Scars ~ Part 9

It was the next morning and Khushi was getting ready for her first day in college. She looked over to Arnav and hoped that he would say something, but he said nothing to her.
Khushi filtered through her dresses trying to find something appropriate to wear. Anjali knocked on the door and walked in.

“You ready Khushi?”
“I don’t know what to wear Di.”
“Wear anything.”
“But Di, all of my dresses are quite fancy. I can’t wear this stuff to college.”
“Can I have a look?”

Khushi nodded and let Anjali have a look. She looked through Khushi’s outfits and then pulled out a simple anarkali dress.

“Wear this!”
“Are you sure Di?”
“Yes! It’s simple yet elegant and red is so your colour.”
“Do you think I’m bold enough to pull this colour off?”
“Of course you are! Now hurry up and get ready!”

Anjali left the room and Khushi looked at the dress. She took a deep breath and got changed into the kameez. Once Khushi had dressed and had done her hair, she looked at herself in the mirror. She looked different even to herself. She looked like someone new, not the plain orphaned Khushi… Maybe this was going to be a new start for her.

*****

“You ready to go Khushi?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be Di.”

Anjali signalled to the driver so that they could get going.

“Di, what if I don’t fit in with everyone else?”
“Why shouldn’t you?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’ll be different from them all won’t I?”
“Why should you be different? They’ll all be around the same age as you and you’ll fit in just fine, I assure you.”
“I hope so.”

There was silence for the rest of the journey. They stopped in front of the college and Anjali and Khushi got our of the car.

“I’ll take you to the principle just so that you don’t feel awkward.”
“Thanks Di.”

Anjali and Khushi made their way through the college. Khushi noticed a little group looking at her and they smiled. Khushi smiled back at them. Maybe it wouldn’t be too bad.
They reached the principles office and the secretary instructed them to wait a few moments. It wasn’t long before they were called in.

“Aw Mrs Jha, how are you?”
“I’m fine thank you, it’s been a while since we last saw you.”
“Yes I’ve been busy but tell Shyam that we all have to meet up some time soon.”
“I shall. Any way this is your new student.”
“Hello Khushi.”
“Hello sir.”
“As Shyam ji said, we would prefer if you could keep Khushi’s identity hidden because Chote hasn’t formally announced that he’s married to Khushi.”
“Yes Shyam told me and that’s all fine. We have her down as Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta, and other than me, no one knows that she is married to Mr Raizada. In her file we have said, as Shyam said to do, Khushi is living with you guys as a tenant.”
“Yes that’s fine.”
“Now Khushi, we have got you doing business, maths, photography and psychology, are those fine by you?”
“Yes sir.”
“That’s great. Then I’ll show you to your business class now, because that’s the lesson your supposed to be in and someone can show you were to go after that.”

Anjali stood up.

“Khushi, I hope you have a great time! And good luck honey.”
“Thank you Di!”

Anjali left and the principle took Khushi too her business class. Before entering the room, he handed Khushi a timetable.

“This is your timetable and it tells you where to go for each lesson and where you have them. There’s also a map attached if you don’t know where to go. But if you do get lost, there’ll always be someone around to help you find your way, just walk into a classroom and ask one of the teachers and they’ll be happy to help. Don’t worry about not fitting in, there are always people who join after the start of the term. For example there was a girl who started only last week and there is a boy who is meant to start next week so don’t worry. And you’ll fit right in because most of our students here are about 18-20. There are some older people, but they choose to come back after taking gap years.”
“I understand and thank you sir.”
“You’re very welcome. So are you ready to go?”
“Yes, I guess so.”

The principle opened the door for Khushi and let her walk in first and then walked in after her. Khushi walked in slowly and looked around. Everyone was looking at her curiously, but they all seemed highly positive.

“This is Miss Khushi Kumari Gupta and she will be in your business class from now onwards. It’s her first day today so everyone, make her feel welcome. Carry on.”

The principle left and Khushi smiled at him. The business class teacher was a young woman, maybe the same age as Anjali and she too had a kind face.

“Welcome Khushi! It’s lovely to have you and I’m sure you will fit in just perfectly. Now where can you sit…”

She looked around the room and Khushi saw another girl raise her hand. She was one of the girls from the group of people who smiled at her when she walked into the college.

“Yes Lavanya?”
“Miss, Khushi can sit with me!”
“Well thank you Lavanya. Khushi would you like to sit with Lavanya?”

Khushi nodded and smiled and walked over to where Lavanya was sitting. Lavanya got up and smiled and took Khushi’s bag off her and helped her get settled.

“HI I’m Lavanya!”
“I’m Khushi.”
“Me and my friends saw you when you came in and we wondered when we’d be able to meet you! I love your dress by the way, it’s really pretty.”
“Really?”
“Yeah its beautiful and it really suits you!”
“Thanks!”
“So how come you’ve joined late? Just generally you decided later that you did want to come to college?”
“Yeah, just decided late.”

Khushi and Lavanya made small talk throughout the lesson and Khushi liked Lavanya. She was easy to talk to and really nice. At the end of the lesson everyone filed out slowly. Lavanya waited for Khushi as she got her things together. Before walking out, the teacher stopped Khushi.

“How are you feeling after your first lesson Khushi?”
“I feel a lot more confident now!”
“That’s great. Well go out and get to know everyone else. I’m assuming Lavanya has taken you under her wing?”
“Yes I have miss. I’m going to help Khushi round.”
“Excellent. Off you go girls.”

Lavanya and Khushi left the classroom and made their way towards the canteen. Lavanya explained to Khushi what each room was for and helped Khushi work out where her classes would be. Once they got to the canteen they joined up with the other members of Lavanya’s group.

“Guys this is Khushi. She’s new here.”
“Hi Khushi!”
“Khushi this is Amrita.” The first girl walked towards Khushi and shook her hand. She was as tall as Lavanya and also wore a kind smile.
“This is Raj.” Raj smiled at Khushi over his coffee mug and nodded in recognition.
“And lastly in our group is Tom. His name’s actually Tanvir, but he likes us calling him Tom.”
“Hi guys!”

Khushi smiled at all the members of the group. Raj got to his feet.

“So what can I get you Khushi?”
“Erm nothing, I’m fine thank you.”
“No I insist it’s your first day, let me buy you a coffee.”
“I’m not really a fan of coffee.”
“Tea? Hot chocolate? I insist!”
“Oh I’ll just have a hot chocolate then.”
“Coming right up!”

Lavanya smiled and took Khushi’s timetable off her and examined it carefully.

“Ok so, you see all 4 of us in business. You have Maths with Amrita and Tom. You have psychology with me and Amrita. And you and Raj are in the same photography class! So Khushi, looks like your a permanent member of our group now!”
“I feel honoured!”

Raj came back and passed Khushi’s hot chocolate to her. While they all spoke, Lavanya glanced at the time.

“Oh gosh, we should all start moving otherwise we’ll be late for our next class.”
“I have…”
“You have photography with me now Khushi. So should we start making our way there?”
“Erm okay.”

Khushi and Raj said bye to the rest of the group and they made their way to their next class.