When the stars align! (10)



*Click here for the previous part(9)*


Akash woke up, early in the morning and wrecked his brains while sipping his coffee, "Is Tara really the grand daughter of Mrs. Agarwal? If so, being this rich, she hadn't travelled by a flight before? She said it was her first flight. Was she fooling me? This can't be true....Verma and Agarwal so she's her daughter's daughter, is she? How am I supposed to know? And why does it matter to me?". He couldn't reach to a conclusion. 

The phone rang and his brain took a break. 

"Good morning Amma! Yes yesterday's meeting was good. Seems positive to me. I've given my best, they'll let me know in a day or 2, so I'm staying here. 'Chinte maad beda' (don't worry) Amma, I'm eating well, 'Nanu channagi iddene' (I'm  alright). Yes, I'm going to meet her today. You take care. See you soon". Akash's mood slightly brightened up after talking to his mom over the phone.

Akash got ready and left the hotel to meet his cousin Smitha. Smitha was studying in the same city. He took the goodies his mom had packed for her. 

Akash reached the college entrance. He asked the security guard for the directions to the commerce department.

 As he entered the campus, it looked like a canvas sprayed in hues. The flowers and the students all of it was a colourful scenery. And in that colourful spectacle his eyes caught the known chroma. It was Tara. She was accompanied by Mrs. Agarwal. They were entering the Principal's cabin. 

"I was right. She is a college student", Akash's soliloquy. "And Mrs. Agarwal seems her grandmother, I guess". 

Akash went on to meet his cousin. Akash was a single child and hence his cousins were like siblings to him. And Smitha being the youngest, was all pampered. 

Smitha showed him the campus. "Anna (elder brother), this is our canteen. The saaru (curry) here tastes just like Chikkama's (chachi/aunty - Akash's mom). You must have lunch with me here today. Are you free Anna?", Smitha said.

Akash thought that it was a good opportunity to spend some more time with his cousin and also may be, he could get a chance to meet Tara too. He agreed to stay longer.

"I'll get finished with my lectures in an hour Anna. You can take a stroll or sit on the bench in the garden. But don't mind the couples around", she said, laughing.

"Couples? Smitha you are in your first year. You should concentrate on your studies", Akash acted like a typical elder brother. 

"Anna, I was talking about other couples, not me. Don't get jealous of them. Or find someone for you here. Chikkamma keeps nagging you, doesn't she?. There are many smart girls in here. All the best", Smitha teased him and left. 

Akash walked along the path which had white blossoms on the laterals. The petals fallen on the ground made a beautiful track to walk on. There was a sweet fragrance lingering in the air. Akash spotted a couple, with entwined arms walking down the path. As he walked further he saw Mrs. Agarwal leaving the campus. He looked around for Tara but didn't see her. And then he heard the soft voice, "Hi Akash!".

Akash turned his head and saw Tara standing there. 


*Click here for Part 11*


AUTHOR'S NOTE  : If you like the story comment and share, for more keep following!!!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diary 2024

Image
  And 2024 ends..... What a roller coaster ride!  Every year passes by and the new year comes afore, leaving you with something and making you leave something.  It would be quite odd if time doesn't indoctrinate our minds. This year taught me so much, like the previous one and the prior ones too! I have learnt valuable lessons thanks to 2024. The year was challenging, demanding yet gratifying.  What I grasped this year would be exemplar for rest of my life!  The fear of losing your close ones, leaves you petrified. While the close ones are battling, struggling with all their mights, you feel helpless even when you have honest intentions of support. Mental support, yes that can be given in abundance, there's no ceiling to it. But the one you intend to support is going through so much that sometimes just being there, showing up is also helpful.  Sleepless nights, nightmares haunted me for days. But then when you see them valiantly striving and vanquishing the...
Read more

Moira : Bound to happen! Chapter - 1.

Image
She was sitting on the bench under the huge tree. Its extensive branches covered few more benches around. The park was a hangout place for teenagers. It was a playground for children and a perfect site for the exercise enthusiasts. People jogged, wearing headphones, determined to shed those extra kilos and be fitter, sticking to their new year resolutions, was a familiar sight here.  Yuga wasn't feeling the vibe today. She had left home as usual, early in the morning, in her tracks and tee to run a few miles, but after three rounds she just sat down on the bench. She saw an old lady taking rounds, walking slowly, but with vigour. The tree was shedding it's aged golden leaves. One such tanned foliole fell beside Yuga on the bench. She picked it up and let it descend on the ground. She switched off the songs playing on her phone. With air pods in her ears, she sat inert on the bench. She closed her eyes and could hear the birds chirping. "They are so happy even at the break ...
Read more

What's your plan?

Image
 "You've to score good grades at school!" "You've to do your Olympiads!" "You need to have a co-curricular activity or some sports activity!" "You should be able to dance or sing or play a musical instrument!" Oh my my! So much pressure on these little one's learning to adapt and traverse the lanes and by lanes of this complicated world. "But its a rat race! He/she needs to figure it out sooner. Studies, career, universities, the stress builds up as they advance into their grades (classes), isn't it?" Yes, true. It's a tough task for the coming generations. Population is ever increasing. Even though the colleges and courses are increasing in numbers but we have no say on the quality of education they impart. Also the leading universities and colleges are always the first priority, obviously. So the newbies are looked down upon. Also the reservations hinder the paths of many. Well, so what score is a good enough score...
Read more