We somehow passed First semester. For first semester college gave us books so there weren't any need for us to go to library. So now and then I used to take 2 or 3 books for better understanding.

When we entered second semester college didn't give us any text books. So only option was to refer lecturer's notes or get books from library or buy books ourselves. I preferred the first two methods.

"Renu, let's go to library and get some books for this semester."

"Lecturer's notes itself is enough. Why to get books from library?" She asked.

"Fine I will come, but only to get story books." I rolled my eyes and we both went to library.

"Aaru, do you know where is the Stories section?"

"Last row, on the left side."

"Memorized that also? When did you go to stories section?"

"Nah, I was searching for computer science section. So I came to know that section as it was near to that."

She rolled her eyes and left for stories section.

I took books for all the subjects, except for basic biotechnology. With 6 books in hand I was walking towards Biotech section. When I entered the aisle for biotech, I froze on seeing senior.

Adi was searching for books!

Uh-huh wrong time!

Every time I see him, I am embarrassing myself and becoming a laughing stock to him.

Shall I skip this section? Huh! I can't, biotech books are for what I came here!

I took a deep breath, I am not going embarrass myself, let's take the book and escape. He won't even notice me.

Casually I walked in the aisle and stood next to biochemistry shelf. This semester I need a basic biotechnology book.

As I was searching for biotechnology book, I caught hold of biotechnology book by S.Chand.

Wow! My favorite publication!

From 8th standard I refer S.Chand's book as guide for all subjects. Remembering those days brought happy tears in my eyes. I brushed them off and was about to take the book. But then I heard a voice.

"Take biotechnology by Sathyanarayana. It covers all the basics and our teachers also suggest that only, it is very rare to find that book here. All students even fourth years take it."

I turned around to find that Adi, suggesting me a book. Then he took the book from top shelves and gave me.

"Umm thanks senior." I grinned at him. Who doesn't like book recommendation? That too from seniors!

Then he took a book based on microbiology and left.

I looked back at my favorite book; I couldn't leave that S.Chand book. Having extra knowledge on a subject is not a sin right? So I took that book also.

"Aaru? You done? Whoa why are you carrying these many books?"

"For this semester." I grinned.

"Whatever!" she rolled her eyes.

"See I got two books. First part of Ponniyin selvan and The Immortals of Meluha." She showed me her books.

Then we both left for the circulation desk. As seconds progress my hand became very tiring because of all the heavy books. I was glad that circulation desk wasn't that crowded, just two students were waiting among which last one was senior. I stood behind Adi and placed my books on the table. Adi looked back and smiled at me.

Then he looked at the pile of books I placed on the table and frowned on looking at it.

The next words he uttered threw my off-guard.

"Only 6 books are allowed." He whispered.

"Huh?" I looked back at my book trying to re-count it. They were 8 books.

Why can't they give some more extra books? Since this was first year I took less, how am I going to manage next years?

"What happened Aaru? Any problem?" Renu asked.

I looked at her and then at her books.

All my worries vanished at the thought of my friend. 'A friend in need is a friend indeed.'

I grinned at her.

"When you are there, there is no problem Renu," saying that I placed two books above hers and explained about the restrictions.

"Kedi" I thought Renu said it, but she didn't.

I turned back to find Adi looking amused.

He shook his head and moved forward and gave books to the librarian for checking them out.

He gave his ID card and librarian scanned it. I saw his profile and from which I came to know that his name is Adithya. He has already taken four books and now he is taking 2 books.

While leaving, Adithya gave me a lopsided grin for which my cheeks flushed, another time I am embarrassing myself in front of him!

"I have never taken a subject book in my life. Because of you I am taking it. You owe me. Remember that," she sighed.

******************

After finishing first year, we were asked to switch to our department buildings. There we had formal introduction by our professors and gave us tour to each lab.

Soon second curriculum started.

So far, I guess I like microbiology subject and practical. And there was this lab called Immunology lab, which brought nightmares during lab hours. Both the lab classes were taken in microbiology lab where I used to see Adithya now and then. Maybe he is doing project in Microbiology.

