The Orphanage.

College life.

Ashwin clearly remembered the day he met Aarohi like it was yesterday.
He was sitting on the chair near Aarohi's bed with both his hands clasping Aarohi's palm. A hand placed itself on his shoulder.
"She will be okay" a familiar voice sounded. Ashwin looked up. It was a friend of his , Aaryan. Aryan had been his classmate in college. They had been working in the same company now. "I hope she will Aaryan" said Ashwin a bit sad and suprised seeing Aaryan. 'Hmmn Anuj had been busy' he thought. He looked again at Aarohi, drifting into the past.
***************
It was a fine day and his first day in College. Ashwin had been excited the whole night. Thinking about all the opportunities that would present itself in college, the excitement boosted him up. He woke up fresh and went in for a shower. He put a plain red Tshirt and jeans. Picking up his notebook and pen, he walked out of the Hostel room. His roommate Anuj was still in the bathroom.
"Hurry up Anuj"
"Just a minute" replied Anuj from the shower.
" You will get us both late".
Anuj and himself were friends long before they were in college. From high school.
Anuj got out of the shower and hurriedly dressed up for class. They ran down the corrider into the classroom only to find in that the class already started.

"May we come in Sir?" said Ashwin blushing being late the first class of his college.
"First day and you two are late. Surely you will get much ahead in life" said the Professor sarcastically.
A burst of laughter broke out from the students. The Professor ordered them to be quiet with a wave of hand and a frown. The class fell silent. Ashwin and Anuj took their seat. He was looking around as he saw Aarohi. She was sitting beside him with a gap forming a barrier between the two. She was focussed at the teacher who lecturing about the fundamentals of marketing. Aarohi looked heavenly. Her long black hair flowing along her back. A lock of hair fluttering as a breeze entered through the window. Her plum cheeks looked like a ball of nimbus cloud, soft. Her chin, sharp. Her lips upper one thin and the other one slightly thicker. She was wearing a red lipsitck which made it lustful Her face bright. Her complexion extraordinary. She was wearing a blue top with frills surrounding her neck opening. A bright blue jeans fitted tightly clearly showing the figure of her legs. Purple heels giving her legs a majestic look. But the thing that attracted him most was her eyes. Beautiful almond shaped eyes with black iris twinkling like stars as it refracted light, gazing upon her teacher. Ashwin sensed that the world has gone dark. His teacher's words were barely audible to him. He was watching her without blinking. Ashwin sensed something tingling in his chest. Aarohi sensed a gaze at her and slowly looked towards Ashwin with a frown. Ashwin quickly turned towards the Proffesor busy lecturing. Aarohi turned to the teacher feeling awkward. Ashwin sensed he was dumbstruck. But it took more than just pretty looks for him to fall for someone. The class was over.
"Aah what a drag!" Anuj complained.
"Every damn thing is a drag for you" replied Ashwin.
"Man, I can't stop thing that we need to bear this for three damn years"
"Ofcourse we have to. It will decide our future. I can bear it for my sakes".
"Aah.. We have to do it then"
They chuckled and walked towards the canteen. They entered the canteen and looked at the menu board.

"What will you have?" asked Ashwin.

" Some batata wadi would be good. What about you?" replied Anuj.

" I think I will have some aloo parathas"

'' Bro, you always order the same thing no matter where we are. You should try something else too."

"Its my favourite though. But considering your request, I will have a cold drink with Aloo parathas."

"I give up" Anuj sighed. Aswin slapped him on the shoulder playfully. Both giggled.

He ordered the food and turned around and his gaze met Aarohi. She was sitting in the south end of the canteen with three of her friends. Preeti, Anju and Priya. He stared at her. His face showing everything going on his mind. Blankness. Anuj noticed him and chuckled. Ashwin was mindless of him until he shaked him out of his mindlessness. Ashwin startled
"Huh!"
"You finally seemed to have found her bro. Looks like you're in love." Anuj giggled.
"Shut up" said Ashwin irritated.
So long he had never had anyone who he was in love with. Not even a crush. He certainly had a lot of girls proposing him but he had turned them all down. Nobody knows why. Aarohi saw Ashwin. The same guy who was staring at her in the class.
Preeti looked up at him and said"Is'nt that the same guy from the class staring at you?". Apparently even Preeti had noticed him back at class. Aarohi looked up and saw Ashwin plant a slap on Anuj. Aarohi smiled. 'He is cute'. Ashwin did'nt notice her smile but Anuj did.
He whispered"Bro, she smiled at you"
Aswin was suprised. He turned his head and caught a glimpse of her smiling before she turned her head around as if taunting him. He smiled too. He knew exactly what happened.
*************
It was his eight month in the college. 3 semesters had passed. His friendship with Aarohi had grown. He had asked her out today evening. He was getting ready taking a shower. He dressed up in a green plain Tshirt with a shirt unbuttoned which made the tshirt looked like an inner wear. A grey jeans and a pair of blue converse. He took a deep breath which temporarily calmed him down. Then, he set out.
**********
Ashwin reached the gate of Aarohi's house. He rang the doorbell and a lady opened the door. It looked like she was in her 60s.
"You must be Ashwin. I am Aarohi's mother." said the lady with a welcoming smile.
"Hello aunty" greeted Ashwin.
"Come in" she welcomed him.
"Aarohi is up dressing. She should be down soon"
She was dressed up in a beutiful red gown which which completely covered her legs. It was sleeveless with frills near on the other side of shoulder straps. She wore a beautiful pearl necklace which highlighted her beauty. Ashwin was stunned. For a moment he was staring at the fabulous figure walking towards him.
"So, shall we go?"
His trance was broken. Ashwin felt embarrased. They walked out of the house.
***********
Aarohi and Ashwin were in a restuarant.
"So, what do you wanna have?" asked Ashwin.
"Ummn I feel like having some Chinese food today so I will take some chowmein. How about you?"
" I will have some aloo parathas"
Aarohi chuckled.
"You will never change will you?"
"Nope" answered Ashwin. Both giggled.
They ordered the food and had a meal. Both chatted with one another and now was the time to go.
As they were walking along the street, Ashwin felt this was the moment.
His feet felt weak. Sweatdrops appeared on his forehead. He was certainly nervous.
"Aarohi."
"Yes."
"I want to tell you something"
"Go on"
" Ever since the day I met you I wanted to say this bit I was not sure how. Ever since I saw you there is'nt a moment gone without me thinking about you. Today I can't think of a life without you"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring. He went down on one knee and asked "Aarohi, will you be mine forever. Will you marry me?"
Aarohi was stunned for a moment. Tears were welling up her eyes.
She regained her herself and said.
"YES!! Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes!!!"
Ashwin was overjoyed. He caught her from the waist. His face and Aarohi's came closer. He whispered "I love you"
"I love you too" said Aarohi.
Aarohi's thick and long hair covered up both of their faces. They kissed, and smiled.
***********
College life passed and both of them decided to get engaged. Ashwin had a good job in a reputed company. With their pareng's concern they got engaged. She moved in with Ashwin near a beach in Goa.
In the mean time, Preeti and Anuj too fell in love and got engaged. But thwy decided to get married soon and moved near to the beach house near Ashwin.