Sandhya Pov

I returned from the washroom to the main party area. The crowd has thickened by now and most of the students have already arrived.

I swung my head in search of any familiar faces from left to right.

"Bhoo!", Someone shouted from behind closer to my ear.

I jerked up scaredly and kept my palms over my heart. Oh God!

I turn around and found Riddhi laughing her gut out while clutching her belly.

"That was not funny Riddhi my heart almost stopped beating.", I scolded her.

"Sorry....sorry Sandhya.", She apologized while trying hard to control her laughter.

I glared at her and turn around angrily. She came closer to me and scoped her arm around my shoulders.

"I am sorry.", She again apologized.

I glared at her angrily while she holds her ear with her free hand and pouted pleadingly.

I smiled and shook my head on her silly tactics.

"It's okay.", I said.

"Let's go. The party is already started.", She said excitedly and dragged me with her.

I noticed some seniors were performing a dance on the stage while Freshers were hooting and enjoying the show.

Riddhi keep on dragging me forward. I saw Pihu along with Sonia standing very close to the stage. Both of them were having fun and that to without me.

I guess Riddhi also saw them because now she is dragging me towards where both of them are.

"Adhya where were you?", Pihu enquired worriedly.

"Yes Twinny both of us were so worried for you.", Said Sonia.

"But what I saw from far it doesn't look like you both were worried. I guess it's called enjoying.", I said sarcastically.

"Hawww! You are doubting on us? We were genuinely worried because of the gossip...", Pihu was trying to say something but Sonia hits on her stomach by using her elbow and Pihu stopped abruptly.

"What gossip?", I enquired.

"Ummmm! Nothing Twinny. Nowadays she is dreaming about Saurya Bhaiya a lot. Right Pihu?", Sonia said and glared at Pihu.

"Oh yes, yes, I miss him so much.", Pihu said sadly.

Something is definitely wrong. Both of them are trying to hide something from me. Pihu said the word 'gossip' so, Is there any gossip going on about me? Well it's normal for me. I am habitual of people gossiping about me.

I turn my head towards the stage and found that the dance performance is ended. A boy and a girl along with Akash hopped up on the stage. Akash grabbed a mic from the side table and said,

"Helloooo juniors"

The crowd said hello in unison.

"I welcome you all to the new journey of your life 'The college Life' and I can assure you that this entire journey is going to be wonderful.
Mark my words juniors. 'The college days are those days where a person makes the best memories of their life'. And this Fresher's Party is going to be the best part of it.
So, live and cherish each and every moment of it.", Akash said.

After the little bit of talking Akash passed the mic to the boy and came down of the stage. I guess the boy and girl are the hosts of today's party. Both of them looks like they are professional anchors.

The anchors announced and informed that first of all we are going to play some games which have been organised by our seniors for fun.

"The first game is Solve me if you Can.", Said the lady anchor.

"We will ask some riddles and whoever knows the answer will have to raise their hands and the one who will raise their hand first will get the chance to answer." They explained the rules.

They asked in total of fifteen riddles. That game was really fun and mind eating game. Sadly, I was unable to solve any of those riddles.

"The second game is Seniors vs Juniors.

As the name clearly says juniors have to compete with their seniors. Both seniors and juniors have to inflate balloons as much as they can in two minutes. The team who will inflate the maximum number of balloons will win.", The anchors explained.

Now all the seniors are gathered at one side of the campus while we juniors are on the other side and looking at each others challengingly.

"3...2...1 Go", The anchors announced.

I picked up a balloon and started filling it with my carbon dioxide. Inflating the balloon part was cool and easy but tying the knot part was really tough and not at all easy. Still somehow I manage to inflate two balloons in two minutes.

Now it's time for the results. Akash started counting the balloons inflated by us juniors and Satvik started counting the balloons inflated by the seniors.

Any guesses guys who won? Yes, you are right. We won. Yeah!💃

"The Third game is Let's have some chit chat.

This game is specifically designed for the Freshers helping them to come out of our shells.

Each Freshers will be called on the stage and have to pick up a chit. There is a particular task written on each chit. You simply have to do that task." The anchors announced.

One by one they called the names of fresher's and everyone tried to do their best.

Well this game is really fun to watch others perform but I am scared for myself. I don't know what will be the task that I am going to get.

"Sonia Singh" The host announced.

I turn my head towards my twin sister. She happily climbed up the stage there is no tint of stress on her face. She picked up one chit confidently and gave it to the boy. He opened the chit and said,

"Dancing"

"Any song preference Sonia?", Enquired the lady anchor.

"Song 'Radha' from the film 'Student of The Year' ", said Sonia while the crowd started hooting in excitement.

The song started playing and Sonia flaunt her best dance moves. I must say she is a great dancer.

Similarly many more students were called on the stage and finally the host announced the name which was haunting me all the time.

"Sandhya Mittal"

Unlike my twin sister I nervously went on the stage the boy forwarded the bowl of chits towards my direction. With my shivering hands I picked up a chit and gave it to him.

He started opening my chit while I crossed my fingers🤞 and silently prayed to God for some easy task.

