CHAPTER 3
The evening was silent and peaceful with cool gust of northern winds blowing in. The earlier still waters in the lake were now forming ripples with every touch of the wind. The lake was wide, expanding across the entire upper half of the campus. It was all visible from the window of my room. I was finally here, in the Gottfried Academy. Sitting in my room, I was reading the very first book from the parcel I got today. GOTTFRIED ACADEMY: CODE OF DISCIPLINE. It was 157 pages long. How could there possibly be that many rules? Just then I was interrupted by the chiming of church bells and slowly the lights in my room switched off by itself, the corridor was also dark with just candles burning around. Nikki suddenly looked distraught.
"Is it six o' clock already? We have to go!"
"Go where?" I asked.
"Fall Awakening, of course. Come on, we're late."
"Wait, what's Fall Awakening?"
Instead of answering, Nikki grabbed a cardigan. I did the same, and she took me by the elbow and rushed me out the door. She was my roommate and probably the first person I knew there. It was almost sunset when we reached the green. The tree grew thicker at the centre of campus. In tha distance was the chapel, its bell still swaying.
"This", Nikki said," is Fall Awakening."
The students were divided into four sections, one for each year, she explained. Everyone was already seated on long wooden benches that lined the outskirts of the lawn in the shape of a U. The first row of each section was empty.
Nikki was already squeezing her way onto a bench in the sophomore section. I followed her, but when she saw me take a sear beside her, she shook her head.
"Its supposed to be alphabetical", she explained,"which means you should be in the back with the rest of the Ts..."
"Oh...right. Okay", I hesitated before standing up but she immediately said, as I was about to leave.
"But since the guy who sits next to me isn't here, I doubt anyone will notice if you stay. You're way better company. I've tried to make conversation, but he barely acknowledges me. Sometimes I think he doesn't even notice that I'm sitting next to him. He's like that with everyone. He's sort of like this social outcast, except that everyone is secretly obsessed with him."
"Obsessed? What do you mean? I thought you said he didn't talk to anyone."
"He doesn't. The thing is...he's beautiful. He's this rugged, devastatingly gorgeous guy who has inexplicably chosen a life of solitude. And he's brilliant. Some Latin prodigy or something. Most people here can't decide if they love him, hate him, or are scared of him. For most its all three. Especially my brother, Yuvraj hates it when I talk about him, which is sort of weird because I don't think they have spoken even once."
"Who is he?"
Nikki lowered her voice, the name rolling off her tongue like a dark secret. "Kunj Sarna."
I chuckled a little. "Kunj? Its so old school. Did he pick that name just to show that he is superior to us like old people are? I bet he's too old by his looks. And what's there to be scared about him?"
Nikki shook her head in disapproval. "Just wait till you see him. You won't be laughing then."
"But seriously, Nikki, this name does not suit the personality you described..."
Nikki didn't respond. "Shh...", she muttered under her breath giving me a concerned look.
But before I could say "What?" I heard a cough behind me. Oh God, I thought to myself, and slowly turned around.
"Hi", he said with half grin that seemed to be mocking me.
And that's how I met Kunj Sarna.
So how do you describe someone who leaves you speechless?
He was beautiful. Not Monet beautiful or white sandy beach beautiful or even Grand Canyon beautiful. It was both more overwhelming and more delicate. Like holding a shell in your hand and wondering how nature was able to make something so complex yet so perfect; his eyes, dark and pensive; his perfectly done black hair; his arms, strong and lean beneath the cuffs of his collared shirt.
Looking at him, all I could muster up was a small "Hi."
He studied me with what looked like a mix of disgust and curiosity.
"You must be Kunj", I said.
"I am ." He smiled, then leaned n and added," I hope now you know that i am not too old. I am at your age. A name like Kunj us not old school, right?"
I blushed at the sound of my words coming from his lips.
"And you are---"
"Twinkle",I interjected.
"I was going to say 'in my seat', but Twinkle will do."
My face went red. "Oh right. Sorry."
"Twinkle, like the stars? How kiddish! No wonder your behaviour is the same as of a child. I know you must be singing that song already in your mind. Twinkle Twinkle little star ..."
I glared at him. I knew he was just dishing back my own insults, but it still stung.
Edited by samara_raichand - 9 years ago
Shiv Shakti
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
