Sometimes you can learn things from the way a person denies something. The choice of lies can be almost as helpful as the truth ~Laurell K. Hamilton

Important Note

From here on Jagati will be called Jagruthi because of the change in Identity, Family calls her Janu.  Claryfying ahead of time just in case you get confused.

Jagruthi:

"Grandma, Lets go. Its time for inauguration, everyone would've come by now.."I asked my grandma who's taking her sweet time in getting ready.

We came here yesterday, we as in Mom,Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, Karthik's mom and dad and Shyam Bhaiyya and his crew. Mom and dad sneaked in last night and helped me in setting my room, wardrobe and bed. After a whole crying session Mom, Dad and Shyam Bhaiyya left me with my grandparents, karthik's parents and a few guards.

"Aunty look at her, she is not moving on purpose." I whined stomping my foot. I'm so excited right now and this cute old one here is moving like snail. Every one will be coming in today, Which means I can see who my room mates are going to be.

"I'm ready! lets go." said my grandmother after 40 long min to which I ran to the car.

We drove from our guesthouse to college, which is a fudging 100 Acre Campus. I could get lost some where and no one would even notice. My family went to meet Karthik, and I quickly ran to my room and found 3 other girls with their parents setting up their beds and wardrobes.

Our room holds 4 people with two bunker beds and four wardrobes. As I came in here last night before anyone else, I got dibs on the top bed. Bunker beds and sharing room with 3 other girls sounds super fun and exciting.

"Hi, My name is Kajal."A cute girl with glasses came to me giving me her hand.

"Wow, Kajal as in Sharuk's Kajal?" I asked with curiosity beaming, can you believe this my friend has the same name as the awesomest heroine of India. I love DDLJ.

"I wish." she mumbled adjusting her glasses.

"My name is Jagruthi! This is my first time in a hostel and you can get a Hritik Roshan." I said grinning like a cow, she just smiled at me. The other two girls joined us and they introduced themselves to me.

"My name is Sahastra, this is my first time in a hostel too." She said extending her hand.

What a classy name Sahastra, it feels fancy saying it, I should've picked something like that, when I had the chance, stupid brain!

"My name is Manjula, you can call me Manju. I've been in a hostel all my life." She said and plopped on the bed with a sad sigh. I wanted to go and sit beside her.

"Enough of the chitter chatter, it's time for inauguration. Leave your rooms and walk towards your assigned class rooms." The tall big lady came in and announced.

"That's the warden Martha, she is so mean and rude according a senior I met today." Sahastra whispered standing beside me.

The warden gave a mean look at Sahastra before leaving.

All the other girls, walked away with their parents. So, I walked alone to the the college from hostel which is a 7min walk. There are people everywhere in hurry. This place will never be quiet, all the silence in my life has come to an end. I looked around taking in the feel of me at a college, this is place where mom and dad met, I can feel them walking here.

I stepped into the main building and as I walked by the famous Alumni board and saw the two names close to my heart.

Jagadeesh Dhanraj
Sruthi Jayachandran

Their names are side by side together just like them. I blew the dust on their names and wiped them clean with my dupatta.

I was wearing a sea green kurta with black leggings. Green is papa's favorite color, oh I miss them so bad. I wish they were here with me like every other parent in this college.

"Janu, what are you doing here? I was waiting for you at your class." Karthik's voice boomed through the hallway.

Karthik is my first and only cousin. He is about 6 feet and has all the physical qualifications girls would drool over. He looks so handsome and dreamy. But my stupid cousin thinks love is a waste of time and energy.

"KAAR." I yelled and ran to him and jumped into his arms.

"It's been so long, you grew up man." Karthik said patting my back after putting me down.

"Dude! we met a month back. And what's with this beard look, any love story you wanna tell me?" I questioned him wiggling my eyebrows.

He should've found at-least one girl interesting right Or does he bat for the same team? I should dig into this matter, I can't leave my only cousin in peace right.

