A phase of warmth

The bus reached Krishnagali, the stop from where the journey of her feet begun. She bent her arm and checked her watch which showed 2'O clock. It took 20 to 25 minutes to reach her home from college and vice-versa. The building where she lived was in the middle of the city whereas Mount College located in the lap of a small mountain surrounded by a variety of forestal trees.

The sun hid behind the clouds, making a little comfort to the people travelling in such a warm weather of July.

Immerged in thoughts, She even forgot that she had to buy cheese and bread for the other day, as making sandwiches for the breakfast was an easy option.

Why is this happening to me...

She kicked a garbage water bottle lying on the road, resulted in gaining the attention and stares of the people walking around. She also observed them but continued to be on her way.

From her childhood, she was a nerd. When she was ten years, she had developed interest in computer related stuff like hardware, programming, gaming. Years passed and she chose computer science as her career option.

She did her high school in her hometown, 'Lavender Hills' and ranked first in entire town, later, got scholarship and a chance to study in her dream college, Mount college which is also referred to as 'the college of dreams'.

Here appeared the main gate of the 'Sein Diza' building.

She was living here, with her family, in a small apartment from almost one and a half year. This apartment had been bought by her grandfather especially for Aster and her brother so they could study in a good college in 'Amber city'.

"Good evening, Mr. Rohan." She greeted the Watchman of the building who was reading a newspaper.

Mr. Rohan looked up, stared at her for a second and put down his eyes on the paper again. "Good evening." He rapidly said, while grasping the paper with force.

Aster smiled tiredly and went inside the building. Her apartment was on the third floor. She checked the elevator. It was empty so she stepped into it and pushed the 3 button with her forefinger.

There were some people outside Mr. Sharma, her neighbour's door discussing some matters regarding the electricity problem of the building. And seeing her coming made them stopped talking and glaring at her. Some' eyes were filled with loathing and some' with sympathy.

She thought of greeting them but stopped.

She unlocked the door and entered into her home. Her brown and white furry dog, Richie jumped at her and she held him back by placing her arms around his back and kissed him.

Dogs are stupid creatures. How could Richie even hug a girl with such a hideous face. Doesn't he feel repulsive like other people does.

"Richie, my baby, did you eat anything or were you waiting for me?" She asked in a loving tone.

Richie licked her hands and wagged his tail.

She placed him on his couch and, herself bumped on sofa. She leaned her head backwards to support her heavy-head, closed her eyes and dropped off to sleep.

It was a little after four when she woke up. She checked the time.

"Oh! It's almost four and a half. Richie must be starving." Her stomach groaned. "So I am."

She got up and went to kitchen, took out the leftover cooked-cauliflower of last night from refrigerator, put it in the microwave. She had already prepared rice in the morning. Now she only had to warm it.

The microwave stopped and she filled her plate with rice and vegetable and some salad. It's time for Richie to eat too, so she also brought dog food for Richie.

She placed Richie's food in front of his couch and he jumped from sofa in order to eat it.

Aster turned on the TV, sat on the sofa and began eating her food. On the TV, she was watching her favourite drama, 'The Emperor's choice'. She was enjoying two of her favorite things: food and drama.

It had been a terrible day for Aster, so a little warmth by Richie and enjoyment of her favourite drama brought a smile on her face. When she was smiling, her beautiful eyes were sparkling like stars. She was really exhausted so she went to sleep and Richie also fell asleep on the couch.

...............

The next day at college, Aster was sitting alone in her class. She was reading a programming book. She didn't have any friends whom she could talk to or sit with. So she always used to pass her free time in College by reading books.

"Looks like I am not late, the class is not started yet." said Roshni while entering the class.

Aster turned her head to look at Roshni but didn't say anything.

"Are you okay?" Roshni asked while putting her brown zig-zag designed bag on her bench. This time, her face was not poker instead she gave a warm smile by broadening her beautiful lips.

"Ya, I am fine but I am not in the mood to talk about that project and Nina. Please leave me alone." Aster replied in a cold voice and then she again started concentrating on her book.

"Umm, ok, I am leaving but you should understand..."

She couldn't complete her sentence because, out of the blue, some ear-splitting sounds started to come.

"What is that noise ?" asked Aster.

"Ummmm, I don't know."

"You are the CR yet you aren't aware of this." Aster taunted her and giggled.

"Being a CR doesn't mean I should have knowledge of all the matters." Roshni said while smiling.

"I am here from almost half an hour but you just came from outside. Didn't you see anything?"

"I was in the cabin of Miss Spacie, discussing with her some matters. And I thought I am late to class, so I rushed here without even noticing the outdoors."

"O-okay." Aster bent her head to read her book.

"Come with me to see what is happening outside. You are always engaged in studies. You should indulge yourself in other activities too." Roshni grabbed her hand.

"No, I don't want to. You should go."

"You are always like this. Come on lets go."

"Alright! Alright! Lets go then." She got up half-heartedly, just so Roshni would stop pestering her.

Aster along with Roshni, went to the place from where those noises were coming. Those sounds were coming from the main ground of the college.

"It is looking like people are cheering for someone." said Aster.

"Umm, you are right but for whom."

"Who is coming?" Roshni asked from a girl standing there.

"You don't know, who is coming?" that girl replied, "Oh my God, How is this possible that someone doesn't know that Dev Raichand is coming. I think, you are not his fan."

Her voice was full of excitement.

"OMG, Dev Raichand, OMG, OMG, I am going to pass out. Please somebody hold me." Roshni couldn't stabilize her tingles.

"Dev Raichand, that supermodel who is a student of Physical education and sports in Mount college." asked Aster.

"Yes, you dumb," said Roshni, "Let's go ahead, I want to see him. He is coming to college after two months."

"Two months." Aster said, her eyes were wide open as her mind couldn't grasp such a head-scratching disclosure."

" A student can vanish for two months, suddenly come to college and people cheer for him. What kind of hypocrisy is this?" Aster asked from Roshni.

" Hypocrisy, Aster! He is not an ordinary student. He is the face of 'The Fine Florent' perfume. He is the hunkiest boy in the entire Amber city. And moreover this Mount College belongs to his family. So he will never get into any problems because of his absence in the college instead it generates great will among the students and teachers to see him. You are here from almost one and half year. You didn't even know this."

How can I know? I am always busy in my studies so how can I have time to research on someone even if he is Dev Raichand and moreover, I don't even have any friends who can tell me. Aster said in her mind.

"Let's go near the gate. He is coming." Roshni said and dragged Aster along with her to the main gate's area.

Questions for readers:

Why was Roshni so nice to Aster? What is her real intention?

Who is Dev Raichand? Why is so special?

How would his arrival effect Aster's life?

Would he make Aster's life more miserable ?

...In order to get all answers, subscribe to my novel and read it and please give me your feedback....

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