Expect The Unexpected

3: Re-living those days

Khushi's thoughts:

Just my luck! Of all the seat, am next to Mr.Sharma. Geez! I forgot the name. Didn't we just exchanged it? Before he starts again, I plucked in my iPod and closed my eyes. It would be for good, he is busy. But why is he calling me khush? I just can't remember him. People who used to call me khush, were mostly from graduation or Sneha's and mine common friends.

Don't tell me he is from my grad school. Please god, no no...please. It would mean he would have known, what happened, those boys following me, please god no. But, wait, why am I getting scared, no need. Nothing scandalous happened which outsiders knew. Right? Yes it had to be.

For many people, graduation might be best period of life. But for me, it was a step closer to my goal. I never dreamt to be a millionaire or live in lap of luxury. But I wanted a simple life where am free of restrictions bounding me. Though my parents love me lots, but I know they are just waiting to get me a degree and then get me married to some Mr. XYZ. My aim of life was never to get married to prince charming. I wanted and still do to live a life of dignity, where I can speak and act freely, without being stopped to act as a good girl. I wanted to get a job and live on my own. To travel those snowcapped mountains and run along the beaches. I wanted to help someone in need. Maybe adopt an animal. But my family wanted, something so not me. They dreamt to see me married, and stay with his family. But then won't I be left as a maid without salary, grow children and warm a stranger's bed. Then where am I? Lost? Or non-existent? On top of that, my aunt from dad's side, bitter than bitter gourd. Losing her husband early and then her teen son in accident, made her cold. She loves me, but not the way I want. Somehow, it's her dream that my parents want me to live.

As I felt, the flight moving and my thoughts went to my first day at college. The scent of rain, sound of trees and breeze playing with my scarf. My lips curved upwards. Is it the environment or taste of freedom? All my lifetime I waited for this day. It's beautiful even more than my fantasy. I have moved from home, so no more rules to bind me. I can be 'Me'. No more eyes glaring on my un-lady like manners. And the smiles turns in ear to ear grin. Independence for four years was a dream came true. Today, I have achieved my dream. I am independent, financially and no one stops me from wearing the dress I want, watching the movie I wished or anything. I am happy with my choices. I choose to fight for my rights, my education, and my pride. I bought a house and a car. Teach sketching and painting over weekends. I had a wish list which am ticking off with each passing day. Previous month, I traveled Ladakh with Sneha. And next on list is trip to Assam. I need to plan for the same. With so many things to do before I sleep, I never felt dull. My friend, rather only friend, Sneha is my soul sister. We are partners in all said crimes. Say it as river rafting or bungee jumping. I love the 'me' now.

When everything is prefect. I don't want something to throw things out of sync. Years ago I was shy, lacked confidence and wanted to move away from my family. I was pushed from all corners to leave my education and get married to the guy chosen by aunt. Adding oil to the fuel, he was my neighbor, 10 years older and owning a shop nearby. The future that they tried to paint was nightmare. I had begged dad, to stop it. But he was blinded by his sister. With months of pleading and finally threatening to harm self. All 3, parents and aunt, agreed for 4 years of engineering course, but then I pledge to never see that situation again.

1st semester was tough, with moving to hostel, new people, and new environment. But Sneha entered my life. Though was friendship started rough ways, but it made us closer and stronger. We were too different outside, she was loud and I was quite. She spoke her mind, and I spoke in mind. She rubbed and changed me in a good way. I became Khush, for her and with her, I was happy.

But things went spiral downwards, when I got a call from mom. One of my senior in final year, was distant relative to aunt. I was never sure, what he told, but the urgent trip to home was scaring me. I managed to reach home, two days later and then the bomb exploded. My dad had decided to rethink his decision as, he heard I was having a boyfriend, and it was a huge scandal. They felt, I had let them down. I had hurt their pride. And irony of the situation, I was clueless. I got only one friend, who can't be recognised as a boy even by blind. But the old folks, crying over something, non-existent. As, I tried to explain mom, of the scenario, she started pleading to return home and forget about the boy. It took me 3 days to understand, that the so-called senior had somehow interpreted that I was having an affair with my classmate, and I plan to marry him. Though I wanted to kill that guy immediately, but before that I need to get hold of situation here. Finally, after losing classes for a week, I returned college, promising my parents never to let them down. And a mission to find that senior and ghost guy. Ghost, as I never noticed him.

Soon as I met Sneha and shared my sad-story, she went crazy. Crazy, not because she was mad at anyone. Crazy, as she was laughing at my expense. Every time I tried to speak, she would rolling on floor holding her tummy. Here my anger was shooting for stars, while my bestie was having time-of-her-life. Finally, when she can no longer laugh. She just mentioned, now you realize it.

Seems the story was not exactly fabricated, as the ghost got faces. Yes, to my horror, two guys used to follow me but I never noticed them. Apparently, they were our classmates and even sit next to us in class. Being slapped by the facts, I promised to stick with no-boy-as-friend policy, else again I would be called home. And there would be no escape next. And true to my words, I never noted anyone, including girls, it was difficult to trust them. I have seen, how girls used to act as postmaster for gain. So, one Sneha was enough to have spice in life.

Before I get drowned in my thoughts, how can the jinx allow me some peace? He poked my arms. It's so not happening?