2

2

_____________________________

*JATHIN*

Jathin was sitting in his cabin, working on his laptop. Suddenly, someone barged in without even knocking on the door. Jathin looked up to see who it was.

It was Dev…

Dev is Jathin’s best friend and also a distant relative. They always help each other. If there is anyone who completely understands Jathin, it is Dev alone. He is a very funny and caring person, with a quick-to-understand nature. Whenever Jathin faced difficulties, Dev stood by him. The two of them often talk as if they are fighting, only with words.

Seeing Dev, Jathin raised his head.

Dev came in, sat on the chair, and without asking anything, drank the coffee that was kept beside him. Seeing this, Jathin got angry.

"Hey, stupid! That coffee is for me!”

“Cool, champ… get yourself another coffee.”

Jathin threw an angry look at him.

Seeing that, Dev suddenly pretended to choke.

“Champ, don’t look at me like that. If you look like that, imagine the condition of your students…oh God FINISH,” he laughed.

“Hey cracker… how many times should I tell you? Before coming in, you must knock on the door. That’s minimum manners.”

“Uff… okay, okay. From next time I’ll see,” he said and continued drinking the coffee.

Jathin, unable to say anything more, concentrated on his work.

Dev, getting bored, lay down on the nearby sofa and started humming a tune.

“MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI… MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI…” he sang.

Jathin looked at Dev.“Hey, why are you singing? Stop it. I can’t hear your song, my work is getting disturbed.”

“So I don’t even have the freedom to sing now?”

“No… even that is under my control.”

“Uff… grumpy man…Let me tell you one thing, champ… all these days this bachelor life… same friends, same talks, same routine life… I’m getting really fed up. That’s why I’m thinking of getting married.”

Hearing that, Jathin turned his face and looked at Dev.

“Why suddenly marriage?” he asked uninterestedly.

“Why marriage? Bro… marriage itself is a whole vibe. Marriage is a different feeling altogether. All these days we’ve dedicated our lives to just work, family, trips, business and all that… but if you get married, that’s a whole new level of feeling. I’ll search and marry a girl I really like , whether it’s a love marriage or an arranged marriage.”

“Hm… if you’re saying this after knowing about this generation of girls, then I must say… great courage.”

“champ, not everyone is like that. There are truly genuine girls too. It’s just that finding them is difficult.”

“Oh really… 99.9% are like that. Maybe there’s that 1% somewhere… go search for your dream girl.”

“Yes, I will find my perfect girl and get married. Then when my wedding comes, you’ll burn with jealousy, just watch..”

“We’ll see… in your dreams,” they both kept teasing each other.

*BHUMIKA*

The Alpha gang were staring at Bhumi in a very cheap and indecent way.Among them, one girl said,

“So, you’re going to file a complaint? Do you have that much courage? You’re daring to talk back to us?”

They took Bhumi’s bag without her permission and emptied everything from it. Inside, there was a ring. The moment Bhumi saw the ring, she became very tense. She didn’t even know how that ring had ended up in her bag.

Just then, Aishu, who was standing beside her, said,

“Oh, this ring was in your bag? I took it from your accessories today thinking I’d wear it, but suddenly it must have fallen into your bag. When I went to search for it, it was already time and you dragged me away,” she explained.

After hearing that, Bhumi didn’t know whether to scold Aishu or feel worried because the ring was now in their hands.

They looked at the ring and said,“Wow, this ring looks very nice,” and they tried to take it away.

“Stop… please… give me that ring. That ring is very important to me. Please, take anything else instead,” Bhumi pleaded painfully.

Seeing this, they said,“What’s so special about this ring? Is it very costly?”

“Please give it back to me…” From her reaction, they understood that this ring was Bhumi’s weakness.

“So, if you want this ring back, you have to say sorry to all of us and do whatever we tell you.”

Aishu whispered, “Bhumi, give them the ring. You didn’t do anything wrong, why should you say sorry to them?”

But Bhumi didn’t listen to anything. She bent down and helplessly said sorry to them. They all laughed seeing this.

