Chapter 5

                                    

                                          


                          
It took Sanyukta some time to register what was hapenning. The last person she expected to approach her was Karan. As soon as the realization that a CITE student was in their mechanical lab set in, Sanyukta quickly gathered all the papers related to her project and stuffed it in her bag.

                          
Karan noticed this and said, "Arey, i am sorry yaar. I shouldn't have entered like that. But I really needed to talk to u."
                          
His words caught Sanyukta's attention and she flared, "Why?? So that u can throw some more insults at me? Listen Karan, the last time we interacted, u were in hospital bed and so I restrained myself. This time nothing can stop me from lashing out. So please, just leave."
                          
"Sanyukta, mujhe bolne ka mauka toh do. I want to apologise.." Karan spoke.
                          
Sanyukta looked up and met his gaze. "Apologize? Seriously?"
                          
"Yes. Listen Sanyukta, I was wrong about u & I admit it. But Randhir told me about how u accompanied him everyday to the hospital and how u were genuinely concerned about me. This made me realize my mistake. I was too quick to judge u. Can we forget our differences and start afresh?" he said.
                          
Sanyukta processed his words in her brain, all the while eyeing him from top to bottom, trying to find out if this was all a trick. But he seemed to speak from his heart. And Sanyukta smiled and replied, "Ok Mr. Karan. Forgiven and forgotten."
                          
"Friends?" he said extending his hand.
                          
"Friends", replied Sanyukta and they shook hands.
                          
"Btw, I would love to chat, but I am getting late. I should return to my hostel. Catch u later",  Sanyukta told him.
                          
"Bye Sanyukta. See u around!" he replied and left.
                          
-The next day-
                          
The morning was bright and sunny and Sanyukta woke up with excitiment. Today was the day when students from 15 other colleges would grace the grounds of FITE. She & Kaustuki quickly got dressed and came to the college grounds. What met their sight left them amazed. There were banners all around. A huge make-shift stage had been set for the cultural nights. There were booths everywhere for all the technical shows. And FITE campus was brimming with students fom all walks of life - from nerds to divas, from the quiet to the loud, from the serious ones to the goofy ones.
                          
"Hi" said a guy to Sanyukta & Kaustuki, "Which way is the guest house?"
                          
"Go straight and turn left", replied Sanyukta.
                          
The guy was over 6 foot tall, well built and had a soft looking visage.
                          
"Thanks a lot", he replied with a smile, "I am Parth by the way, from Regional Engineering College, Bangalore."
                          
"Hello parth, it's nice to meet you", the girls replied in unison.
                          
And the introductions continued. Within less than an hour, Sanyukta & Kaustuki had introduced themselves to god knows how many students from other colleges.
                          
Just then Sanyukta's phone rang. It was Randhir.
                          
"Sanyukta, where are u?" he said. 
                          
"I am on the grounds. Should we start on the project?" Sanyukta replied.
                          
"I have started already. Been in the lab for the past hour. Get down here quick", he said before hanging up.
                          
"kaustuki i need to go. Randhir wants to work for the project. Cya soon" sanyukta said and ran towards the lab.
                          
-Mechanical lab-
                          
"You are late", he said without looking up from his model.
                          
"U never said I had to get here at 7am. U could have called me earlier", she replied.