SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 15

Sai's hiccups 

The next day , Sai didn't show up. It was the second day , Sai didn't arrive. The third day , Shree felt something weird. The fourth day Shree asked her mom "Amma , Why Sai didn't arrive? ", Mom said "No idea". Shree was sad , but didn't show her feelings. Her eyes waited to see Sai. Her heart missed him. Her ears were eagerly waiting to hear his voice. Her lips were anxiously waiting to have a word with him. She couldn't stop thinking of Sai. It was been a week , Sai didn't arrive. She lost her totally in Sai's thoughts. And out of no where , Shree weren't her at all. Suddenly she became someone that she wasn't familiar with. She slowly started losing herself in love. Shree felt like a child missed in the middle of the mall. She want someone to rescue her , and she wished , that should be Sai. She couldn't get him out of her head. When we truly miss someone , It is really painful. There was a sucking feeling in her heart. The only thing that would make it go away this is , to see Sai and speak to him, To have a smile , to tell Sai , how much she loves him and cherish the time they had together. The sucking pain in her heart got worse and worse. Shree missed Sai to the core . It was 9.00 pm . She closed her eyes and thought of Sai and send him love waves from her heart. She was very sure that wherever Sai was, he could definitely feel it. The love waves passed  miles and miles and reached him. Suddenly it was Sai , who was having dinner in a hotel suddenly got hiccups. It was continuous. His friends started making fun of him saying that someone at 9' o clock at the night was deeply thinking him. Sai smiled. He was in the city for his work. It was 9.10 pm , Mom called Shree , after a while she realized that her mom was calling her. She jumped from the bed and went to the kitchen. Sai's hiccups stopped. Another friend of Sai said "For past ten minutes , someone was deeply thinking you, that's why the hiccups". Sai smiled and said " I don't believe in these".

There is a choice...