"Interesting! You will have to propose someone among the seniors.", He said and I looked at him with my wide eyes shockingly.

"So, Who is going to be the lucky man?", The lady anchor enquired.

Oh God! Why me? I screamed inwardly.

I nervously moved my eyeballs in search of someone whom I can propose and my eyes halted on him. He is looking at me hopefully. Hopefully? But why?

I turn my head and found a bunch of red roses kept on the side table. I walked towards them and picked up one rose. I took the mic and came down from the stage.

To create some suspense I started walking slowly from left to right. Now most of the senior boys are looking at me hopefully.

I move towards Akash. I noticed his lips curled up slightly and he started smiling. I guess I am going to fulfill his hope.

I thought to kneeled down on my knees but my dress is not appropriate for such stunt. So, I forwarded my right hand with rose towards him. I lowered my head shyly and finally said those three magical words,

"I love you Akash."

I had never thought I will be expressing my love this way. For others it's just a game but for me it's my true feelings.

I kept on adoring my heels and waited for him to accept the rose but when nothing like that happened I slightly lifted my head.

I found him looking at me astonishingly. I blushed after looking at his facial expression and again lowered down my head. But why he is not taking the rose?

I saw a pair of feet coming closer to me and I know it's him. Why he is coming closer? He simply have to accept the rose and my task will be over.

"Say it once again.", He said and lifted my chin up.

Now he is looking into my eyes deeply as if he is trying to search something on them.

I once again recollected my courage and said while looking directly into his eyes,

"I love you Akash"

His lips curled into wide U. Suddenly He bend his head up to my level and pecked on my left cheek and wishpered on my ear,

"I love you too"

My eyes turned wide because of his actions while everyone started hooting loudly.

He stood straight and winked at me. I blushed deeply my cheeks felt warm because of blushing too much.

I turn around to hide my red cheeks from him. My palm automatically made its way to my cheek where Akash had kissed few seconds before.

Oh God! That was our first kiss. I realised.

I handed the mic back to the anchors and came back to where my friends are.

After that incident I am unable to focus on the party anymore my mind kept on thinking about Akash.

Why did he kiss me? Why he replied back to me? Did he really meant it?

All such questions were continuously running on my head.

After all the games we Freshers have to do the ramp walk and those who are willing to win the title of Mr Fresher and Miss Fresher can showcase their talents while doing their ramp walk.

First we girls lined up and started walking like models. For talent show some girls showed their dance moves, some sing a song, some read a poem, etc.

Me and Pihu didn't do anything special because we are not keen to win that title. Sonia walked elegantly and as her talent show she danced along with singing a song.

Similarly boys also did the ramp walk.

Four professors were appointed as judges they observed everyone and finally write the name of winners on a piece of paper and kept it inside the envelope. They handed the envelope to none other than else but the head boy of the college who is Akash.

Akash hopped up on the stage with that envelope and opened it. He looked at everyone but his eyes stopped when they reached me.

Am I the winner? Not possible. But the way Akash is looking at me it seems like it's my name which is being written on that envelope.

"The title of Miss Fresher goes to...", Akash said while creating the suspense.

Sonia grabbed my hand and closed her eyes tightly.

"Any guesses guys?", Akash enquired.

Me, Pihu and Riddhi started shouting,

"Sonia Sonia Sonia"

"This year Miss Fresher is Sonia Singh.", Akash announced.

Sonia jumped in happiness and hugged me tightly.

"Yeah I won.", She squealed happily.

"Yes now go and wear your crown.", I said.

She went up to the stage. Last year's Miss Fresher winner made her wear the crown. Sonia is looking like a real princess with that crown on her head.

After that Satvik was declared as Mr Fresher and then I got to know that last year Akash was Mr Fresher.

Me, Pihu and Sonia came out of the college. I called Suraj Bhaiya our driver to bring the car.

"Congratulations Sonia", I heard the same voice who has created havoc on my mind and heart.

I don't have the courage to even look at him. I want to know what's going on his mind. I want to ask him a lot of things but it's not the right time.

"Thank you", Sonia replied happily.

"You guys going back home?", Enquired Satvik.

"Hmmm", We responded.

I saw our car coming towards our direction.

"Let's go girls.", I said.

I started moving forward but someone grabbed my wrist. I turn around and find out that it's Akash.

"Where are you going girlfriend without even giving your boyfriend a goodbye kiss.", He said.

I looked at him with wide eyes shockingly. Suddenly he started laughing loudly.

"Oh God! Look at your face. It seems like you have seen some ghost." He said.

I stood there looking at him with blank expression. So, whatever happened today was just fun for him?

I came out of my trance and smiled forcefully. I freed up my wrist from his grasp and sat down on the car's passenger seat.

After few seconds Pihu and Sonia too joined me and settled down on the back seat of the car. I gestured Suraj Bhaiya to move forward.

I kept on looking outside the window. My vision got blurred and soon few drops of tears rolled down my cheeks.

Everything was just a joke for him nothing else.

Cool wind dries up my tears but the stains were still there on my cheeks and on my broken heart.

