Intimacy - Part 10

Next semester started with the usual tradition of exam results. Aarthi topped this time again. She couldn't be any happier. She wanted to put in her best efforts to retain the same degree of success in the consecutive semester exams too. The feeling of winning over Rakesh added delight to her happiness. But, the riotous Rakesh stayed calm. He doesn't seem to be much concerned about the result. He got a decent score and looked composed. Aarthi wished that he would go upset. But, the rock hard face hardly displayed any emotion.

To add to the excitement of college days, few students from the class organised an educational trip to Bangalore. They arranged for visits to renowned companies. But, this was more of a fun filled tour than an educational one. Aarthi decided not to go as she was least excited about it. But, her friends compelled her to join them, as they might not get such an opportunity to go on a trip like this, ever again.

Aarthi had never stayed away from her family and was a little tensed. But her mom advised her to be self reliant and get such experiences, as she cannot be pampered by her, all the time. Aarthi had never been anywhere other than her hometown and the current city. Bangalore looked lovely and she immediately fell in love with the weather.

The hotel they checked in was quite decent and the students occupied all the rooms in two consecutive floors. On their first day they visited a company and then decided to visit all the attractions, in the city. It was a long, tiring, but a joyful day. Aarthi was feeling wonderful to have such a fun filled day, out of the routine college life.

Kattup pattu kattup pattu
Pallik koodathile kashta pattu
Kattugalai vittu vittu
Ingu sittu pola vatta mittu
Ettaatha ettukkattai mettuk katti paada
Thappaatha thaalathinai thatti thatti poda
Ettaatha ettukattai mettuk katti paada
Thappaatha thaalathinai thatti thatti poda
Anaiyai udaikkum nadhigal naam
Namakku edharku vidhigalaam?

Vaanam namakku veedhi
Megam namakku jodi

Vaanam namakku veedhi
Megam namakku jodi
Kaatrodu kalakkalaam
Kaiveesi nadakkalaam
Raja enge naam
Yaar thaduppathu?

கட்டுப்பட்டு கட்டுப்பட்டு
பள்ளிக்கூடத்திலே கஷ்டப்பட்டு
கட்டுகளை விட்டு விட்டு
இங்கு சிட்டு போல வட்டமிட்டு
எட்டாத எட்டுக்கட்டை மெட்டுக்கட்டி பாட
தப்பாத தாளத்தினை தட்டி தட்டி போட
எட்டாத எட்டுக்கட்டை மெட்டுக்கட்டி பாட
தப்பாத தாளத்தினை தட்டி தட்டி போட
அணையை உடைக்கும் நதிகள் நாம்
நமக்கு எதற்கு விதிகளாம்?

வானம் நமக்கு வீதி
மேகம் நமக்கு ஜோடி

வானம் நமக்கு வீதி
மேகம் நமக்கு ஜோடி
காற்றோடு கலக்கலாம்
கைவீசி நடக்கலாம்
ராஜா இங்கே நாம்
யார் தடுப்பது?

Next day, they visited few more companies and had a lovely evening, in a park. It was yet again a long day and Aarthi couldn't wait to hit the bed. Suddenly, in the middle of the night, Aarthi was wakened by a knock on the door. Her three other friends also got up, to check whom it could be. All the four answered the door, just to find out one of their classmate.

"Hi all, sorry to disturb you at this time. We are celebrating Rakesh's birthday in the corridor. Do join us", he said and left the place.

Aarthi saw him knocking other doors too. 'Silly', she said to herself and went back to bed.

"Hey Aarthi, come on let's go", said one of her friend.

"I am not coming, you guys carry on"

"Hey c'mon Aarthi, let's go and celebrate. It's our Rakesh's birthday"

'OUR Rakesh? What the hell?', she thought.

"I have got a severe headache and I need some sleep. I am in no mood to party", she lied and cuddled up the blanket.

Just after ten minutes, she heard a loud chorus, singing, 'Happy birthday to you'. The song sounded like an annoying honk and she felt like jumping down the window and running away. After few minutes, she heard a lot of giggles and chats.

'Looks like everybody is out there celebrating. Bunch of fools, celebrating another fool's birthday. Gosh! Had I known this before, I wouldn't have come. How come, everyone wants to celebrate an idiot's birthday', murmured Aarthi to herself.

After sometime, when her roomies came back, she pretended to be asleep. They kept discussing about Rakesh and did not had the slightest idea about Aarthi's flaming rivalry.

"Wasn't he handsome today?", said a girl.

"Of course he is a hot pick, in demand", said another and they all giggled.

"Wasn't he cool on that lemony crew neck tee and brown short"

"No, he was double hot on them", and they all laughed again.

"We should have got him a gift"

"Why don't we all buy him a gift tomorrow. Together, we can share and buy something worthy. What say?"

"Ya that's a good idea. We will tell this to Aarthi tomorrow morning. She will be excited"

'Excited!? Me??', thought Aarthi and she felt like stabbing those girls, with a knife, right into their mouth.

Next day, Aarthi hastily contributed towards the gift. 'Wish I could have used that money for giving alms', she thought. The girls went to a novelty shop and browsed for a gift, seriously. Aarthi stood outside the shop and her friends were so busy, that they did not notice her. Finally, after the selection was done, they asked Aarthi for her opinion. She looked at it in a wink and said it was awesome. She again felt like killing those girls. After the gift was wrapped up, they stuck a tag and wrote all their names. Aarthi had no choice than to leave it. She did not wanted to tell them her story, fearing that they might tease her.

One of the girls, handed the gift box to Aarthi and said, "Go on Aarthi, give this to Rakesh and wish him. We wished him yesterday night, but you didn't come over for the party. So you better go and wish him now". Aarthi wanted to throw the box in the bin, standing just behind her and walk away.