me until I get new friends. Yes I need to find friends from my class. Well the day has just started'.."
Anupamaa
Udne Ki Aasha
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