It was a Saturday evening, Sai arrived. Shree heard his bike and came down. She was about to smile at him , But Sai didn't look at her as if he didn't notice her. He was neatly shaved and looked happy. Shree liked the way he was, but it was little confusing. She thought that Sai completely forgot her in a week period and was happy. Her mental stress was relived to an extent after seeing him. She finished her tuition and came down . She saw Sai sitting on a chair watching T.V.  Mom was busy in the kitchen. Shree tapped her legs so that Sai could turn to her, But there is no response. She was  totally upset. She thought Sai was doing Tit for tat. Now , She could feel how Sai felt when she denied his love. She was sailing in the same boat as him now. Tapping didn't help her , So she decided to call and talk to him. She cleared her throat and called him in a low voice. Sai didn't turn. She , again in a little louder tone called "Sai....". No response. She was unhappy , looked down and closed her eyes out of disappointment. Suddenly she heard an enthusiastic voice "Shree!! Did you call me ?". It was none other than Sai. Shree was scared of the sudden response. Sai said "Sorry that I scared you" and smiled. The moment he saw him , she couldn't see his powerful eyes. She turned and showed her side to him. Sai smiled and said ""You called me right ?". Shree nodded. Sai said "I am surprised that you are  talking to me". Shree stood silent . Shree without looking  at him said  "Actually ....". Sai smiled and said "Can't you look at me and talk". Shree turned and looked at him. She couldn't see his eyes even for a second. Sai said "You want to say something?". Shree asked "Where did you go these days?". Sai said "I had been in Chennai for work and It was an unexpected trip". Shree shrunk her eyebrows and said "But that's not fair , You could have called and informed". Sai smiled and said "Anyhow it is not a big thing". Shree said "No , It is. I was afraid that you didn't turn up. Lot of confusions within me. I couldn't be normal. I couldn't eat , sleep, mingle with my friends and family, I am not who I am. It's  all because of you . You should not have proposed your love to me". Sai looked down and said "Yes , It was my mistake , I should not have told you , But that's fine , Forget everything and try to be normal". Shree said "How ? Can you ?" . Sai said "It is hard , but we have no choice". Shree  broke down and tears rolled from her eyes. Shree , wiping her tears said "There is a choice...... I don't want to be sad like this and I want to happy as I was  before.". Sai smiled and said "So? ...". Shree stood silent and saw his eyes and came near him. Sai was stunned , He couldn't believe Shree coming near him. Shree's cheeks flushed. Both of their heart beat faster, palms were sweaty. Sai's head started spinning. Love physically made them crazy. She came near him and took his hands and wrote something on his palms and closed it . Sai got a tickling feeling when she wrote on his palms. Sai was all the time looking at Shree and want to hold her hands tight, but he controlled  himself. He was about to see what was written , but Shree said "Not now , Go home and read it".  Sai said "Yes" and looked her with his eyes filled with love . Shree took her glance off from his eyes as she was full of shyness.  Love made Shree blind too. Sai's happiness had no end. He felt like jumping to the sky and earth. Shree asked "Did you feel anything yesterday night at around 9.00 pm". Sai said "Like what ?". Shree said "I don't know , but I was deeply thinking you". Sai said "Oh... ! yes , I got continuous hiccups. So ....As my friends said , you are the reason for my hiccups". Shree nodded , saw his eyes and smiled.  Sai was overjoyed. Sai bade a bye and  hurried home. Shree was relaxed and that night she slept like a dead. Sai's thoughts were no more a bothering to her. Sai hurried home and closed his palm in front of his face. He slowly opened his palms. The words were written in a  blue pen and  in capital letters. Sai read it  "I MISSED YOU". Sai kept the writings more than three days. He tied a plastic cover over his palms while he took bath and used  spoon for having his food. Love made him so crazy. Shree wanted to express her love for Sai , So she decided to write a letter. She stated her love , her dreams , her future plans with him , and some details about her. The letter was colorful with colorful pictures on it. It required four full scale paper to complete the letter. The letter was quite interesting. There were Do's and Don't 's too. Next day Sai arrived. She put the letter in a cover and  gave him. She said "Read this in privacy". He went home and read it. It was not one time , it was million times he read the same letter. Sai too wrote a poem about Shree and gave her. Both of them shared letters and poems. The crazy love started growing inside them . Days went by. 

The first ethnic wear.

One evening , Sai arrived. Shree said "Tomorrow there is a function in my college , So I am wearing ethnic wear . For  the  first time I am going to wear saree. Tomorrow evening, I want you to come early. I won't  change my dress until you come.". The next morning she wore a saree of  black and maroon combination. It looked great on her. On the  way ,she as usual saw Guru and smiled . He too smiled back in a way that she looked great in her dress. That evening She waited for Sai to come. He didn't come. Shree's Mom asked to change her costume. Shree refused and said "I asked Sai to come early to see my Saree . I will wait for him to come". Mom looked her different and realized a first spark of doubt in Shree's behavior. Shree too could  understand that Mom's look was different and realized that she started doubting her. It was 8.pm , Sai didn't arrive. She had no option rather than  to change her dress. She had her dinner and went to bed. Sai arrived at 9.00 pm . He asked Mom "Amma ! Where is Shree ?". Mom said "She just went to her bed". Sai just popped his head into the room. Shree had closed her face with the blanket to show that she was angry with him. He realized that she was upset because of his late arrival and pretending like sleeping. He was worried that he couldn't see her in ethnic wear. 

The next day , She pretended that she  was  still upset with him. Sai came upstairs and asked her "Why are you avoiding me?, and not talking to me" . She had no words and seemed to be busy in her tuition. He handed her a big bunch of papers and left the place. She was dumbfounded seeing those bunch of papers.