“Look at her… she talks like a tiger, but now she’s become a kitten,” they mocked.

Then they brought out ghungroos (ankle bells) and said,“You have to wear these and roam around the whole day.”

Hearing that, Bhumi felt strongly to scold them, because in classical dance, ghungroos are very sacred they carry emotional depth and devotion, and people who understand their value do not wear them casually.

But she had no choice. To get her ring back, she wore them. They said they would return the ring in the evening.

Later…

When the three girls entered the class, everyone was staring at them and laughing. Mithali couldn’t even walk properly, so Aishu was holding her and helping her walk. People were laughing, saying Aishu looked like a monkey. And when Bhumi walked, the whole room was vibrating with the sound of her ghungroos. Everyone was making different sounds, mocking them.

They silently went and sat down. All three were burning with anger, but helpless, they lowered their heads. That whole day passed very uncomfortably and strangely.

They came out to leave for their flat, and just then peon came and called Bhumi.

“Miss. Bhumika, they are asking you to come to the office room. There is a problem with your documents,” he said and left.

Bhumi said,“How can I come like this? I’m wearing these on my legs and everyone will stare at me strangely.”

Aishu told her, “Just leave it here and go.”

When Bhumi was about to be removed, she noticed that the gang was sitting at a distance, watching them. Having no other option, she left it as it was. With no other choice, she slowly walked towards the office.

As soon as she opened the door and entered, all the faculty members who were inside looked at her. No matter how slowly she walked, the sound was still loud. The faculty paused their meeting and stared at her irritably. With her head bowed and eyes closed in fear, she went inside. After the issue was cleared, when she got up to leave, the same sound rang again.

Each faculty member looked at Bhumi with different expressions. Among them, the one Bhumi mainly noticed was Jathin sir.

He was explaining something to the others, but that gal… gal… sound disturbed his concentration. He raised his head and looked , Bhumi was walking slowly, but the sound was still very loud. He made a very irritated face.

He stopped the discussion and watched Bhumi until she went outside. Rubbing his forehead with his hands, he thought, “What is this nonsense? Is this a college or some cultural program? Day by day, what are these students becoming?”

Suddenly his eyes fell on the ghungroos. The moment he saw them, his body froze. An unknown flashback played in his mind.

How dare she wear them… Is She knows their importance, he thought angrily.

He immediately controlled his anger and restarted the discussion.

When Bhumi came out, she noticed the angry looks Jathin sir had given her , the irritation on his face, the fine lines on his forehead, the clenched jaw. She understood that he was really angry.

On the very first day itself, I got so horribly embarrassed, she thought within herself.

Outside, Aishu and Mithali were waiting with their bags. As the three of them walked together, Mithali stumbled and almost fell. Seeing that, Aishu and Bhumi put their arms around her shoulders and helped her walk.

“Ugh… in my whole life, I’ve never been this embarrassed. I feel like I should scold those useless faces so badly,” Aishu said in frustration.

“As for me, I feel like dragging them and throw them into our Musi River in Hyderabad,” Bhumi replied.

“And I feel like I should poke needles into their footwear and they should walk,” Mithali said.

As soon as she said that, Bhumi and Aishu burst out laughing.

While the three of them were walking slowly, just then the meeting ended and the faculty members came out. Jathin, talking on the phone, noticed them…

But he didn't say anything..

"After that, bhumi walked some distance, went near that gang, and took the ring. As soon as she took it, they went back to the flat.

*JATHIN*

At 10:00 PM,

Jathin was still busy doing work related to his company. Since evening, he had been busy in his room. Slowly, there was a knock on the door. Saritha and Yukthi came inside. Saritha was holding food in her hand. They came and sat beside Jathin. Jathin turned and looked at them."

“Maa, you still haven’t slept?” he asked.

“We’ll sleep. You haven’t eaten yet,” Saritha said.

Jathin kept his laptop aside. “How many times should I tell you not to wait for me? Take care of your health, maa.”

“What do you mean my health? Look how strong I am,” she said, showing her arms.

Jathin smiled a little. “I know my maa is strong, but you should eat on time.”

