Kajol and Rani had just finished writing their notes down when the sound of the bell rang throughout the college. Everywhere around them, people were packing in books, lunchboxes, papers and other things into their bags before scurrying off to their class. Kajol and Rani did the same stuffing their books into their bags and rushing off to class.
As usual Kajol and Rani took the three seater table in the second row. Two being for Kajol and Rani and the other one saved for Ash when she finally got to school.
Today Kajol took the middle seat and Rani sat on her right. Kajol was just pulling out her pencil case when she heard the classroom door open and the loud clacking of 6-inch heals enter the classroom. Smiling to herself she looked to the front of the class and wasn’t at all surprised to see Ash making her way down the row of chairs to get to her seat.
“Crap!! I’m late again!” Ash mumbled settling into her seat. “Why didn’t you wake me up?!” Ash growled at Kajol and Rani. Kajol sighed wearily.
“What happened to you, dear old sis?” Ash asked.
“Ash…” Kajol said “…why have you come to school dressed in a handkerchief?” she asked casually. Rani cleared her throat and smiled. Ash rolled her eyes.
“It’s NOT a handkerchief, sis. It’s a backless, slim fit blouse!” she said angrily.
“Oh, in other words, a bra?” Rani suggested helpfully. Kajol tried hard to refrain from laughing.
“No! NOT a bra. It’s fashion, Rani! Too bad! You just don’t understand these things, do you deary? Anyways, didi…” she said, addressing Kajol. “Fresh news straight from your dear Chachu.”
“Hey! Don’t insult him, ok?” Kajol said severely.
“I’m not insulting him. When you finish this exam you have to go back to the temple and help prepare for the puja at night.”
”Just me?” Kajol said expectantly.
“Yep, just you.”
Kajol nodded slowly. “Uh-huh. And Chachu didn’t end up asking you to come?”
“Well…” Ash said slowly. “…he did but you know me… I have better plans.”
“Yeah, we know you. And your better plans include something like going to the some scanty town disco, drinking so much you lose consciousness, spend the rest if the night in unconsciousness and then getting up in the morning with a hangover!! Am I right?” Rani said.
Kajol didn’t hold back the laughter this time. Ash smiled sarcastically at Rani.
”Yeah. Something like that.” She said sarcastically.
“Listen Ash, I don’t care what you have planned for tonight. You’re coming to the puja.”
“But-“
“All right girls, guys. Quieten down. Class has begun.” Miss Mathur took a handful of test papers from her desk and starting handing them out. “You have 3 hours to complete this test paper.” She said walking around the class dumping papers on the desks. ” You should have brought all your equipment with you. I am NOT going to lend equipment to anyone if they have forgotten. You’ll just have to do without it.” Kajol heard Ash curse beside but kept her eyes on her paper.
“Alright everyone. Your time starts now. You have three hours. Good luck.”
2 and a half hours later
Kajol had finished three quarters of her paper when she heard the front door creak open again and someone walked in. She didn’t look up. She couldn’t afford to waste any time. But soon after excited whispers could be heard around the classroom.
Rani nudged Kajol gently. Kajol looked at her. Rani signalled to the front of the class. Kajol looked in the direction Rani’s eyes pointed…
** ** ** ** ** ** **
Shahrukh stood at the front of the class and looked at all the people who sat in their seats gaping at him. Suddenly he recognised a face that made his heart jump. The girl named Rani who he had seen on the street just hours ago was sitting in her seat looking at him with a confused expression.
“Wait a second… “ Shahrukh thought. “If she’s Rani then… that other girl…” Shahrukh’s eyes searched the room for her. And then… he saw her. Sitting right next to Rani was the girl whose laugh he had heard before. He could barely control his mouth which dropped down automatically. She sat in her seat looking at him with a still face. Their eyes met for a moment and Shahrukh, however hard he tried, could read nothing in her eyes.
** ** ** ** ** ** **
Kajol realised that the boy standing at the front of the room was looking at her as if he’d never seen a girl before. Kajol slowly leaned into Rani and whispered.
“Ok, is it just my imagination or does this guy seem so fascinated to see me?”
“You noticed too?” Rani whispered back. “Are you sure you don’t know this guy from anywhere? He seems to recognise you or something.”
“I’ve never seen him in my life!” she paused for a second. “Oh god!” she whispered again “He’s really making me nervous. Does he find me that interesting?”
Kajol tore her eyes away from this stranger and looked around the room. Everyone seemed too shocked to continue with their exam. But the most shocked person in the room was definitely Ash. She had her mouth hanging open and was so mesmerised that Kajol could practically see the love hearts popping out of her eyes.
As the man walked down the aisle Ash leaned back and back not wanting to lose sight of him. Kajol knew what was coming and sure enough, seconds later the whole class heard a clatter as Ash and her chair fell back on the ground.
The class broke into soft giggles. Ash got up, picked her chair up and sat back down.
Then Kajol felt a jolt as she heard the chair directly behind her being pulled from its position.
“Great!! Just great!!” Kajol thought sarcastically. “Did the seat behind me HAVE to be empty TODAY?!!”
“It’s fate!" Shahrukh thought. “I was supposed to come to this college! I was supposed to meet her! And I was supposed to sit in this chair!”