And now .... I can hear you saying "Oh my God ..Suspense.... What is there in that bunch of papers? Why Shree was shocked to see that ? ".  I know you are very eager ... Patience  Patience ...till next Friday 

SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 14

"I AM SURPRISED OF SAI  , AND NOT OF BHARATHI "


That was a Saturday morning. Shree was in her tuition. Sai arrived as usual and asked "Shree! Where is Amma and Akhila". Shree said "No one in home . Everyone went to near by town to visit my aunt. They will return late evening". Sai "Oh , you didn't go ? Akhila didn't say about this to me ?". Shree said "It is not planned, Just today morning they decided to go and I had to stay for tuition". Sai read a book till Shree was done with her tuition. Sai  was deep involved in reading. He heard Shree's voice "I am going to prepare tea , You want one too ?". Sai looked at her and pretended to be shocked and said "Do you know to prepare tea ?" and chuckled. Shree moved her eyebrows down and closer together out of annoyance. She said "Today , You going to have my tea. Got it ?". Sai said playfully "No No..Don't put my life at stake ..Please" and winked. Shree didn't hear him and went to the kitchen . Sai said "Hey I was just kidding, But , I just had a tea before I come here , So , No tea now , Some other day I 'll have your tea". Shree said "I have a slight headache. It is very much mandatory for me to  have a cup of tea now . Anyway I am going to prepare. Later if you ask , I won't give mine" . Sai smiled and said "You sit , I will prepare for you". Shree exclaimed "Do you know how to prepare tea ?". Sai said "Why not ? I even cook". Shree glanced Sai with gape and without a blink. Mean while she could smell the aroma of Tea. Tea was offered. She sipped her first sip looking at Sai. Shree exclaimed "Oh my God , It is really great". Sai smiled and asked "Really? Do you like it". Shree said "Yes, I do , It is awesome. The girl marrying you will be really lucky".  Sai smiled. They started talking many things. Shree talked about her youth festival experiences to him. Time paced at high speed. Sai said Shree "Can you sing the song for which you won the prize?". Shree said  "No,you will make fun". Sai said "No not at all" and smiled. Shree said "Okay" and sang the song which was written by Bharathi. Sai didn't  move his eyes from Shree till she finished her song. After she was done ,  he was kept looking  at her without a wink. Shree saw him and waived her hands in front of his face. Sai got a jerk and said "Oh sorry I mingled with the song. The words, your voice , your attitude are awesome , you deserve that prize". Shree was happy and said "Do you like the  words ? It is from Bharathi's poem". Sai smiled  and said " I have read lot of  his poems. Bharathi's style is always fascinating. he covered almost everything in his poems like patriotism , social issues, God. They are really well done. Out of everything , his love poems on Kannama is really mind blowing". Shree was more curious and said "Can you say a poem?". With no thought,  Sai started to say the words , He only saw Shree's eyes when he said the poem. Shree too fixed her eyes on him.


"Your gaze has the brightness of the sun and moon!
Your eyes reflect the darkness of the skies!
The diamond on your dark silk saree shows me the stars in broad day light!
Your smile is the bloom of the  garden!
Your heart , waves of the sea!
Your voice sweet like kuil!
My love songs for union, Kannama ..... !
You talk for rules Kannama ....!
What rules did people follow ....?
Elders Marriage and Rituals can wait !
Can I ? Come now ..
Let me kiss you ..".

Sai smiled. Shree was dumbstruck. Sai said "What ? Why are you so surprised? Don't you know Bharathi is also a romantic poet? ". Shree exclaimed slapping her palm over her mouth "Oh my heaven ?, How.... ?  I am awestruck . I am surprised of Sai , and not of Bharathi. You didn't tell me that you like Bharathi  these days". Sai smiled and said "Now I said to you". Shree took another ten minutes to get back to normal.


                                   

                     

I AM NOT GREEDY, I DON'T WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO LOVE ME , IT'S JUST YOU.