"Me and Love don't go hand in hand. Leave that and let me walk you to your class. Don't you dare use that stupid brain and set me up with someone." He said and smacked my head and I glared at him.

"Listen to me carefully Janu, Talk to everyone and be wise in choosing your friends. If you feel uncomfortable or any slight distress from anyone message me. That's your class room number 279 for this year. And remember No BOYS at all." He continued saying till we reached the door of my class for the whole year while I am trying to remember the way to my classroom.

"Okay! Leave before you gain attention with your stupid face. And I will find your love story or get you one for sure. See you soon, Bye."I said shoving him away from me.

I walked into the class with my registration number, the school code manual and a smile welcoming the new chapter of my life. This classroom is not like the one they show in TV shows, it's just a bunch of benches which can accommodate 2 people on one and podium for the professor I guess. That's disappointing, I imagined huge auditoriums for classes.

I found Manjula and Sahastra my room mates in my class, I went to Sahastra who signaled me to sit beside her. Our Home room teacher Ms.Radha is a petite woman, she walked in with all the books and schedule for today. She also gave us a form to fill, and explained the school schedule.

The first thing I love is this school has an Uniform for students, when she said that everyone gave a disappointed look but I never wore a uniform in my life so I'm excited for that. School starts at 8 with a prayer in the class and ends at 3, with a lunch break at 12 and refreshment break at 10.

Our class has 50 students, with 21 girls and remaining boys, with 10 from each branch like ECE, CSE, MEC, EEE, EIE. Karthik said ECE would be great for me, so dad picked that.

"Who's the guy you came in with?"Sahastra asked me in a whisper when Ms.Radha is explaining about the meeting at the outdoor stadium.

"He is Family, my cousin."I said, so that I don't have to give too many details about me and Karthik.

"Huh." She said and before she could ask more, I turned my head to the teacher.

We are asked to walk to the outdoor stadium for an inaugural speech from the Dean and founder, but my grandaparents had to leave and were waiting to meet me before leaving, so I planned to skip the speech.

While walking to my grandparents, I saw a boy my age crying in his mothers arms,and the mother was crying with the son. I would've been the same if Mama and Papa were here today. He is tall for a 17 year old and has a Dorito body. How will his face look?

"Stop crying Sudha, you are making Devansh cry. Look at that girl she is happily walking around all alone. " The boys father said pointing me which made the boy and his mom look at me.

Holy cannoli!

Is he for real? Am I just hallucinating?

Some one catch me before I faint.

How can a human look like this? He..He.. is the epitome of innocence and handsome. He looks like red like a strawberry, his cute button nose is all red with crying, eyes and lips swollen and all pink. His eyes met mine for a brief second, those bewitching eyes are black not brown complete black, Its like one black marble with a speck of gold in a glass of milk.

His hair looks so shiny and smooth, I want to brush my fingers over his hair.

What's wrong with me? I am just ogling at a stranger. I didn't want to move away from him, but mind kept saying just 2 words.

Creep Alert!

After checking him out shamelessly for a few more seconds, I ran towards my grandparents, who are just a few feet away from the hot and handsome bawler Devansh.

Devansh, nice name for his mesmerizing face.

"Take care, eat well. Remember all the rules Papa told you. If you don't like it here let me or anyone know, you can come home the next second."Grandpa started saying but I could still feel the hot bawlers eyes on me.

Grandma and Aunt started crying holding me, so I texted Karthik to come for a rescue but he just said that he is busy and told me to stop them myself.

"I'm not dying, I will come home next month. Don't cry." I told them feeling embarrassed that these two are clutching me to death and crying.

"Look at that boy and learn something. He is feeling sad about missing his parents and look at you ready to kick us out."My grandma said pointing the hot bawler Devansh and his family who are leaving smacking my head.

He is leaving already, I have this overwhelming urge to see his face one more time. How can I find him again in such a big campus? I hope I get to see his beautiful, enchanting face again.

Okay! Janu stop thinking about him and concentrate on your family before you.

