Chapter 22: The Destiny.

A 3 storey building on top of which written "AD College of Science & Technology." The huge hall of the building divides it into two departments. The left wing had Medical department and right wing Engineering department.

PURVI's feet suddenly stopped at the left wing corridor way and...

Main dekhoon jo tujhko toh pyaas badhe

Tu roz, tu roz, do ghunt chadhe

Mujhse tu na mujhse kabhi bichde

To roz, tu roz, do ghunt chadhe

She could feel beats of her heart as soon as her eyes fell on RAJAT coming from the opposite corridor way.

Her eyes shone with happiness and surprise at a time to see the person she just can't stop thinking about right in front of her.

Yeh jo halka halka suroor hai

Yeh jo pehla pehla suroor hai

Tera ishq mera fitoor hai

Tera ishq hai ya fitoor hai

Maine khud ko tujhpe luta diya

Tera hooke khudko mita diya

RAJAT and PURVI both slowly walked towards the hall. Unaware of PURVI, RAJAT's eyes were on ABHIJEET in the middle of the hall.

Other side ABHIJEET was lost at the sight of TARIKA in white shirt and black jeans, her curly hairs tied up in a single ponytail as she climbed up the building steps becoming the prettiest morning of his life.

Yeh jo halka halka suroor hai

Yeh jo pehla pehla suroor hai

Tere husn ko yeh guroor hai

Mere huns ka yeh qusoor hai

Maine khud ko tujhpe loota diya

Tera hooke khudko mita diya

TARIKA stopped at the building door seeing ABHIJEET in front of her in the hall and paused there only for a moment looking in each other's eyes.

TARIKA spoke: ABHIJEET?'

ABHIJEET: TARIKA JI aap yaha?'

TARIKA: I just come to sign some papers of RAJAT's college transfer and forgot my key at the office.'

ABHIJEET: Oh, PURVI studies here. I came to drop her and she forgot her notes in the car. So, I was going to give it to her.'

Just then they saw RAJAT and PURVI came to them. RAJAT and PURVI bowed their head a little in respect seeing each other.

RAJAT extended the key to TARIKA: I came to give the keys.'

PURVI: I came to take the notes I forgot in car.' and took it from ABHIJEET.

ABHIJEET smiled: It looks like we are destined to meet each other.'

TARIKA: Now we will see each other every day. So it won't be surprising anymore.'

ABHIJEET: yeah, you are right. They are in same college and we are in same bureau.'

They all looked at each other.

ABHIJEET asked TARIKA: Are you going to the bureau?'

TARIKA nodded: yes.'

ABHIJEET: I am heading there only. Let's go then.'

TARIKA nodded and the two walked out the building leaving RAJAT and PURVI.

Someone called PURVI from behind and she turned around to see a fair and healthy guy with big spectacles waving her with both hands from the corridor.

PURVI sighed closing her eyes. How could she forget about this tragedy of her life?

FLASHBACK -

Right after the kidnapping incident, the first day she entered the college, this sweet looking tragedy hit her life.

Professor introduced the new guy in the class, asking students to be friendly with him and help him with the studies he missed.

The boy in the class of 60 students walked straight to PURVI and with a goofy smile extended his hand to shook: Hi, I am PANKAJ. Can I sit next to you?'

Unluckily PURVI was alone that day on the bench and she reluctantly nodded shaking hand with him in front of the professor.

First scene -

At the first lecture he asked so many questions about a single paragraph to PURVI disturbing her every single minute.

PANKAJ again nudged her in ongoing lecture asking: PURVI, what is orthopaedics?'

Annoyed PURVI glared at him: Are you really a medical student?'

PANKAJ remained mum after getting the glare from her but then PURVI saw him seriously struggling with the lesson and couldn't stop herself helping him.

Next scene -

Outside of the class VANI asked PURVI: Let's first fresh our mind with a cup of coffee in canteen.'

Before PURVI could answer PANKAJ came from behind asking: You two are going canteen. Let's go then.'

PURVI and VANI stood dumb looking at each other and then the uninvited guest being the host between them as he lead the two girls to canteen.

And from there he unnecessarily followed PURVI everywhere like her wings of butterfly from class to canteen, library to lab tagging along with her crashing the line of her solitude.

And it was the limit when he followed the two asking: PURVI, where are you going now?'

Irritated PURVI showed him the board on the room in front of them: Girl's Toilet. Do you want to come with me there also?'

PANKAJ kept his hand on his mouth feeling embarrassed and bolted from there with the speed of bullet.

After that he tried to hide himself from PURVI almost for an hour in the classroom and PURVI really felt bad for him.

PURVI could have get angry on him but she didn't seeing the sweet guy's polite language, kind heart and respecting behaviour.

So, she accepted him in her friend circle that she never had except VANI making the moment sweetest tragedy of her life.

FLASHBACK END.

Present -

PURVI turned around to RAJAT to see him nowhere there.

PANKAJ asked her: Are you looking for someone?'

PURVI once again looked around and not seeing RAJAT, she disappointedly said: No.'

Outside college -

ABHIJEET come out of the gate to see his car punctured and a young boy in his early 20's was sitting on the fence wall.