Suddenly the topic changed. Sai said "We are very close and friendly sitting , talking and laughing together . After some years , you will finish your studies. You go for a job and get married. You will be so busy and you hardly remember me. We won't get time to see ,talk and laugh like this ". Shree thought a while and said "Yes". Sai said "So , you say , after you get married , you will forget me  right ?". Shree said "So , Do you ?" and added "Actually , I have never thought these , You are right , Priorities in life keep changing, We may hardly see each other and talk and that's life. But how can I forget you". Sai nodded. Shree chuckled and said "After Latha , You didn't find any girl?". Sai thought for a while and said "I love ........................................" Shree asked "You love .........?".
The words "I love you" might be the toughest three words to say. Sai said "I love a girl who is my friend , very deeply, But I am afraid to propose". Shree said "Afraid ? Of what ?". Sai said "Because , if she deny my love . I will broke into  pieces". Shree never saw Sai  talking so serious. Shree said "It seems you love her very deeply . I can see in your eyes. But if you keep on hesitating to propose , what if someone propose before you. Then you need to regret in your whole life". Sai said "Do you think so?". Shree said "I don't know , but may happen". Shree playfully asked "What if the girl is in her eighth or  ninth standard? " and chuckled. Sai confidently said "That mistake won't happen this time, as I know everything about her". Shree's eyes were wide open and said  "That's really good, but you didn't tell me ? Who is the girl? Do I know her ?". The answer from Sai was "Yes" which made her more curious.  Shree was shocked and said "Hey Tell me her name , I will help you , if you want". Sai with the  smile "Will you ?". Shree said "Of course. But tell her name". Sai said "I won't, You ask me questions , I will answer it , You find her. It's like a quiz" . Shree shouted "OH no , I am not that intelligent. Tell her name please . No playing games". Sai was stubborn and Shree had no option rather to go with it.  Shree said "If I know her , She 's from my college right ?". Sai with a same smile said "Yes". Shree said "Not bad , I am little wise ". The next question was "Is she from Chemistry , Maths , Pure science ...". Sai said "Physics". Shree exclaimed and shrunk her eyebrows "My department ?". Sai nodded. Shree exhaled deeply and asked "Second year or Third year?" Sai said "First Year". Shree became more curious and exclaimed "I couldn't believe , Am I studying with your girl friend ? Isn't that Exciting?." and added "Please tell her name or at least the first letter of her name ? ". Sai said "No , Still more to go. I expect still more questions". Shree inhaled and exhaled deeply and asked "By any chance do you know where she sits in the class ? First row, second ...". Sai said "First". Shree was clueless . She rejected some of the girls as she herself thought there been no chance of Sai meeting them as they were from different town and some of them lived in hostel. The list was shortened to Mina , Shiba , Shree , Mona and Priya. Shree asked "Is it Mina?". Sai smiled and said "No". Shree asked "Is it Shiba ?". Sai said "No". Shree asked "Is it Mona?". Sai said "No". Shree said "I got it , It is Priya , But where did you meet her ?". Sai said "No". Shree said "What ? Oh no..... I am losing my patience. Just think and tell , Do you know which year she is studying?". Sai smiled and looked deep into her eyes and said "What about the girl who sits in between those girls" Shree thought a while and said lethargically "I sit in between them" and said "Wait........" .
At last Shree realized that she was the girl. Silence at both ends. Shree in a harsh tone "So, What you are trying to tell?". Sai said "The girl who sits in between them is my love" and there was a silence again . Shree looked down , to her left ,  to her right  , but couldn't look straight. Sai cleared his throat and asked "What do you say now ?". Shree closed her eyes and put her palms on her forehead and sat silent. Sai was sitting in a chair. He said "Look at me". Shree shook her head.

After sometime , Shree cleared her throat and looked somewhere and said "I have some questions to ask you". Sai nodded. Shree said "When did you get this thought?". He said "When you accepted the marriage proposal of the widower". Shree controlled her tears and said "Which made you fall in love with me ?". Sai said "We have been together quite a while , I love you for so many things. I have learnt so much from you, About loving , sharing , sacrifices , confidence and much more ...I know if I hadn't met you , I wouldn't be  really living" and added "I feel something melting within me when I see your eyes , your smile. No matter what , I'll just keep loving you. To me you are perfect. My heart is perfect because of you. If I had to choose between loving you and breathing , I would use my last breath to say "I love you"" Sai's feet were not in the ground and he felt like flying. He added "I like you smiling , But I love it when I am the  reason for it. I want to be the reason for your smile in my whole life time. I suppose , I am not that greedy , I don't want the whole world to love me , It's just you". Shree was stunned and couldn't believe Sai talking these words to her. Shree with her eyes full of tears said "My family believes you so much and So do I. I didn't expect this from you ".


