En Anbu Thozhi (SriDivya+KeerthySuresh)

Chapter 3 - The Savior

Keerthy's P.O.V.

"Oi new girl," Divya advanced towards me and fear started to engulf me when silence fell in the whole cafeteria. 

I quickly stood up and nervously looked at her.

"Name?" she asked with full attitude.

"Keerthy," I almost whispered.

"What?" she screamed.

I shuddered to her sound and replied a bit louder, "Keerthy".

"Keerthy," Divya repeated and looked at her gang, "What shall we do guys? Don't we want our dear sister to make her first day of college unforgettable?" The whole gang nodded unanimously.

As a smile crept on Divya's face, my fears too crept on me. She ordered a huge bottle of coke and commanded me to finish t in one gulp. Sam had given me examples on Divya's pranks and as far as I've heard, there hadn't been anything so deadly as this one. Her gang members gave hi-five to each other  and laughed. I stood miserably and looked at everyone around for help. Obviously no one, not even Sam, defended me in fear of suspension.

I took a deep breath and carried the bottle. When I only had two sips, someone pushed the bottle away from me and SMACK! It was a guy with black framed spectacles. He not only saved me, but also gave Divya a well-deserved slap right on her cheek. Everybody was shocked. Divya held her cheek and plainly stared at him utterly shocked too.

"Don't you have any shame?" the guy asked her, "What's the happiness you find in seeing others suffer? Just because your father is rich, you might not have any dreams. But every single one of us came here with big dreams. What do they have to concentrate on? Their dreams or on how to escape from you everyday? I stopped myself with a slap because whatever character you have, you are still a girl. I don't care even if I'm suspended for this, because I know I did the right thing." With fuming anger, he left the cafeteria.

I stood there still, amazed by this guy who risked it all for me. That day he was the headline, everybody knew that they had a savior now at least till he's suspended. 

I couldn't take him away from my mind. The same day I annoyed Sam so much to find his details.

Finally when she brought his bio data and handed it to me, I read it out, "Name, Atharvaa Murali." I smiled at the rare name. "Third year Computer Engineering. Father, police constable. Mother, housewife." 

I was disappointed to find out that his phone number was missing. "Phone number?" I asked Sam.

"These itself I found with great difficulty," she was annoyed but then asked with a bright smile, "Are you interested in him?" That question made me blush and Sam noticed it, "Awww Keerthy you're blushing di. Then it's confirmed. When are you two going on a date?" she rushed.

"Hey stop it now," I replied trying to hide my face in embarrassment, "I do like him, but how do I know if he likes me too?"

"Simple," Sam said confidently. "Meet him when he's all alone and tell him you wanted to thank him. And then continue the conversation till he takes you as a friend."

I took a deep breath and replied, "Let's give it a try."

"Be quick," Sam warned, "I'm sure all the girls are already drooling over him after today's incident."

And both of us laughed.