She was new in the medical college. The college was new, the city was new and also the language. She was a Chandigarh born Punjabi girl and this was one particular medical college based on the outskirts of Pune. She smiled like a free bird as she entered. She was happy.
On day one she was ragged. Not for fun or for ice breaking but for pure sadistic pleasure by her seniors. On day two, she was ragged again. She cried, she complained but no one cared for a non localite, introvert and shy petite girl that she was. She used to spend her time everyday alone. Had rarely any company and then the most boring part was the lonely feeling one gets in the evening as the sun sets.
She remembered her didi. Didi was not actually her sister but a friend who was 4-5 years older than she was and would always spend time with her when she was in town in Chandigarh. Didi was full of hope for life and even Khusbu hoped that one day she would be like didi.
One day Khusbu was standing outside the canteen when Daya a senior boy from 3 rd year asked her to hang out with him. She said that she would do no such thing. But Daya said that he was her senior and he wanted to do timepass with her. Khusbu shot him back and said that she is a respecting person and is not a timepass for anyone.
Over time other such incidents continued and the first sem got over. By now Khusbu had become a very bitter and grumpy person who hated people all around her especially boys. She never thought she would respect a boy ever again.
It was a normal Friday and Khusbu had just attended the first lecture on anatomy for the day. She got a call from an unknown number on her cellphone. Very defensively she picked up the call.
"hello Khusbu"
"yeah who is this"
"Mita"
"who"
"aree mita didi!!!"
"ha dummy its me....!!! and guess what I am standing right outside your college"
"What, how and how did you get my number... we have been out of touch in last 2 years"
Just come to the main reception.
And so Khusbu met Mita her didi and Ravi (Mita's work collegue who was just tagging along)
And they started talking. Mita told all about her life in archaeology, how Ravi a history expert was helping her uncover certain elements from the past and how it actually felt to be like Indiana Jones.
Ravi shared his experiences too about life and trivia about history particularly Pune.
And then Khusbu told them about the life as it was for her. Mita didi suggested a her a few things and so did Ravi about making new friends, about opening out and creating your own space. Ravi said,"Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary".
And then as suddenly as they had come they also had to leave. But Khusbu did started enjoying her life after that. She knew by now who was good, bad ugly and she carefully approached people and started talking with them. Slowly she made friends, slowly she had a group and no one teased her anymore.
After a few days when she organised a college event and did a fantastic job doing so, Daya came to her and she as usual ignored him.
"Hey Khusbu, I am sorry"
no answer.
"What I said was cheap and offensive and I had no idea what I was doing. I did not actually mean it"
no answer.
"I cant even say that I was naive but ...I "
"Daya I will forgive you this time but if you ever..." - she said as Ravi's words echoed in her head ("Remember that Guys say things based on the perception and not what they actually feel . Ignore them when its apt but forgive them when necessary". )
"I would never do something like this again," he said and she saw that his eyes were dead serious.
And then she smiled like a bird . She was happy once again. A carefree happy smile.
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