"Aunty, Grandma stop crying. I have Karthik with me here, so don't worry about me. I will be fine,  you take care of my Mama and Papa." I said holding their hands, After talking and a lot of consoling, I walked them to our car.

Every one left me after kissing me goodbye and went to the auditorium to join everyone. Too many people in here, it's freaking me out. I looked for my roommates but couldn't find anyone I know. I sat by the door feeling overwhelmed with all the emotions clouding my mind and heart.

All of a sudden I felt alone for the first time, my heart started to ache. There are so many people around me but I still feel alone. I craved to be with people all my life but why am I not feeling happy when it's all true now.

"I got rank 200 in JEE. I wanted to go into IIT but my parents picked this college for me." The girl infront of me said to the girl beside her looking sad.

Wow! 200, what is she a robot?

"I got Rank 97 in KCET. I'm also on the waitlist for IIT Kharagpur." The other girl said pushing her glasses back on with a proud smile on her face.

What in the fudge did I do?

I didn't even write a JEE. I'm not a topper material. I was so excited to go to a college but never thought about the educational aspect of it.

I don't have any genes from my parents when it comes to education, I'm just a girl who studies just to pass the exam. My heart started racing and palms sweaty after listening to the people before me. I have to talk to Karthik, I'm way better with my  Zoom University, Mama and Papa.

"Karthik! I can't stay here. College is not for me. Call Papa and send me home." I said gulping through the words.

"Janu! What are you saying? Talk to me, stop overthinking and come to the cafeteria behind the block C and meet me there." He said in a worried tone.

"There are state toppers here Kar, I don't think I have it to study here. Papa paid money for me to get an admission, what if I fail?" I said walking towards block C which is far away from here.

"Shut up Janu, don't worry. Every college has its nerds and geeks. Calm down, no one is asking to get a first rank. Take a deep breathe...., breathe in... brea.." someone snatched away the phone from my hands.

"What the hell" I cursed at the person and turned around.

"Ooh.. spicy. She swears." The mean guy who snatched my phone said made fun of me agitating me to the core.

"Give me my phone back." I told him with a fake smile on my face, ready to stomp my feet.

"Is this how you talk to your seniors? Go and join the others there." He said pointing to a bunch of people standing a few feet away from here.

"Will you give me my phone then?" I asked him and he nodded so I started walking with him. I can't let him see what's on my phone, that would kill the whole purpose of my life.

I kept swearing till we reached others, there are 4 Seniors sitting and in front of them and  2 girls and 3 boys standing and one of boys is the hot bawler Devansh from morning, I stood still looking at him again.

Yay! God made my wish come true, I am seeing him again. He looked and gave me a smile showing his pearly white teeth, which made heart go crazy, I felt a tight knot in my stomach.

"Give us your B.D." One of them said making me look away from the bawler.

What the heck is a B.D?

I turned my head to the girls to give me a clue. The girl in pink Kurta started whispering something but i couldn't hear it.

"What's a B.D?" I asked them. Everyone laughed at my question.

"Bio Data honey." One of them said which made my blood rile up.

"Don't call me honey, and why would I give you my bio data?" I asked them back.

"Because we are seniors and we asked for it honey." The honey guy said in a duh tone. I wanted to punch in his face for calling me honey.

"There is a no ragging policy in this college, I'm going to call the toll free number and file a complaint against you people. And I said not to call me honey, I'm not your honey, Arrastrarse (creep)." I Snapped at him.

I hope no one knows Spanish, I learnt Spanish from watching TV shows and it was my extra language in school. Being alone at home means a lot of free time to Netflix and chill. You name the series, I might've watched it already.

They all got shocked by my outburst and started whispering something among themselves.

"Say some made up stuff, they will leave you. Don't talk back, you don't want any drama and cause trouble do you?" Devansh bent his head and whispered in my ear.

His fair fell onto his face when he bent, I kept looking at his beautiful eyes and how his lips are moving.

Creep alert!!!

