Author - Jui Purohit.

*Click here for the previous part(15)*  Adjusting to new spaces and situations had, as though, become her routine. But nani's words had brought back Tara's mind at peace. Finally, she had someone in her life who was willing to ease her apprehension. The warm hug from her nani was the biggest gift in this difficult phase of her life.  Tara dressed up in an elegant salwar-kameez that her nani had bought. This new day ushered a fresh hope for her. She was happy to see her bright reflection in the mirror after months.  "Nani wish me luck for my first day of this new college", Tara said as she touched Nani's feet.  Nani blessed her and said, "You look beautiful beta. And I assume, you will return late after the college". "Why nani? My lectures get over by 4 so I will be back by 5", Tara said. "And what about the date? You are meeting Akash right? Ummm if you don't want to go, it will be my pleasure to go instead. Akash is a dashing and hand...

*Click here for the previous part(14)*  Gupta uncle saw Tara and hung up his phone. "We need to take Agarwal Mam to the hospital Tara", he said. Tara was startled.  "What happened to nani?", she sounded worried.  "Don't worry Tara beti, she is just feeling uneasy. I've talked to her family doctor. He has asked to bring her to the hospital", uncle said. They both went to nani's cabin. She was sitting with her head down on the desk. Tara had never seen her nani like this. "Do I really bring bad luck to the people around? People beside me seem to suffer", Tara felt dejected about herself.  She held her nani's hand tightly as they got seated in the car. "I won't let anything happen to you nani", she murmured.  Nani leaned on Tara's shoulder and tightened the grip of her hand. Tara looked at nani and tears rolled down her eyes. She had felt this warmth after a very long time.  They reached the hospital. The doctor che...

*Click here for the previous part(13)*  On one hand, her heart was fluttering because of Akash's words, his kind gestures and finding someone who cared for her like her parents did. But on the other hand her mind was disturbed by the thought of her nani.  "Will nani accept this? Or will she cut ties with me again like she did with my mom?No! I can't be selfish. If she gets to know about Akash, he will lose on his deal. It will affect his career", Tara thought.  "Akash you are the only person who has cared for me since my parents died and I'm indebted towards you for that. It is so gracious of you to let me know your feelings Akash. But I don't want to trouble you more. You won't gain anything by keeping a girl like me, by your side. On the contrary, you might get deprived of your future prospects. I'm this one unlucky girl, I don't want you to suffer with me", Tara was crestfallen. Her bright hazel eyes now lost their glow and her face ha...

  *Click here for the previous part(12)* "Please sign here Miss Verma", said the registrar of the college office. Tara completed the formalities. Akash helped her with the paperwork. "Is he your guardian?", the registrar asked pointing towards Akash. "Umm..no...he is a friend!" Tara said as she glanced at Akash. "Actually my grandmother had accompanied me but she had a meeting so she left. She has already done the signatures wherever needed, in Principal's office", Tara explained.  "Okay then you can join in from tomorrow Miss Tara Verma", said the registrar. "Now this calls for celebration. You should definitely join us tomorrow Tara", Akash said clapping his hands a few times. Tara looked around, feeling a little embarrassed. "I will have to ask nani", she said in a very low tone, almost whispering.  They both stepped out of the office and Akash spoke, "Tara don't be constantly fearful. Don't run f...

*Click here for the previous part(11)* "This is Smitha and this is Tara", Akash introduced the girls to each other.  "Why does your 'genius' sound like 'playboy' to me Smitha?", Akash raised one eyebrow and questioned Smitha. Smitha stuck out her tongue trying to tease her brother. " Playboy and you Anna? You never ever had a girlfriend before", she said. Tara had a smile on her face watching the duo having a fun banter. "Tara is not my girlfriend. She's a friend though and yes she's a girl so....", Akash said looking at Tara, not making her feel uncomfortable. Tara lowered her gaze and seemed demure. "And mind you she's your senior here", he warned Smitha. "Oh is it....I'm sorry Tara, I must've misread the air. But I haven't seen you before", Smitha said looking at Tara carefully.  "It's okay Smitha! I got admitted to the college today itself. I'm new here so please guide m...

