Rishi

This was third time in a month when me and Jai stood outside the Dean's office to receive the lecture on behavioral expectations. To be honest, I don't understand how questioning something is a bad behavior.   But like many , few of our teachers have a permanent notion about   of us being the black sheep.

Our Landscape Design teacher was old school. She was amazing with the subject but  often deviated from from the topic trying to school us morally. She had strong opinions how an individual should conduct themselves and I have always been on her radar for my looks. I do spend on my looks , my clothes and carry myself in a certain way. I make work hard and I party harder. I have an open mind and I do things which make me curious. Its one life and if I am not harming anyone, it should be no one's concern on who and what I am. I get attention, a lot. ANd I enjoy it , but that's my choice.

 She always had been passive aggressive towards me; commenting on my looks, my attitude , my choices. Some days, I let it go but sometimes it gets on my nerve. And today was such a day, and I questioned her hypocrisy; resulting in Jai butting in and we getting banned from her class for a week. I care a damn, but I do care by attendance. I don't want to barred from appearing from exams.  

''Next time, just ignore something you don't agree upon.'' Jai said rubbing his face all bored.

''Why did you jump in?''

''to save your ass.''

''Next time, don't butt in. I can save my head.''

''I know, but I was as well bored sitting through the lecture.'' He said stretching his arms wide. We stared at each other before the giggle escaped our mouth. The door to Dean's office opened and he stared at us disappointed. ''You 2, not again.'' Col Singh was a retired Army officer and an amazing person. His discipline he bought in to the institute was  amazing. REDWOOD had always been great but after Col. Singh, it had been making history . We pressed our lips as our Dean gestured us to move in. We nodded like good kids stepping in as he closed the door behind us.

***

''No, he is not with me. Yes, I will.'' Jai spoke over he phone, his face irritated with the constant ranting. I knew it was Ruby , she had been trying to catch hold of me for sometime and I have been able to dodge her successfully. But I know I won't be able for long.

''Who the hell gave my number to this irritating female.'' Jai screamed irritated

''You know how resourceful she can get in order to get something.'' I replied flipping the page.

''Look, she is not getting it. You need to be more clear in putting the message through.''

I nodded, but the problem was Ruby had a selective hearing; she heard and understood what she wanted and ignored all. She had been getting on  my nerves and now many believed that she was my girlfriend. I had to solve this and soon.

***

Our campus supported he green initiative . Hence , we could commute between the building only via environmental friendly bikes or buses. 

It had been a month since I last saw Sanjana. She being from different course was one reason. But I won't deny that I was curious about her. Why? I had no answer to that. Guess we all have certain people whom we like or hate for no reason. I disliked Ruby for a reason and but somehow I liked Sanajna for no reason.

I stood at near the main Campus building with Jai and few of my other classmates. Ruby and her minions stood at a distance; yes, that's what Jai called her friends. She kept flipping her hair trying to look cute but I decided to ignore her.

Students teachers kept walking in and out of the building just as in a regular busy day. Our morning classes had been cancelled due an emergency and our professors home and We decided to chill out.

''hey..you. Come here.'' I heard Ruby and we looked up.  Sanjana and her friend looked at each other and then decided to oblige. My eyes stayed focused on Sanjana, she had a blank expression but her friend looked little mortified.

Sajana took the lead, crossed her arms and stood opposite to Ruby , matching her glare. ''What's your name?'' Ruby asked

''Sanjana.''

Ruby scanned Sanjana from head to toe in a condescending way but what happened next made us chuckle. As Ruby's eyes moved up, Sanjana smirked. ''Like what you see. But before your try hitting on me let me make it clear I am straight.''

Jai laughed aloud and I joined in too. Ruby's face was a treat to watch. Even her minions couldn't control but Sajana was rubbing Ruby the wrong way a little more than it was required.

Ruby took a menacing step. ''I will make sure you pay for the day of game and today.''

''Is there a problem?'' Came a voice and we all straightened. Vaishali, a fourth year in same course as Sanjana walked in and gave Sanjana a smile. ''All okay?'' She asked

''Yes, what can go wrong.'' Her reply came cheeky. Vaishali nodded once and then stood opposite to Ruby. She is my student buddy, remember that.'' Vaishali had been a Hall of Fame student all her curriculum, and for some reason Ruby is scared of her. I am not sure, if this was stroke of luck or this young girl planned to make the right connections. Must say smart move.

Vaishali walked away after a silent ye stern warning and Sanajna battered her eyes like a cartoon. ''I know how to make right connections, just like you.'' Ruby was at loss, we could feel the angry fumes emitting her ears but she looked helpless . 

