And yes, and the clubs, events everything were now to be continued after the exams. Ofcouse they would be always opened and anyone intersted can go there though.

The city is a beautiful place and the college is located amidst it. They had already explored malls, nearby zoo, beaches, foods and what not on the span of those 4 months.

Anu and Sam both are only daughters of their parents. Provided Sam is from upper middle class family. She spends on clothes, beauty products, sandles, food a lot. Anu is from middle class family and she stays away from throwing and attending birthday parties. She prefers spending her money on clothes and food. She is kind of foodie yet health conscious.

Anu is conservative and modern at the same time. Her wardrobe includes all types of dresses. Sam is modern.

“Your bindi and kajal add extra grace to your presence. But I'm not going to try them. ” Sam often said that to Anu.

2 weeks passed.

Now they were busy with studying and extra classes. They decided to go for morning walk to the beach to exercise and go relief.

.................................................

The sunrise and weather were amazing.

They also made a resolution to talk in English as much as possible with each other to maintain grip. well, they knew it's not possible to survive these days without good speaking skills. Ofcouse, Anu clicked really good pics alongside their selfies! They, like other teens wouldn't skip posing for pics where ever they go.

“Is that Rishi? ” Anu asked pointing at a guy jogging on the beach road.

“Yeah, he exercises everyday. Either dancing or jogging here. From the beginning of the college itself. He suggested me to go for jogging indeed! ” Sam laughed.

“You never bothered to do skipping with me, instead of my insistence 'n' no.of times. I'm okay with it as you dance and play shuttel, though you dance only when there are flashmobs probably, like once in a month. But you dragged me here, because he said?! ” Anu exclaimed faking anger.

“Well, but it's very pleasing right! I get very tired in dance club though we go there like for a week in a month, ” Sam said smiling and scratching her head.

“Even Arun plays cricket and shuttle everyday. He told me in the lab causally.” Anu added.

“Both friends are health conscious it seems! Just like us, but we are lazy. But dieting saves girls from extra fat.” Sam grinned.

“Yeah, but we become physically weak when we become old. Let's not let it happen. Let's continue with our good habits! ” Anu laughed.

But Rsihi seldom plays games. Ofcouse he gotta manage dance and other works too.” Sam smiled.

Yeah! Let's go back, it's about to get sunny. ” Anu said.

“Let me say Hi to Rishi and we will return. ” Sam grinned.

“I will wait here, you go and come quickly, ” Anu sat under the tree shade.

“ Wait a second, ” Sam again exclaimed.
“ I will just feed those dogs. Look how lovely they are. ” Sam quickly bought some biscuits and started taming them. She is a dog lover.

Anu is generally scared of animals.
She stood away though Sam insisted a no. of times that they wouldn't bite.
Anu is generally much into helping needy she sees on road with food rather than money.


And their daily walk routine followed the same pattern untill the exams began.

And exams were done and holidays were announced for about the last 15 days of December. The reporting day was 3-Jan.

……………………………………

And they were all busy packing their luggages.

“Isn't it strange, I'm your friend, we have many common friends. Rishi too is my friend, you both happened to meet a no.of times and also know about eachother because of me. But never talked!” Sam exclaimed when they were heading to complex in the Auto.

“Yeah, it's really weird. Next time I should introduce myself !” Anu agreed.

“Well, we gottaa leave. See you after the vacation! ” They both parted ways in the bus stop.

Anu managed to fetch a window seat and took her earohones out quickly.

She did notice someone getting into the bus when it was just about to leave.

The guy sat next to Anu the only seat left empty. Anu adjusted her belongings and moved close to the window giving him enough space to sit. She didn't bother to look who it was though.

“Hello Anu! ” The voice said.

Anu felt a familiar voice and turned her head with pace towards him.

“Ri... Hello Rishi! ” Anu exclaimed.

“I'm Sam's friend and from CSE first year, you know it probably. ” He mumbled.

“Yeah, I do. ” She smiled gently .

“Well, I'm going to visit my grandma in Rampur. He said.

“Ooh, it's my hometown! I'm going there too. ” Anu said.

..........……………………

“I do follow your page. You are really talented. I think a writers club would have helped you more. ”

“Thanks, you dance and sing gracefully. Especially on freshers party, you stole the show. ” Anu smiled.

“Thanks! And your confidence is what anyone envy for. I mean you spoke too good on stage that day. ”

Anu smiled.

“Incase if you want a writing club, we can appeal to principal. You just write a letter and send it to me. I will ask a senior friend of mine to submit, as Sir is bit fond of him. ”

“Sure and thanks! ”

They exchanged their numbers. There was complete silence between them the next one hour. Both plugged in their earohones and started staring outside through the window.

“Would you like to have it, I have two?” Anu asked pointing at Munch chocolate in her hand. Anu has this habit of keeping atleast one chocolate in her bag.

“Eer.....Thanks!” He smiled.

And there was silence for one more hour.

The 2:30 hour journey in express was when 'Rishi and Anu talked to each other'.

