Tell Me How It Feels!

3 - THE FIRST MEET

     "Hello", was all Richa could manage. She gave him a firm handshake and immediately withdrew. "Excuse me", she told them and headed towards the other side pretending to go dining section.

     But she could hear what they were talking. "Good job John", Piyush said to John. His voice is surprisingly calm but confident just like in school.
     
     "Well, it's Vinod's idea. He told me that a reunion has to happen. So we sorted the lists and called everyone", John told him.

      "So what are you doing now Mr Topper?", Shilpa asked Piyush.

      "Well, I am in my Engineering final year now", told Piyush in a matter-of-fact tone. "What about you?", he asked Shilpa.
    
      "I am studying MBBS in Philippines". Richa just turned in time to catch a glance at Piyush face. He wore that same expression with a polite smile.

      Doesn't he ever get bored with that expression of his? Richa thought.

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      She never forgets their first meet. When they met at St.Xaviers English Medium High School 9 years ago. She was 13 years back then.

       It was the week after reopening. Richa is talking with her best friends - Ishika, Anuradha and Swayam who just like her hates Mathematics which was the thing that brought them so close to each other.

       Just then, their class teacher, Radha Ma'am entered with a new boy while everyone rushed to their places. He is neat and good looking with a polite smile. The teacher announced his name 'Piyush Varma', who was transferred from a different school in another city.

      Radha Ma'am pointed him to a bench that is just in front of Richa's. He took his seat and didn't even turn his head sideways to talk to Swayam. Swayam tried to introduce himself to Piyush by extending his hand for a handshake. Piyush took it with that same expression he carried while entering the classroom.

      "So why did you change school then", asked Swayam.

      "My dad got transferred", answered Piyush in an abrupt tone. There is a slight discomfort in his voice.

      "Oh, nice. How is Hyderabad? Do you like it?"

      "Too much traffic and pollution", Piyush replied.

      "So where is your home?", asked Swayam trying to get him to talk.

      "I don't know".

      "What?"

      "My driver drops me here and takes me home. I never had to remember any route. So I don't know the area", said Piyush seriously.

      "How- ", started Swayam, but Piyush cut him off in the middle and told, "I would like to listen to my lesson in peace". And Swayam didn't utter a single word in the entire period.

      Richa while taking notes start to murmur with Ishu about Chota Bheem. She noticed Piyush giving her irritated stares while she is talking to Ishika. However, she ignored him.

       Piyush suddenly raised his hand in the middle of the lecture.

       "What is the matter Piyush? Anything you didn't understand?", the teacher asked in a quiet voice.

       "Ma'am, this girl behind me is talking with that girl beside her. I couldn't concentrate on what you are saying", told Piyush.

        "Richa, Is this true?"

        What so ever Richa didn't expect this. She stood shaking in front of the teacher and answered in a trembled voice, "Yes Ma'am".

         "If you don't want to listen to my class you don't have to attend it. But disturbing in the middle is not right Richa. Now stand near the door. This will be your punishment", said the teacher angrily.

         Richa moved towards the door silently and stood there for the rest of her class thinking If it's so disturbing he could have told me. Why complain?

        Finally, the bell rang and class is finished. Piyush came near Richa and told her "I am sorry, but I don't like disturbance during my class. So never try to talk again during class hours or I will complain again". Piyush told her with that same iconic irritate smiling expression of his. Richa somewhere knew she was wrong, so she kept quiet.

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        Richa stood near the dining section thinking about this incident and suddenly shuddered when she heard John's voice in mike.

          "Okay, everyone. Welcome to our reunion. As the class leader of our class, I still get to perform my duties and I like it too. I am happy that you guys took out the time and came here making this occasion, a great success. However, we lost contact with most of our fellow classmates that even forgot their names. So to make things easier I invite each person here on the stage to introduce themselves and talk about their whereabouts so that we know about each other. First up that's me."

          "I hope you guys remember me but still, I am John Thomas. I am doing my B.Sc Agriculture in Acharya N.G. Ranga University. I am in my final year now and next I pass this to Vinod."

          Everyone started telling about themselves and it's Richa's turn.

         "Hello everyone. This is Richa Murthy" she heard someone shouting 'Piyush you next' but she continued "and I am doing Engineering in Hyderabad." She again heard 'Piyush get ready'. Her eyebrows became narrow with irritation. Ignoring them, she went on "I am in my 4th year now", telling this she passed the mike to Shilpa.

         Shilpa stretched her hand to take it but Piyush took it from her and he looked a bit intense. "I admire all of your enthusiasm for my introduction. But I think it's rude to interrupt while a person is talking. It would be much better if none repeated it while I am talking". He looked at all of them and when pleased he started telling "I am Piyush Varma. I am studying my final year of Engineering at Vizag."

        So he is doing what he always loved to do. Chose what he was brilliant at and the city he wanted, Richa thought.

       "Sorry, Richa. Please don't feel bad", said John.

       "It's okay John. Cowards never show their faces. Although it would be great if I can give a warning to him", Richa said in a disgusting voice.

        Everyone finished their dinner and Richa bid Shilpa and her other classmates farewell starting to walk towards the vehicle. She heard someone talking rather harshly in hushed voices. Following the direction of the sound from where it came, she saw two figures talking to each other rather seriously. One was Nikhil and the other was 'Piyush?' What she understood is that Piyush is giving some sort of warning to Nikhil. She couldn't hear clearly but she caught some "If ever again I see anyone trying to tease her with my name, you will see what I can do. Be careful".

         Piyush turned around and walked forward until he came to a halt where he saw Richa. Their eyes met briefly and parted away.

         Richa asked, "What was all that about?", in a concerned voice.

         "None of your business", replied Piyush sternly and for the first time in 9 years, she found him interesting.

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Note:- Hey readers! 100 reads for my story. Thank you all my readers each and every one. Without you guys, this is not possible and this is my first step.

I am back with another chapter. Thank you so much for encouraging me with reads, votes and comments.

So what do you think about Piyush? Do you like him? I know there are a lot of chapters to unfold and believe me guys, I am on it.