*Click here for the previous part(10)*  "I saw you walking from afar and as grandma left, I thought of meeting you", Tara said. "So the lady who accompanied you is your grandmother?", Akash asked. "No doubt their features seemed similar", he thought.  "Yes. She's my mom's mother", Tara sighed. "But what are you doing here?", she added. "Finding me a smart girlfriend", Akash quickly said. "Girlfriend", Tara had addled expressions on her face. Akash laughed at his own joke and more so at her expressions.  "Well that's what my cousin has instructed me to do. Tara my cousin Smitha, studies here, in the first year. I've come to meet her. She's having her lectures right now so decided to wait for her and have lunch together. And may I ask what brings you here?", Akash said. "Can we sit on the bench and talk?", Tara asked.  They both got seated on the bench in the garden. Tara looked ...

*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...

*Click here for the previous part(8)*  Akash booked a room in the hotel that was on the road opposite to the BigStar Corp company.  He changed into comfortable clothes and relaxed on the bed. Feeling a slight headache, he massaged his forehead. But didn't get any relief. So he decided to step down and look for medical stores.  Medical stores was nearby so he didn't need to walk any further. He bought the needed medicine. As he was walking back to the hotel, he saw Tara getting into a car. The same man who was accompanying her in the elevator, loaded her luggage in the boot. He then got seated in the front seat, while Tara at the back. The car seemed like a private vehicle not a cab. It was an expensive one. Tara rolled down the window and her face was now clearly visible to Akash. She looked sad, like she had cried a lot.  Akash wanted to cross the road and approach her but the car drove off.  "What's happening with Tara? Who is that man and why did she go with ...

*Click here for the previous part(7)*  Tara stepped out of the elevator, equally stunned to see Akash.  "Akash!", she exclaimed. "Hi! What brings you here Tara?", he asked excitedly.  Tara looked at the person standing besides him. The man looked at Akash and then to Tara and gestured her to walk towards the office, as he started to move ahead. Tara's face slumped a bit. "Akash I've to go. I'm sorry but can we talk some other time?", she said as she rushed to catch pace with that man. She dragged her trolley bag hastily along.  "Is she being threatened? Is she in trouble?" Akash pondered standing there as he saw her leaving. "Should I ask? No. This is a commercial place. I cannot create a scene here. It will affect my work too. She should be here for a job or something. But she seems young, like a college girl. I guess, I shouldn't cross my boundaries. It's her personal affair", his brain kept arguing with his heart....

*Click here for the previous part(6)*  "Hello! Yes, just landed. Will take a cab and call you, once I reach", Akash said over the phone. Akash took a cab and told the driver to stop on the way if he locates a decent food joint. "Let's grab something to eat and head for the day", Akash said to himself.  He reached his destination. "I've reached. You guys be ready. If I need anything be available on your phones. Let's hope for the best. We will crack this deal", Akash said to his business partner.  'BigStar Corp' read the huge sign board at the entrance of the tall building. Akash entered and told the receptionist about his appointment.  "Hi! I'm Akash Rao, joint partner Stellar Solutions", Akash told her. "Mam is waiting for you. Please proceed to the 2nd floor Sir. MD's cabin is to the left", the receptionist said. "Thankyou", Akash said and he advanced.  The office area of the company was huge. Spa...

*Click here for the previous Part(5)*  Akash returned to his seat and found Tara absorbed in the photograph she was holding in her hand. It seemed like a family picture. Akash cleared his throat as he sat down. Tara's reverie was broken and she looked at Akash.  "Missing your family?", Akash spoke warily, not sure of his words. He didn't want to ask her personal questions, sounding ambiguous or crossing any boundaries. He was mindful of the fact that the young girl was travelling all alone for the first time. Tears rolled down Tara's cheeks. She hastily wiped them and put the picture back into the bag. "Hmm....I miss them....alot", Tara said. And she clasped the book in her hand.  Akash sensed that he had hit the wrong cord. So to divert the topic he said, "So what are you reading? A love story?". Tara looked at the book in her hand 'Once upon a heartbeat'. "Yes it's a love story", she said, trying to sound normal, coverin...