"Today we are going to learn how to find our blood group," Sakthi ma'am informed us. She is our immunology professor. We have both theory and practical for this semester.

Why the hell are they interested to know our blood group? Why can't they teach us how to inject medicines into rats?

"Here we have a kit which contain Anti-A, Anti-B and Anti-D bottles. You need to place three drops of your blood on the glass slide. Then you need take drops from each bottle and mix it with each drop of blood.

"Already you have read in the theory that A blood group people will have A-Antigen and B-Antibody and B blood group people have B-Antigen and A-Antibody.

So when you mix Antibody-A to A-type blood, then antibody will start to degenerate the A-Antigen and starts to coagulate. By this way we can know what the blood group of a person is. Now we will see it practically" Sakthi ma'am explained.

We know this theoretically right? Then what are they trying to prove? Won't I believe their theory?

"Now pick up your slides and lancet." Then she started to explain the safety measures to be done.

"Adarsh" I whispered to my lab partner to which he tilted his head asking 'what'.

"What is your blood group?"

"A positive" his reply made me sigh in relief.

"Can you give me three drops of blood please?" I gave my best puppy dog expression.

When he tried to refuse, "Please, I am so scared of needles. I will get you chocolates?" I bribed him to which he grinned and agreed to give my his blood for experiment.

Finally after doing the experiment we showed our slides to Sakthi ma'am and she approved it.

"So what do you conclude by this experiment?"

"That we are no were going to test rats and we are forever stuck up with this blood testing." I muttered.

Adarsh snickered.

"What's going on?" Sakthi ma'am asked looking at us.

I glared at Adarsh, and said "Umm, I said that, since B blood group people have B-Antibody which could degenerate A antigen, B blood group cannot donate blood to A blood group people. And O blood group people don't have Anti-A and Anti-B, so they can donate to any blood group thus making them universal donor."

"Good Aaradhana. In upcoming labs we will be performing more labs works related to blood," saying that she dispersed the class

How the hell am I going to manage rest of the immunology lab? Why did I pick up biotechnology among all the courses? Why Aaru, why?

************************

I know it is very short chapter. I planned another scene to be added here. While reviewing the chapter I removed that part. I felt it was too much into biotech subject even though it is important for upcoming chapter. I later decided to explain it there rather than here. So this chapter is very short compared to previous chapters. Next chapter will be soon, where they will be actual conversation between Aaru and Adi.

Moreover I thought of adding next chapter scene here, then it would have make this very long chapter and can't break it in between also, as it portrays the progress in their relationship. (Promising you next chapter will be much much better)

So consider this as filler chapter (filler chapter for short story? * scratches my head*). Next chapter will be very soon and very long. A compensation for making this chapter boring and short.

Regarding the scene which I wanted to include in this chapter was identification of bacteria, a lab experiment.

Watch the below video. It is just 2 minute video. Main part starts after 51 seconds. You can skip to that part.

There were many reasons to include that part in the story, one of that is for the current scenario. You all know about Coronavirus that is locking us indoors. I just wanted to explain how microorganisms stay in our hands if we don't wash our hands properly. Hope you saw the video. In that the person would have placed a hand (2:16) on agar plate and would have incubated for bacterial growth. Yes those many microorganisms are present in our hands. Everywhere microorganisms are present. We can't control it.

But one thing we can do, wash your hands before eating or touching your face. Stay hygiene. Do your duty; automatically the spread will be reduced.

Too much of lecture? Whoops, I know, but the count is scaring me. So beware, and stay safe.

Last thing, regarding the library incident, *clears throat* well I did that. I don't remember how many books we can take maybe up to 6 or 7. So I used to take my friend and get books from her ID also. And the same friend introduced me to Ponniyin Selvan and Shiva trilogy stories, which are now my all-time favorite books – so added those two books in the chapter. 

Last but not least happy birthday Mohana. I thought of skipping this chapter. But no other drafts are available. So kindly excuse this filler chapter. I promise you next one will be better.