“Ahmm Ahmm!”

  “Wake up.” Somebody shouted in my ear.

  I looked up.

  “I think this is my seat.”

  A beautiful girl was standing in front of me, though my vision was dizzy due to the nap then also I could tell that she was not only beautiful but even something more than that. I can’t express. She was tall, little short than me, was wearing a simple jeans and red top and her face gave the touch of natural beauty. I can’t remove my eyes from the glow her face gave. Her voice was so polite that I could listen the same sentence 10,100 times. Her smile was killing. The dimples on her face took my heart. If you say what the love at first sight was then this is it. Her dark brownish eyes were mesmerizing, the one in which I could look for years with a smile. I can’t decide whether I was in a dream or in the reality. If it was real then of course I was in love. Things were seeming to slow down it was only like me and her, one reason for this could be because I had just being woken up from my sleep and my head was feeling heavy, the reality also sounded like a dream to me.

  “What?” She said.

  “Pinch me.” I said.

  “What?” She said again.

  Suddenly my all friends came in the hall and seeing me with a girl they hooted. I got up from there and directly went outside pretending as if I didn’t know any of them.

  “So that was Tanya quite beautiful she is.” Shashwat said standing on the door way

  “Someone took my name here, I think.” Tanya was just passing from there and hearing her name she stopped.

  “Are you Tanya?” Shashwat asked.

  “Yes of course I am.” Tanya said.

  “ Yes surely she is Tanya i had seen her talking yesterday with Harsh.” Aarav said.

  “Oh!! If you are…then who is she.” He looked at another girl and got confused.

  “She must be another contact of Mr. Harsh. He is finding too many of his contacts here, Specially girls.” Tanay said.

  He was now completely out of yesterday's coma and now decided not to even look at that girl.

  “Where have you gone.” Tanya said to me. I was thinking about that girl, and completely went mad after my short introduction with her. Her face with the smile was still roaming in front of my eyes.

  “Err Nothing.” I said.

  Our professor came. We moved in and attended the class. All the distractions were gone for me, only one remained and that was something which I couldn’t ignore easily. I was looking at her, admiring her beauty. Suddenly our professor said.

  “Now Harsh, Would you please explain us this parabolic curve.” The professor pointed towards me.

  I stood on my seat. Tried to explain but nothing came out of my mouth except the word love. I shook my head indicating that I didn’t know the answer.

  “See this is the condition, students like him don’t even know the basic class twelfth Math and they are studying in NSc..” and his lecture continued. Yesterday’s hero was today's villain for me. I didn’t pay much attention to his talks instead I was thinking that on the first day she must not be present in the class, else I must had got attracted to her beauty the previous day. One thing was for sure that she was not only beautiful for me, her natural tone had attracted many. She was the center of attraction for all. After our first class got over we got a break for 2 hours. I tried to follow her but was stopped by Tanya.

  “Hey Mr. wait why are you hurrying let’s go together.” She said.

  We were sitting in the canteen and Tanya now got involved in our group.

  “So they are my friends Aarav, Shashwat and Tanay.” I introduced them all to Tanya.

  “And she is a very old friend of mine.” I said introducing Tanya.

  “So old that he can’t even remember.” Tanya said.

  I smiled.

  “No that’s not true. I was just confused.” I said.

  “Ha ha confused!! So many girls you have met in your life that you can’t even remember one.” Tanya said.

  “Please stop now. Don’t tease me.” I said.

  “You are the same, the one who can easily be teased and troubled.” She said.

  The conversation was going only between me and Tanya and all the rest of three were looking at our faces. Knowing the situation I gave my friends sometime to interact with her.

  “ I'll bring some stuff to eat till then you all enjoy.” I said and went from there.

  “So harsh told us you are his friend but didn't tell us anything about you.” Aarav said.

  “Oh yes then I will. I was born in Lucknow. I was quite interested in dance and had been learning it since very small age, we ( I and Harsh) met at the dance academy and then after 3 years he suddenly left me, our contacts were broken. If telling you about my hobbies I am very passionate about dance and music.”

  “Then why are you here at NSc .” Shashwat said.

  “Just for a degree.” She said.

  I came back and joined the group. Our gossips continued and exchange of thoughts and ideas were nonstop. Now I realized that this is what we call a college life just having fun and hanging out with friends. The best and better than every phase of life.

