Star-crossed

Prologue

A rainy day in July

A black Audi pulled out of a mansion and started its journey to the airport. It had gone just a distance of a couple of kms when the car suddenly lurched to a stop near the campus of University.
"Sir...there is some problem in the engine. I will go out and check." The driver told Anirudh after trying to start the car unsuccessfully and he nodded. It was drizzling lightly as the driver got out of the car and opened the bonnet. He looked at the engine, not able to comprehend what the problem was. Deciding that this required a mechanic, he rushed to Anirudh's window.
"Sir, we will have to call another car from home. This car won't run now." The driver told him and Anirudh sighed, instructing the driver to call another car. Getting out of the car to stretch his legs Anirudh stood silently on the sidewalk, watching the traffic rush on the highway in front of him. He was wearing a black hoodie, with the hood covering his head and his face partially, making him unnoticeable and he relished the relief of being alone. Being a famous superstar and top actor in the movie industry, he could rarely go out in public like this. He watched the running water on the road get swirled whenever a vehicle passed through it, the hustle of college students as they hurried to get to their classes or to bunk their classes. He looked wistfully at a young guy dressed in casual clothes, having fun with his friends and laughing without a care in the world. He wished to have that experience, but he was now almost 25, already successful in his chosen field and quite satisfied with it too. He removed his hood, for a moment, just for the thrill of it, as he waited for his ride. He watched around to see if anyone had recognized him or was everyone simply too busy with their own lives to pay any attention to the surroundings. He was about to put the hood back on when he saw a girl standing a few feet away from him, who seemed to be looking at him or in his direction. He couldn't be sure as she too, had the hood of her jacket on her head, protecting her from the slight drizzle of rain. He could tell that the girl had attractive features from the lower half of her face visible under her hood. She seemed to have recognized him as she started to walk swiftly towards him. He automatically gave her his classic smile and expected her to stop near him and ask for a selfie or autograph. He was really surprised when she rushed past him, as if she hadn't even noticed him standing there. He turned around to see where she was going and saw her walking towards an old lady, also waiting on the sidewalk. It looked like the lady wanted to cross the highway, but the heavy rush of traffic was making it almost impossible for her. The Hoodie girl went straight to that old lady and asked something which he couldn't hear. The old lady said something in reply, pointing towards something across the road and the girl nodded, offering the lady her hand to hold. She then stepped down the sidewalk, directly onto the road and lifted her hand to stop the vehicles. Slowly, but boldly the girl walked forward, taking the lady with her across the road. Anirudh was impressed by the girl as she had shown both kindness and courage. It was not an easy task to cross such a busy and heavy traffic, that too on a highway. He watched the girl disappear behind the traffic and shook his head at his own thoughts. He was really getting arrogant and self obsessed if he expected everyone to adore and give attention to him. He cast a glance at the highway and noticed the girl crossing the highway back. He watched her as she walked gracefully back into the University campus and sighed. The unknown hoodie girl had indeed taught him an important lesson today by giving him a reality check which he was very grateful for.

*

Vedika lowered her hoodie as she walked into her class.
"You are late Chauhan. I will not be marking your attendance today." Her professor warned her and she nodded, sinking into her seat on the last bench beside her best friend Sameer.
"Hey beautiful. Why were you so late today?" He leaned towards her and asked. Vedika shook her head and nudged him to make him sit straighter.
"I was helping an old lady cross the highway." She told him and her friend Meher when the class was over.
"Sometimes you are such a nerd." Meher said, shaking her head.
"But she is a cute nerd." Sameer said, making the girls chuckle and received a playful smack on his head from Vedika.

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