Kavery Chapter 3

                                    

                                          
I would be lying if I were to say that I never noticed Andrew.
                          
He is what you would describe as every girl's dream boyfriend. Tall, broad shouldered with chocolate brown eyes and hair that was always messed up. I wonder if he was even aware that he caused many a heart to flutter and break. Drew belonged to the elite few to whom fame, popularity and good looks came without any effort. 
                          
"Earth to kay!" Jane used to tease me during our Chemistry class. 
                          
Sigh! How could I when the reason for my distraction was seated just across me?! Drew was the oxygen to my magnesium ribbon. "Boom!" I would mimick pointing him and then to my heart. Jane would giggle and nudge me. 
                          
"He doesn't know that you exist!" Vidya would caution me. 
                          
"Do you have to burst my bubble always?" I growl.
                          
"Facts Kay," Jane would murmur under her breath. 
                          
"Maybe I can faint in the hallway?" Desperate times need desperate actions. 
                          
"Insane!" Vidya rolled her eyes.
                          
No worry – I never acted upon my insane plans. You see, I had my pride. I fiercely guarded it. This was something I learnt from Ms. Annapoorna. 
                          
For the young girl of 18, from a tiny town in Tamil Nadu, India, life in the US must have been quiet a culture shock. Her values were tested, her faith was questioned, her English was laughed at - her very essence was mocked at.
                          
Durga set to work. She worked on her pronunciation, learnt the customs and culture of this new land, she observed their lifestyle, she was willing to learn, she was eager to know new things...at the end of the day, Durga evolved. She was stronger, confident and worldly wise and she demanded that the world give her the respect she deserves. Never in my 18 years of life have I ever seen mom pretend to be what she wasn't. Yes, she one tough nut. But she was an authentic tough nut! I admired her. 
                          
If I were to find my Lord Karthikeyan, as mom wanted, he would have to take me as I am. Kay with all her flaws and weirdness. He would have to fight for me, impress me. I wasn't going to lift a finger.
                          
Well... a girl can dream, can't she? 
                          
And Drew was just a dream. I knew he was in a different league altogether. Our worlds never crossed paths. Or so I thought!
                          
I was on my way to my Chemistry class one day when I happened to see Drew struggle with his locker door. I suppose it was jammed, since no amount of his banging and heaving was helping. It was a funny sight. Our popular football captain losing to a jammed locker door. 
                          
I wonder what got into me. "Let me help," I said walking up to him. Startled, Drew looked at me. He took a step back and pointed at the locker with both his hands. "All yours!" he said in a flippant tone. 
                          
I realized the stupidity of my offer the moment he stepped back. The die was cast, there was no stepping back. From the corner of my eyes I saw a crowd slowly gather around us. How could I ever forget for a minute that Drew was a magnet for pulling people around him? I was going to the laughing stock of the school for sure! 
                          
"Couldn't you just mind your business and walk right to your class?" I gave myself a talking down. 
                          
Drew leaned against the locker, with his arms folded and gave me all his attention. I felt sweat pooling under my armpit. "Damn!" I muttered. He must have heard me, for I could see a hint of a smile on his face. 
                          
"Who is she?"
                          
"What the F**** is she doing here?"
                          
"Where's the fire?"