  Chapter 8

  Back in the class for second lecture. Again the same love drama continued in the class. For once she turned her head, our eyes met. OH!! Shit. She understood that I have been looking at her for a long time. But then also she said nothing just turned her head back towards the board and smiled. Her cuteness was as par wide as the depth of my heart. After the lecture she just disappeared in the array and I didn't even try following her. I desired to talk to her but I don't know how to start, even I was not getting a reason to start. One week passed this way, my affection towards her deepened daily, her eyes gave a new shine and the bright new light of hope for me. She was beautiful how many times I need to say that doesn’t mattered at all, I will say and think about it every time she surrounds my mind. Also with the deepening of the love, the bond of friendship between us (I, Aarav, Tanay, Tanya and Shashwat) became more strong. We lived our life young, wild and being free from every thought, we were happy being careless. And one thing for sure, I was not the only one attending the class of love, I think Shashwat was the one too, how can he leave his brother alone in the high tides of love so he also tied his seatbelt and rowed his boat in Ocean of love. He never told me on his own but by his talks, actions and behavior I understood that he got attached and had a feeling for Tanya. Tanya was a nice girl and after knowing her and spending few days with her I could say that she was perfect. Frank, fashionable and all qualities that a girl in the middle of modernity and traditional touch were posed by her. She was awesome I agree. The feeling of getting to know someone in a better way after years was good one. Tanay was still suffering from a deep coma inside his heart which was to him given by that love letter, sitting next to a girl daily, who consider you like an ice cream cone, I can imagine how difficult it was. Aarav was happy alone, he was a cool guy and the biggest entertainer of our group his perfect timing and awesome comments at the right moment won everyone’s heart. Our group had everything from an entertainer to one who could give you a great advice. Yes of course do you have any doubts, it was none other than me, I can give anyone more trustable advice than that was given by the advisor of any insurance company. If no one else does at least I can highlight my some qualities. One important thing that I forgot to mention was that I started to study it was not so hard but to see my dream girl I daily went to the hall early as she also came somewhat early than other students. I pretended to carry more and more books so that my aim and moto was clear to all and I don’t have to face any suspicion. I didn’t concentrated much on books because my all concentration was on her face but then also when books are opened in front of you some knowledge is definitely gained and the same was with me she was giving me a reason to study. I was examining her from one week and though she was a simple girl then also her dresses doesn’t repeated at all, you know, girls always follow a pattern
with their dresses. Sunday the blue one Monday yellow and like this the whole month schedule is made before in their mind. Yes they could save this data in their mind for approx more than one month, if you ask them when was the last time you wore this dress they can tell you accurately, that’s why I said girls are the most sharp and complicated animals Oh! sorry I mean beings on the earth. Even a simple girl like her couldn’t resist this pattern. Now my curiosity reached at peak. Daily she came in the class I cooled down my heart by seeing her but now I wanted to talk to her.

  Chapter 9

  After one week

  Again as per my pre planned schedule I reached the class early looked at her during whole lecture and was involved completely in her thoughts. She was like a beautiful dream of mine. In the break we were sitting in canteen she was sitting just in front of me on another table.

  “She is good for you I think.” Tanya said.

  “What? Who?” I said.

  “Don't be surprised what do you think we don't know anything, the way you look at her its killing in love dude” Aarav said.

  “Are you in love? No I should say you are in love because I am sure.” Shashwat said

  “ I don't know whether am I or not but whenever I see her I just can’t explain what happens to me.” I said

  “That’s love” Tanay said.

  “Ya.. See Tanay knows better the one he is in with the fat lub you girl.” Aarav said and laughed.

  “Now there is a surprising good news for you.” Tanya said.

  “What.” I said.

  “Before that promise me a party.” She said .

  “Okay fine…Promise.” I said

  “The girl sitting in front of you for whom you are looking up for so many days had moved in with me yesterday, we both are sharing our rooms.” She said

  “And you are telling me that now.” I said

  “So what. You had waited for one week can’t you wait for few more hours.” She said.

  “So what’s her name?” I asked.

  “Aanya” She said.

  “So about what had you talked to her yesterday.” I said.

  “Ha-ha pretty interested in talks of girls.” She said.

  “No I’m not…” I didn’t even completed my sentence.

  “ok ok I understand. She got very late at night so we didn’t talk much, just got time to exchange our names.” She said.

  “Let me do something for you.” She said.

  “What is to be done.” I said.

  “Wait.” She said and stood from her chair went to Aanya and asked her to join our group.

  “Hey! why are you sitting alone come along and join us.” Tanya said.

  “Oh big thanks for offering but I have to go back to hostel to bring my books I forgot one. So sorry but I am just leaving.” Anya said.

  “Oh then no problem.” Tanya said and came back

  “I asked her to join us but your bad luck she had forgotten her book at hostel so she’s going back and so can’t join us now.” She said.

  “Now please someone go and tell her that there is no book needed in the subject of love.” Aarav commented.

  “Now Tanya you are my only and last hope please would you say.” She stopped me in the middle. She never let me spoke the full sentence or I should say that she knew me so well that always understood everything before I spoke.

  “Stop buttering. I am with you. You don’t need to tell me what I shall do, I know what I ought to.” She said

  Though I was talking and enjoying with my friends then also I was observing each and every step of Aanya she stood took her book and once looked at all of us and then moved out.

  Next day the same story continued till the break. In the break again she was sitting alone, Tanya was giving me some more information about her.

  “She’s of shy nature she wouldn’t join us if we doesn’t ask better we go.” She said. But first let me tell you something more about her.

  “She is simple girl, interested in studies and craft work, she wants to be a designer she is from Gujarat rest you must go and ask her.” She said “okay.” We all stood and went to Aanya.

  “Hiii.” said Tanya

  “Why you always sit alone you can join us anytime you want. Should we join your loneliness ” She said.

