deceptive facade

DECISION(Part 2)

Flashback continues:

Next day, unconsciously he followed the same pattern and again he was able to see her. She also noticed him watching her and he realized that she was a bit nervous. He made up his mind, that from now on, he will bring his books along as props, so that she is not uncomfortable.

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It continued like this for another fortnight or so.

Sid was well aware that his exams were approaching, yet he can't just miss this for anything in world.

She on other hand never glanced much in his direction. It appeared that she was convinced that Sid is only there to study and nothing else.

It never occurred to him that maybe, she never found him interesting.

Soon, one evening his sister, suhani, mentioned that new girl in Reesha's class, Su is really good in home décor and space management.

(My mother, Rohini have two brothers elder brother, Om and younger brother Kishan. Reesha is my maternal cousin; daughter of Om and Sarla. Her twin is Rishi and she is also younger sister of Sam.)

Suhani was talking without a break, about how she made beautiful wall art in her room and helped in organizing her room. She was gushing about her creative mind.

Sid: what kind of name is Su?

Suhani: (a bit sheepishly) actually, her name is Sugandha. Everyone in her family call her Su because it's easy.

After this, Suhani was again engrossed in her own rattling.

Whereas, Sid's thoughts just wandered away, far away from that dining table and that room to a different world of his own imagination and dreams.

Just like sweet fragrance of flowers attracts you and hold your mind captive. She is just like that, pulling me towards her without my knowledge and I am unable to fight her growing appeal. How can you fight something you are unable to see? Her name is equally exclusive and elusive like her. It suits her as if daring you to hold her in yourself. Whereas, all you can keep of her, are her memories and those moments you are close to her. She leaves you only with her essence and nothing else. Make you follow her like a mad and she is not even aware that she is responsible for your insanity.

Without even meeting her, for Sid she was now 'his Su'. For Sid, Su is waiting for Sid to let her enter in his life. And why not, after all he is most sought after guy in his institute.

(From a very early age girls use to flock around him some because of his good looks and later on number increased when more and more people came to know about his father's family. Sid's paternal family was rich, influential and powerful. It's a different story altogether, his father never used that power. Sid's father was a scientist and he died as one. Sid's father never approved of his own family's doing and distanced himself from them. Sid's mother came from very simple family. she believed in power of human character and conviction. That is what even Sid, thought he learned from his parents. Otherwise he would have welcomed the attention he got for his background. It uses to irk him, they can't see beyond his background.

Once he topped in his school then he knew that girls now flock plainly because of his achievements. It gave him immense satisfaction to know that he was able to carve a niche for himself away from the affluence and power of his family.)

For next several days Sid was cursing his luck. why he never bothered to come down from his room and inquire about the visitors. He missed the chance to know the girl. She is controlling his emotions and mind for past month. He wished so much that he could reverse the clock. His miseries were not for long.

That weekend Su and her family invited everyone for house warming party at their place. Sid was eagerly waiting for such an opportunity.

In past, he always looked for an excuse to avoid party.

This time case was different he was waiting for the party and many a times thought about it. He also gave thought to his attire and his style. He doesn't want to take a chance. He was continuously rehearsing on various situations in his mind, how he will approach her, what he will talk about etc. etc.

Sid was feeling this hollowness and nerves, which was alien to him. He frequently conversed with the girls and was never jumpy. This was new experience. First time in life he was going all out to impress a girl. He was going all out to impress 'his Su'.

But the scene that enfolded in front of him, simply took his breath away.

Sid was trying to grab attention of Su. Su was going all out to impress Sam. Sam at one point even shifted his seat to give her a hint that he is not interested in her. She was adamant that her plan works.

That day, first time in life, Sid realized that he may not be that interesting for everyone around.

Everyone around him considered him ideal guy for any girl. He was going by the books. He was good in studies and definitely has set his goal and with his efforts will achieve them as well. As an engineering student there was nothing beyond him.

What lure Sam has over him. Sam was tall and good looking but not in any way better than Sid. Sam was training to be an architect and he maybe a safe bet in many ways but Sid without a doubt was better choice.

Sid was not able to understand that when he was going all out to impress Su. She was completely unaware of his regards.

That party was utter failure from the point of view of Sid. Only difference it made was Su stared saying hello to Sid.

Soon, one day on dinner table Suhani mentioned in front of their mother that Su is completely crazy after Sam.

Sid: what is it that is so special about Sam?

Suhani: Oh! I really don't know?

Sid: she must have mentioned it?

Suhani: ya!!!!!!!!!!She was talking about an incident but I was unable to make out how Sam bhaiya , was a hero in it.

Sid: what was the incident?

Suhani: on returning back from swimming class one day she found that someone deliberately had deflated her cycle tyre. On seeing this that she is distressed, some guys invited her to ride with them with suggestive remarks. At that moment Sam bhaiyya, came after his gym training and saw distressed Su and those guys who were enjoying at her misery. He offered her two options, one she can leave by taking his cycle and he will return her cycle after getting it repaired or they can both walk down to her place together. This way she will not be all alone in evening on that lone stretch of road.

Sid: what was Su's decision?

Suhani: she decided to walk with Sam bhaiyya. Su doesn't like troubling others.

Sid: that's it?

Suhani: ya! You thought there was some secret romantic moment they shared that turned the scales in his favour. I know you like her dada. But she is different from the other girls. There may be n number of girls who will fall for your charm or to be precise your arrogance but not Su. She is not easily swayed.

Sid: there are so many other girls who think that it's a priviledge that I talk to them. If she thinks that I will run after her like a lost puppy then I will not. She can do all the running from my side after Sam.

Suhani: dada, she is not asking you to follow her anywhere. She is simply not interested in you. Why can't you accept that .

Sid: its only that she want to play some game. She like to think that this act of her will catch my attention and I will run after her now. Let her dream.

Suhani: dada!, she is different, try to understand that.

Sid: just, wait and watch! She will be running after me in a couple of days. You just wait!

Suhani: what are you going to do?

Without giving a reply to suhani's question, Sid left.

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