*Click here for the previous part(4)* "Would you like tea or coffee Sir? And you Mam?", the airhostess brought in the refreshments.  "I will have a coffee", Akash said. "And what about you Tara?". "Do I need to pay?", Tara asked Akash. "No Mam it's complimentary. If you want the snacks you'll have to pay", airhostess said pointing to the sandwiches placed in service trolley.  "Then...I'll ...have tea", Tara said. "Green tea or the regular tea Mam?", airhostess inquired.   "The regular one with milk and sugar", she elaborated, glancing at the hostess and again towards Akash. The airhostess handed over their orders and moved on. Akash smiled at Tara.  "Sorry am I causing trouble to you?", Tara asked. "No! Why would you say that? You can have the tea you like. I prefer coffee", Akash tried to mitigate.  Tara pursed her lips and nodded. She went back to reading her book while sip...

  *Click here for previous Part(3)* The flight crew started the preflight safety briefing. Tara followed the airhostess earnestly and taking out the instruction pamphlet, carefully read through all the guidelines. She seemed quite sincere. Once the hostesses dispersed Tara opened her book.  Akash checked the texts on his mobile phone and put it on flight mode. He glanced at Tara. She appeared anxious.  "Are you alright Tara? Feeling a bit nervous?", Akash spontaneously asked. "Yes, as I earlier said it's my first time flying", Tara replied.  "She seems anxious but there's no excitement about her new experience", Akash's soliloquy.  The flight started taxing and Tara clutched the armrests. And as the flight gained momentum, the book fell off from her lap. Tara wanted to pick it up but couldn't dare to move.  Akash saw all her struggle and said, "Tara isn't it fun to fly? We don't have wings but we can experience the flight sitti...

*Click here for previous part(2)*  "Did you comfortably get through the security check?", Akash was tempted to ask but on second thought, it would've been too obvious, as she was already here. He decided to just drink his coffee and finish his work. So he peeped into his laptop once again while trying to sip coffee from the steel glass. And he stopped to see, he had mistakenly lifted the empty glass. So he rolled his eyes up and lifted the glass with coffee. He heard a soft chuckle, and saw that the girl was glancing at him with a grin.  As Akash saw her, she quickly turned her gaze to the book. Akash smiled and gulped his coffee. He continued working on his laptop and there was an announcement for the flight. Akash read the flight information display and began to proceed towards his gate. "Excuse me", he heard a soft voice and turned back. It was the petite girl standing behind him. "Can you help me please?", she asked Akash, showing him her boarding ...

*Click here for the previous part(1)*  After the primary check, Akash entered the airport. He had done his web-check-in already, so he got his boarding pass quickly. The trolley bag was checked in and Akash started walking towards the security check counter. Just then, a dupatta got entangled in the hook of his bagpack. He felt a pull and looked behind. But the girl had untangled it by then and was moving to the boarding counter. Akash could only see her back, her petite frame pulling the trolley bag. She had wavy hair, let loose. The pink dupatta swayed as she walked. The airline employee was helping her with the boarding process. Akash proceeded for the security check. He put his mobile, laptop and chargers in a tray and was about to pick another tray for the bagpack, when a girl dressed in a pink Salwar-kameez stood beside him. She also picked the same tray. Their fingers touched and Akash withdrew his hand. "Sorry Miss, but the que for women is to the other side", Akash s...

 He glanced at his watch, "Geez! I need to rush", he uttered. He pulled the handle of trolley bag and slung the bagpack on his shoulder. The dragging of the trolley made a harsh sound of the wheels. He looked at the trolley but decided to rush as he was getting late. He checked his mobile. He kept refreshing the app, "Your ride will be here in 3 minutes", read the text. "3 minutes more? What's wrong with these guys? Earlier it showed ride is arriving.... Gosh man! I'm going to miss my flight", he kept murmuring as he came out of the elevator.  The cab was waiting at the gate of his building, gladly, before he reached there. He loaded the luggage.  He got seated in the back seat and shared the OTP with the driver. "7988, can you make it faster? I'm getting late, else I'll miss the flight", he said to the driver.  "Sir there are speed cameras everywhere these days. I'll try my best to drop you in time", the driver said...