“So, Miss Best Student of 4th Sem and Best dancer of the year, are you skipping the Rain Dance Party thrown by the 6th Sem students?”
“Yes.”
“May I know why. You are quite arrogant and self-centered. Why would you not be interested otherwise to befriend your classmates and seniors? But it’s our farewell party and don’t you think you should show some respect to your seniors!”
Meghali let out a sigh and gathered her stuff without saying anything. Vyom was standing in her way and waiting for an answer.
“It’s raining heavily. Please let me go”, Meghali’s eyes were pleading.
“Not without an answer, Miss Meghali. Why are you so cold and rude to everyone who tries to strike a bond with you? You never accepted my friendship and refuse to attend my college parties. I agree I am rich but that doesn’t make me a bad person.”
“My mother is not well and it’s raining hard. I have to reach home as early as possible. Please let me go”, Meghali sounded desperate this time.
Vyom finally agreed to get out of her way. And Meghali rushed towards the college gate without wasting a single second.
“Such a loser! So much pride in her little head!”
“Enough Vyom Bhaiya, enough of you judging her!”, Rimsha was not happy with the way Vyom spoke about her best friend.
“Misjudgement about Miss Meghali! No way, Rimsha. Your best friend is arrogant to the highest level! We requested her for a ‘Barso Re’ Kathak performance at our party today. It’s not that spoilt wala Rain Dance Party after all. It’s a celebration of the Rainy season with dance, music, and masti.”
“Maybe rain is not a cause for celebration at her place, Bhaiya. How much do you know about her?”
“What do you mean?”
“She had to leave because the tin roof of her house developed some holes in last night’s rain. Her mother is recovering from pneumonia and the damp house is not helping in that. She just rushed to arrange for some buckets to put under the holes. She is a tutor to a bunch of kids to support the finances at home and that is why she cannot waste her precious time on luxuries like partying and similar other things”, Rimsha’s voice choked.
“I am so sorry, Rimsha, I had no idea about it.”
“Well, you should be Vyom Bhaiya, you should have tried to find out before you pass judgements.”
Vyom was the quietest one in the party that day. He felt lost and restless for the next two days. He really liked Meghali but her cold attitude puzzled his mind, and he was baffled about how he actually felt about her. Now when he knows about Meghali’s struggles, he wanted to made her journey smooth, somehow!
“Vyom?? What are you doing here?”, Meghali was surprised to see him at her doorstop.
“This is how you welcome your guests, Miss Meghali?”
“I am sorry. Please come inside.”
A simple living room set up with plastic chairs and a centre table. The old wooden cupboard in the corner proudly displayed Meghali’s dance trophies.
“I am a straightforward person. Rimsha told me why you had to rush that day. You are a meritorious and talented girl, Meghali. You deserve the best shot to fulfill your dreams and build a career. So I am going to extend a helping hand as the leader of the union. There is a roofer waiting outside who will take care of the tin repairing.”
“But, Vyom, it is not needed. I will manage it once I get my tuition dues.”
“That you spend on your mother’s medications. Let the union help with this. I also have one more proposal for you.”
“Proposal?”
“Our ‘Shine Heaven’ Society recreation club is looking for a Kathak dance teacher on an urgent basis. More than ten little girls are waiting to start their classes at the earliest possible. Weekend classes only. Will you accept the offer? The cultural secretary will discuss all the details with you.”
“It’s the posh society where you live!”
“Yes. Not very far from your house and you can manage the weekend timings, right?”
The firmness in his voice and honesty in his eyes made Meghali think for a while. His concern seemed genuine but will it be a wise decision to jump into the offer he made? She was a bit confused.
“But, I hate that notion that all the rich people are bad persons, Miss Meghali”.
“And I hate that one about introvert girls being arrogant ones, Mr.Vyom!”
“Please give me one chance to rectify my mistake then”.
“If you put it like that, I am going to say yes. But I will repay the repairing cost with my dance class salary.”
“Done. Now can we call the roofer man inside?”
“Yes”.
It did rain at its peak the following week but it did not bother Meghali anymore. Two cups of filter coffee and a rainy walk on the college street marked the onset of a beautiful rapport between the two pure souls – Vyom and Meghali.
By Anuja Lopamudra
Hailing from a small town, Nagaon in Assam, Anuja’s love for writing bloomed mostly during her college days. With two super energetic kids and a busy household by her side, she follows her passion for writing and singing without fail and it keeps her going with full zeal. Blogging, cooking, and lots of reading are her besties and she promises herself not to part ways with them ever, no matter what. She can be contacted at anuja.lopa@gmail.com
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