Love at first sight....

“Hey, can you please pluck that for me?” came a sweet voice in that jungle.

Aniketh thought it was the effect of one of the numerous dreams he gets every night. Thanks for his sister who destroys every time waking him up early. This time even his sister could not disturb that lovely dream.

Aniketh turned back.

Jesus, it was really real. There stands a beautiful girl pointing to a delicious fruit. It was difficult for a little over 4.5 feet guy. But, who asked for it? He managed to get it with a few thorns pierced into his body but painlessly.

“Thank you. You know, I don’t even know what this fruit is and how it tastes. Just was curious when you guys were plucking them from the trees”, said that girl in her sweet voice.

“This fruit is available only in this forest….”, started Aniketh since he got a little opportunity.

“Hi, I’m Shilpa. My dad got transferred to this company and we moved in two days back”, she held her hand out.

Aniketh was on cloud nine.

He studied in a convent until his 5th standard and later joined a newly opened school in the company where his dad works. Unlike in his old school, none spoke in English, not even the teachers. Look at this girl, she was talking in English.

He shook her hand and said “Hi Shilpa, I’m Aniketh. I’m in 6th standard.”

“Hey, I’m also in 6th standard. Thank god. I got a friend. I guess you can help me in the lesions that I missed.”

Aniketh couldn’t believe all this happening in a jungle. He recited the word friend like a pandit chanting mantras. The least that he expected was his sister coming and waking him up. Since he was the first-in-class, he knew he has a better impression than anyone else. Bells starting ringing somewhere in the corner of his heart.

He has become Shilpa’s official guide for the outing.

He waited for the next dawn. He was the first one to reach the school. He waited until Shilpa came to school.

“Aniketh, are you now going to read the news today in the assembly?” asked swathi.

Oh no, it was Aniketh’s turn to prepare news and read it in the assembly today. He wanted to wait for Shilpa and make sure that he introduces to all his classmates. A kind of superiority.

“Hey Swati, can you please prepare news and read today. I’ll read tomorrow”, pleaded Aniketh.
As usual Swati hesitated first, but headed.

Shilpa did not turn up for the assembly. Aniketh was totally nervous. He did not want it to be a dream. First period over. There she comes; the class teacher brought her to the class and introduced her to the class which hardly consisted of a dozen kids.

In the interval which seemed a lot delayed, Aniketh almost ran to Shilpa. There was a broad smile on Shilpa’s face as soon as she saw Aniketh. Aniketh was totally joyful. He introduced her to all his classmates telling how they have met in the forest the other day.

Friendship boomed between both of them since they were the only guys who spoke proper English in the class. Shilpa was also good at studies and hence became a tough competition for Aniketh. They had a very good impression among the teachers. Be it sports or science exhibitions, both of them represented their school in every competition. Shilpa appreciated Aniketh for several things like his acting skills, oratory skills, writing skills and most of all his determination.

One day, the whole class was playing in the ground and suddenly one guy got a weed which gives an itching sensation when it is rubbed on the skin. Playfully, Aniketh brushed the weed on Shilpa’s hand. She did not understand what was happening. Skin on her hand turned red in a few seconds and she almost cried because of the pain. Aniketh did not know what to do. The whole night he could not sleep.

He did not feel like facing her next morning.

Shilpa walked to his seat. “Hi Aniketh, why are you sitting so silent?”

Aniketh gave a sorrowful look and said “Sorry Shilpa, I did not mean to hurt you yesterday.”
“Oh, come on. I knew that. I did not even told my mom about that. I just told her that accidentally I cam in tough with the plant. You don’t have to be sorry about that. I know you will not hurt me,” smiled Shilpa.
Thousands of violins played in Aniketh’s heart. He thought he got best friend for his life time.

After the 7th standard final public exam, all classmates went to movie. Shilpa kept a seat next to her for Aniketh. “You know Aniketh, you look like that hero in olive green shirt you wore for my birthday”, said Shilpa when a romantic song was being played in the movie.
Now, there is no need to explain the condition of Aniketh. Hi heart was totally uncontrollable like a steering less car. After that Aniketh wore that shirt so many times that it tore off in a few days.

With combined studies, meeting up at each other’s places, they entered into 10th standard. Last year of their schooling. They would have to join colleges after that. Aniketh has decided to write competitive exams and decide according to the results. Shilpa decided to join plus one and prepare for engineering entrance. They have put in all their concentration into studies. Because of healthy competition between them, they fared well in the studies. Even parents were happy with their friendship.

On the last working day of the school, everyone acted emotional. Aniketh had a void feeling in his heart. That was the age when you would now know the meaning of love or friendship. They signed the autographs for all classmates but not for each other. Coz, they know that some day their roads cross.

Exams were over and time for good byes. Shilpa told that she was going to Hyderabad for the summer vacation and would apply for the colleges once the results were announced. Aniketh had already decided to take up coaching for entrance exams. For 45 days, there were no letters or calls.

All results were announced in less than a week’s time. Aniketh did well in public as well as entrance exams. He topped the whole of the region and was appreciated by the collector.
Aniketh wished that Shilpa was there to share that happiness. One day, a greeting card greeted him as his door step. He didn’t have to open to see who sent it.

“Aniketh, congratulations. I knew that you would be successful. You worked so hard and you deserved it. All the very best for you future. I had found a great friend in you. You are my best friend. Sure we shall meet soon. I’m going to join in Vignan’s for plus two. I was told that personal letters are not allowed unless it is from parents. So, will not able to write to you. Take care and do well at college. Miss you. Yours friend forever, Shilpa”.
Aniketh read it more than 100 times. Life moves on.

Shilpa met him at his home thrice after that. First time just a month after they joined colleges. She hasn’t changed a bit. Second was after two years. She got admission in an engineering college. She was taller than him. Third was when she came to give invitation to her wedding to a green card holder in US.

Life is like that, you grow up, make good friends, learn from people and giveback to them.
He might or might not accept, but that was his love at first sight and never ever their roads crossed each others