Purvi wakes up the next morning and leaves to go to her university. It's the first day of her new life. She locks the door and hails a cab.
Dr Johnson (her guide): Well…hello young lady.. how are you doing today?
Purvi: I am doing good Sir..
Dr Johnson: Please call me John…let me get you started. I have another student with me. Lets go over to the lab to meet her.
Dr Johnson introduces a fellow researcher – Teena Mathews. The girls talk and she helps Purvi settle in the lab.
Teena: So where are you staying?
Purvi: The Westend apartments, on Mount Siblis road…
Teena: That's too far from the university and I have heard there are lots of thefts around. You have a room mate?
Purvi: No..i am staying alone…
Teena: That's nice…you can get over guys for fun..you single? Or do you have a boyfriend?
Purvi (ashamed, sad): I…I am single..I mean..i just got divorced..
Teena: Oh..I am sorry…lets hope you find someone real nice real quick…this city is full of young, single men, you can take your pick..hey do you want to join me for dinner.. I am going with some friends.
Purvi: No..i will be fine….
Purvi finishes her first day and goes home all tired. She picks up her father's photo, her phone rings.
Abhijit: Purvi….kaisi hai tu? Aaj university ka pehla din kaisa tha?
Purvi: main achi hoon Dada….first day was nice…iss mahine mujhe sirf references collect karne hai…next month se actual research shuru hoga..
Abhijit: chalo acha hua…mann lagake padhna….you have a bright future…acha tera apartment kaisa hai? Tum akeli rehti ho..mujhe fikar hoti hai…
Purvi: aap fikar mat kijiye….waise bhi aadat ho gayi hai…akele rehne ki..
Abhijit (sad): Purvi..please…beeti baton ko bhool jaoo…koshish toh karo..
Purvi: Ji Dada…someone knocks on her door.
Purvi: acha Dada..main phone rakhti hoon…mujhe dinner banana hai..
She cuts the call and opens the door. There is no one outside. She steps inside to close the door when she feels a great force pushing her on the couch. Someone presses her head on the couch and a strong hand holds both her hands back.
Man (voice): Don't move or scream..else you will get hurt..
Purvi gets shit scared and tries to get up and see the face of the attacker. He presses her head with greater force, submitting her face on the cushion. She cannot see anything but can hear another person moving in the room, taking her stuff.
Man (voice): Lets move mate..we are done..
Man (voice): We are leaving honey! Don't call the cops…or next time I will kill you !…
They both leave the house. Purvi stays on the couch the same way they have left her. She is terribly shaken and is trembling badly. She looks around the room, they have taken away her luggage, laptop and purse with cash and cards..
Sweat pours down her face and she gets up slowly and shuts the door and sits down listening for any sound.. the stillness of her room is broken by a ringing noise. She gets startled and jumps, the noise is coming from below the couch. She bends gingerly and with trembling hands and teary eyes picks her cell phone.
Purvi: he..hello..
Teena: Hey Purvi..its me…you sure about not coming with me for dinner?
Purvi (sobbing, trembling): Teena…Teena…..help….
Teena comes over immediately and hugs a hysterical Purvi.
Teena: Calm down..calm down..did they hurt you?
Purvi (scared): No…No..they just took away everything…I am scared..
Teena: Okay….you want to report to the cops…let me talk to the concierge here..
Purvi (pulling her, shaking): Nooo..No….they will kill me…..Noooo..
Teena: Oh God…what do we do? You come with me…take whatever is left in the room, you are not staying here anymore..
Purvi (scared): But…but where will I go?
Teena: You are staying with me….I will just have to ask my room mate…but I am sure it will be fine…you go get ready..don;t worry I am here..let me just inform my roomie..
Teena helps Purvi pack up her remaining stuff and takes her to her house. They await for Teena's roomie to open the door.
Teena: Hi…thanks…this is my new friend….come in Purvi…
Kavin: Tum? Ms Malhotra….oops Ms Rai…
Purvi: Kav..Kavin?
Teena: You know each other? Wow!
Teena explains Purvi's situation to Kavin who helps them out to settle.
Kavin: I have made some Pasta..Purvi I am sure tumne kuch khaaya nahi hoga…have something and then sleep..don't worry….you are safe here..
Purvi has her dinner and retires to Teena's room to sleep. She sleeps immediately due to jet lag and tiredness. Teena shuts her bedroom door and steps out..
Kavin: where are you going now?
Teena: Joe's home alone tonight….sooo..i thought you know…me and him….
Kavin (showing disinterest): don't explain…you leave….have fun…..
Kavin watches TV having beer. He dozes off there itself.
Purvi (scream): Babuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…..
Kavin wakes up with a start, takes a second or two to realise the scream is coming from Teena's room. He opens the door and sees Purvi sitting upright on the bed.
Kavin: Ms Rai…helooo….you need something?
She doesn't reply but sits there looking all frightened. He steps ahead and holds her shoulder. That moment Purvi jumps and starts running in the room, screaming.
Kavin: shhhhhh…calm down…you are safe..you are safe….he tries to calm her down. She hits him out in fear, scratching his arms..