“You haven’t eaten either, right?”

“I won’t eat. I already had snacks in the evening, so I’m full. Jathin said

“That won’t do,” Saritha insisted. “You must eat the food I brought.” She stubbornly made him eat. Jathin, not wanting to argue more, ate the food.

After that, Saritha said she wanted to talk about something. As soon as she said that, Jathin looked at her suspiciously. Seeing that, Yukthi said, “bhai, it’s not about the trip. Don’t look at us like that.”

Saritha looked at Jathin and said, “You’re taking on responsibilities beyond your age. You take care of us, you take care of college, and you also take care of the company. You’ve achieved everything, and we’re all very happy about that. But since your age is increasing…”

She paused, then asked nervously and fearfully, “If you get married too, you can lead a good life.”

As soon as he heard this, Jathin felt anger rise inside him. He immediately got up from the bed and started to leave. Yukthi ran and stood in front of him, spreading her arms to stop him.

“No, bhai. This time you won’t cross our words.”

Jathin looked at Yukthi and said, “Yukthi, you don’t need to be involved in this. Go and sleep. You have to wake up early tomorrow.”

“No, bhai. I won’t go,” she said nervously, lowering her head.

Jathin shouted, “Go!” She immediately left. Seeing that, Saritha got up from the bed and said, “Is this how you shout at everyone who asks you? Your father got tired of asking you again and again and stopped asking. Now, if I also don’t ask you, what then?”

Jathin closed his eyes, then opened them and looked at Saritha. “Maa, I’ve told you manytimes,I don’t like the idea of getting married. I don’t want to marry unwillingly and make that girl suffer. Liking someone cannot be forced. It happens without us realizing it. So, if I feel like getting married when I like someone, I will.”

“So if you don’t like anyone, will you remain a bachelor forever? Don’t I deserve a daughter-in-law? Don’t I wish to see my grandchildren playing? How can you hurt me with such words? Forget the past. When will you come out of it? Bring a girl into your life and see..see..your life itself will change.”Her words making him to think.

Even after she said all that, Jathin didn’t respond. Seeing this, Saritha left the room with sadness.

Jathin stood there. Anger surged inside him, and he threw the plate lying nearby. On one side, there was an unknown pain; on another side anger; and on yet another side, a buried past. Everything kept revolving around him.

MORNING

It was 8:30 AM. Jathin, looking sharp and professional in his formals, grabbed his laptop to head out. He saw Yukthi sitting on the sofa, ready for her own job. However, her face was clouded with annoyance. Jathin noticed her mood and immediately recalled what had happened the previous night.

He walked over and sat right next to her. Seeing him, Yukthi tried to get up and leave, but Jathin quickly grabbed her hand and pulled her back, causing her to fall back onto the sofa. She stubbornly turned her face away, refusing to look at him.

Trying his best to calm her down and break the ice, even though he wasn't exactly an expert at such things, Jathin gently turned her face toward him and said, "Is my golden sister upset with me?" He teased her, "Arey... even when you’re angry, you look so beautiful! What are you eating every day to look like this? Tell me so I can try it too."

He tried to make her laugh, but when she didn't respond, he played his final card."Fine, don't talk to me. I was going to tell you something that would give you a real kick, but never mind..." He pretended to get up to leave.

Curiosity Yukthi jumped up and asked, "What? What is it?"

"You aren't talking to me, right? Go away, I won't tell you," Jathin teased, continuing his act. Yukthi made a cute puppy face and pleaded, "....please.... tell me!"

Jathin laughed and finally said, "Go upstairs and check your room."Before he could even finish the sentence, Yukthi dashed off. She pushed Kittu out of her way and didn't even stop when Nikhil tried to talk to her. She just kept running.

Jathin, realizing he was running late, walked toward his car. Suddenly, he heard shouting from behind. "Bhai! Wait, wait!"

It was Yukthi. She ran up to him and gave him a tight hug. Jathin smiled and hugged her back warmly. Pulling away slightly, Yukthi said with joy, "bhai , you are so good! How did you know I wanted a Dyson?"

