The story so far

When i met her for the first time, rather when I saw her the first time, I thought she was definitely above average looking, given the standard of an engineering college. It’s an unsaid rule in engineering colleges that the moment a not so bad looking girl is located in the campus, the sexually starving engineers fantasize their chances with that girl. And I not being an exception stalked her for a few seconds exploring wild things.

“Man! She is the new entry in our class, missed the 1^st month due to some family problem. Isn’t she cute?” Rahul asked. I gave him a startled look and tried to speak as if i hadn’t noticed her.

“Who are you talking about?” I asked.

“The girl your eyes were glued on for the last few minutes!!” He said and broke down into one of his traumatic laughter attacks. When i thought he was about to have a heart attack due to his laughter, our teacher entered, thus saving his life. But Rahul seemed to be in no mood to talk about that girl.

 “She is from central India. She looks good. I think you should take a try. “He whispered. Not that he was perverted but that’s how things work in an engineering college.

“Just stop talking trash!! Will you?” I barked, trying to save my image and hoping he had not understood about my wild fantasies which I was day dreaming just moments ago.

“Come on I am just trying to help you. You are such a bore! I think you should move on, its been 2months that your so called girlfriend dumped you. Move on man!”

“I have moved on. But its not that i will have to try every girl I see! Now you just shut up and listen to the lecture!” I said, almost steaming.

“Ok chill! No issue. We can discuss later about it.” Rahul said and gave a disgusted look.

But strange enough, I couldn’t concentrate in the class and found myself turning and looking at her most of the times. Ones i saw Rahul looking at me, and to escape from his further suggestions to “try her” i tried not to look at her. But the 1^st thing I asked Rahul after the class was

“What’s her name?”

Rahul gave a smile as if he had achieved noble prize and he dreamt about it the last year.

“I knew it! You were stalking her!”

“Shut up! Just tell me.”

“Well her name is Preeti. She is from Madhya Pradesh.” Nisha said, joining our conversation “By the way different community, different culture, how will you guys match up after marriage? And will your mom accept her as your wife?”

I felt as if i was sitting in some Mr Bean or some cartoon program. And felt like putting a cello tape over her mouth but restrained my feelings for that moment.

“I just asked for her name! And you are thinking about marriage? Will you give me a break?” I shouted back.

Rahul started one of his routine laughter displays and finally said “ Nisha is right! You have fallen for this girl. I think you should go ahead!”

I was about to protest, when Preeti came close near our bench and gave some lab report to Nisha and was telling her something which didn’t came to my ears as i was busy stalking her. After they were done, i behaved as if i didn’t even know she had just come.

That night i checked out her profile in orkut just due to curiosity and nothing else, i told myself.

Preeti Sha  From Madhya Pradesh, lives at Kolkata, India. And checked some other stuffs and scrolled left to see the most important segment of the profile, Relationship status and it said “It’s complicated.” I don’t know what happened i felt a sudden disappointment as if someone had just stolen a lab report from me (lab report to an engineer is far more important than his girlfriend). And after thinking about it for a few seconds, I sent her a friend request. The first step towards our friendship. A new chapter in my life was about to begin. And then,

“Your phone is ringing” Sneha said.

I was too lost in the memories of the 1^st year of my college to hear the phone ring. Almost a decade from now, but it felt as if it was just a few days ago. All those moments of joy, sadness, betrayal everything was in front of me like a flash back. It was hard to come back to the present.  

The call was from a colleague wishing me happy birthday. Yes it’s my birthday and as a return gift sneha wanted to know about the girl who was in my life throughout my college, the girl who changed me forever. Yes, she was Preeti sha the sweet heart from my college.

“Now continue!” Sneha demanded.

“I think its better to stop here. I am feeling claustrophobic. It’s hard to remember all those days.” I said.

“No way i won’t let you escape like this! Your future wife is quite demanding Mr. Joy Mitra! She won’t let you stop so abruptly!” She said and held my hand tightly with a big grin.

“Ok i will continue the story tomorrow i promise, I will tell you how our friendship started” I replied.

“Hmm. Its quite strange to hear about your fiance’s love story that doesn’t feature yourself!!” She said and gave me a kiss.

“Ok then it’s better not to continue this thing i guess.” I said trying to escape from this torture.

“Not so fast honey, you will continue it tomorrow and that’s an well not an order but a request, she said with a cute smile. I suddenly felt a lot of love for her but then again i remembered about Preeti, I wondered if Sneha could handle the facts those were about to come out very soon.

To be continued . . .