Saakshi
"You. Go on"
Our professor pointed at me, asking me to introduce myself.
"Good morning. I am Saakshi. Born and brought up in Bangalore" I introduced.
And today's class was all about that. Introductions.
Coming to a new college, new city, new state, without having no one here needs a whole lot of courage. It makes it harder when you haven't made any friends yet. Except your roommate.
Thanks to my family's over protection and love, I couldn't attend the college on the first day.
While classes didn't take place that day, people became friends.
For others, making friends is easy.
For introverts like me, it's hard to make friends, let alone make one after others have already formed into groups.
"Hey!" My roommate, Tara, comes running.
"Hey, Tara" I greet her and we start walking towards the canteen.
About our canteen,
There is a rule, apparently.
The corner most seats are reserved for the university's cricket players.
I have never seen them in two days that I have been here but I have heard of them.
I mean, it's kind of hard to not listen, when all people ever do is talk about is how handsome and captivating the captian and vice-captain are.
And the wicket keeper, of course.
While the entire team has a fan base, seems like for these three, people are ready to create a new religion where they can worship Devdutt Padikkal, the captain,
Shubman Gill, the vice captain and Ishan Kishan, the wicket keeper.
"Let's order something, dude. I am so hungry"
Tara says. Of course, we didn't get to have breakfast today because I had to wake her up and didn't see the time.
"Your fault" I swat her hand away but she tightens it around my shoulder.
"I know. I am sorry na. Let's go?!"
And then, she gave me her puppy eyes.
Damn her and her puppy eyes.
"Fine"
What happens when classes start from eight in the morning?
Canteen will be filled with people in the next hour.
The only chairs left unoccupied are those already reserved ones.
We take our food and I drag her to the corner seats.
"What are you doing?" Tara whisper yells at me.
"What? If you can see an empty chair anywhere else, please, feel free to show me"
I have never been one to take orders from others. I hate it. Specially when I see unnecessary hierarchy.
"Please, Saakshi! Just listen to me"
She pleads but I just don't see the point in avoiding something just because someone told me to.
And also, it's not like they own this college.
"We paid the fee. We are given I'd cards. We are given rooms. We are students, just like them" I argue.
"They are seniors" Tara says like that should shut me up.
But unfortunately, it doesn't.
"So?" I ask back.
"Fine. You know what? Let's sit" she says and I smile.
But before I can sit in one of those seats, I see three bags in three seats there.
"Shit. Saakshi. Let's go"
Tara's panic evident in her voice.
"Why? It's not like they can kill us" I shrug and turn around when I feel a person coming closer to me.
"No. Ofcourse not but we can make your life hell"
A voice comes from behind me before I completely turn around.
"And you are?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Vice captain" he says, snatching the water bottle from my hand.
"Hey-"
Before I complete the sentence, he opens and drinks it.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
I shout and I see Tara pleading me not to create a scene.
But the scene has already been made.
It has the entire attention.
"Don't create a ruckus" I hear another voice. He moves in front of me and I am met with the most handsome man ever.
A man no less than 6 ft.
It takes me a moment to collect myself before I scream again.