"YES , I SAID YOU "NO""

Sai felt like jumping into a slowly heating cooking pan. Sai said " Do you think this is wrong?". Shree looked at him with tears and said "Yes , Of course. You should not do this . Please understand and erase it from your heart. I will also forget what you said ". Sai said "No, I can't". Shree shouted in a trembled tone "Are you nuts ?  We are from different community. This is not going to work out. Please don't push me into a deep pit. Can't you realize you are putting me into a tough situation ? Please I beg you , Change your mind". Sai said in a polite tone "Till now , you didn't deny my love but saying about the difficulties of love , How do I take this ?". Shree thought for a while. Shree realized that she didn't deny his love and she was confused. She turned to Sai and said "I say these things to deny it , Got it ? and Don't mistake me . Can you leave now ,Please ". Sai stood up from his chair and said "I will take that you rejected me". Shree closed her eyes and tears rolled down and said "Yes , I said "NO" ". Sai said "I didn't plan to propose my love today, In fact , I myself want to bury my love in my heart, I told you because, I should not regret after thinking of missing the opportunity. It  will kill rest of my life." Shree had no words. Shree said in tears  "Can you leave now . Please, I am afraid". Sai said "Afraid of  what ?". Shree swallowed and said "Afraid of me , My family". Love made Sai disregard so many things. It made Sai only see what he want to. After all, Love is blind. It is addictive. It takes courage to fall in love ,to take risks ,to accept the pain and dissapointments. Falling in love deeply  with Shree made Sai courageous. He was ready to do anything for her. Love made him blind. Sai said "Just smile if you love me , I swear I will grab you on my side , Whatever comes tomorrow , we are facing life together". She turned to the window and starred. Sai said "Okay , I am leaving now". She didn't turn his side. He came near to touch her and said "Do not cry , I can't see you crying". Shree could feel Sai coming near her as she could feel  his warmth. He thought to touch her hands. Shree closed her eyes and tears dropped down. He was about to touch her. Sai's heart said "How dare you touch her ?". He took his hands off and disappeared from the place. Shree turned and saw Sai starting his bike with the heavy heart through the window and she was shocked to see Sai . He was crying too.

"YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING AND  WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO"

Shree ran to her Raghavendra swamy and said "Did I do anything wrong, Why..... ? You are the only one responsible for everything that is happening. How can you do this ? What am I supposed to do". Everyone in the family arrived. She pretended as if she was normal. That night Shree couldn't sleep. She closed her eyes. Sai came in front of her. She heard his voice saying the words of Bharathi. She closed her ears tight. Sai laughed out loud and went inside her heart and giggled and said  "What will you do now ?" . She got up from the bed , washed her face and came back to bed. She was starring the roof and She don't know when she slept.
Next morning , Shree 's mind was totally disturbed . She went to the college like a robot. On the way , Guru smiled , she didn't smile back . Guru was surprised and looked back , but Shree didn't turn back. She didn't mingle with her friends. Every friend of her's,  felt strange about her and asked for reason. But Shree said "It's nothing . I have slight headache which is bothering". Shree was happily flying like a butterfly, It was Sai who made her dumb and sad . She couldn't stop thinking of Sai.

Next day Sai arrived, Shree didn't turn to his side. Sai said "Hai , Shree". Shree went as if she didn't hear him. Sai was totally down. Sai in a low tone said "You can talk to me as usual. Please don't do this to me". Shree was dumb and went to her tuition upstairs.

