3 Adamant
Part 3 Adamant
Four years ago
Arnav came home all exhausted. Raizadas were already gathered in the dining room.
"Chotte, get fresh and come for dinner"
Arnav nodded and went to his room. Without showing hurry, he took a bath, taking plenty of time. Then he came to the dining room. He gave five thousand to Mrs. Anjana Sudhakar. She looked at Sudhakar and took it from him.
"Thanks... but I don't like this, Chotte", she said.
Arnav smiled and sat at the dining table.
"You got a seat for the MBA. Still, why are you continuing the part-time job?" Sudhakar asked.
"What will I do, leaving the job?"
Sidhakar sighed.
"Did you pay your college fee?"
"Yeah, did..."
"You are too adamant to handle, Arnav", Sudhakar sighed.
Arnav looked at Dhruv, who was glaring at him. Without minding about his glare, Arnav ate silently.
"How won't he be adamant if someone insulted him? Will you do that?" NK asked.
Now, Dhruv's glare turned toward NK.
"Stop glaring at me. Idiot, because of you, Nannav is working part-time, while studying in college"
"Why are you unnecessarily pouncing on me? I just teased him..."
"Shut up... idiot..."
"Why are you fighting with me? Don't forget you are younger than I"
"But, your behaviour doesn't seem elder's"
"Nanne, don't argue while eating..." Sudhakar chided.
"Leave it, Nanne... he teased Arnav and he showed what he could do..." Dadi smirked at Dhruv.
NK and Dhruv became silent. Arnav closed his eyes as what Dhruv said echoed in his ears.
"You have no one. You have no choice but to be dependent on us. If my father doesn't pay you for your studies, you would become a mechanic or shopkeeper"
That was what made Arnav adamant. Arnav decided never to be dependent on ANYONE in his life. So, he searched for a part-time job and earned a living. He began to give money to Sanjana for eating in the RM. That increased his respect in Raizadas. He completed his graduation. Now, going to join his Master's. He had already earned enough money for his studies. Yet, he was not ready to leave his job.
After the dinner, Dhruv followed Sudhakar. He stopped and looked at Dhruv.
"What?"
"I need money"
"For?"
"For a trip... I'm going to Kulumanali with my friends..."
"Don't you know something called respect? You should get my permission to go on an outing before asking for money"
"Dad, I'm not a kid to get parents' permission for everything."
"Oh? If you are not a kid, why shouldn't you earn money for your studies and trip?"
"Why should I do that when you are alive? Am I an orphan or what?"
"You will feel bad about wasting your life, only after I die. You got admission to an MBA. The college is going to open in a few days. And you want to go on a trip?"
"Dad, before joining college, I want to relax from all the stress"
"Stress? You were on holiday for more than a month, roaming with your friends. Then, what's there to be stressed?"
"You can't understand, Dad. Give me money"
Sudhakar sighed and walked to his room.
"Why are you so rude towards him? Anjana asked.
"Didn't you see how he talked to me?"
"If you had given him money and avoided the argument, he would not have talked like that. Don't you know him?"
"So, WE should adjust him accordingly... what a theory!"
Anjana sighed.
"I just don't want any problem between you two"
Sudhakar lay on the bed, winding the conversation.
St Xavier's College
Arnav joined the MBA program at the same college where he had studied for his undergraduate degree. After college, he continued with his part-time job.
"Hi, ASR", Aman showed his fist.
"Hi..." Arnav dashed his fist with Aman's and asked,
"How were your holidays?"
"I was sent to my village. My Grandpa dragged me to the padi every day and broke my backbone in the name of field work."
"Is it?"
"It's not easy to be a farmer, ASR. How hard their work is! Huff... see, my skin tone turned two shades"
Arnav nodded, smiling.
Aman saw a NEW girl entering the campus. Aman nagged Arnav. He raised his brows.
"Look at the girl... it seems her complexion will not turn like me... see, how fair she is!"
Arnav looked in the direction and saw the girl who was walking with a smile. There was no hesitation on her face. She didn't look like she was new to the college. She stopped at them and looked at Aman,
"Excuse me, could you tell me where the MCA class is?"
"It's in the St Paul's wing"
"I'm sorry, I'm new to this college. Where is St Paul's Wing?"
"It's opposite to St. Mary's wing"
The girl looked at him.
"Go straight and St Paul's wing will be at your right side..." Arnav said.
"Thanks..."
"Welcome"
"By the way, I'm Khushi, " she extended her hand towards Arnav.
"Arnav", he shook hands with her.
"I'm Aman... Aman Mathur"
"Hi, Aman... Which department are you in?"
"MBA"
"Oh... I'm MCA... actually, I'm from Singapore. I knew no one here..."
"We are ready to be your friends", Aman said.
Arnav pulled her back and said,
"You will get many friends here"
"Hopefully... bye," she said, and walked straight.
Aman waited until she left.
"This is not done, ASR. She wanted our friendship. You spoiled it"
"We are not here to get friends but to study. Think about your father's hardship and study first"
Aman sighed.
"God... why did you trap me with this over-responsible guy?"
"You can regret being my friend. Now, let's go to our class" Arnav dragged him to their class.
.....
As Arnav said, Khushi got two friends on the first day itself. She was happy because her classmates accepted her as a friend. One of them was Lavanya, and the other was Preeto.
"Are you from Singapore?"
"Yes... When I was six years old, my father got a job there. Then, he started a company. Now, he wants to establish his business in India. So, we came back..."
"Are there no relatives in Singapore?"
"Of course, my cousin is there... she is our distant relative"
"So, will you go to Singapore again?"
"Of course, I will..."
The short break bell rang. Lavanya and Preeto brought her to the canteen. Khushi saw Arnav coming with Aman. She smiled at them. They crossed her reciprocating with her.
"Hey, how do you know them? You just joined the college today..."
"They were the ones who directed me to our class"
"Oh..."
"Aman talked cheesily, but Arnav looked rigid"
"He is like that. he won't entertain any girl."
"Is it? How do you know?"
"We completed our UG in this college only. We know him, but never talked to him"
"Disgusting... won't he talk to anyone?"
"No... a girl in our class proposed to him"
"Then? What did he say?"
"He made her sit and advised her to study. She ran away not only from him but from the college"
"My God...!"
"Yes..."
"I can't believe this"
"You will... in a few days..."
Khushi nodded thoughtfully. She liked Arnav because it would be safe to be friendly with him. He would not create unnecessary problems and would be at a distance. It would be a healthy relationship. She thought. But she didn't know that something opposite to it would happen.
To be continued...
Bạn đang đọc truyện trên: Truyen3h.Co