Zanjeer

Untitled Episode3: Beauty,status, and the firstsight

Chapter 3: Beauty, Status, and the First Sight

​The sun in Chandigarh was shining a bit brighter today, or perhaps it was the warning of the coming storm that was about to change the fate of Punjab University. A black 'Fortuner' entered the campus main gate at high speed. The black-tinted windows and the screech of its tires made it clear that the person sitting inside was no ordinary individual.

​Just then, the heavy roar of a Bullet echoed from the other side. Anurag was arriving in his familiar style, wearing sunglasses and carrying that new 'killer attitude' on his face. Right at the turn, the two almost collided.

​'Charrrrrrrr....'

​Two sets of brakes were slammed simultaneously. There was a gap of barely a few inches between the Fortuner and the Bullet. Silence fell. The breath of every student present on campus hitched.

​The car door opened, and out stepped—Simran.

​Possessing the beauty of a fairy, but with a temperament no less than a lioness. Expensive branded clothes, open hair, and that fearless aura that gave her the status of being the University Dean’s daughter. Simran took off her black sunglasses, looked at herself in the side mirror of her car, and then turned toward Anurag.

​"Oh my God! Oye hero! Do you intend to die? Or are you taking training on how to break car windows?" There was a strange ring in Simran's voice, containing less anger and more authority.

​Anurag calmly removed his helmet. That old fear was no longer on his face. He simply said, "Sorry ma'am, the path was narrow."

​"Sorry? What do you mean sorry? When Simran passes by, people of the entire sector leave the path. Can’t you see that the whole university is standing aside?" Simran’s friend Payal said irritably as she stepped out of the car. "Do you seem to be new to this college?"

​Anurag turned and looked straight into Simran's eyes. White kurta-pyjama, a silver chain around his neck, and that 'killer look' on his face—the moment Simran saw Anurag, the words seemed to get stuck in her throat. She had seen the biggest elites of the city, but the depth and the 'desi grace' in this boy's eyes stunned Simran for a moment.

​"Look madam... let me go, give me way," Anurag said bluntly and started his Bullet.

​Without saying a word, Simran reversed her car and gave him the way. Anurag left the spot with the thumping sound of his Bullet.

​"What was that, Simi?" Payal screamed. "You gave him the way? That 'pindu' (villager) made a fool of us and you just kept watching!"

​Leaning her hand on the car, Simran kept watching the departing Anurag. A mesmerizing smile appeared on her face. "Not a fool, Payal... he took my heart too. Haaye... what a thing he was!"

​"What are you saying? If Jeet hears this, there will be a bloodbath," Payal tried to interrupt her, worried.

​"Oh, what a nuisance of a name you've taken so early in the morning!" Simran said, frustrated.

​"I am only taking the name, Simi, look there... the nuisance is walking toward us itself," Payal pointed ahead.

​Jeet’s Terror and Simran’s Indifference

​Jeet was approaching from the front with 4-5 of his henchmen. Jeet, who was the arch-enemy of Gill’s team. Corruption, drug supply, and thuggery were in his blood. Every student in the college feared him, but he would turn into a 'meek cat' in front of Simran.

​"Sat Sri Akaal ji!" Jeet said with a cunning smile as he came closer. "You are seen very less on campus these days. What happened, don't you miss us?"

​Simran ignored him completely. One of Jeet's friends stepped forward and said, "Hey Bhabhi ji! We wait for you every day."

​Simran’s temper flared. She landed a powerful slap on the boy's face. "Oye, I'm not dead that you go around saying 'miss you' and 'bhabhi'! I am not your brother’s wife and I never will be. Get out of my way!"

​Jeet pulled his friend back and said with a fake laugh, "Ji, you just say yes, I will even milk the buffalo myself after marriage."

​"Oh, you go away, kid!" Simran shouted and moved ahead.

​The Entanglement of Friendship and Love

​While going toward the class, Simran met Grewal. Grewal was the most important part of Gill and Anurag's team.

​"So, Jiju, how are you?" Simran asked cheerfully. Grewal’s girlfriend Mehar was Simran’s best friend.

​"Just fine, Simi, but you look a bit different today?" Grewal asked with a smile.

​Jeet shouted from behind, "Hey Grewal! Make me your brother-in-law too, explain things to Simran a bit."

​Simran scolded him loudly, "No matter how much you insult this guy, he doesn't listen. Shalini, let's go from here."

​Sitting in the canteen, Simran’s attention was now only on one thing—that boy. She was surprised that the boy ignored Simran—for whom the whole of Chandigarh and half the university is crazy—and just left.

​"Payal, I want to know everything about that boy. His name is Anurag, right? The one who stays with Gill?" Simran asked Mehar.

​Mehar laughed and said, "Simi, be careful. That Anurag is now in the college’s 'Good List'. Every girl dies for him, but he doesn't even look at anyone. I've heard some Jasmeet broke his heart, since then he has sworn off girls."

​Leaning back in her chair, Simran said, "Really? His heart is broken? Then Simran knows how to mend it too. The girls who stare at him with wide eyes, I will teach them a lesson. From now on, Anurag belongs only to Simran."

​The walls of the university were witness that until now there was only a fight between two gangs, but now 'love' had entered this war. On one side was Jeet’s obsession, and on the other was Simran’s madness that could go to any extent to make Anurag her own.

​Anurag was sitting in his class; he didn't know that the Dean’s stylish daughter was now going to become his shield. But the chains (Zanjeer) were yet to be tightened further...