Okay, I am not a creep but When he said don't talk back, it reminded of my papa telling me to keep my head low.I'm doing this for you papa, just for you, I thought to myself and spewed a bunch of lies.

"My name is Arundhati,
I'm from Mangalore, Karnataka,
My fathers name is GunaShekar ,
My mother's name is Chandramuki,
I was assigned female at birth,
My pronouns are she/her,
My sexual orientation I didn't explore, so let's put a pin on that for now." I said all of that in a single breath.

The girls and boys who are getting ragged along with me laughed at my B.D.

"Very funny! Laugh all you want you are not getting your phone back until you tell the truth." The phone snatcher said and I looked at Devansh for giving me trashy idea to lie and he shrugged at me traitor.

"Trust me, that's my name. My father is a big fan of the movie Arundathi. so he named me that." I tried to convince him but it's all going in vain by the look on his face.

"Say the password to your phone." The other guy asked me and I started panicking.

This is it, I'm done entertaining these people, I am going to snatch my phone and run away. That's a good idea, but I the only question here is can I run fast enough to beat these people?

Let's see, in 3...2...

"Why don't you give me your phones passcode Rahul," Karthik voice cane from behind before my hand reached out from my phone.

Karthik walked to me and snaked his arms on my shoulder making me smirk, looking at their scared faces instead on concentrating that he is use me a handstand for him.

"Sorry Karthik bhaiyya! We didn't know you know her." One of the guys said in a pleading tone while the other one gave my phone back.

Wow! Karthik is famous.

"He called me Honey Kar." I said pointing at the guy Rahul, adding fuel to the fire.

"Stop messing with juniors and mainly her. If I catch you again, you will be meeting with the Discipline Committee." Karthik warned glaring at them and they ran away.

"Don't stop at everyone who calls you. If you see or hear anything about bullying or raging call the toll free number." Karthik said to us Juniors in a commanding tone.

I looked at every one, the girls have dreamy look on their faces, Devansh and the others guys are giving me weird looks because of the way Karthik holding me.

"Janu, I told you to stay away from trouble, why do you do this to me? I ran all the way here because I was worried. You scared me.!" He said looking at me with so many emotions.

"I didn't do it on purpose Kar! That  loco(crazy) snatched my phone and dragged me here. Ask anyone of them?" I told him and looked at my fellow juniors to help me out.

"Yes Sir, he did." Said a girl in a pink dress  looking at me and Karthik.

"Don't call me sir, my name is Karthik. What are your names?" He asked them.

"Nidhi" the pink dress girl said in a excited voice.

"Sania" said the other girl who has really great eyes

"Devansh" the hot bawler said looking at me, I knew that already.

"Aarthav." The other guy said, he looks just as good as Devansh, the only problem with him is he has this I'm hot and you know it face.

"Samrat." The last guy mumbled giving weird looks towards Nidhi.

"Cool! Do you any of you play cricket? There are tryouts tomorrow 5:30 on the Trackgrounds." He said looking at them still holding me.

Devansh's face lit up the moment he heard cricket. I love how his face expresses emotions, such a transparent face.

They all kept talking but I ignored their talks. I am not a sports person. I think of the Indian cricket as business, do you know how much money goes into betting and how the BCCI is reigning the cricket industry?

After watching the Cricket Corruption episode on Patriot Act, I completely boycotted anything related to cricket. To be frank I don't know how cricket works, so I don't lose anything by hating the sport.

Tell me how did you like the chapter so far.

I have no idea how an Engineering college works, my idea of college is from movies and my cousin. so please correct me if I'm wrong.

Apparently people call seniors sir, I for one don't understand why?

DDLJ was my first Hindi Movie and man it made me cry.

Do you like the Jagruthi?

How about Devansh? What do you think about him?

So here is the episode on cricket corruption, If anyone's interested in knowing. I absolutely love this guy, he is the best, if you are trying to watch it, foul language warning.

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]

Don't forget to Vote and Comment.

Love,
Sneha