I couldn't help but smile wide. I titled by head to look over Ruby's shoulder and our eyes met. She lifted her chin up cutely. I am not sure if it was my imagination or she really blushed. But that small exchange between us left me happy. My desire to know this girl got fueled more. I watched as Sanjana walk away pulling her friend along. My eyes stayed glued till she disappeared and how I wished she would turn but she didn't .

***

Sanjana

Since I had messed with Ruby, I had got multiple warnings about being careful as she would harm me and that worried me. I am not someone who likes getting into lot of confrontation  and  had to find a way to keep her at bay . So I did what I am best at, research.  According to institute rules , we all had to have one senior as a study mentor from the same course and  a sports mentor, who could be from any course. Ruby was famous and  had right connections. So I decided not to cross her path till I was prepared. I made my connections and discovered that Ruby was intimidated by Vaishali a senior from my  course. So, I did all I could do to be in her best books . I begged, pretended and did a little drama convincing Vaishali to be my mentor signing all verses in her praises and she agreed.

''Her face was a treat to watch.'' Pooja giggled as we made our way to the class. Yes, I rubbed her he wrong way but I have to be careful.

***

I heard a lot about the beauty of our campus but I was yet to explore. Though Pooja had tried pulling me out of the bed during weekends, me begin the lazy bum refused to do anything other than eat or sleep. So my dear friend downloaded some amazing pictures from a shared folder of alumina memories to lure me and that worked

Now, I wanted to explore the complete campus and outskirts too. The small hilly town was free of polluted air and was famous for food and handicraft. Though it was about 11 months  till we get our first vacation but I loved being prepared for any plans. I wanted to buy a number of gifts for my big family and everything had to be thoughtful.

We booked a golf cart on a Saturday for the complete campus tour.  Other than compulsory extra circular , there are number of clubs or activities. If anyone of you wish to learn something new, you can join these clubs.'' The tour guide informed. Pooja squealed excited , I am going to join the dance class here. I always waned to but never got a chance.''

''Would like to go in a check?'' The kind guide asked. We nodded like dolls and quickly go down walking into the activity center. We could see it was full and buzzing with activity. Pooja moved to another corner and asked to me come to the same point after I was done roaming around. I moved to a big area. It had high ceilings and was equipped with training instruments for mountaineering. There were a bunch of guys with safety harness around them trying to move up he climbing wall. It was pretty high and few gave up being tired. But there was one, he kept moving upwards. When tired, he would wait for few moments before going up again. 

His movements were pretty impressive and he looked like a pro. I stood there  watching him with awe just like others. ''He is so fearless. I gave up as height made me dizzy.'' I heard one of the guys say and my eyes moved up again. He was wearing a gym vest and shorts, and I could see a large tattoo that ran across in left shoulder till his bicep. Don't know why but I stepped ahead to get a closer look. All cheered for him to reach the peak and I could see he was getting tired, but he never gave up.  As he reached the peak, he pumped his fist in air as we all cheered for him. 

The trainer asked him to let go and he was lowered down gently via harness. His buddies congratulated him; he turned and our eyes met. NOT HIM! I blinked and he smiled.  I felt by ears and cheeks heating up. I am not sure why but we keep crossing  each other a little more than required. I quickly made a turn to leave but he called out ''Sanjana!''

I froze, and slowly made a turn. ''Hi!'' He greeted politely and with a smile. I just nodded. I could now see his tattoo clearly . It was something weird as if symbol of some dark cult.

''Are you here to join the club?'' He asked rubbing his sweaty neck with a  towel.

''No!'' That was all I said. No way in hell I was going to tell him the reason for me being there . He sucked in his cheeks and then extended his hand.  ''I am Rishi! Can we be friends.''

I stared at his hand and then my eyes moved to his face. He was still smiling. My heart pounded mad in nervousness, his smile creeps me out. I know all his persona speaks of being danger and I should stay away from him. Life and choices should be safe.

I took a deep breath and replied. ''No, we cannot be friends.''

''Why?''

''Because you don't fit my check list of friends.''

He threw the towel in a corner and took a step closer, his arms crossed over his chest. ''Why, again?''

I wasn't sure how to answer that so I blurted what came to my mind. ''Because I feel so.'' With that I ran off, I am not sure why, but every time he looks at me it makes me nervous . I am aware how guys like him get the girls and then spoil their lives. I have heard a lot of stories and read lo of articles about it. I love safe choices and will always make that. Rishi, didn't look safe

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was my first outing beyond the campus and along with Pooja and few other girls we made to a stadium which looked more like a track and there he was, on a bike , dressed all in black ready to race.