First day at hostel, my mom cried a lot. I was so excited, not even a drop came out of my eyes. I consoled my mom and went upstairs. I waved to them from my room. They waved me back and left. I found a few girls in my floor, made friends with them. We had people coming in till late night.
First day of the school, fresh start, I felt so amazing. Not everybody was new. There were some old timers. But mostly, all were new comers, from different parts of our state. I had limited or no friends on the first day.
Back to Prajid... He kept his promise. When I came to the hostel, he called my dad's phone to speak with me.
He said the same dialogue, "We will talk every day. Remember!" I wondered how he can call me after today. I don't have a personal phone for him to call.
I said, "Okay. I will."
On the first day, He made it happen. One of my friends came to my room at about 8 pm and told me that I was wanted in the school reception. I wondered why they would call me! I did not even start to prepare on how to enjoy my hostel life. I reached there and a receptionist, asked me, "Are you Chandana from 9B?"
I said, "Yes."
"Well, you have a phone call," they said. I was sure, it should be Prajid. But how did he get this number and how did he know which class I belonged to? I, myself knew that I belonged to 9B today morning only.
I said, "Hello... Who is it?" I heard back, "I love you..." My heart pumped faster. I was all sweating. It confirmed it was Prajid.
He asked me, "Are you blushing?" I felt like he was standing in front of me.
I said, "Yes. I am. How did you get this number? How do even know which class I belonged to?"
He said, "That is not important now. Are you happy? Do you like it there? Are you comfortable?" he asked me a dozen questions.
I said, "I am. But please don't call me daily. Call me once a week may be."
He asked me, "So.... You want me to call you; no matter what."
I said, "Don't you want to talk to me?"
He said, "Yes. I will call you next week. Bye now." He gave me a loud kiss and whispered, 'love you!'
I smiled and said, "Thanks. Bye."
On the first Sunday, my parents came to visit me. My mom made some of my favorite foods, sweets and snacks. I was so happy to see my mom. I had realized how much I missed my mom in that one week time. I called Prajid and Ajay and spoke with them.
After that Prajid called me every week and it became twice a week and daily and finally I got one of my warden's phone number and we spoke every day. Few minutes every day was only to him. It was fun and I felt him close to me always.
Though we spoke daily, I only met him twice in 4 years of my boarding life. We had grown up so much. I was out of school life once for all. We went home after board exams. Meanwhile, Prajid's family has moved back to our city. It was more fun. Now we can meet up daily. I spent a few days at home and relaxed. After that we all got enrolled a computer course, it was more like a summer course. We met daily. We spent so much time together. They got new bikes and the fun we had need not be explained. We lived life to the fullest.
One day, Prajid asked me, "Chandu... What will your dad say if he knows about us?"
I was so worried about that. But I tried not to think about it. With so much fear, I said, "I'm afraid. He will kill us both."
He said, "No. He will not. Instead he will agree."
I pondered if he already spoke to my dad about this. But my dad did not speak anything to me about this. I asked him, "Did you already speak with my dad? Is that why you are speaking confidently? "
He laughed and said, "No. I did not yet. I want you to speak to him about this. I think it is the most respectable way to let him know about us."
I said, "No way. I am not doing it. I'm sure of the way he will react."
After so many days of argument, he convinced me to talk to my dad. Without any courage, I agreed to try. He said, "Shall I go with you when you have this conversation with your dad?"
I said, "No. I will try it alone first. If nothing happens, then we will decide the next move." He agreed. I could see so much confidence in his face. I was waiting for the right day.
One day, my dad called me for a walk where he asked me, "Are you ok Chandu? What is going on with you?" I was so scared to speak.
I said, "Nothing dad. I am alright. I am just worrying about the results. That day is nearing dad."
He said, "You are going to pass with flying colors. Don't worry Chandu."
I nodded and we walked for a while. All the time, I was only thinking about what Prajid told me to do; talk to my dad about us. I felt I did not have that courage yet. The results came in. We all got good grades. Prajid and I took engineering while Ajay took arts. But we all joined different colleges. He was pushing me to talk to my dad.
Finally, I gained courage and went to talk to my dad. "Dad, Can we go for a walk? I need some advice." He agreed and we went out after dinner.
I said, "Dad... I feel like I like someone." He asked, "What?" I felt like he angrily shouted at me. I said, "Nothing daddy. It was nothing."
He said, "Don't be scared Chandu. Tell me what is going on with you."
I said, "I think, I like someone. It is kind of a different feeling when I look at him."
He said, "So... You are saying you are in love."
I said, "I don't know if it is love daddy. But I like him."
He asked, "Ok. Who is it? Do I know him?"
I said, "I will tell his name if you promise me not to harm him."
He said, "Ok. I will not."
I said, "It is Prajid."
He said, "Hmm... Prajid... He is a good boy. But does he like you too?"
I said, "Yes. He likes me too."
He said, "Hmm.. Go on."
I said, "Nothing else dad. I thought you should know this about us from me."
He said, "Good you told me. What if I ask you to marry another guy?"
I did not say a word. I stood there silently. We did not speak anything for a long time.
He asked me, "Do want to talk more about this?"
I said, "No."
He said, "Ok. Let us go home."
I did not sleep the whole night. I texted him that we should meet the next day. I kept on thinking about the talk with my dad. I could not come to a conclusion about what he thinks about us. The next day, I told Prajid about my talk with my dad.
Prajid said, "Don't worry. I am the one who is going to marry you. I am going to torture you for your whole life." He laughed out loud.
I said, "Very funny. Don't take him easy. He is not going to agree."
He asked me, "Then why did you love me, if you already know his decision?"
I felt bad. Prajid said, "Hey baby.. Don't cry. I am sure he is going to agree. You are going to be surprised. Just watch it."
I was both angry and sad. I looked worried.
But I believed what Prajid said. Even my heart said the same. How can they be different right? They weren't. Prajid was.......!!!!!!