Jathin pinched her cheeks affectionately and said, "I know exactly what my sister wants."

"Thank you! Thank you so much, bhai!" Yukthi was over the moon. She even spotted the watchman nearby and shouted like a little kid, "Uncle! There is no brother like mine in this whole country!Look, he got me a Dyson!"

Jathin laughed at her antics. "My little troublemaker," he whispered.

Yukthi looked at him again and said, "But bhai.. I want one more thing."

"Tell me, what do you want?" Jathin asked.

Yukthi stepped back a bit and whispered softly, "A sister-in-law (bhabi)..."Jathin didn't hear her clearly. "What was that?"

"BHABHIIII!" she screamed.

In an instant, Jathin’s happy expression shifted into a red face. Seeing the look on his face, Yukthi bolted toward the house. As she ran, she yelled back, "One day, you have to introduce her to me, okay?!"

Even though he pretended to be annoyed, Jathin couldn't help but smile at her words. He shook his head and started his car.

*BHUMIKA*

As usual, Bhumi and Aishu had missed calls from Mithali on their mobiles. Both of them were late again. Mithali was waiting for them in the parking lot. Bhumi and Aishu came running with their bags on their shoulders. They stopped and took a deep breath.

"Time... what's the time?" Bhumi asked, trying to control her breathing.

Mithali replied tensely, "It's 9:10."

"What! Again?" Aishu said, hitting her forehead in frustration.

"Let’s go, we’re already late. We’ll go inside and tell Ma’am that this is the last time and we won't be late again," Bhumi said, grabbing both their hands and leading them away.

As soon as they reached the entrance of their classroom, they were shocked. Their mouths dropped open as they realized, "Is Jathin Sir taking the class?"

"Arey... I’m leaving. I’m not coming in. I was so embarrassed yesterday. He felt so irritated... if we get caught today, he’ll give us a double dose of that anger," Bhumi whispered.

"So... shall we go? As in... bunk?" Aishu asked excitedly.

Bhumi narrowed her eyes and looked at her. "Aishu, is it always about bunking for you? I just meant I don't want to attend this class."

"But isn't this your favorite subject?" Mithali asked.

"Yes, but if we go inside, we’ll get scolded and lose our respect," Bhumi replied.

"True, true... and I’m actually trying to become Sir's favorite student," Aishu added. Hearing this, the other two just turned their heads away in disbelief.

However, Jathin Sir noticed them whispering. He stopped teaching and looked straight at them. The three of them looked at Sir at once, fear and tension visible in their faces. Jathin checked the time on his wristwatch and then looked back at them.

"Do you have any sense of time? I already told you that there should be no such disturbances in my class, but you came and disturbed it. If you come this late, what will you even hear in the class?" he said loudly, for the whole class to hear.

The three of them stood there with their heads bowed. Slowly, Aishu started, "Sir, sorry... traffic jam."

Jathin took his hand out of his pocket and said, "Beginner's mistake. You should try to come up with better lies. I’ve been hearing that same reason since my childhood." The whole class laughed.

Jathin’s gaze then fell on Bhumi. Bhumi kept her head down. "Next, you. What is the reason?" he asked. Bhumi’s heart started racing. She scanned him from toe to head and thought to herself, He looks perfectly dressed in formals today too. She raised her head and looked at Jathin. Jathin’s deep eyes were staring straight at her. Bhumi stood there, lost in his gaze. Suddenly, Aishu nudged her hand. Bhumi quickly snapped out of it and gave her reason slowly: "Sir... I got ready early, but I got late because of Aishu."

Jathin didn't say anything to that answer and said, "Next."

Mithali explained, "Sir, I arrived early, but because of these two people..."

"So, you ended up late too?" Jathin interrupted. Mithali nodded her head.

Looking at the three of them together, he said, "You aren't small children for me to make you stand here and scold you. You should have the sense to come on time. I don't care about other people's classes, but in my class, time means time."

After a moment, he added, "Since it's the first time, I'm letting it go. Go and sit." The three of them went and took their seats.