Kavin (holding her hands): Easy Easy….Shhhh…chup ho jaoo…yeh India nahi hai…This is America….neighbours kahin police na bulaa le..
Purvi is still agitated and screaming, her screams getting louder. Kavin gets frustrated, exhales a sharp breath and clamps her mouth tight, holding her struggles. He lays flat on her back. Purvi relives the same moment with the attacker and in panic bites his hand hard..
Kavin (angry): Stop it…..F***…..you bit me…he slaps her.
Purvi falls behind holding her cheek and crouches to a corner. She is crying but without any noise (like scared to cry)
Kavin (holding his bleeding hand): Shitttt…it burns… ahhhhh..
Purvi sees the blood trickling fast and sobs loudly, she is badly shaking. Kavin looks at her and gets scared. He approaches slowly and takes her in his arms, patting her head.
Kavin: Heyy….calm down…its okay….shhhhhh…. shhhhhh…
Purvi cries some more and later sniffles. Kavin asks her slowly.
Kavin: You okay now? Don't worry..you are safe….she shuts her eyes and nods her head. He leaves her carefully. He gives her a glass of water that she gulps down quickly with trembling hands. Kavin gets up to leave, she holds his hand suddenly.
Purvi (scared): please….don't..don't leave me….mujhe darr lag raha hai.. Kavin makes her stand and takes her to the bed.
Kavin: so jaoo…main yahi hoon….kuch chahiye tumhe?
Purvi: No…Teena..Teena kahan hai?
Kavin: She is with Joe..her boyfriend….Its just me and you here…Purvi looks at him scared again.
Kavin (trying to assure): Hey..i didn't mean it that way..relax….try to sleep..main apne room me hoon..okay…
She shuts her eyes tight and still looks scared. Kavin reaches the door and turns to look at her. She appears scared still, he comes and sits next to her. Her eyebrows are still raised and she is sleeping crouched like a baby. He smiles and pats her forehead gently. He watches as she slowly relaxes, settles in a more comfortable position and sleeps again..
Next morning
Teena: Purvi..get up…its morning…..
Purvi gets up, looks around and sees Teena in front.
Teena: you look like a ghost..did you sleep well? Purvi nods her head..
Teena: Come…Kavin is making pancakes…u hungry?
Purvi comes into the living room cum kitchenette, Kavin is flipping pancakes.
Kavin: Good morning Ms Rai…did you sleep well?
Purvi (nodding): Yes….she notices a bandage in Kavin's hand. She remembers the reason and is guilty.
Teena: Kavin makes the best pancakes in this world…have them with this maple syrup…
Purvi (taking a bite): Its tasty..Thank you Kavin..
Kavin (taking a bow): oui Madame…I gotta go…my shift starts soon
Purvi: shift?
Kavin (removes apron, extends hand): Hi…I am Kavin, Kavin Oberoi….physiotherapist with St Jude hospital, Houston..nice to meet you..
Purvi shakes his hands and smiles.
Purvi: Thanks Kavin…and I..I am sorry
Kavin: You are very welcome…sorry for what? Purvi looks at the bandage, Kavin brushes it off..
Kavin: koi baat nahi….chalo..i need to go for my shower….
Teena: he is sweet…he is handsome too…right?
Purvi: hmmm…Teena…I..I…
Teena: whats the matter?
Purvi: My cards, cash….mere paas kuch nahi hai..Bhaiya ko bataoongi toh mujhe agli flight se waapas aane keh denge…next month se research stipend aa jayegi..so…will you help me now?
Teena: hmmm…main bhi stipend se hi apartment ka rent, food etc bharti hoon..and its already 10th of this month..so I am sorry..i cannot help you much..But hey! I have an idea..
Purvi: what?
Teena: Why don't you work..you know..McDonalds, Subway, waitress sort of….just for few days..you will meet lots of people and Bam….money problem solved….Ta daaaaa…
Purvi: maine kabhi kiya nahi hai…Mrs Rai kabhi allow nahi karti…
Teena: Mrs Rai? Your governess?
Purvi (swallowing): No…my mom..
Teena: Strange..you call your mother by her name..anyways…the bathroom's free..you can wear my clothes for today…
Kavin: Girls…do you need a ride till the university…
Teena: sure….be right back
The girls hop on his car and Kavin rides keeping an eye on Purvi from the mirror. They both step out and Teena walks ahead
Kavin: Purvi…one second…hmmm…take down my number….Teena will be with Joe tonight again…I will pick you up…..I will take you shopping….sounds good..
Purvi: I..I…
Kavin: I am just trying to help….let me know if you want to come..Bye..have a good day..he wears his spectacles.
Now with a twist of fate Purvi and Kavin are living in the same house together...so naturally KaVi ban jayenge...not so soon of course...keep readiing...
Dear Mansi...Shorryyyy..main aapse baat nahi ki isliye...but aisa kuch nahi hai...you can PM me any time..I love you all...I am glad you are liking this story..dekho aapke liye no flashbacks in this chapter..happyyyyy?