Chapter 2- A New Friend
1496 Words
Diya's pov
Entering the college, the first thing I did was meet Tina. We were really excited as it was our 1st day at college. After all, we worked so hard to get admitted into this college. It's one of the most renowned colleges in the whole country.
We entered the classroom and as expected there were new faces everywhere. It didn't take a lot of time for us to get comfortable with them since we both are friendly and open-minded.
Then came our mighty seniors. They started talking about manners, how to behave..how to respect..blah..blah...Hearing them, I was getting bored. A few times I even yawned. When these seniors left the classroom I took a relaxed breath.
Tina and I started talking about random things while waiting for our teacher's arrival. Tina was looking at all the boys and telling me who is handsome, who is looking like a fool etc. I don't like to judge people by their looks so I didn't show that much interest in her nonsense talking.
While Tina was busy torturing my ears, my eyes caught a particular girl. She was sitting alone at a desk. She looks like she belongs to a rich family since her clothing looked expensive.
But she was silent and looking at everyone with a scared expression. Curiosity erupted inside me to know the girl. Why was she sitting alone and looking scared?
"Hi, myself Diya Roy. What's your name? I asked her extending my right hand.
Taking my hand she introduced herself politely," I am Lavanya Pratap Singh. Nice to meet you."
I must admit that she is beautiful and her smiling enhanced her beauty even more.
"Why are you sitting here alone? I asked her curiously.
She replied hesitatingly," Actually, I don't feel comfortable among people. That's why I was sitting here alone.
" You don't have to sit here alone. Come with me. From today we are friends," I said her showing my all teeth. She chuckled at my childish behaviour.
I almost dragged her to our desk and made her sit beside me. I also introduced Tina to her. In a short time, we became good friends.
" So, you are Lavanya Pratap Singh, daughter of Uday Pratap Singh? Tina asked Lavanya having a stunned expression.
She replied shortly," Yeah."
" Oh my god! I can't believe I have just befriended the Singh family's daughter," Tina said with disbelief.
I know who is Uday Pratap Singh. He is one of the richest men in this whole country. He is also a well-known politician. I have seen him multiple times on T.v. Though he looks very rough and tough his daughter looks too much fragile.
"Umm, Lavanya. Can I ask you something? I asked her and she nodded her head.
I asked with hesitation, "Your father is a well-known personality. But you look very simple and fragile. I was expecting you to be a little bit proud."
" You know! A little bit arrogant type," I told letting out an awkward laugh.
Hearing me she let out a sad smile and then took a breath. I thought I offended her.
I was going to apologise when she started saying," you both are very lucky that you were born into a normal family. Though my family has name, fame and money we don't live like a family. In my family, we have to follow many rules. Especially the women of our family. And the men in my family don't even respect their women."
" My father still beats my mother in front of us for any kind of small mistake. My mother looks after the whole Singh household. But my father doesn't respect her. In my 18 years of life, I never saw my mother talking to my father smilingly. I always saw fear in her eyes," She said. I can feel the pain in her voice.
Pausing for a few seconds she continued saying," But my mother loves her children. And my brother is the worst Singh. He is a xerox copy of my father. Though my father never looked at any woman rather than my mother. But my brother is a complete playboy. He uses girls like tissue paper. Though I am very close to my mother, my brother is closest to my father. My father never taught him how to respect women. Because of my father, everyone fears me and doesn't try to be my friend. That's why I am uncomfortable around people."
Hearing about her family situation I was feeling so sorry for her and her mother. Now I am understanding why people say that "money is not everything ".
"Don't be sad. From today we are your new family. Now smile like a good girl," I try to cheer up Lavanya.
She smiled and said, "thank you so much for becoming my friend ".
" oh! Come on, no thank you and no sorry in friendship," I told her giving a toothy smile.
Then we also shared our family life with Lavanya and I am really happy that she befriended us. I must say that she is a good person.
So, my first day at college didn't go that bad. I hope my whole college life will go smoothly like today.
.
.
.
At night
Author's pov
A family was having their dinner sitting at a large dining table. Only four people were sitting at the table. Servants were serving food on everyone's plate. No one was talking. Everyone was just concentrating on their food.
At this dinner table, A Middle-aged man was sitting with the most authoritative aura. A middle-aged woman was sitting beside him and a young man & a girl were also sitting there.
Breaking the silence the middle-aged man asked the girl," How was your college today, Lavanya? Did anyone bother you?"
"No, papa. Everything was alright. No one bothered me. I enjoyed the whole day, "Lavanya replied but the fear in her voice was prominent.
The man warned Lavanya," That's good. But remember one thing that don't mingle with boys. If I ever see you with any boy then you know me what I will do to you. You are already promised to Samrat Rathore's son. So, be careful. "
" Papa, I don't want to marry Vicky. I don't love him. I will keep myself away from every boy but don't tell me to marry him. He is not a good person, "Lavanya said requested almost crying.
A loud slapping sound echoed throughout the whole room. Yes, Mr Uday Pratap has slapped his daughter. The moment he stood up from his chair angrily, everyone followed him.
" Don't you dare to question my decision! I have promised Mr Rathore that we will join our families together. And I will do that. You, being my daughter. Follow your father's word," Uday Pratap replied angrily.
Lavanya started crying instantly. She was feeling too much angry but she couldn't do anything. She was helpless. It's not the first time Uday Pratap raised his hand on Lavanya.
Lavanya's mother looked at her daughter with pitiful eyes. But she didn't dare to open her mouth in front of Lavanya's father.
"Calm down, Dad. She is still a child. Forgive her. She didn't mean it," the young man tried to convince his father.
Uday Pratap yelled at him," Teach your sister some manner, Rudra. I don't want to be ashamed in front of the whole country because of her."
.
" I will talk to her. Now, you calm down. Your BP will get high. I have something important to talk about with you," Rudra told his father.
"Ok, meet me in my study room," saying that uday Pratap left the dining area.
No sooner had Uday Pratap left than Rudra yelled at Lavanya, "Why do you always have to make Dad angry!! Can't you keep your mouth shut for some time?
" Bhai, please. Try to understand. I don't want to get married," Lavanya pleaded with her teary eyes.
Rudra might be a tough guy but he felt pity for his sister. He can't argue with his father and at the same time, he can't see tears in his sister's eyes too.
"Don't worry. I will see what I can do. Now, go to your room and take a rest, "Rudra told Lavanya softening his eyes. Lavanya went to her room wiping away her tears.
Rudra was going to leave the place when his mother called him.
"Beta(dear).try to make your father understand that Lavanya is still young. Don't marry her off too soon," The middle-aged woman requested Rudra.
" In your whole married life, you couldn't make him understand anything. Then how can I," Rudra replied mockingly and left the dining area.
Anjali(Rudra's mother) was hurt by her son's words. But She didn't say anything. Because she is used to everything. What her husband has done to their son. He doesn't even respect his mother.
- Writer
