Naina
9:20 am
The road outside SKU College
Bengaluru, India
You kept your vitamins?' The lady in a sPhulla fluorescent green and golden border Sari asked the girl sitting next to her
Yes Phulla Bua! Recently turned seventeen Naina adjusted her glasses on her fair round face.
And your Horlicks?'
Yes Bua.'
And your-'
"Bua can you drop me off at some distance from the college.'
Why?' Phulla Bua looked like someone had slapped her. I took out the Rolls just to drop you to college.'
Because of your Rolls only I don't want you to drop me off there. Too much attention. "Its just that it might be too crowded so I thought.' Naina shrugged.
Phulla Bua smiled. And you packed all your romance novels?'
Naina nodded quickly. The silver suitcase is full of them.'
Did you. . . did you speak with your Rakesh.'
Naina inhaled deeply. She had promised herself that she would not cry on the first day of college. No point. Papa will only say hurtful things.
Naina was born to a middle class family and an autocratic father and meek mother. Theirs wasn't a love match but a convenient barter.
Naina Beta!' Phulla Bua gently touched Naina's forehead. "No sad thoughts, you are frowning bache.'
Naina clasped her Bua's hand and touched it to her forehead. Thank you Bua. I owe you my life. If you hadn't come for me when you did I don't know what would have happened to me.'
Phulla Bua pulled her in an embrace. Women should always support other women. Always help other girls.' Naina nodded as she sat back trying to compose her face that revealed her thoughts quicker than a trashy tabloid revealed celebrity secrets.
"And you such a sweet girl. You will make an excellent orthodontic surgeon.'
Naina inhaled her Bua's lavender smelling perfume. Orthopedic surgeon Bua.'
Dono different hain?'
Naina chuckled. Yes one if tooth and is the other foot.'
Oh look, look. SKU!' Phulla Bua pointed ahead of them.
Naina stomach tightened and she felt goose bumps on her skin.
Promise me child you will never stop writing though.' Her Bua asked even as she dabbed her eyes.
The world is not ready for the kind of stories I like to write, yet. Naina nodded. As long as you promise to read them.'
Always! So tell me what are you most excited about?' Phulla Bua asked.
Meeting new people and hopefully making some friends. Even one good friend will do.'
Phulla Bua caressed her niece's head. The kind of person you are, I think you'll make more than one good friend.'