Mine To Hold

Chapter 3

Naina's POV:

I enter the premises of the college and go to the admin block to submit one of the documents that they require before heading for my first class.

I enter the class and sit on the third bench and take out my stuff. I sense someone sitting next to me and turn my head to see a girl around my age sitting next to me.

"Hey! I am Simran." She says extending her hand.

"Hi! Naina." I reply shaking her hand. Before we could talk more, the professor entered the class and we started giving our introductions and were let off early since it was the first day. We decided to go around the campus since we had some time on our hands before the next class.

I check out the library, the football field, our lockers, and cafeteria where we sit down for a bit. It's weird to be back in college after what feels too long but has been barely two to three months but at the same time it also feels exhilarating. Simran and I talk to one another and she informs me how this has been her dream college and she has done even her bachelor's from here and how amazing the faculty here is.

For some reason hearing her say this, makes me so proud of my family and what they have put up. She continues to babbles about the it when I hear something that makes my ears stand in attention.

"...and you know Karthik sir? He is amazing. He teaches so well and he is so knowledgeable that you are just mesmerised and are forced to hear him teach. He is one of the best professors that we have. I am sad that he is not teaching us this semester. You would have liked him because everyone does." She exclaims.

If only she knew that I am the reason he is not teaching us and that I already like him and know him very well. She excuses herself to use the washroom while I remain sitting in my place, looking around. I see a plate of sandwich being kept in front of me and turn to see the waiter.

"I didn't order anything." I tell him.

"Ma'am, I was told to give it here and also this paper."

"Bu-" Before I can say anything, he keeps the paper and leaves. I open the small piece of paper and feel my heart pounding louder.

Eat now. I know you must be hungry and since you did attend few classes, you must be at ease to fill your empty stomach. -K

I turn around but am unable to find him. I quickly shoot him a thank you text before picking up the sandwich and starting to devour it.

Simran returns and we chat for some more time while we share the sandwich before going back to our class and attending the remaining classes.

Once done with the classes, I message Karthik that I am leaving and sit in the car to return home. As soon as I enter my mother-in-law and sister-in-law are in the living room, questioning me about my first day and if I had any troubles, how did I find the college and few other questions. I am also made to eat a lot of food, much to my displeasure but a glare from my mother-in-law and my stomach is as empty as  a donkey's brain. I decide to take some rest before doing the readings that have been allotted to me for tomorrow's class.

I go to my room and drop on the bed after changing into my loosest clothes. I feel my eyes getting heavy and am soon asleep without even putting an alarm.

A groan leaves my lips on feeling a nudge in my deep and peaceful sleep, seeing how I could not sleep last night. I turn to another side, hoping to catch some more sleep.

"Wake up, sleepyhead!" I hear a soft voice accompanied with another nudge on my shoulder.

"No. Too tired!" I say with my eyes still closed, hoping to go back to my dreamland.