Enigma

First Conversation

The next day, karan woke up and all that happened last night came back to him making him tensed. He couldn't let an innocent person suffer just because of Avika's ego.
He got ready and went for college with an aim to get closer to Teju so that he could at least be friends with her only to save her.

Teju was early in college and waiting for Sam and Amy. Karan entered and saw Teju was sitting alone. He found the perfect time to go talk to her. He went towards her and sat beside her and hesitatingly said,

"Hi"
Teju looked at him confused and replied
"Hi"
Karan thought of what to say next. He had no idea why he was so nervous. He was always confident but this time he was nervous.
"Umm...actually I saw your dance yesterday, you did a great job. Congratulations."
"Thank you...i also saw you perform the day before. You were good too... congratulations to you too."
"Oh bdw...Karan Kundrra"
"Tejasswi Prakash"
They shook their hands. The entire class was looking at them. Obviously all the girls were jealous of the fact that Karan spoke to Teju that too by himself. Oblivious of this fact, they kept talking.
"So I heard you are new here?"
"Yeah...I am from Mumbai basically and you ...?"
"Born and brought up in Dehradun"
"Nice"
"Ok so what about a celebration?"
"A celebration....why?"
"We both are selected in our respective genres.... isn't it a reason to celebrate?"
"It might be...but for me....I don't think such a small victory changes anything. I have dreamt for bigger things and this is just a selection. But yes of course we work hard and sometimes we do deserve a little celebration. I don't know .....like don't get me wrong ..but I don't even know you properly...please don't get me wrong ..  "

"No no it's completely fine. If you want you can bring your friends too... I'll call my friend....Dane if you are okay."
"Umm.... Give me some time to think about it. "
"Sure...you can let me know whenever you feel it's right."
"Sure"

Karan was surprised to know that on one side all the girls would be dying to get this opportunity and this girl right here who's getting it ..is so not interested. Strange

Teju on the other side, was thinking that
a guy who is so famous among girls...gets all the attention in the world, and wants to hang out with her. Why? It was strange for her to believe.

Soon after Sam came and was stunned to see Karan sitting beside Teju. Karan saw Sam there and shifted back to his place giving way for Sam to sit with Teju.

"What is going on between you two?"
"Who are the two here?"
"You and him...dumbo"
"Firstly, there's nothing going on here....he just congratulated me and offered me a celebration "
"Alone?"
"No, he said I can bring you two...?"
"What why..?"
"Because I said, I don't trust him.... indirectly "
"What the hell Teju.....oh God mai kya karu is ladki ka 🙏?"
"Maine kuch galat kiya kya?"
"Of course...tune ghar chal ke ayi lakshmi ko thukraya hai babe...!"
"Huh....lakshmi...kya bol rhi h Sam....please clearly bol na"
"Itna hot ladka tujhe ask out karrha tha ar tune muh pe mana kar diya....gadhi hai kya tu?"
"Are you mad? Vo mjhe ku ask out karega...uski hai to ek bandi vo Avika"
"Haa vohi jo betal banke iske kandhe pe latak ke ghumti rehti hai..."
"Don't say that Sam... it's their personal choice."
"Tu usko haa bol....mai ar Amy ajaenge"
"Par mai to usko janti bhi nahi"
"That's why I am asking you to agree to his offer. Get to know him. "
"I can't do that"
"Why...are you committed to someone? "
"No"
"Then?"
"I can't trust people easily. I have never been too lucky in love. So... I don't know"
"See I don't know what has happened in your past... I won't ask you.... I want you to trust me completely and then tell me if you ever feel like sharing. But please don't let people go away...just try and get to know him. Please. "
"Oo..okk"
"Yesss" (She shouted but stopped seeing everyone staring back at her)

Karan on the other hand, could hear their conversation. He was smiling continuously at her innocence and also confused why she couldn't trust anybody. He was keen in knowing what has happened to her which was a new fact he found out about himself. He knew Teju would now say yes...but he didn't let it show on his face.

During break,

Karan and his group was having lunch at the canteen. Teju went up to them and said
"Karan...hi...can we talk?"
"Yes sure.... I'll be back guys."
(Avika was there and watching all of it and thought Karan has changed his mind and he is doing what she wanted him to do...she was jealous seeing them together but was also very happy internally hoping to see her break one day.)

"Yeah tell me?"
"Vo actually...vo...umm... tumhara offer.... I mean...I am ready but Sam ar Amy bhi aenge."
"Okk wait .....Dane...come here for a second."
"Tell me dude.... ohhh....hi pretty girl there"
"Hi" (she said awkwardly)
"Oye...stop it don't embarass her. "
"Ok sorry sorry..."
"So she is Tejasswi and she is new here in Dehradun. I offered her to celebrate our win together. And so we are inviting our friends too. So you are coming with us."
" But bro...today I am very occupied you know... I have to go hit the gym....
"Bro just shut up...you are free and you are coming..."
"Yeah fine ok.."
"Now go..."
Dane left

"See... it's done"
"Ok...but where are we going?"
"I'll text you."
"Okk....ohh but I don't have your number"
They exchange their numbers.

"Sorted"
"Yeah...ok...(Teju looked at Avika and saw her glaring at them) I think I should go now...your girlfriend isn't liking it...I guess. So bye"
"Bye...see you later"
(Tejasswi smiled and walked a few steps when she heard someone calling her name...she looked back and saw it was Karan)
"Tejasswi...one more thing... don't be scared...you can trust me...I won't harm you"

Tejasswi couldn't reply anything to what
he said...but she was somewhere sure that she would be safe with him.  It was just her past traumas that were stopping her. She felt good that Karan was actually considerate about what she must be feeling and felt nice about it. She thought of getting to know Karan more. Maybe a good friendship for the starters.

Karan on the other hand, was totally unaware of why he found the need to clarify anything and why he wanted to assure her that she would be safe with him. It was an alien feeling for him but he was liking it. He knew what he was doing could either be good for everyone or it could be the beginning of a brutal war. He was anyhow ready for any of it.