And now , I can hear you "Chella! The proposal was quite interesting. When will Shree propose her love to poor Sai and How ? ". I say "Wait for the next chapter , You'll definitely get answers for your questions". Patience till next Friday ....:)

SHE'S ONE OF US - CHAPTER 13

Guru ? Is he here ?

The competitions were all over. The last competition which is paper presentation been conducted in the main auditorium. Shree was done with her competitions and was sitting in the front row listening to the presentations. She was waiting for her friends who were yet to come from their competition. Shree turned to her left. After three seats, She saw the same curious eyes watching her. In a lightning speed , she turned and said to herself "Oh my God , The boy whom I see daily is sitting after three seats, Is he watching me ? or Is it my imagination ? . It seems he was interested to have a talk with me, God ...". Shree was kneading her hands and turned several times at the entrance to check for her friends. After few minutes she slowly turned to her left side and couldn't find the boy. She got relaxed. Suddenly  a pair of hands tapped her shoulders from behind. She was shocked and turned back. She exhaled deeply and was relaxed. It was Shiba and Priya. Shiba and Priya took a seat in the front row near Shree. Shree in a nervous way said "How long you take for a model display competition? . The boy from Men's college who participated in the same competition finished before you. I am been waiting for a long time". Shiba smiled and said "Just now we are done with ours" . Priya turned back and smiled and said "Hi Guru". Shree's eyes were wide open and whispered to Shiba  "Guru ? Is he here ". Shiba said "Yes , Behind you . From the morning , starting from the registration ,you saw him, without knowing he is Guru". Shree exclaimed "What?" and turned and blinked a while. Priya playfully said "Why are you blinking? You said that you are very eager to meet him. Can't you say a hello". Shiba in a mischevious way "Shree was stunned as he is the boy whom she sees daily , So she is shy to talk". Shree cleared her throat said "Both of you stop. Shy? .. Me ? No , Not at all". Guru was only watching Shree  with a smile in these conversation. Shree smiled and said "Heloo".  Guru continued smiling and said "Heloo". Shree said "Shiba and Priya told lot about you". Guru playfully said "In a good way right ?". Shree smiled and said "Yes , Of course". Guru said "They told about you too. After I heard about you , I was a bit curious to see you". Shree gave a blank smile and said "Is it?". She slowly turned and listened to the presentation. Guru was extremely happy as he came to know Shree was the girl whom he daily  see without knowing she was the girl whom Shiba and Priya praised.
                   
                       

                   
Oh My god! Am I super talented ? Am I reserved type ?  I will kill you both.


Priya said "I told him that you are super talented. Because of you , I challenged him that we will win the shield". Shree shouted "What ?..". Shree was shocked and gave a stare at Priya. Shree was very angry and gave an eye signal to Priya to get out of the auditorium and said to Guru and Shiba "Excuse me , I will come with in 5 minutes". Priya said "Excuse me too" . Shiba blinked and said Guru "Wait , Me too will come within 5 minutes" and ran behind Shree and Priya. Guru was perplexed. After they went out of the auditorium , Shree started blasting like crackers. Shree shouted  at Priya"Are you Mad ? Am I super talented to win the shield? Why did you challenge him like that ? We won only two prizes. Just now heard the announcement that they are leading. Moreover , This is our first intercollegiate. What will he think of me ? Oh Bad girl" and exhaled out of bitterness and shook her head out of upset. Priya in a low tone said "Hey , Don't worry you won a third prize in an event ". Shree looked at her and said "Oh no , Get lost from my sight". Shiba said "Okay . Okay ,, Cool Cool..". Priya said in a scared tone "Guru is  our friend , He won't take it wrong". Shree again shouted "You shut your mouth , Never ever open your mouth" and added in a harsh tone "Come in , Lets go". They went inside the auditorium. Guru said "Where you girls went ?". Shiba said "We have a friend here and we just went to meet her". Shree didn't turn Guru's side. They three were talking something. Guru said "Won't  Shree talk much ? She is so silent". Shiba just to make it up said "Ya Guru , She is little reserved". She shrunk her eyes out of shock. Shree whispered "Am I a reserved type?  stupid. I will kill you both". Guru smiled and said "Shree , I can't hear you". Shree heard the result of model dispaly and  turned to him and said "Congratulations" . Guru said "Thanks"and was about to speak something to her , but Shree turned to the front. Finally , the Men's college won the shield. Guru and his friends went happily to the stage to get the shield. Priya and Shiba were smiling and clapping. Priya just turned and saw Shree starring in red eyes, like a devil who is going to eat her. Priya gave a fake smile and pulled Shiba's hands and whispered "Look at Shree". Shiba too saw Shree and was scared. Shree in a discontented tone said "Tomorrow , Come to the class , You both are done" . Guru showed the shield to them . Priya and Shiba congratulated him. Shree said "It is getting late , Can we move ?". Guru said "How you all going?". Priya said "We will take a bus". The whole group from Men's college and Women's college took the same bus. Shree got a seat near the window. Priya and Shiba were listening the funny talks and giggles of Guru and their friends. Shree as usual didn't turn that side and was listening songs played in the bus. The bus reached their town. They all bade bye to each other and went home.