“So, how would you go home? Auto or by walk? ” Rishi asked when they were getting down.

“My dad would be coming to complex to receive me.” Anu smiled.

“Dad, this is Rishi. My college friend.”

Anu's father gave a not so pleasant smile, and they rushed towards his bike. She waved at Rishi and he smiled back.

And that night she texted Rishi.
“ Thanks for your concern. But if I become a member of club, much time would be spent in organising, reading write-ups of others. I would be left with little time to write. I may fail to deliver quality content in the process. I hope you got my point, ” followed by a sad emoji.

“That's true. I didn't think about it. No worries, it's practical approach. So, I understand you want to take writing seriously. All the best!” He texted back when he came online.

“Yeah, thanks! Good night! ”

He replied “GST!” followed by a sleeping emoji.

“What's GST! Goods and service tax something? ” She was puzzled.

“Haha, it's good night, sweet dreams, take care. Modern shortcuts! ” He smiled.

“Haha, GST then! ” Anu laughed out loud.

..................................

The next day, she posted a quote followed by sending Rishi a follow request from her private account. He posted two pics of him holding guitar and other in a dance pose. Nothing was even written in bio other than 'aspirant'. But he had good followers count.

Of course he was popular and everyone almost see him in flash mobs and all. He did sent her request and she on other side posted nothing at all. Her bio stated 'Check out my page 'Random thoughts'.

And the days just flew. Anu and Sam talked often and Sam was delighted to hear that Anu and Rishi met.

And it was new year the next day.

Anu was sitting on the couch, engrossed in reading Harry Potter novel, her parents were sleeping in the adjacent room.

Nothing like cutting cake and partying. Her street members who used to initiate, stopped organising parties 3 years ago. They limited it to celebration within their family.

Checking out how everyone including her mom were decorating the entrance with rangolis and flowers, listening to neighbours cheering Happy New Year at am was the only New Year routine she had.

At 12am messages popped up from college groups and Anu texted/ texted back friends. She was slightly envying seeing status updates and stories of some friends.

“I wish college was opened like in intermediate. It was so much fun with friends. I wish to celebrate and roam on streets feeling fresh air with friends and cousins one day. Some people are born lucky. ” She whispered.

“Happy New Year Anu! Hope your wishes come true. ” Text popped up at 1am.

Coincidence between her thoughts and Rishi's text made her smile.

“Happy New Year Rishi! Wish you the same. ” She pinged back.

“I have been to my home town after 3 days itself. I must say Rampur is boaring. I mean not at lively. People interfere in other's lives too much here. May be concern or curiosity. Well see you soon, take care! ”

“Yeah, that's true. See you all soon . ” She texted back appreciating his honesty.

.............................

Anu and Sam both met in bus stop at 5pm on 3 rd Jan, as they had planned. They were happy to see their city after 2 weeks. Now they rushed to hostel and left the luggage in their dayscholar friend Ritu's home, which is nearer to their hostel.

Girl's hostel would be closed by 7pm and one had to pay fine if they come late unless they were coming from home. It was a rule there.

So now Anu and Sam planned to roam till 8pm and return by 8:30. The trick they always implement to fullfill Anu's dreams of walking on streets late night eating ice-creams with close people.

They have to pass by boy's hostel which is .5km away from girl's hostel to reach ice-cream shop.

On their way back to hostel Sam said, “ Just a minute, I will call Rishi. He might have reached by now.”

“I'm standing right behind you at the shop near by! ” Rishi said.

“Is it! Sam turned her face to find Rishi chitchatting with Arun, his best friend near the shop.

He wore white shirt and blue jean and looked charming.

Arun is his friend since childhood, they have been to same school and luckily got admission in the same college. He was from ECE too.

Both Arun and Rishi greeted Anu and Sam. After the hello-bello,

“Same pinch Sam, we are wearing same colour combination dresses. Statue, don't move! ” Rishi laughed.

“We all indeed! ” Arun added.

“That's a funny coincidence! ” Anu exclaimed.

“So, you can move! ”
All laughed at Rishi's childish side.

“See you tomorrow! ”Anu and Sam rushed towards hostel.

Anu turned back and looked at Rishi in slow motion, she just felt like looking back. She smiled on seeing Rishi who was already looking at them.

They collected their luggage and entered their names in incoming list and had opened, packed food from homes to eat.
Sam's mom cooks delicious food. She tries different recipes by seeing videos on YouTube. She indeed packs food and snacks for both Anu and Sam.
“ In holidays I missed food from your home, more than I missed you. ” Anu laughed.


.................................

“Dear students, 13,14,15 and 16 are holidays on the occasion of Sankranthi. Incase if you are interested we will celebrate in our college by showcasing all our traditions. The poling is online. Do check instagram page. ” The notice was passed from principal.



What do you think about the quintet lives? Whom do you think make a pair? What do you think bout their career choices?

To be continued..........

Do check profile for next part.

Happy reading.
© Tejaswini
#love #college #story #friends #destiny #complicatedlove #girlnextdoor