Chapter 3
In the 45 minute ride to the college, Aman was prodding Aarti seeking information on her "where is she from, what happened to her parents, etc etc"...finally, as they arrived at the college, "Aarti, I'll see you at lunch break?" Aman asked..."huh?, sure..., if you want to..." ..Aarti simply said and gave out an awkward smile. She was clearly uncomfortable by Aman's over friendliness at the time.
The day went by. Aarti was happy with the whole day..she loved her Art classes, and just got a first assignment. The Art students had to come up with something creative. She thought back about Aman and Aakash...Aman made Aarti copy Aakash's Math assignment for him during a break, and at lunch time he ate her lunch "...come on yaar, I am in third year, atleast people should know I did some ragging...please?...and this achaar tastes yummy..not bad for the ladies hostel food.." he said with a wink. Aakash only said hi and hello to Aarti and did not talk much. He seemed to be conversing with Mansi a lot.
"Yash, can you please come over to my room?" his father called Yash at his desk phone. "Sure Bauji, be there in a second".
"Yash, I want you to personally handle this client. He is a referral from a good friend of mine. Their business will be important for us. You are going to be meeting Dr. Shankar at his home at 8:30pm. He wants to give us some requirements for a outhouse design. I thought this will be a good project for you start with."
"Definitely Bauji. I'll go. Is there a file with any more details?"
Yash and his father caught up on the client and his father left. Yash had some time on his hands before the client's meeting. He couldnt go home and then go the client home and it was out of way for him. He just decided to get something to eat outside.
Aarti, Mansi, Aman and Aakash got down at the bus stop. "Ok guys, bye...I need to go now. Freshers need to be back in hostel by 6pm...I'll see you all tomorrow?"..."Aarti, wait!..." Aman said. As Aarti looked at him questioning with her eyes..."there is an awesome chaat place here, can we go please? I am starving!" said Aman. "CHAAAT??..we have to eat, oh god Aarti! lets go pleassseee" cried Mansi.
"No guys, I need to be in my room...otherwise, I have to do a lot of explaining to the warden. Please guys, not today." pleaded Aarti.
It didnt work. Aarti was sitting sulking in her chair as the others gobbled on their chaat. She was looking forward to start working on her assignment that was due next week. "Come on yaar, cheer up!" said Aman. Aarti gave him a dirty look and looked away..."Wow, Aakash did you see? She just gave me a dirty look!"...Aarti saw Aakash laugh out heartily for the first time..."thats because you are a jerk, Aman!"...he started off and they all were laughing.
There was a breeze again and Aarti looked towards the entrance...
Yash had entered the same chaat place to grab a quick bite before his client's meeting. His back was facing Aarti, and she could not see him. She looked around for a couple of times, before giving up..."Expecting someone?" Aman asked.."No, I thought someone called out to me..." replied Aarti clearly still looking out.
Yash was looking outside the chaat place feeling the breeze...he felt something too...
"Ok, its past 7pm now...can we please go?" pleaded Aarti..."
Aarti, I got my bike today. I usually park it near the bus stop and take the college bus from here to save on petrol. I can drop you off" said Aakash.
Aarti was a bit surprised by the offer since she didnt know Aakash that well to ride on a bike with him..."umm, its ok Aakash. Thanks for the offer. I can walk to my hostel. Not a big deal. Mansi, will you take an auto home? Its pretty late now?".
..."dont worry Aarti, I'll manage, you go ahead. See you tomorrow darling". Aarti gave her friend a hug ...
."...and for me?" winked Aman. Aarti just glared at him again and smiled. "Good night Aman!" she giggled and left.
Aarti walked past Yash who was waiting near the cashier to pay for his take out. Their shoulders slightly brushed each other and they both felt a shudder..."..oops, sorry.."said Aarti and continued walking. She stopped at the stairs of the chaat place trying to recollect herself after that strange reaction. "what was that??" she thought to herself...and looked towards Yash. He was still facing the other way, and they did not see each other. "..that was odd" thought Yash. Aarti started descending the stair case, when there was a strong gust of wind...she could not hold on to her dupatta as it flew off behind her. She turned shockingly to find a guy, his head completely covered with her dupatta and he was struggling to get it off his face. She did not know what to do, and ran to him..."ayyo...so sorry" and just grabbed the fabric...Yash could smell a faint fragrance of sandalwood as the soft dupatta slided off his face...as he opened his eyes, he saw a faint glimpse of a face covered with dark long hair...and it disappeared into as quickly as it happened.
he looked around...and saw no one. He sighed to himself and sat in his car to finish his dinner...and started driving to the client's house..."ayyo??...must be from South India" he smiled and thought to himself about the conversation with his mom in the morning.
Chapter 4: Coming up tomorrow
How do you all like it so far? Please give me feedback on what you want to see more. I plan to add more characters in the next set of chapters which will shape the story forward.
Thanks again for all the support!
Cricket