If Guru is a girl .....

Next day Shree saw Guru from a great distance, She had lot of confusions whether to smile or not, But Guru smiled at her without any hesitation. Shree had no option ,she smiled back. After he crossed, the naughty Shree turned her head to watch him. Before the ink was dry , she turned back as Guru also did the same action as her. Shree never expected Guru  would do that and became restless. She saw Priya and Shiba in the college and explained the happening in the road. They both started making fun. Shree angrily said "Stop ! Both of you. If Guru is a girl , Did you people make fun of this incident?  He is a friend of yours and So do I. Is this funny?". and she walked to the class. Priya ran behind her and said "It was just a fun". Shree said "No, It is not". Shiba said playfully " Did we tell you to turn back and see him, But you did it and I know the reason behind" and winked. Shree got pissed off. Shree said "Okay Okay , Mistake was mine. I should not have turned. I am a Stupid, Happy now?". That evening in the computer center Shiba and Priya met. Guru said "How is your friend?". Shiba looked playfully and said "Which friend ?". Guru smiled and asked "Shree". Shiba said "Oh ! She is good. It seems you are too worried about her". Guru smiled and said "Hey, I just asked , Nothing intentional ". Priya giggled and said "Yes , we believed". Guru smiled and said "Convey my regards to her". Shiba and Priya both looked each other and chuckled

I think you fell in love with him.

The same evening Sai arrived. Shree innocently told everything happened in intercollegiate. Sai heard the whole story and pretended that he is not that much interested. Sai had never seen Guru, but he hated him to the core just because Shree praised him. Sai was jealous of Guru and possessive on Shree. He couldn't tolerate Shree praising him. From that day , He always asked about Guru voluntarily. After hearing about him,  his face would become dull and sad . Shree was clueless of Sai's behavior. One day she asked Sai " I was watching you these days ...Why were you so upset when I talk about Guru ? " Sai said "Nothing like that ...". Shree said "Don't say nothing , I can feel it". Sai said "I think you fell in love with him". Shree's anger went to her head and realized it was Sai in front of her and her anger subsided and said politely "What made you think that ?". Sai said "Because you praised him and daily sees him and smiles at him". Shree giggled and said "Why are you so kiddish ? Sorry to say this , This is the reason , I hate this town. They have some stupid  list of principles for girls. One of them is Girls should  bend their heads and should not look any men. Don't she has eyes as men has ?. She is free to look around the world , Looking someone makes her a bad girl ? ". and added "Praising a person means falling in love ? Oh my god ! That means I fell in love million times. I have praised lot of my friends irrespective of gender and I always praise my favorite singer SPB, Did that mean , I fall in love with him?. I have grown up in a place where men and women are treated in a same way and  with same respect. I studied in Co-education. World need to change a lot " and looked Sai. Sai was half convinced , but still couldn't accept as he was grown up like that. It was the first argument which Sai and Shree had. Shree thought for a while and asked "I have a doubt , Even if I fall in love , What does it matters to you? Why are you bothered ?". Sai didn't expect this question and said "I am always concerned about you " . But Shree was not convinced of the answer. A spark of doubt came into her mind , but her heart said "Shree , Are you nuts ? How can you doubt Sai?". The next moment she changed  her mind.