Everything was just a joke for him nothing else.

My brain kept on repeating the same sentence again and again to remind my heart and most precisely to make myself understand that I am falling in a wrong trap.

I saw an old man trying to fix the puncture of his car. I can clearly see that he is struggling while doing it.

"Suraj Bhaiya stop the car.", I said to the driver.

"What happened Mam?", He enquired.

"Bhaiya can you please help that Uncle ji to fix the puncture?", I requested him while pointing towards that uncle.

Suraj Bhaiya followed my line of vision to have a look and nodded his head in approval. He unbuckled his seat belt and get out of the car.

Suraj Bhaiya said something to that uncle and pointed his forefinger towards our car. I noticed that uncle nodded his head understandingly and Suraj Bhaiya indulge himself in fixing the punctured tyre.

I turn around and found Pihu and Sonia sleeping peacefully while hugging eachother like loving couples. I chuckled after looking at their funny way of sleeping.

A devil plan took birth inside my mind. I turned on the camera of my cellphone and clicked their pictures. My weapon to tease them in future.

Without disturbing the sleep of sleeping beauties I slowly opened the door and came out of the car.

I send their pictures on the Whatsapp group 'Junglees' which was created by Pihu for sharing the pictures of Riya Mami's success party.

Someone tapped on my shoulder I turn around and saw that it's the same uncle whose car Suraj Bhaiya is fixing. I smiled.

"Thank you beta.", He said.

"No need to say thanks uncle.", I assured him.

He didn't say anything just kept on looking at me with unreadable emotions. Suddenly a drop of tear fall from his eyes.

"What happened uncle? Why are you crying?", I enquired worriedly.

"Nothing you remind me of someone close to me.", He said while wiping his tears.

"May I know whom?", I said hesitantly.

I don't know why I asked that question. It feels like something pushed me to ask him.

"It's my daughter Priyanka.", He answered sadly.

Priyanka? I have heard this name before but Where? Wait! It's the name of my biological mother.

"Where is she now?", I asked curiously.

"I don't know.", He said sadly.

"What do you mean by you don't know? She is your daughter. Right? Then how you don't know where is she?", I enquired.

"I lost her because of my foolishness.", He said painfully.

"Lost her?", I said while raising my eyebrows questioningly.

"She was kidnapped by my money lender because I was unable to pay his loan amount on time.", He informed me.

"May I know the name of your money lender?", I enquired with heavy heart.

"Ranga", He said.

The moment I heard that name I stumbled on my feet. Indeed the world is round. No matter how much you try to run away from the past it's impact will always haunt you. It's in your own hands to choose wisely between 'Do you want the impact of past to harm your present and future?' or 'Will you tackle with them smartly?'

Right now I am facing the same situation. The man standing here Infront of me is none other than else but my grandfather, my own grandfather.

I don't know how to react? What to say? Should I inform him?

"Do you have her picture?", I enquired.

"Yes I always keep them with myself. It's in my car. Just a minute I will be back.", He said and rushed towards his car.

I stood their and kept on looking at the space. Why can't my life go smoothly?

"Here it is.", He said.

I got so emerged in my own thoughts that I didn't even realise when did he came back. I noticed that he is extending a picture pamphlet towards me.

I took it from him. There is a picture of a girl around my age. On the bottom of the pamphlet it's written LOST in capital letters with a ten digit phone number beside it. I caressed my fingers over her picture.

"She was so pretty.", I said proudly.

"Hmmm", He hummed.

"I am sorry Nanu (Mother's fathers).", I wishpered under my breathe.

I can't tell him anything right now. First I will have to confirm everything from Kareena Mom.

"Can I keep this?", I asked while gesturing at the pamphlet.

He nodded his head in approval.

"Mam the tyre is fixed.", Suraj Bhaiya informed us.

"Nice to meet you uncle.", I said and smiled.

"God bless you beta.", He said and kept his hand over my head.

I sat down on the passenger seat and kept looking at the photograph of her. The notification tone of my cellphone bring me back to the real world. I folded the paper nicely and kept it inside my purse.

I saw few text messages of 'Junglees' group.

Saurya Bhaiya:- Hawww! How dare you Sonia? Using my things is okay but using my girlfriend it's not at all okay. 😟

Satvik:- Awwww! Such a sweet couple. 😍

Dheer:- Poor Saurya Bhaiya! Your girlfriend is cheating on you with your own sister.

Luv:- 🤣🤣

Kush:- Hilarious! Good job Adhya Di. 👍😂😂

Raushan:- Oh God! My tummy. Guys have some mercy on my poor tummy. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Saurya Bhaiya:- 😡😡😡😡

Raushan:- 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Luv:- 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Kush:- 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Satvik:- 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Akash:- So cute. I also want same pic like this with my girlfriend. 😟

Me:- 😒😒😒😒

I locked the cellphone and kept it aside. I won't let him play with my feelings anymore. I have decided now I am going to avoid him as much as possible. Arrrr! Why did we end up in the same college? I could have avoided him so easily but how will I do that now?

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