From Hostile, To Hospitable [COMPLETED ✔️]

Chapter 46- College Days...

Disclaimer- Criticisms are welcome! This is a very big chapter, with some drags. I'm sorry, but this was needed to develop the story.

EIGHT YEARS EARLIER… 

Tarun was 19 years old with Sathya. They both were in the same batch of B.com(Hons) 2nd year. Adhi was a well known friend of theirs. They used to go to various temples for four days of every week to get relaxation and peace of mind. Adhi's schedule would sometimes change as he was pursuing MBBS in the same college, but he also accompanied them most of the days. 

One such fate that changed Tarun's life was Shyamala, who's senior to him pursuing BA final year. She has a chubby face with pimples, a thick frame specs and braces in her teeth. This girl is made fun of by most students in the college due to her physical appearance. She lives in a hostel.

Shyamala made an offering to Lord Ayyappan, and the three friends lined up in the same entrance much farther to her. While coming back from the temple, Shyamala was the center of attraction when she encouraged a beggar with sweet words to work, rather than begging. This brought a good impression in Tarun the most. He was in tears and Sathya and Adhi consoled him. 

Tarun: Dudes, who is she? 

Sathya: Looks familiar….

Adhi: She's Shyamala! 

Tarun: How do you know? 

Adhi: Old apartment memories…

Tarun: Have you talked to her? 

Adhi: Not much interaction, but we used to play sports with lots of people.

Sathya: You left your old apartment when you were seven years old right? How do you still remember her? 

Adhi: Because of her good deed. She once said that she would want to change India by preventing begging. I still remember that! 

Tarun: Wow, such a great dream right from childhood! 

Incident 2-

Days ran faster, and Tarun felt the deja vu when Shyamala appeared in the college canteen. She hates canteen food but she accompanied her friends for the first time. 

Tarun: Why do I feel like a deja vu? 

Sathya: It's not deja vu, it's indeed Shyamala! 

Tarun: Geek, are you serious?

Sathya turns his face pale after hearing the word "geek" and hits Tarun. 

Adhi: Relax Sathya! Hey Tarun, stop calling him a geek and see to your right. 

Tarun looks at Shyamala and gets speechless. 

Tarun's inner voice: She's in the same college as us? But I have never seen her at all! (scratches his head) 

How could the poor guy know about her when her college block is far away from his? 😝

When Shyamala was talking with her friends, a group of three guys misbehaved with her for her looks. Tarun couldn't control his anger and thrashed the guys severely. Tarun injured his hand in the process. He was reported to the dean by some students. Sathya, Adhi and Shyamala managed to save Tarun from getting a bad name. 

Shyamala: Why did you beat those guys? 

Tarun: I couldn't stay put when they eve-teased you. 

Shyamala: But this happens quite common to me, none of them retaliate like you did. You don't deserve to get punished, I'm sorry for that. 

Tarun: Why are you sorry?