A Young Love Story...

Part 1 - The Beginning

Ananya Jain, was a sweet and charming girl. She won hearts wherever she went. She was a diligent and ambitious girl, yet very grounded and obedient. Her parents adored her. She had a younger brother, who thoroughly respected her, and always looked up to her. 

She belonged to a Marwari family, and her parents were not too orthodox nor influenced by the societal norms, about the upbringing of girls. Thus, they almost never restricted Ananya. They were changing the trend by allowing her to pursue further studies, as well as allowed her to work. At a time when most of her cousins were being married off at young ages of 18, 19 and 20, Ananya was allowed to apply for Campus Placements at the end of her B.Com days. Since it was the end of college life, the authorities had arranged for a special week of celebrations. The first day was Friendships Day. 

Ananya wore a simple pink top and an A-lined denim skirt. She tied her hair in a high ponytail. As soon as she stepped into college campus, she heard her name called out. "Ananya, Ananya..." She turned around, and looked. It was Vishesh. She had known Vishesh as her classmate. He was a good-looking and outgoing guy. Any girl would have fallen for him. But he was always in his boys gang. There were talks about lot of girls approaching him for movies and coffee dates, but he was never seen with any girl ever. 

Ananya was surprised as to why would Vishesh call her. She went closer to him. He signaled for her to sit on the bench in the campus. She did so. 

"Ananya, hi... I always wanted to be friends with you. But I was scared, you won't like it. But now, college life is almost coming to end. I don't want to miss this chance..." He brought out a yellow rose from behind his back, and pointed it in her direction. "Will you be my friend?" He was genuinely interested, it seemed. 

Ananya was simply amazed. "My God, really Vishesh? I never knew you would have any interest in being friends with me! Its surprising... Coz we have spent the last 5 years in the same class... But I never knew you had any intention of friendship with an average looking and nerdy me!! Anyways, thanks for this lovely rose... I take it... So, yes we are friends, now!" she smiled. 

Vishesh smiled too. He was elated. Ananya smiled yet again, and started to leave. "Thanks again Vishesh... Its great though late..." she said and waved. 

As she turned around and walked away, Vishesh jumped in joy, "Yes!!"

Ananya, was literally feeling elated, because, she always found Vishesh handsome, and thought about talking to him. But never approached him, thinking he would have an attitude problem. But the thought that he had approached her, made her happy. She went inside the class, and sat next to her girlfriends. They saw the yellow rose and asked who gave it to her. She blushed, and said "Someone special..." and smiled, and looked down, coyly. Her friends teased her and asked her many times, but she did not say it. Suddenly, she had a thought, 'what if she was not the only one to have been approached by Vishesh...!' In order to find out the truth, she told her friends it was Vishesh. But all were happy for her, and nobody mentioned that he had approached them too. So, she felt relieved and happy again. 

She was wondering why Vishesh wasn't attending classes. He was never irregular as such. She thought, she will ask him later, now that they are friends. 

After classes, she was walking towards the college exit, and suddenly Vishesh came from the side, and tapped her shoulder. She was alarmed at first, then saw Vishesh and smiled. "Oh hi... where were you? Why didn't you attend classes?" she asked. 

"I bunked thinking, you will not see me and come looking for me... We could have bunked together and had fun... But you didn't come..." he made a sad face. Ananya smiled. She was actually blushing... "You should have told me your plan.. I would have bunked class...." she made her point. "Okay, next time, surely..." he said and smiled. 

He asked her if she would have a coffee with him in the canteen... "No, no.. I generally reach home by 1.30, it's already 1. Mom will get worried... Will leave now...See you tomorrow..." she said, and walked away quickly.