Intimacy - Part 7

It was Aarthi's first day at college. She was feeling proud of her achievement (finally!) and was very glad to see the happy grin on her parents' face. She arrived at the college with her parents. There was an inaugural meeting with parents of all the fresher's in the college auditorium. It was so huge and grand. Seeing so much people at once, reminded Aarthi of the famous car festival back in her native town. The meeting was to list out the rules and regulations, that will be strictly observed by the management. It brought a 'satisfactory' smile on all parents and of course, nearly silent curses from students, not only for the rules, but they have to keep hearing them over and over for the next four years.

After the meeting, Aarthi walked cheerfully to her classroom. She felt like somebody pressed the 'restart' button in her life. And everything appeared new and awesome. None of her friends have joined this college, but she wasn't much worried. She knew her job is to chase her dreams, reach heights and make her parents proud. So, she was all set to start the race of Engineering, specifically Computer Science.

She sat in the front row with two other girls, who looked very humble and modest. The usual tradition of introducing self by the students followed and each one took their turn to step on the dias, to talk a few words about themselves. It was Aarthi's turn and she got on the dias with a cute smile. As she was talking, she glanced at the boys' rows.

'Wait a minute! Was that he?!', she panicked. Of course it was Rakesh. He turned his face away, when he saw Aarthi noticing him. It looked like that he already knew that she was in the class, but he stayed calm. There was hardly any expression on his face.

Aarthi managed to finish her talk and came back to her seat with a long face. When Rakesh got on the stage, she did not even raise her head and looked at him. His voice kindled anger and agony in Aarthi's head. Rakesh could see that she was upset, but nothing he could do neither he wanted to do anything about it.

All her cheer disappeared and she was waiting to get back home. She looked lifeless and her mom was worried to see her that way. Aarthi started crying, when her mom pestered her to speak up. She started sharing her agony.

"Mom, I can't withstand him and seriously want to change the college. Please put me in a different one. I can't even imagine facing him for next four years. It is devastating. You please help me in this and talk to dad. I am absolutely gutted and I can't go back tomorrow. Please talk to dad. Please mom!", Aarthi pleaded.

Her mom was aware of the whole story. Aarthi loves sharing everything with her mom, as she will make her feel better and give her, the right advice.

Her mom thought for a while and continued, "Aarthi, I understand how upset you are. I know it's hard to be around someone, whom you dislike completely. But that's how life is. If you dislike someone and decide to runaway from that person, then you should keep running your entire life. I can see that you are grown up and is being serious about life. You are not playful anymore. But, you should get matured to accept these experiences. You will dislike someone or the other, your entire life. But you can't run away from them all. If you want to do so, you would end up living in a jungle. It's your life and you are living it. What if he happened to be in your class? That's not going to affect you unless you let it. Just focus on your work and stop worrying about others. All the successful people, kept themselves busy working hard, to reach their dreams and bothered a little about those who troubled them. So, take this as a chance to learn living with people whom you dislike, soon you will understand that's how world is designed. But don't forget, the times will change and so our opinions too."

Aarthi spent that evening in her room, thinking about what her mom just said. 'Mom is right', she thought. She felt her mom was sensible and decided to abide by her words.

'Yes, mom is right. Why should I have to bother about someone else and lose my peace? Why should I leave one of the finest institute and spoil my future? It doesn't worth it. I am here to study and achieve. I am seriously not going to bother about anything or anybody from now on', she said to herself.

Next day she was feeling better. Her new friends were lovely and she liked her lecturers too. She visited the library and laboratories to get the feel of an 'Engineer'. She carried a bulk of books back home, that she borrowed from the library. Her mom and brother looked at her books and shared a chuckle. Aarthi understood that they are trying to troll her. Still, she filled her face with pride. Sometime later, her dad came home and gave her a small gift box. Her mom and brother got excited and couldn't wait to find out what's in it. When Aarthi opened it, she saw a key in it.

"Oh my God! Daddy you have got me a scooty. Have you?", she asked in excitement.

"Yes my baby girl and it is waiting for you outside!", said dad.

"What?! No way", and she ran outside to see a shiny new blue scooty waiting for her. She fell in love with it, immediately.

It was an awesome day for her. She and her family, went to temple and to restaurant, to celebrate the big gift that she received. At night, she was so happy and wished every day is as happy and cheerful as it was today.

mayil pola ponnu onnu
kili pola pechchu onnu
kuyil pola paattu onnu
kettu ninnu manasu pona idam theriyala

vandiyila vanna mayil neeyum pona
sakkaramaa en manasu suththudhadi
mandhaara malli marikozhundhu sembagame
muna muriyaap poove ena murichchadhenadio
thanga muham paarka dhenam sooriyanum varalaam
sangu kazhuththukke pirai chandhiranath tharalaam
kuyil pola paattu onnu
kettu ninnu manasu pona idam theriyala...

மயில் போல பொண்ணு ஒண்ணு
கிளி போல பேச்சு ஒண்ணு
குயில்  போல பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
கேட்டு நின்னு  மனசு போன இடம் தெரியல   

வண்டியில  வண்ண மயில் நீயும் போன
சக்கரமா  என் மனசு சுத்துதடி

மந்தார மல்லி  மரிகொழுந்து  செம்பகமே  
முன  முறியாப்  பூவே  என முரிச்சதேனடியோ   
தங்க முகம்  பார்க்க  தெனம்  சூரியனும்  வரலாம்  
சங்கு  கழுத்துக்கே  பிறை  சந்திரனைத்  தரலாம்  
குயில் போல பாட்டு ஒண்ணு
கேட்டு நின்னு மனசு போன இடம் தெரியல...