Vishnu met the rest of bala's family. His son was in Hyderabad studying for 10th standard. Staying at his brother's house. Bala was considering homeschooling Shivani for the time being. He and his wife were considering sending her to Hyderabad too. But shivani would protest and will be sad. His wife was very kind, gentle and warm. She was a very great cook. She fed Vishnu till he felt full. The food was mind-blowing. He then went to sleep at his room. He sat on the bed and picked up his wallet. He opened it and saw the photo of him and aishwarya. He smiled and said "just wait for me okay. I won't abandon you. You do the same by being alive". He met aishwarya when they were in 10th grade. St Patrick's high school. Hyderabad.Jun 3rd 2011. A girl had just transferred to his school. He was talking to his classmate about the new movie he watched. Hangover part 2. He was laughing his ass off then the class teacher Saritha came in.
Mrs Saritha:"Everyone. We have a new student joining us. Aishwarya Shivadas. Come in".
Then she entered. Feet with anklets tied outside the socks. Jingling. Long pant legs. A bracelet on her right hand. A Casio youth series F-91W watch on her left. No lipstick. Lipbalm. Her eyes lined with kajal. Waistcoat on top of her shirt. She looked like those iron lady CEOs you see in those movies despite the fact that it was a school uniform. Beautiful, intelligent and confident.
Mrs Saritha: "Introduce yourself Aishwarya"
Aishwarya cleared her throat and said "Hi everyone. My name is aishwarya. Aishwarya Shivadas. My mother is a doctor working in GHC hospital. Surgeon. My father is a bank manager".
Then she looked a little uncomfortable but said "My ... Parents are divorced". Everyone was surprised. The girls started whispering. The boys just looked at each other then back at her. Vishnu just looked at her and went back to talking with his friend about the rest of the movie without sparing her a glance. But at the corner of his eye he saw her staring and smiling at him. The teacher told her sit on the second bench opposite to him. She just kept staring at me the whole period. Then it was the Interval. The bell rang. He got up with his friend and was about to head to the toilet when she suddenly called him and asked his name.
Aishwarya: "what's your name"
Vishnu: "Vishnu Rajshekhar"
She held out her hand to him.
Aishwarya:"I'm aishwarya".
He shook it firmly.
That was the first interaction they had.
Then one day during an exam. He hadn't studied properly. So he brought noteslips hidden under the label tag of his shirt. He pretended like he was feeling a scratch on his back and took it but the invigilator had come inside the classroom right then. He hid it back. But the invigilator felt suspicious. He asked what is it. Vishnu pretended to be confused but the teacher didn't let it go.
Invigilator:"Don't you dare pretend like you don't know anything! It won't work on me!"
Vishnu:"Sir!? I don't know what you're talking about?"
Invigilator:"Then why do your hands look like it's hiding something"
Vishnu:"Sir there's absolutely nothing"
Vishnu shows his hands. The invigilator then checks Vishnu's shirt and then looked at the tag. There was nothing else written on aside from the name of the tailor shop and size. But the invigilator wasn't having it. He told Vishnu "go to the principal's office. You won't write the exam. Tell me your parents Phone numbers"
Vishnu acted like he was shocked and said "Sir why. What did I do. I didn't cheat?!"
The invigilator:"You don't need to pretend like you don't know anything. Just go to the principal's office".
Vishnu:"Sir I really didn't do anything. Ask them".
Vishnu pointed to the other students
Aishwarya was the one sitting next to his desk. So the invigilator asked "Did you see him do anything suspicious"
Aishwarya was confused about whether she should help him or tell the truth. She looked at Vishnu who mouthed the words "please don't tell him". She then took a deep breath and said "I don't know sir. I haven't seen anything". The invigilator then clicked his tongue and said "come on. you must have seen something". Aishwarya just shook her head no. The invigilator then asked "you're not lying to help him out. Are you?". Aishwarya: "No Sir. I'm not. I really haven't seen anything"
The invigilator then looked at the rest of the students and asked "anyone else?! Who have seen this boy cheat?!"
No one raised their hands or stood up. The invigilator then turned to Vishnu and said in a low voice "last chance. If I see you doing something like that again. Then forget about writing the board exam. we will expel you."
The invigilator then went to his seat.
Vishnu then had to memorize what he can and only answered 12 questions out of 24. After the exam. He went to aishwarya
Vishnu:"Aishwarya."
She turned to look at him with an angry expression.
Aishwarya:"What do you want."
Vishnu:"Thanks."
Aishwarya pointed her finger at him angrily and said "yeah. You owe more than just a thanks for saving your ass."
Vishnu gave an embarrassed smile and said "Fine. Fine. I'm free on Saturday. My treat. How about that."
Aishwarya smirked and said "Okay. Where are we going. Where should we meet."
Vishnu:"The Inorbit Mall. We'll meet at west maredapally bus stop".
Aishwarya smiled and said "Okay. So it's like a date ?"
Vishnu smiled and said "Maybe. Maybe not."
He then left. She watched him as he got out of the school gate.