Threads of Silver (indefinite hold)

A Chance Encounter

"Good first impressions are hardly ever lasting impressions"

"I had almost forgotten about the practice Preeto!" Jasmine huffed as she ran onto the outdoor stage in their college. "Woh Tejo ro rahi thi toh unhe manane mein main to bhul hi gayi" 

Preeto's ears perked up at that. "Tejo di ro rahi thi?"

Jasmine nodded, "I know Tejo kabhi nahi roti lekin woh sach mein pyaar karti thi us kaminey ko. Anyways forget all of this, we should start practicing otherwise we are not going to have the choreography done in time!" 

On the other hand Tejo's sobbing had come to an abrupt halt when she saw the piece of tissue that had been slid into the stall. 

Picking the tissue up she flipped it around to find writing. In jet black ink the words were imprinted "Life is too short for tears, smile :)"

A small smilie face was drawn at the end as well. The small and simple note managed to improve her mood drastically. For the second time today a stranger had put a smile on her face. For the second time today she had momentarily forgotten about her sorrows because of a strangers kind words.

For the world Tejo had always been strong, a woman who never wore her expressions on her face, a woman who never cried. But under it all she was human, she too would get hurt and she too needed to vent pent up emotions. 

Look at her now, crying because she found a stupid photo of him and her on her desk. She looked so happy, she was so happy and just the thought of it sent back tears. So she ran, ran into the bathroom to hide her tears from the world like she always did. 

Loud noises of shouting broke Tejo out of her thoughts. Hastily wiping her tears she slipped the tissue into her wallet before rushing out of the washroom towards the source of the commotion. 

When the laughter had died down in Fateh's group of friends, abruptly the sound of a body hitting the floor reverberated through the auditorium. Fateh's collar had been abruptly grabbed and he was roughly pushed to the floor. The sudden attack took him by surprise, instead of trying to look at the attacker for his identity Fateh tried to minimise the impact his fall. Placing his hands under him he prevented serious injuries.

As quickly as the blow had come, Fateh pushed himself off the floor kicking his attacker square in the chest. Thats when he first saw his attackers face, sharp jaw, black hair, brown eyes. Of course. Who else could attack him like this?

Mandeep was  basically what people would call an archnemesis to Fateh. As a boxer Mandeep was fabulous, fierce and a tough competition to Fateh. But as a man Mandeep was arrogant and egoistic. Fateh beating him in the previous championship didn't settle well with Mandeep and so he was here with his gang to exact revenge on Fateh and his friends.

That was it the start of an ugly brawl. As soon as Mandeep recovered he came hurtling back at Fateh. By the time the noise had attracted a crowd that was rather eager to watch the spectacle unfold before their eyes. 

For Tejo however this was a nuisance, as a professor on campus she had to break up this fight, and the fact that she was greeted with two men at each others necks only added to her troubles. 

Of course her words were going to prove futile in this situation, believing that physical intervention was the best course of action, Tejo placed her hand in between to prevent any further altercation. However, in the heat of the fight her hand was quickly shoved away. 

Seeing no other way Tejo decided to take the chance and stepped in between the two men. Pushing both of them apart she stepped into the small gap she made. Her eyes quickly shutting as she realised a punch was coming her way. 

Fateh's arm stopped inches away from the woman's face. The stupid, idiotic woman that decided it would be a brilliant idea to place herself in between him and Mandeep. Had he not stopped in time she would have definitely landed in the hospital.

Pulling his arm back he was ready to give the woman a piece of his mind when her eyes fluttered open and his words died in his throat. Taking the brief moment of silence as an advantage the woman beat him to it. 

"Yeh kya tamasha laga rakha hai yaha pe? This a college not a boxing ring so save your punches and this aggression of yours!"  Tejo lectured both the men 

"Oh hello madam who told you to jump in between? Abhi mera haath rokta nahi toh zor ki lagti aapko" Fateh yelled back 

"Tum kya paagal ho? Dimaag thik hai tumhara? Kutto ki tarah ladte tum ho aur suna mujhe rahe ho?" Tejo retorted not willing to back down, or cower under this man.

Fateh wanted to yell back even louder but he took a calming breath

"Dekho main aapse tameez se baat kar raha hoon, fight maine shuru nahi ki thi, main sirf apne aap ko bacha raha tha" 

"Isne" pointing at Mandeep, Fateh continued "mujhpe attack kiya"

Mandeep was quick to interrupt "Nahi ma'am yeh jhoot bol raha hai" 

Tejo frowned 

"Tum dono kal ke kal principal ke office mein report karoge, with an apology letter" 

"Lekin main kyu? Meri toh koyi galti hi nahi thi!" Fateh yelled 

"Woh Principal ko decide karne do, consider yourselves lucky that I am not suspending you on the spot for behaving like hooligans on campus, now please get back to your work!" 

As the crowd dispersed, Jasmine who had also witnessed the entire scene made her way to Tejo. "Waise Tejo woh ladka kuch galat nahi kehe raha tha, agar usne apne haath ko time pe nahi roka hota to tujhe sach me bahut zyada lag sakti thi" 

Tejo rolled her eyes "uss lafander ke baare mein toh mujse baat hi mat kar" Jasmine laughed. "Lafander? waise tera yeh lafander hai bada cute, sona chehera, changa body, mujhe toh bada hi handsome laga!" 

"Handsome? ek number ka gunda aur aawaara hai yeh lafander" Tejo replied, irritation lacing her voice. 

Fateh too was angered at Tejo "woh aurat samjh ti kya hai apne aapko? Mujh par chilla rahi thi! Shadain kahiki" he huffed in annoyance. Fateh's eyes followed Tejo, glaring at her retreating back till she disappeared. After which he let out an exasperated sigh running his hand through his hair in annoyance.

What Fateh didn't hear was the delicate jingling of her payals when she had arrived. What Fateh missed was the slight bristling of leaves as the wind changed directions. What Fateh didn't feel was the first drops of rain on his skin. What Fateh didn't notice in his rage was the warm orange that stretched across the sky as the sun began to set. What Fateh couldn't see was the way the sea shined silver miles away from where he stood. What Fateh failed to realise was that the woman of his dreams had stood before him just seconds ago. 

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