Jathin started the class, explaining every single detail with depth. His voice was so powerful it seemed to vibrate throughout the entire room. Even those who initially had no interest were now listening intently. He moved around coolly, using hand gestures and maintaining eye contact with everyone as he spoke.

Watching him, Aishu waved her hand and whispered, "He’s so hot!" Meanwhile, Bhumi was listening with deep concentration. At one point, she started to zone out, but quickly pulled herself together, thinking, “No, no... after all, he is our Sir.”

Once a concept was finished, Jathin asked a few questions. Though Bhumi knew the answers, she stayed silent out of fear. A girl named Deepthi answered everything, she was the only one responding. When Jathin looked at her and said, "Very good," a surge of anger and regret rose within Bhumi. She thought to herself, “I should have answered too.” Jathin looked around at the rest of the students and remarked, "Is everyone else present in the class? If so, start responding."

As he began the next concept, a phone started ringing. Everyone looked around in irritation. Jathin stopped teaching and turned his gaze toward the sound,it was Bhumi’s phone, and it kept ringing. Bhumi reached for her bag while Jathin stared directly at her. Feeling the weight of the entire class's attention, she felt extremely hesitant as she opened her bag.

🎵🎶..The song "Sakhiya Cheliya music” from sakhi moive… was playing loudly.

Bhumi frantically searched for the phone, but she couldn't find it. In a panic, she started pulling everything out of her bag. First, a charger came out, which she threw on the desk. Then came her AirPods, followed by lipstick, keys, rubber bands, books, a packet of chips, and a scarf that the phone was tangled in. By then, the entire class was staring at her.

Jathin’s face displayed a whirlwind of emotions,anger and frustration bubbling over. Looking at the mess on her desk, he let out an exasperated "Uff!" Aishu hid her face behind a book in embarrassment and whispered, "Pick it up fast! Look at Sir!" But Bhumi didn't even dare to look up.

By the time she finally grabbed the phone, the call ended. She quickly silenced it and looked at the chaos on her desk. She slowly glanced at the others and then finally at Jathin.

Jathin gave her a long, hard stare. His fists were clenched, his jaw was tight, and fine lines of anger appeared on his forehead. As he stared at her, he remembered the scene in the office room from the day before. Realizing she was the same person, his anger intensified.

"YOU... GET UP!" he roared.

Bhumi stood up, trembling with fear.

"This isn't your home to act however you..! Do you have any basic sense?. Are you here to study or to just have fun.. Jathin shouted. "Ever since you stepped into this class, there has been nothing but disturbance. If you don't want to listen, you should leave, but don't you dare disturb everyone. else!..move from here..right now..

Bhumi felled so much wrenched for His words.without knowing she made a mistake. Everyone looked like she committed some of the biggest crime.bhumi heart is now crying a lot inside but she pretended to be strong. Slowly she came out from her place without looking for anyone she ranned out.

Jathin resumed his lecture but bhumi can't tolerate that pain, his words is repeating again and again in her mind.tears formed and started crying in sitting on the bench in the Garden.she felt like, she should live the college.. but she remembered that it is only 2nd day,she unable to endure the past situations.aishu and mithali also not even listening the class their concentration is totally on bhumi.when the class was completed both Aishu and mithali picked their bags and Bhumi’s bag and moved with hurried and sad faces.jathin observed there two persons are rushing. He felt that he may have overreacted to her.but later he thought it can be a lesson to her and other students.

Aishu and Mithali searched everywhere they found bhumi who sat in a garden and crying by hiding her face with hands.They moved fastly and hugged her by consoling her with tracing fingers on her head.

“It's ok..it's ok..bhumi,don't cry.It is not at all your fault,just think that our bad time.” Aishu said.

“Bhumi you're the strong and confident girl when compared to us. You know how to behave,how to talk, you're very matured girl.dont become low.just ignore the sir words, it is common in the colleges” mithali said.

“No, how can I? I didn't make any mistakes,unexpectedly my phone is on speaker. Because of the morning rush I hadn't kept in silence, but…but..he threw words on me.which I can't take it.may be am strong for outlook but I too had a feelings..from morning I feel like I was targeted.If he taunt by small words, I won't take it into my heart.But his words making me to feel shame.Everything going wrong.iam feeling like I want to leave this college.she said by hiccuping..

