The girl who made my life heaven and hell like

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Varun, son, don't forget to set your alarm for tomorrow", mom reminded me before she went to bed. My semester holidays came to an end finally and I am entering my final year of Engineering tomorrow. On one hand, I am excited about nearing the end of this hell of a life, on the other hand, I am nervous about once again having to encounter few people and the associated rumors that have started to go around the whole college, since last year. I am sick of telling people that the girls I talked with were no more than my mere acquaintances or friends. But, no one heeded to my words and span a new thread with a new girl again. I stopped talking to anybody, to save myself from embarrassment further. I did not like being portrayed as a playboy. Very few friends stood by my side, but I stopped talking even to them. I was once so proud to be a part of the most popular gang in college. But now, I am utterly friendless. At least I saw to it, I made myself friendless. A spectacular thing about entering the final year is less academic load, more real-time projects and most of all, less attendance. With this thought being the sole console for my painful memories, I prepared myself for the next day.

My college is 15 minutes by bike from home. I was denied going by bike by my parents, ever since I met with that nearly fatal accident. It is a miracle that I am even alive now. Looking at my mom's face every minute, reminded me of the hardship she went through in keeping me alive. Simply to put, she is all the reason I breathe. I got her blessing before starting and left home half an hour early to catch the local transport. "Call me once u reach safe dear", mom said, when I waved her a bye before I turned the turning from my house and going out of her line of vision. I was not at all embarrassed when few trespassing girls giggled at this scene of a 21 year old guy having been treated like a 15 year old girl. I was rather proud that I had a mom like no one else's.

My friend Kiran was, as I expected, waiting to see me before she even entered the class. Kiran is my best friend and one of the very few souls who stood by my side. I was grateful to her but I did not want the class to start another gossip, and definitely not with my best friend. So, I pretended I did not see her and walked straight to the computer lab, rather than going to the class. This is one place I always found solace. But, kiran caught me half way to the lab. She started to engage me in the conversation, "Hey Varun, I was waiting for u. Did u not see me? Or are u continuing to behave like a jerk?" As much I wanted to talk to her, as I feared of a rumor. "Kiran, why do u do this? I have told u a number of times last year not to talk to me in person. Are u blind to see what is happening around me here?" I shouted at her, with all my fear turning into anger. I regretted and hated myself for being so rude to the girl who is standing with me through the thicker side. She replied , apparently failing to camouflage her hurt, "Ok, I will not talk to u the rest of the day. But now that I came, do u mind showing a bit of cordiality towards me?" I did not reply and she took my silence as an yes. She continued , "So, why are u going straight to the lab early in the morning? Don't tell me u already started working on ur project."

"Hmm, I already have. In fact I am going to meet the H.O.D to check how feasible it is. I thought about doing something like a system that will have every detail about a student right from his academic performance to attendance, and automatically sends these information, consolidated as an SMS, to parents, every month", I replied with a wicked smile.

"You know what. I will not be surprised if the students will start a I-hate-Varun-krishna club and I promise I will be the leader of the club, mind." She said, half teasing me and signed me off, while she went to class and I, to the lab.

Professor Gibran, the Head of the Computer science department. He was always very supportive towards my interests in doing real time projects. So I did not have any slightest dubiousness he would be any different this time. As I entered the room, he welcomed me with the same supportive smile.

"Hello my boy, Varun. How are you? Did u have a nice vacation?" said Gibran

"Yeah, had a quality vacation. How about u , sir?" I asked.

"Very well, very well. I was on the point of beckoning u myself, Varun. Glad u came. I was thinking of appointing u as the new President of the department. How do u take it?" he asked with a pride.

I was dumbfounded and stood there unable to find a response. I then spoke, "Sir, I would be glad to. But, I feel u should go for someone who is talented enough for this post. The post of president requires a lot of management talent, which I don't think I have. May be u should consider Akash. He has an experience of being the Joint Secretary of the Cultural activities club."

"Yes Varun, I know about Akash's talent. But giving him the post of department President is going to over-burden him. And u know how good he is at academics too. We do not want to pressurize him and deviate him from his academic track. It is high time u get yourself an exposure to this side too. I have faith in you. Further you will have support from faculties too. In fact, our entire department unanimously chose u for the post, already." he said.

I stood there thinking. Bell rang indicating the beginning of my first class. "Ok Varun, off u go. Do think about it and get back to me during lunch." Gibran spoke and added with a smile, when I took leave, "But Varun, I am hoping u will give an yes"

I so much wanted a suggestion because I did not believe if I would be able to fulfill my duties as President and at the same time, work on the academics and my project. But I felt positive about one thing - working on everything will keep my mind too busy to worry about rumors. I felt push by this positive spirit. I decided by myself to take up the post and went to meet Professor Gibran during lunch. I pushed open the door to the lab, while a girl from other side pulled it open, simultaneously, and bumped into me. I hardly knew then that this girl would be turning my life upside down. Her face flushed pink when her friends started to giggle, and she walked away quickly , apologizing. I knew the third years in my department but she looked much young - like a kid. I thought she must be a newbie - a first year.