Aziza

The rain was intense, falling all around when he grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer towards him, he cupped my cheeks and whispered something into my ear... he said ting ting ting (that's my alarm). The moment broke and I woke up from the dream that's never coming true.

I checked the time it was 6.30 am, "bas 5 minute aur" I told the ghosts in my room.

After the alarm when off again, I stirred awake sitting on the bed with a blanked wrapped around me thinking of nothing. Suddenly a sense of nervousness washed over me as I remembered that today was the day I had been waiting for- the first day of my college.

I tip toed across the hall careful not to wake up my brother, Rohan, who was likely still sleeping, kumbhkaran khi ka,

He was in the second year of his law school at the same college I was starting today, I was relived to have a familiar face around but hai toh mera bhai kutta hi.

The cool splashes of water help me shake off the remnants of sleep. When my eyes fell on the mirror displaying my reflection,

"tumhe ite sundar lagne ka koi hak nhi banta" I dramatically murmured knowing damn well I look like I escaped from the mental asylum.

I got dressed wearing a pink kurti with my favorite blue jeans and jhumkas, papa called for me and Rohan just as I was tying my hair into a ponytail.

I saw Rohan take his bag and walk downstairs,

"yeh merese pehle kaise tayar hogya??? Abhi toh sooraa tha". I thought.

Then I took my bag and rushed downstairs. Papa was all excited and ready to drop me and Rohan off to college. Mom had left us years ago but I still wish to see her standing at the door biding me goodbye for the big day.

"Jaldi kr naa chudail, kita tyar hogi" Rohan shouted.

"Aaj ye kutta pitega" I murmured to myself

I stand in front of him 'ye ita lamba kyu h??' I thought.

"kya bolra tha u haan? Papa ko bulau??" I warned him

"are bas bas aaj bhi ladre ho, kabhi nhi sudhroge,chalo jaldi" papa said interrupting the banter

***

I stand outside the campus sun shining bright over my head lost in the nervousness of my first day when rohan playfully pushes me from behind

"chal na ya yahi padegi? Oh sorry tu toh padhti hi nai h hahaha"

I hit him on the head and he starts running "oyee ruk tujhe toh batati hu mai!"

I search for the class I'm supposed to go to when I run into a girl as confused as me

"oh I'm really sorry!"

"Its fine, I sorry too just a little confused on where to go" she said

Her voice was sweet and a warm smile planted on her face. Her hair fell perfectly on the shoulders while the rest flowing down her back in layers.

"I'm Naina", she said

"Aziza", I said as we shook hands

Introducing each other we realized we are looking for the same class and are friendless.

Class got over and we attended the next one together as well then it was time for lunch

"bhai esse lgra h ki khumbh ke mele me bichre hue bhene hai, ite similar h hum" I joked

"hainaaa! Sach mein"

We continued talking when a 2 girls walked in the canteen

"are ye tsk tsk dekho kon agya sara mood khrab" Naina exclaimed

While I just sighed looking at the drama

"bhai yr aadhya mere sir me ita dard hora haina yrr" shruti shouted and removed her hair tie letting her hair fall free

"what shurti kaise hogya?" a boy asked full of concern

"are voh mera hair tie heheeheh" she said

"ye toh mr 'I don't like talking to grils' nhi h ??" Naina said in a mocking tone hinting to the incident that happened earlier today, when we asked him for a pencil and he replied with "I don't like talking to girls"

"haw matlab shurti ladki nai h??? what??" I said, my tone playful

Just then Rohan entered with his friend

His hair were black and wavy falling perfectly over his forehead, his movements, soft and smooth as he caressed them. His eyes were a delicate shade of brown that turned into a honey-like colour as they sparkled under the sun rays. A serious expression was painted on his face as he read through the book in his hand.

"are are bhai ye dekh yahi voh ladka h jisne mere sare papers gira diye the subh, sorry tak nhi bola. Yahi aa rha h smjhta kya h" Nania said pointing at Rohan

"or bhai tune dost bana liye?" Rohan asked but then his eyes fell on Naina "haye haye yahi mili thi dost banne ke liye? Subh subh hi cheekhri thi"

"oh hello tumhari galti thi theek h" Naina said.

"meri kya gal-" Rohan began but I cut them off

"kya? pagal ho kya ladre ho and Rohan bhai har kissi se ladhta rehta h kya glt kra bichari ne"

"wahh ek din me bani hui dost ke liye khoon ka rishta bhul gyi? Yhai pyar tha bas? Es din ke liye maine ite sacrifices kre the taki tujhe kissi ladki ke liye apne bhai ko bhul jaye?" Rohan said in a dramatic tone wiping off a non-existent tear.

We all burst into giggles when Ayaan came beside Rohan

"Aziza ye mera bhai h, Ayaan" Naina said as he introduced me to Ayaan,

"Aziza", I said lost in his eyes

" kya hua bhai konse sapne dekhri h? heheh" Naina asked

"chle? Lunch break khtm hogya." Naina asked while shooting death stares at Rohan

"tumhe toh baad me dekhugi" she whispered to him

"han haan dekh lena mai hu hi ita sundar naazar hi nai hat ti" he said in a mocking tone

"ughhh tum na, mai bta rhi hu jaante nai ho mujhe" said Naina

"acha? Jaana bhi nhi h ma'am" Rohan said rolling his eyes

While Ayaan and I tried to stifle our giggles

"bas bas chal Naina chal" I said similing

***