Aishu's eyes became tears.“Bhumi dont say that, don't forget your dreams, just think about your parents,this is very important to you to stay here and study.I know it is new to come far and study. But some colleges will be strict . We should admit it. If he scolds you unnecessarily, then I will take a stand on your behalf..but we had a mistake..

Please calm down…Take a deep breath..,see into my eyes,see me, she lifted her face, you are the one who makes me to study,you are the one who can handle the situation properly…if you become shattered then what about us..

Bhumi blinked her eyes and realized her words.

“Take it as a lesson bhumi, take it as a part of studies , ignore it and move forward, big things only make us learn our flaws”..

Bhumi wiped her tears and watched aishu and mithali.

“Sorry for the inconvenience because of me.I just became weak after the words hitted me..okay fine…

Bhumi controlled her pain.

That's my bhumi baby…Aishu kissed her and told her to smile.

Later, bhumi,aishu,mithali talking about notes..Bhumi asked them to give notes..

They said “no..because of your tension we didn't write anything”.aishu replies.

“Then how, who will help us”

somebody came and stood in front of them.they looked up.He is a boy from their classroom.

“Hi..am charan”,he said

They nodded doubtly..

“dont think wrong i just came here to make a friendship with you”Aishu looked confused and happy.

Three of them were also introduced to him..he looked bhumi..

“Bhumi feeling sad for what had happened in class.I feel bad for that.are you okay now”.

Bhumi said “yaa am fine now”.

“Take it as a lite, don't take it to heart, it's common for boys..it will be more tautings then this”.

And he said “we didn't even fear and care about that”..

Bhumi smiled slightly “yaa..but girls are different..not all girls..some girls..”.

Charan smiled , “ are you from south”.

Aishu and bhumi nodded yes, “How you can know”

He said “because of your ringtone and I heard when you're speaking in a different language.”

They nodded.aishu asked “ charan can you give us the notes of today's”

Of..course..take it, if you want me to explain i can..

Bhumi nodded and said “charan explain us”

He explained everything.he also cleared all their doubts..

Bhumi looked suspiciously “I think you are the topper”.

Charan looked by raising eyebrows“How can you say that”.

“Your explained like a expert.how much percentage in graduation”

He looked down and again he raised his head and said “90%”.

Three of them were shocked..

Bhumi : “then my guess is correct”She laughed

Then why didn't you respond in class?

“I just don't want to show off, I will show it directly in the exam.”

Bhumi feels surprised by his words

4 of them sat down sometime and moved to the classroom.

ONE WEEK LATER.

With so much enthusiasm and fun they completed 1 week. They reached on time, listened to class carefully, noted everypoint.didn't even make one mistake.In jathin sir class also these 4 people sat at the last bench but concentrated more in class.

Monday has arrived, a weakly test is going to happen.4 of them prepared well.Other people are revolving around the jathin sir for important questions and notes.but these 4 are prepared by their own.

BEFORE THE EXAM

Bhumi was remembering and revising all the concepts.she even explaining for them.4 people are ready for exam.they went to an exam hall which is in the top floor.every one sat according to their allotments.

IN MEETING ROOM

chairman

“This is the first exam of this year..so.founder will come to check every hall.so be strict. I shouldn't face any trouble.if anyone cheats just bring them here and make them fail in the first week test.

Every faculty member nodded

Jathin sir, you're the supervisor for the first week test. So I am hoping you will do your best.jathin nodded.

IN EXAM HALL

Everyone sat and beside the juniors, seniors were introduced. Seniors came and sat beside the juniors.But badly bhumi beside was came and sat by karthik from Alpha gang.

TO BE CONTINUED

____________________________

💫Any guesses what will happen in exam hall..

💫 I know you may feel bored in some conversations..but i should give you a perfect clarification about every character.. from next part the main story will start..majorly you will see bhumi an jathin..

💫how's this chapter ?

💫let me know your opinions in Comments.