Based on real life incidents: Vibinn Noothan and Anjali are two introverted souls and college classmates who grapple with anxiety and overthinking. They aren't the admired prodigies or born talents, but they always strive to give their best. In a wo...
"She told she's wearing a mask, she is yet to recover, she'll join us at the chemistry lab!"
The bells rang, signaling the start of the afternoon lab session. The first day had turned out to be a nightmare for Noothan. He was convinced she was Vaishnavi. He immediately rushed to the restroom and washed his face, hoping he could wash out her memories too. "NO, she is not her, maybe she resembles her, but definitely not her. If she was, she would've never looked at me, just like Vaishnavi didn't...", Vibinn consoled himself.
"Science Block, opposite the main block, batches will be announced soon," popped up a message. Vibinn went straight to the lab, wrote his name in the registers, and sat like a good old schoolboy on one of the benches. The break time was still on, but our guy doesn't even know the 'C' of communication. He was looking at his mobile when a jovial voice reached his ears, "Hey bro, what's up?" Vibinn stopped scrolling and looked up to see a smiling face that seemed to be the textbook version of an over-enthusiastic kid. "Hi," the longest reply Noothan had ever given was on the cards again. "Then are you texting with your favorite girlfriend?" "Wait! What?! NO, I'm not!" replied Noothan. "So she ain't your favorite one, is it?" came the counter question. "Eh!? I mean, come on man, I don't have a girlfriend, not even a female friend. So the favorite one is just out of the books!" replied Noothan. "Just kidding! Had to start somehow! Anyways, I'm Abhishek!" he lent his hand out for a handshake, "I'm Vibinn Noothan!" replied Noothan. "Oh! V! Then you are in my batch, batch-4 to be precise. Students from letter M it is!" said Abhishek. "Wait! You are Abhishek and you are in batch 4? It doesn't make sense!" replied Noothan. "It shouldn't actually, but it does. Well, I think I have to reintroduce myself, give me your hand," both shook hands again, "I'm Abhishek, 'Z. Abhishek'."
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"Ah finally! Here comes Anjali!" The scene shifts to batch 1. Anjali's friends are still feeling guilty about what they did to her on fresher's day despite their little knowledge about her anxiety. Adrenaline rush? It happens. Anjali is wearing a mask to prevent herself from being recognized, but little does she know that people wouldn't have even seen her face properly; it is all in her head, the breeding ground of anxiety. Anjali came and sat next to her PG friends. "Feeling better?" asked one of her friends. "Just a bit," replied Anjali. "You still haven't completed what Aryarjun and you spoke about after that saga. If you don't, we'll definitely tell everyone that you are that Anjali from fresher's day," teased Anupama with a smile. This sparked a wide smile on Anjali, who started to blush immediately, "I will, well if I had to go through that horrible thing but end up being his friend, I won't mind!" smiled Anjali. "Ohh!" everyone added. "So you got his number ah?"
"So does your father's name start with Z?" asked Noothan. "No, my father's name is A. Ashok," replied Abhishek. "Then where did that Z come from?" asked Noothan, left confused. "Since his roll no was always in the first 5, he didn't want his son to go through the same difficulties he faced. You know right? Assignment submissions, viva, test seating allotment..." responded Abhishek. "Well, he could have just given a name starting with a different alphabet right?" asked Noothan. "I knew this would come up. My father willingly named me Abhishek since almost all Abhisheks are roll no 1, but I would have a different experience being Abhishek. Moreover, astrologers suggested he pick a name starting with either A or B. My father also wanted to seek revenge against the alphabetical ordering of students. Well, if he was a bit more genius, he would have named me M. Abhishek or N. Abhishek, you know right, being extremes is always a risk!" explained Abhishek. "He must be a great and cheerful man! Z. Abhishek!" both shared a laugh. The lab teacher arrived.
"Ok, I will narrate it to you all. I went to the restroom, I came to my senses, washed my face, and I went outside to find Aryarjun waiting for me. As you guys told, he also ran behind me once I left. And then..." the lab teacher interrupted Anjali as he arrived. "Ok listen listen, then he started speaking to me. I have told you guys I haven't had even a single male friend, and here the college crush was there to console me, I was just lost in his eyes. Then guess what, he apologized for something he felt was his mistake which was actually mine. He looked worried and concerned. I'm a nobody to him, but still he showed so much care! Then he asked me what actually happened to me and I explained my plight. He then shook my hands and told me, 'Ok I will be your friend from now on. I know a few people who are like you, you are not alone, don't worry' and then he made sure I was good before he left. It was just that butterfly moment which I have never experienced." Everyone was smiling at Anjali.
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"Bro..." "Yes, tell Abhishek." "W.H.O I.S V.A.I.S.H - N.A. - V.I?" asked Abhishek with a mocking tone. Both looked at each other with Noothan staring and Abhishek giving a naughty smile. "Well, she is a long story," replied Noothan. "I'm all ears," responded Abhishek.
"I haven't shared this with anyone, but I will tell you, Vaishnavi was my school crush..."
"Aryarjun, Hmmm, he is disturbing me, I think I'm falling for him, he is officially my first crush!..."
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