SanDhir - Along Came She

CHAPTER 3 : The Realization

"Life is like a circle. At some point you have to go back to where it all began!"

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"Sanyukta, wake up...wake up...we're getting late.." Kaustuki shook a sound asleep Sanyukta while sipping her morning coffee.

"Mmmm" came Sanyukta's groggy voice, "Soney de na..."

Kaustuki rolled her eyes, "Arey college nahi jana hain kya? Utho jaldi se...Nhi toh mein ja rahi hoon.."

Sanyukta opened her eyes and sat upright stiffling a yawn. Her eyes fell on the clock.

8:15 AM.

"Shit! Late hone ki aadat par gayi hain mujhe..." she exclaimed and rushed to get freshened up.

15 minutes later, the two friends entered their 'biochem' class, thanking their stars for making it on time.

Class was as usual a drag. Sanyukta being a responsible student made notes of the lectures. She was also aware that unlike her batchmates, she wouldn't be able to afford every book that was assigned to them. So attending lectures and making notes were essential for her.

20 minutes into the lecture, Sanyukta scanned the classroom for 'him'. She soon spotted him sitting at the last row, as usually surrounded by his 'gang'. She found Karan & Smriti passing 'chits', Parth was 'day-dreaming' apparently, while Ishita, to Sanyukta's utter surprise, was making notes. But her eyes were fixated on the guy next to Ishita, who was now staring blankly at the professor. Sanyukta kept gazing at his face. She didn't know why she was so besotted by him. It was quite unlike her. She was the sort of student whose sole priority was her dream. But ever since she encountered Randhir, her mind constantly drove towards him and her eyes kept searching him out.

"You...third bench...The blackboard is up front...What are u staring at the back?" came the professor's voice. Sanyukta jerked, realizing that the 'you' being referred to was her. But before she turned to face the professor, she saw him take his eyes off the board and catch her gaze for a spilt second. Sanyukta's heart did a somersault. She quickly mumbled an apology to the teacher before concentrating on the lecture again.

The theory classes were pretty much the same.

It was the 'lab' that bothered Sanyukta the most.

Today was her second lab. And after the fiasco the day before, she was totally jittery today.

"Relax Sanyu, it will be fine. Just keep calm and take deep breathes..." Kaustuki tried to pep-talk her.

"Deep breathes? Seriously? The smell of the formalin is what affected me most...deep breathes my foot! Meri bas chale, toh mask laga ke jaun..." grumbled Sanyukta.

Today she decided to skip lunch.

"Sanyu,u have to eat a little at least.."

"No Kaustuki...Or else i won't just faint...This time i actually might puke into my lab-partner's coat!!!"

And finally at 1 pm, the two friends made their way into their second 'anatomy lab', Sanyukta praying to all the Gods up there along the way!

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-DISSECTION HALL-

Sanyukta and Kaustuki entered the hall to find all the students already in their places. Professor Vardhan was instructing the students on what cuts they had to make in order to reveal significant structures. Kaustuki quickly went and stood near Jignesh, while Sanyukta made her way towards Randhir. She avoided looking at the cadavers, willing herself to remain calm and steady.