A girl is running through corridor for her already late-class, lungs needed oxygen but ignoring everything she is running, book held close to chest, huffing badly, she took a turn and finally!
Huffing badly, she grab her knees for support, in the class the lecture has been started, professor notice her but ignoring her he continue his class like it's the matter of always.
Composing her posture she knock on door, 'sir, can i come in?' she ask in low tone, hoping to professor be a little kind to her this time.
'No' here professor's cold reply come, unbother to give a glance at her, he turn to continue his class.
'Sir please. It will not happen next time' she request with pleading eyes.
'And can you tell me that how many times you gonna give me the same excuse, Miss Smriti Mehra?' professor turn to face her with done face.
She bite her lips in embarrassment, infront of whole class professor continue his scolding session, from all of this, one of girl in the class watching everything with concern.
After finishing the left over lecture which she missed cause of late coming, professor sigh, 'now come in! Stupid' saying that professor turn, she come inside and walk to her seat with sluggish steps, she sit beside her bestfriend, myra.
Opening her book she hear whisper from beside, 'you ok?' myra ask, she nod with a fake smile.
The professor switch onn the projector but suddenly a picture appear on the screen.
'Ohh, from where comes back?' professor whisper in air which audible cause of the mic he is wearing.
A picture of a soldier,a good looking one.
'Sir, who is he?' one of female student ask with excitement.
'Yes sir, tell us, pleaseee' another one ask.
But smriti got lost, in the picture in the man.
She feel a strange pang in her hear, strange emotion, a pull towards him, a strange sadness capture her.
Her eyes became teary, her breath come out shaky, she touch her eyes just to feel warm liquid, she got confuse why she suddenly start to cry.
She look here and there to confirm if anyone sees her crying or not while wiping away her tears.
'Uhhh, ok ok. This picture is of a soldier from 1989. He was a great soldier who died in a war. Some terrorist attack on their base secretly, and he died to save our country....' professor continue to tell details about the war but smriti is lost in the man.
After that professor go on with lecture and after 30 minutes the class finish.
Everyone start to pack their stuffs to departure towards another class, including Smriti and myra.
But myra notice her upset mind, she zone out while packing her stuffs.
Myra pat her shoulder, she come out from her another world and look beside at her bestfriend.
'What happen? You look ill?' she asked with worried tone.
Smriti shake her head with smile, 'you are overthinking' she stated.
'Don't lie, atleast from me. Again those dreams?' she asked with concern.
Smriti sigh and sit on her seat.
'They look so vivid. Seems so real, like i am living in the dream and that's the only place i feel happy, the loneliness, the emptiness vanished for those couple of times' she said her heart out.
Myra sigh, 'but they are not real. That was just you imagination but not real. You can't live in the imagination, you have to live in real which is true' she try to convince her.
She shake her head while putting on table, unable to understand her situation.
'You should make a boyfriend' myra said all of a sudden.
Smriti raise her head and look at her bestfriend with done face.
At this moment she is joking with me.
She thought with done face.
'What? I am serious' myra said with obvious face.
'No. Not intrested' smriti said while getting up.
She walk out of room, myra do that too following her behind.
'Hey! You do not have to jump into relationship directly. Atleast try' myra try to convince her.
But without responding her she walk to her locker, opening her locker.
'Ok. You don't have to do anything but atleast come with me tonight?' Myra ask.
Smriti look at her with raised brow, 'sharp 8 pm tonight. No questions, pleaseeee' myra whine like a child, smriti sigh in defeat, 'ok fine. I will ask my parents about it' she said and took her books for next class.
With that they departure to their next class.
This class to that class and finally the lunch time arrive.
They are in cafeteria, finding a empty seat, helding food tray in their hands, they see a empty table, and walk to the empty table and reserve it.
The whole cafeteria is filled with students, chattering, whisper and conversation, every students are enjoying their lunch with their partner or friends.
'Here, take it' Myra give a smriti her own egg.
'But, it's yours' smriti ask.
'But you love it, so have it ' she said with warm smile.
Smriti smile and pick up her spoon.
With that they continue with their food, laughing, chitchating, and gossips.
After that they again proceed towards their classes.
••••••♠•••••••
Both bestfriends are walking beside eachother, their shadows are with them behind on ground.
The evening summer warm wind touch them, the sky is decorated with orange and red.
'Its final right? You are coming tonight's Myra ask again.
'I told you let me ask my parents' Smriti said.
'What you gonna do after graduation?' Smriti ask her.
'Umm, i has not think about it now' she said.
'And you?' Myra ask her the same question.
She smile softly, 'I want to become a interior designer' she stated, looking on the ground, she kick a tiny stone playfully.
'Nice'Myra compliment her, 'you will be a best interior designer one day, just don't give up' she encouraged smriti.
'Yeah, thank you' smriti said.
'Ok bye' Myra said waving her hand, 'Bye!' smriti said and wave her hand, with that they both parted their paths.
Smriti stop infront of wooden door and press the bell, after some minutes the door open, revealing a women in her late 40s, standing with a sweet smile, wearing a pink apron.
'Come smriti' her mother said, giving her space to let in.
'Where is dad ?' she asked while coming in.
'He is living room' said while walking towards kitchen.
Smriti walk towards living room and see her father is working in laptop.
She run to him and hug him from beside while sitting next to him.
'How was your day, sweety?' her father ask, gripping her arms softly.
'As actual, boring lectures but fun day with my bestie' she said and back away from hug.
'Great, now go and freshen up' her father said and she nod then get up.
Entering inside her room her smile disappear like it's never existed.
Putting the bag on study table she walking to her bed, throwing herself on bed, laying down by her stomach , she bury her face in pillow.
After sometime she start to sob, her body shaking through her obnoxious weeping, she roll on bed laying by her back, she cover her face by one arm, pillow got wet by her tears.
Tears flowing profusely.
Don't know why this sadness never leave me? A heavy stone is pressing my heart for years which i can't lift anymore. Why? Why? Why?
She get up, still sobbing obnoxiously, she stand up on her feets and walk towards bathroom.
She open the tap of shower and let the warm water fell on her, taking out her tiredness.
After that she put on her comfortable clothes and come out from bathroom then walk out of room.
Walking down from stairs she see her parents,taking with eachother sitting on couch.
She walk near them, they look up at her and smile.
Her mother pat on sofa between them to sit, she did as her mother said.
'Mom, dad, can i go out tonight with myra? Please' she request with pleading eyes, hoping they could say yes.
Both look at eachother and then back at her, she is looking both of their face with innocents eyes, they nod indicating yes.
She smile and hug them.
'Thank you, i love you guys' she said with smile on face.
It's 7:30.
She got ready wearing a black blouse and over it a georget and silk clothe coat, and leather jeans, with open hairs.
With that after giving herself a finall check in mirror, she turn and went out of room.
Walking down from stairs, her eyes fall on her parents, who is waiting for her, sitting on couch.
She walk near them, they look up at her.
'I am leaving then?' she asked.
'Take care. Don't be late' he mother said with smile.
'Bye beta' her father said, waving his hand.
She wave her hand at them and walk out of house.