chapter 2

          Aarushi was all set for the first day. She put on her one of the regular Kurti, leggings, the matching earrings, and a small dot of gandhak between her eyebrows.   Her long straight hairs were tied into single braid that reached down till her waist. She took one last look in the mirror and left with a smile, the rythmic tinkling of her anklet following after. " Good morning my baccha.", her mom's cheerful voice welcomed her into the kitchen which wasn't that big but well organised to accomodate maximum of two people comfortably. " Good morning maa. ", she greeted back as she took the bottle placed near the mud pot and filled it.      " Is sakhu up?", an old feeble voice ran in the main hall, indicating her grandmother was back from the temple. " Yes. She is going to college. ", mom answered on her behalf. " Doesn't she have holiday?",  granny questioned as she settled herself on the sofa at a distance from the T.V. " Had . It was till yesterday.", Aarushi came out handing her a glass of water. " Ohh. So today college? ", she simply nodded in response.  " I see . The second term starts now right? When will you be back?". " She hasn't even gone though.", mom remarked and  making everyone chuckle . It only brought an affectionate smile on the wrinkled face.  " You see I easily get used to having her. Home would look empty without her. ",  the emotions in her words despite it being just few hours had her granddaughter pouting at her . She laid her head on granny's lap letting the weak hands run her fingers slowly through her hairs.      " We don't want to be late on first day now , do we?" ,her dad ruined their peaceful, affectionate moment making his daughter frown at him. " You are always in a hurry!", Granny complained on her behalf still letting go of her . She  rushed to get her bag while her mom walked back in kitchen bringing out her tiffin and bottle. Taking her belongings she dashed out of her home settling behind her dad who drove her to college. " Don't rush . And take care. ",  dad instructed as she hummed in response to all. " I will come to pick up. Call me once you are out. ", this statement never failed to make her smile. Despite of being old enough to walk back alone she loved how her dad found pleasure in picking and dropping her off. " Sure. ", she said as she waved a final time disappearing in the crowd of students.     " Aruuuuu!", called out her friend who ran to catch upto her. " Neetu!!!!", she chirped as she spread her arms to embrace the slightly shorter girl. The two were bestfriend since school days and now having received admission in same college the friendship continued counting further years of togetherness. The duo walked ahead passing the familiar faces they offered a smile to . " You heard the latest gossip of  our class?" , Neeta asked more like whispered as the two has just passed through the main gate.        " You know Vibhavari? Recently her boyfriend broke up with her. ", she said with an expression as if telling a secret of some most popular tragedy. " What does it have to do with us?" " Come on you should know the latest gossips if not of college atleast of your own class. " " You just have too much time to spend , don't you?" " But it's the latest gossip! I mean come on. She is rich, has a nice status and no doubt her looks are quite popular around also - " " Why does her life concern you this much?", Aarushi  asked as she cut off her friend's unwanted chatting.              She walked ahead increasing her pace making the other run to catch upto her. " Okay okay. Topic changed. Let's talk about something else. Have you heard about the fest-"[ Time Skip ]      The duo was joined by their third friend who looked as if she ran all the way there.  She plopped down on the bench panting heavily. " Want to hear a good news?", Neeta asked. She nodded. " You are on time. ", she  said ," And want to hear a bad news?", the girl nodded again , eyes still half lided, while she tried to regulate her breathing. " Lecture is cancelled.", Neeta said to her disappointment. " Aruuuuuuuuu", Malini cried in frustration as she rested her head on Aarushi's shoulder, " Whyyyy?" " I- you know events are going on and-" " No one is asking you to defend them you know!", Malini pushed her lightly in annoyance.       " I am taking this lecture since your sir is absent.", a stern voice gained attention of the whole class and everyone settled properly allowing the proffessor to proceed. " Why is everyone huddled together at the back. Sit freely and come to the front. ", he commanded and there were glances exchanging disagreement to that amongst students. " Come on. Quickly! I need to start. ", he repeated. Realising his temper a few got up. Though Neeta and Malini remained rooted on the fourth bench Aarushi got up shifting to the second bench. A few other shifted occupying further benches. The strength of class was hardly 15 students. " So according to the given- " the proffessor had begun teaching but paused mid-sentence as his attention seemed to be caught by the movement at the door. " Hey you nonsense! Come back. ", he commanded and a figure which was just trying to escape seemed to walk back.     " Are you from this division?", his question was answered with just a nod. " Get inside.", he ordered focusing back to the text in his book.  She walked in unwillingly. Seems she had no plans for sitting for the lectures but her decision to sneak-peek landed her in trouble. " Here on the second bench ", he tapped besides Aarushi and the girl settled there. He continued teaching and went further behind near the last of rows. " Which lecture is this ?", the girl asked making Aarushi  give her a surprised stare. What kind of person doesn't even know what lecture they are sitting for ?. " Physics.", she replied in a whisper nevertheless. The girl  nodded pulling out some notebook from her bag.         Aarushi focused on whatever the sir was saying as she kept marking lines that he said were important. He further instructed to make notes  and she was about to write , she felt a light tap on her hand. A mere glance at the person besides and she knew the other didn't even have a pen.  She just passed her whole pouch not bothering whatever the girl did further. For some reason the girl kept on giving her weird vibes the moment she stepped in.  No textbook, no pens and just a half torn rough book . Nothing besides her look seemed to be maintained about her. Aarushi tried to keep up the pace with the sir who showed no sign of taking a pause while simultaneously judging the girl.        " That's all for today", he atlast concluded and  rubbed the board which only had chapter 's name on it . The moment he stepped out , almost entire class sighed in relief while Aarushi looked at her notes pretty proud of her writing speed for being able to keep up. She was about to close it when she felt a hand snatch it . She looked at the girl besides  who spared her no glance .  The girl only  took out her phone clicked  few pictures of the notes and passed her book back.        I don't expect politeness or thank you  but she could have got atleast some manners ?        Â