This wasn't the first time it happened. From last three years whenever he left his car alone near the college boundry, it meant to be punctured and every time the same boy was found sitting alone nearby the scene.

Three years back ABHIJEET has asked the boy if he has seen who did that to his car and the boy's answer was same 'I don't know.' from last 3 years.

Sometimes ABHIJEET really doubted him but never scolded or accused him of doing so without any proof or say he couldn't do it because of the affection he has grown for the mysterious looking kid from watching him growing up every day from last three years.

His trail of thoughts break as he heard TARIKA's voice: Your tyre is puncture.'

ABHIJEET looked at TARIKA beside him: yes.'

TARIKA: you can come with me in my jeep and can call the mechanic on the way.'

ABHJEET: Sure. You go ahead. I will be there in a minute.'

TARIKA nodded and walked towards her jeep while ABHIJEET looked angrily at the young boy walking towards him dangerously.

This time even the boy felt a bit scared seeing a never seen furious ABHIJEET approaching towards him.

ABHIJEET going very close to him, out of the blue smiled saying: Say a very-very thank you from the bottom of my heart to the person whoever did it.'

And ran after TARIKA, smiling at the confused boy.

On the way-

TARIKA was driving while ABHIHEET sit silent beside her after calling the mechanic to fix his car in front of the college.

TARIKA breaking the silence asked: Should I put the radio on?'

ABHIJEET: No, it's fine.'

TARIKA: By the way, our conversation remained unfinished at Belgaum.'

ABHIJEET: Which conversation?'

TARIKA: Near the playground bench.'

ABHIJEET squirmed at the mention of that conversation and forced a laugh saying: You have a very sharp memory.'

TARIKA: Hm, you were saying something like I come to your dreams, right?'

ABHIJEET smiled uncomfortably and said: Yeah, the day I saw you at the jungle in a reckless way that I couldn't forget you since then and it comes in my dreams at night. That was I meant by it.'

TARIKA: Are you sure, it was only that?'

ABHIJEET: yeah, yeah. It's only that.'

TARIKA nodded convincingly.

ABHIJEET: By the way, what were you doing there? It felt like you had memories with that place.'

TARIKA: I had promised someone that I will come to meet him there. I couldn't keep that promise. So, I just thought I would see that person there again if I go there.'

ABHIJEET: Who was it?'

TARIKA: I don't know?'

ABHIJEET: You don't know? Strange.'

TARIKA had a Flashback -

Belgaum: Bench under the tree -

Little TARIKA was happily running towards the bench near the tree and stopped at a distance seeing the same teenage boy she met two days ago sitting at the bench and she smiled.

She excitedly approached towards him but her smile dropped as soon as she saw him in tears.

She asked the boy: Why are you crying?'

The boy quickly wiped off his tears looking at her and asked: What are you doing here?'

TARIKA: I came here to see you.'

Boy: See me? Why?'

TARIKA with a smile: As you told me earlier, my father came to take us. He really loves me and we will live together.'

Boy smiled at her: That's nice! You should be happy.'

TARIKA: But why you are sad?'

Boy: My father is going back to PUNA leaving me here. I don't want to live here. I don't have any friends here. I really miss my friend and want to go back there.'

He looked at her and with a smile said: But I am happy for you at least you can go back to your home.'

TARIKA could see the sadness in his eyes behind that smile.

She walked a step close to him and gave him a surprise hug saying: My mother says, "A hug from the heart cures all your pain, worries and despair, making one's heart at ease."

Girl continued: Just like my father came back to me, you will be able to go back to the place and people you love.'

Breaking the hug she said: Don't you remember the words you told me that day 'Hum jinse pyar karte hai wo ek din humare paas lautke jaroor aate hai ya phir kisi na kisi tarah bhagwan hume unke karib le jate hai.'

Boy smiled at the little girl's gesture to pacify him and said: Thank you for reminding it to me. I will always remember this.'

They again heard a voice calling her name 'TRISHA! Where are you?'

Girl looking at the boy said: My brother is looking for me. I just came to tell you that I am leaving.'

Boy: leaving?'

TARIKA: I am going back to my home.'

Boy: Now?'

'TRISHA!' They again heard the voice and looking at the boy, TARIKA said: I have to go. Bye!'

And she ran at the direction only to stop in the mid way turning back to the boy, who was looking at her.

TARIKA felt a little bad to leave him sad and said aloud: Don't cry ever. I will come back again to meet you.'

Boy felt nice listening to those words from her that touched his heart and he smiled: Would you?'

TARIKA smiled: I promise!' And she waved him bye running back to his brother's direction.

Flashback end.

Present: In the car -

TARIKA pulled the brake and nodding negative to ABHIJEET sighed: I don't know. I never asked who he is or what his name is.'

ABHIJEET looked at her and she looked at him saying: We reached to the bureau.'

ABHIJEET looked at the CID building and got down the vehicle as the two walked in the building.

Note:

Song name: Halka Halka from Fanney Khan movie.

No Sree, I don't know Telugu. I just watched the movie in hindi but I can speak Gujarati and Bengoli.

Sorry for being late. The week went very engaging one after one celebration with family. I hope you all had a great time too.

Thank you all the readers and reviewers.

And...

Happy Belated Diwali and New year!