Inside And Out

10) The Flashback

Karan in his college days in the above picture

Precap:

'It all started two years ago, at Oxford University, Delhi' he stated. My eyebrows fused together in confusion. Let's see where this goes.

2 years ago....
Kaira's POV

I'm a bit nervous. Right now, I'm standing in the wings of Sanskruti Auditorium of Oxford University, Delhi. I know you'll think what I am doing there. But it all started 4 months ago. I was caught in a fight with Raggie. His real name is Raghav but I named him Raggie because all he does is ragging. That day he said that the fault is of girls when they get raped. I made an issue of this. But the Dean asked me to show my anger in Youth cultural programme. I participated and here I am. In Delhi. For National level Seminar Competition.

I tilt a little to see whole auditorium is full of boys and girls in variety of clothes. I immediately stand up in an attention position, like I'm standing in front of a Colonel or Lieutenant giving an military exam. They announce my name and my topic, The Most Safe People in Indian Society, Women.

I go and stand there in front of the people. I search the auditorium and my eyes stop at the smile of a boy. He's smiling at me sweetly. Taking this as an excuse, I pull myself together and start speaking.

After 10-15 minutes, I stop speaking, concluding myself.

'As the youth country let's make India a safe country for her daughters. With this seminar I just to convey one message. Right now, girls say that they can do what boys can do. Hope so, in future, boys can say we can do what girls can do. Let's bring a future where there are no male leaders, no female leaders, only LEADERS. Thank you' I conclude and clap my hands in a grateful gesture.

I look over the place where the boy sat who smiled at me. I find it empty. It's okay.

I wait for the results, standing beside the representative of our University, Mr. Kadam.

'You know what? They are wasting their time. They should already declare you as the winner', Mr. Kadam encourages.

'Thanks for your vote of confidence, Mr. Kadam', I smile weakly.

The anchor was now announcing the names of winner. The second runner-up was a boy who spoke on Teenage Suicide attempts in India. The first runner-up was another boy who spoke on Problems in India that needed to be solved quickly. The first position was now to be announced.

My heart started beating fast. I couldn't believe what the anchor said.

'And the first position is begged by......... None other than Kaira Singhania from Xavier Institute of Management, Mumbai', the anchor announces.

I feel so happy. You know what, the credit goes to Raggie for saying those words. But not all of it. I go on the stage and as soon as I enter the area beyond the wings, whole audience gives me a standing ovation. I clap my hands together and bend a little to show a thankful gesture towards them. I collect the prize and leave the stage.

'Congratulations Kaira, I said they were wasting time.' Mr. Kadam mocked and took his hand out. I firmly shaked it.

'Thank you Mr. Kadam.' I reply shaking his hand.

'I'm sorry to break your moment but there's someone who wants to meet you', he instructs.

I nod indicating let's meet your someone.

He moves a little so that the person can come to meet me. I see that's the boy who smiled at me.

'Hi. You were so great there Ms. Singhania. I'm your fan now. Every word you spoke touched my heart.' he praised.

'Thank you. Thank you so much. If you hadn't smiled at me, I would have collected no courage to speak that. And please, call me Kaira' I praise him in return.

'Oh! That's rubbish. Who won't smile at such a pretty, beautiful face?', he kind of flirted.

Now this was getting out of limit.

'I'm sorry, but I kind of have to leave. You see, I have a flight in 2 hours and all packing is left. Thank you for your appreciation, thank you. And goodbye', I made an excuse and immediately left the are with Mr. Kadam behind me.

Karan's POV

I like the girl's attitude. We just had a few words and she left.

'Good bye? Why didn't you try see you again? Because you will', I said to myself.

'But sir, she is already gone', interrupted my personal bodyguard, Batra.

'Batra, was it necessary to burst my bubble? I actually have some feelings for her. She is perfect. Look at her. Pretty, smart, confident, arrogant and feisty. What else do you need in a girl? But you know what? You won't understand', I said.

'Why? Why won't I understand?' he asks confused.

'Because you never felt so. You'll never feel so. No girl looks at you', I teased him.

'That is because I'm busy taking care of you that I can't take care of my personal life', he retorted.

'Oh shut up. Now bring me some juicy information about this girl', I scolded.

Present....

Kaira's POV

'Oh, so that's how we met?', I asked.

'Yeah and you actually rejected me', he said so and started laughing. Even I joined him.

In last 17 minutes, Karan had told me how we met and all the story. Right now, I seriously feel embarrassed.

'So, that time you rejected me'. What about this time Kaira?' he asked with a serious smile.

Do I have the answer to this question?