  “Of course please sit.” Aanya said.

  We all sat. My heart begun to throb more swiftly and I got a bit nervous but I thought that let me start this in a simple way from friendship. I should forget all the things that I had thought about her in last week, to remove my nervousness, first I have to develop good friendship with her and then should attack on her heart. I have learned two important things from life, that a very good friendship between a boy and a girl have greater probability to end with love whether told or untold and a very good love story started just by love and no friendship and understanding probably ends on being ‘just friends'. This is life. Though I have ended these lines in few words but the meaning is much more deeper inside. That’s the reason why I wanted to start everything with the friendship.

  Tanya introduced us to her. She smiled in reply.

  “So tell us something about you.” Tanya said.

  “Ahmm. What to tell I don’t know from where to start.” Aanya said.

  “Let me ask you. So what feeling you have got now, enjoying this life or not.” Tanya said.

  “It’s just one week. Till now everything's running fine nothing special just simple routine.” Aanya said.

  I’ll make everything special for you. I wanted to say.

  “And what about your old days. Tell us something about your past.” Tanya said.

  “You are making me repeat everything I said last night.” She smiled and continued.

  “Okay let’s start from beginning I am the only daughter of my parents and so the loved one. My father is a business man he gives me all freedom I need. My mother died in Hurricane when I was very young and from then I and my father are living alone. After my mother's death I don’t know what happened to my father, he isolated himself from the whole world and only concentrated on his business. I never went to school after that and privately completed my 12th by sitting at home. Loneliness surrounded me and slowly I got acclimated to it and started enjoying company of myself and I’m here now because I want to show that yes I can do something even by being alone and also to see what a real life living with strangers is, how good making friends is.” She said and her throat seemed to be heavy and I could see her pain in her eyes.

  “Excuse me I will join you later in the class.” She said and left and no one even tried to stop her.

  “Quite a painful story.” Tanay said.

  “ I will never let her be alone.” I thought.

  We left for our class.

  Chapter 10

  After the class.

  We met again and they all demanded a treat from me. I was not in a mood to decline so I bought cold drinks and burger. It was always the best time of my day, being with my friends, one could guarantee a full day entertainment with us.

  “Where’s your meal.” Tanya asked.

  Rest of the three boys were just beginning to start their meal, they were so hungry that they didn’t even bothered that I didn’t buy these stuff for me, but seeing that Tanya had noticed they also stopped.

  “Yes where is it.” Shashwat also asked.

  “No you all continue to eat, I don’t feel like eating anything.” I said.

  Tanya passed her burger towards me.

  “Sharing. Would you?” She said.

  “No thanks.” I said.

  “Please take it.” She requested.

  “Only little…” Before completing my sentence she put a burger in my mouth.

  “Now eat.” She laughed.

  At least she cared for me and I liked her behavior very much. She was little crazy, care free for the world, doesn’t even bother about what the world thinks but do care for her friends.

  “Hey from one week we
’re spending so much time together, having lots of fun, so much fun that we even forgot to exchange our numbers.” She said.

  “Oh Yes of course.” I said

  I gave her my number took her’s, and rest of the three were looking at us in such a way that in their life they haven’t seen anybody exchanging numbers. Tanya understood their curiosity and asked for their numbers too.,Also this gave them a big relief. After sharing things we went back to hostel. I didn’t want to study. My only desire was to think and get completely mesmerized with the beauty of Aanya. Thinking about my next step I messaged Tanya and so this way our conversation started.

  “Hiii. ” I messaged.

  “Oh! What a great luck, message from Mr. Footballer.” She messaged.

  “And what about miss dancer.” I replied.

  “Just dancing with Aanya.” She teased.

  “Oh tell me what she is exactly doing.” I replied.

  “Studying.” Reply came.

  “Oh quite studious she is. Tell me what you are doing and how are you? I messaged.

  “Just sitting, talking to you listening music and I am always better than fine. What about you?” She said.

  “As like you always better than fine.” I said.

  We chatted for a long time shared our interests and thoughts and enjoyed the company of each other. Whole night I thought about Aanya dreamt of her and planned how to begin my talk with her in a nice way.

  Next day also I went early and was pretending to study my eyes were less on the books but more on the doorway waiting for Aanya. I had created many plans and had rehearsed thousand times in front of a mirror to say hello to her. I tried not to but still I was getting nervous. I remember my childhood when, I was not so big but young enough to understand the meaning of love. I was being given a dare to propose the girl and I ended being so serious and nervous that the girl almost became very serious about it. Not only her but everyone in my group, even the person who had given me that dare thought I was serious and really was the Prince Charming for her. Thank god before I got a slap they all cleared the things to her and saved me. I could never concentrate on anything because pounding over thoughts in my head was my favorite job. I generally thought about only two things, first my past and second my future. Sitting alone I usually remembered my past days and the moments which always brought a smile on my face and other time which was left I thought of planning future and making plans to improve. None was of use because my future plans always failed and remembering past though gave a smile but distracted me from my present

 
Harsh Kumar's Novels