             
Good girl - Keep it up

Days went by. The semester results arrived. Everybody in the college was restless, But Shree left everything to her Raghavendra swamy as  usual and was cool headed. The results been seen in the Internet. Shree was in the seventh heaven as she got 99/100 in her subject and 100/100 in her Maths.
Her friends and all the staffs in the department congratulated her. The senior professor was extremely happy. That evening she rushed home and shared her happiness with her family. Sai showed up that day with a sweet box and  said  Shree "I know , today is the result of your semester exams and there will be a sweet news awaiting and so I bought the sweets". Sai asked Shree about the marks. After hearing the marks , he was awestruck and said "Wow , Awesome , Good girl . Keep it up". She was happy that she laid a strong foundation for the University rank. But this is not final , still long way to go. She was very much concerned that first success shouldn't make her lazy and over confident. The district tournament arrived. The TT team been selected for the next level. She got the second victory.

Next came a great opportunity for Shree to show the whole college who she was. It was the youth festival , a cultural competition conducted each year. Around fifty colleges would participate in that event. Shree been selected for classical vocal and light music vocal. She went to the staff who is in charge of the  competition and asked about the other competition details. There was group vocal western and Instrumental classical and told the staff that she was interested to participate in that too. The madam asked "You know to play any instrument ?". Shree smiled and said "Yes , I play Veena and keyboard". The Madam was contented and said "Our College never participated in these events. We do have Veena  and keyboard in  our college" and showed her the music room. She seek help from the staff for forming a group for western songs. The group was awesome , She played keyboard and also sung the song with them. Meanwhile she practiced Veena too. Its Devi, a third year girl, admired Shree for her talents. Devi called Shree and said "Hi , I am Devi, Third year B.com. I am also participating in youth festival competitions as you. I believe you are multi- talented" and added "Beauty and talent very rarely comes in combination. You got it , All the best". Shree smiled and said "Thank you sister , I also heard from Madam that you are an all rounder and your name been nominated for "The Best outgoing student" award. All the best for you too". Devi smiled and gave a gentle pat on her shoulders. Devi said "When you come to your final year , you have to get this award , So from now on wards , work towards it" and added  "Do not worry , I will help you" and motivated her. Shree nodded her head and said "Yes, Sister". An another aim added to her list.

The Same tongue !

The youth festival arrived. The competitions held for three days outside the town. She packed her cloths and the things for three days. The girls started in a Mini Van. Competitions were all over .
The Results been announced. She heard her name four times as winner. She bagged the prizes  in all four competitions she participated and her college overall  bagged the second place . She was overjoyed. She felt as if she had no better feeling than this. They returned to the college. Next morning, In the prayer , prizes been distributed by the principal. Everyone in her department including HOD congratulated her. HOD said "Shree , I heard,  you play Table tennis , good in extra curricular ,  excellent in studies. You can be nominated for " The Best outgoing student award " in your final year , If you also participate in the student election in your third year, Sure I help you to achieve this". She was too happy as she heard this from the HOD. She just went to a flash back. The same HOD who said "Don't pull  my soul out" when she was begging for the seat  , Now said those excellent words. She couldn't believe her ears. She smiled.....

And  now , I can hear you saying "Chella , What suspense this time ?". I say " No suspense this time , but next week the main part of the story , The turning point in Shree  and Sai's life going to happen. You know what it is as you been waiting for this part for a long time. I can see you smiling.
It is always tough and hard to wait for the romantic part of the story ;) . Patience ...Only  a week to go