Bride Set off

chapter 20

We reached at admin office. Piku gave up chasing I guess. She isn't following back.

"I need your help Jay."

"Anything."

"You know Piku, right?"

He nods.

"Stop her right here. don't let her inside. Please. Please. Please."

"Okay , I will do that but why? What's happening."

"I am withdrawing my PhD application." I said as I go inside, he grabs my hand pulls me to him.

"What?" he is shocked. "I need more explanation."

I try to remove his hand but he has tight grip.

"I am trying to help. Please, let me go."

He let of my hand and I rushed inside.

"Hello ma'am. I am Rashi, roll no 45. I submitted my documents for PhD program today, I would like to withdraw them and enroll Piku, roll no 23."

She nods and stood up.

"Wait here."

She went out and called someone. I am hoping she could come back before Piku. Is Piku yells at me here, that would create bad impression and we both will get thrown out.

My phone buzzes. It's a text from Jay.

Your friend is here. 10 feet away.

I texted back instantly.

Stop her at all cost. Things are taking time here.

I am praying each and every god right now, hope the transfer process takes place soon.

It's been five minutes, I am waiting impatiently. I hear no noise from outside. I am glad I dragged Jay with me, he will make Piku understand.

I texted jay.

All good?

He replied.

She is clam now, I am taking her away from here. text me when you're done.

Thankfully one problem I solved.

"Hello Miss. Sorry, that took long." Ah, she is back.

"It's okay ma'am."

"I talked with your faculties and they seem fine with it. You have to hand in the transfer paper in two days. Then Ms. Piku will get enrolled." She hands me the forms.

"But ma'am I haven't applied to any university right now. I need more time to get those transfer paper, I am withdrawing for now. So, please enroll my friend for now."

"I am sorry Miss. The system doesn't work that way." She looks back to computer and start typing.

"But ma'am they told clearly that if one student withdraws, she will get in." I can't fail to enroll Piku.

"The faculty member who informed you that can help. You can meet them, they might help." She looks up and took forms from me.

"Okay. Thank you."

There is no point of arguing with her. She is right. I will have to face Piku now. I texted Jay to ask where they are, he replied instantly. They both are at campus garden.

"Hello." They both turned behind, look at me and turned back instantly.

Feels great to be ignored.

"Piku... Hi." I said sitting beside her.

She didn't say a word to me for two minutes.

"I am not sorry, Piku. You can ignore me all you want. I have made up my mind."

"This is not your decision. I told my life troubles to you because I consider you my friend, I need you listen to me, confront me not ruin your future."

"I want to help."

"Not this way, I won't accept Rashi."

"There's no other way, Piku. This is our do or die situation."

I can sense her anger as she breaths loud. I am trying so hard to clam but her breathing out loud is annoying me.

I look at Jay, mumbled 'sorry'. He got dragged into this because of me.

"I will call you later. I need to get home now."

"Okay. See you later." I said as she rolls eyes.

"Bye Jay."

"Bye."

"Oh, you were talking to him. That hurts."

"We will talk later Rashi. When you will have sane thought."

She left.

"You okay?"

"No."

"Wanna go home and talk?" I nod and follow him.

We reached home and sat in utter silence.

"Want to go at terrace and have the talk-talk?"

"Nope." I sighed. "I am fine here."

"Your friend Piku told me what happened before. That is so brave of you to help but you also have to considerate her feelings too."

"I don't regret what I did, Jay. Her parents won't listen to her. There is only this way left."

"I know that but that doesn't mean you run-yell at campus."

"I am sorry about that fuss but not so sorry."

"You really don't want the PhD?" his question hits hard.

"I do want PhD but not this way. There must be way for me and Piku to succeed together."

"This day feels so long." He sighs

He looks away and tuns back to me.

"I need you inform you about Rajan coming back."

"WHAT????????"

"I planned to tell you earlier today but it wasn't right time. So, now I said it. He will be here by tomorrow evening."

"Did he win the case? My father is he... umm... in Jail?"

"It's better that Rajan talks to you about it. He only informed me about his arrival because he doesn't want to miss your graduation."

"That's sweet."

"Let's have dinner now and give this exhaustion brain a break."

"Okay."

"But Jay, I am not backing off helping Piku. No matter what it takes."

"You can't do this alone. Count me in."