Chapter 8

Niharika's POV

It was raining today. I used to love rains at a time but now I despise rains to the core. It was raining when I lost a good friend. The guy whom I loved, respected and liked the most insulted me on a rainy day. The guy whose dreams I thought were mine shattered all my dreams and this rain wiped those broken pieces years ago. Drinking my coffee, I began visualizing the past once again.

Remembering those idiotic college days, a tear skipped from my eye.

During our second year in college, out of no reason Arpit had begun behaving weirdly. I knew about his finances. I knew he had some tensions. I thought he needed support and as a good friend, I spoke over the phone when he shouted at me leaving me broken into thousand pieces. Ideally I should have stopped the things right away but I planned to mend everything and decided to speak to him in the class next day.

It was raining on the day when I decided to speak to him. I remembered I wore a white kurti with white leggings that day despite I had reserved ethnic for functions in college. A multi colored stole in my neck added to the beauty of the dress. Leaving my hair open, I completed my look with a pink lip gloss and eyeliner. I wore silver colored dangling earrings and I remember I looked awesome. I was utterly satisfied with my look as it matched the one I had on the inauguration day of our department. On the inaugural, he had complimented that I looked beautiful in that dress. So, I had dressed according to his choice that day. He used to often comment that ethnic dresses suit me. Now I don't even remember when the last time I had worn a traditional dress.

It was drizzling just like today. In the class, I noticed he didn't sit near me. Well! From some days, it was a common sight. He was avoiding me. I went to him and said in a low voice, "Arpit, please meet me after the class.I want to talk to you."

Out of unknown anger, he suddenly shouted, "Why the f*ck you want to talk to me? Eating my head every time. Get lost, for God’s sake. We are mere strangers like others in the college. Do you talk to every stranger out there?"

I was shocked. Tears started dripping from my eyes. I couldn't register the sudden insult and I went numb. No one had ever said anything to me ever. His last statement commented on my character and I instantly became the centre of attraction and topic of gossip in the class. My reputation seemed shattered as people in the class began giggling and whispering that we had a break up. I picked my bag and ran off my class. It began raining like cats and dogs. It began thundering and lightening. The anger in me bursted off and my tears didn't know how to stop. My tears that day were indeed, too much only to make me realize that he wasn't worth my tears. Since then, we never talked and I never cried over him. Being heart broken, I never had audacity to love anyone else but I had never fallen for him again.

*****

Coming out of the thoughts, I realized I was crying. Wiping my tears, I dressed up for the office. I wore a light green business suit and applied light make up today. I had to meet up the organizers for the first session of 'The Exquisite Fashion Show' this year.

I rushed towards my office avoiding being late for the meeting I had with the organizers at 10:30 AM today.

"Madam, we are amazed at your unique idea of the fashion show depicting the people from all walks of life. We will try finding good models with artistic expressions. It will surely be a hit. We will prepare everything by the next month as per your instructions", Ms. Vandna Kapoor, the fashion designer and event organizer had said. I was mentally appreciating myself as the meeting entered on a good note when he entered the office.