Epic College Love Stories – 3: Sayoni beckons
After Ashwini left, I was left nursing a broken heart, weighed down by melancholy and a deep sense of loss. Life took on a different shade without her, even though we never exchanged many words. The time spent together, though brief, was precious.
“If you think you are a failure, then you are. If you think you are a winner, then you are. Just keep faith within yourself, and you will make a difference.”
These words echoed in my mind long after Ashwini faded from my life. I was single again, left to navigate the void she left behind. Our relationship was short-lived, but every moment with her was special. My love for her was genuine and pure, though the future seemed uncertain. The biggest lesson I learned from that experience was to avoid setting long-term goals that could shatter your heart if they remain unfulfilled.
With my Final Year Semester exams fast approaching, I had a monumental task ahead. My current aggregate stood at 58%, and I needed to finish my B.E. with at least a 66% score. My mind was cluttered with thoughts of studies, campus placements, and the nagging desire to find a girlfriend.
As my preparatory leave began, I committed myself to studying 2 to 3 chapters a day. To my surprise, I stuck to the plan, and I found joy in learning something new each day. In the evenings, I would take a break, stepping outside to refresh myself. It was during one of these evening outings with my friend Dhiraj that I stumbled upon her.
While Dhiraj and I were out buying an Axe deodorant, I noticed a girl in the store. She was searching for a greeting card for her best friend’s birthday. Her voice was captivating, the kind that could make any guy fall for her. She wore sparkling gold earrings that complemented her looks, and her white kurta with black leggings made her look like a Bollywood star. As she turned towards me, I couldn’t believe I hadn’t noticed her before.
I nudged Dhiraj, curiosity getting the better of me. “Who is she?” I asked eagerly.
“She used to study with me in junior college,” he replied with a knowing smile. “She’s also doing her engineering.”
“Which college?” I asked, trying to keep my excitement in check.
“BMIT College of Engineering. She travels daily, just like you,” Dhiraj added, offering me some chocolate. I silently thanked the universe for leading me to this girl.
“What’s her name?” I pressed further.
“Sayoni Shah. Her family owns Samartha Jewellers. Ever heard of it?” he asked.
“Nope,” I replied, taking in this new information. Another Jain girl had entered my life, and I seemed to have an affinity for the Jain community.
Pruthvi and Vijay, my close friends, had always been there to support me, especially when it came to gathering information about girls. However, they had their limitations—they only knew about girls they were familiar with. I needed to figure out how to talk to Sayoni, and there was only one person who could help me: Shivshankar Hatte, the class entertainer and a favorite among the girls.
I quickly called Shiv and told him everything about my encounter with Sayoni. “Shiv, I need some ideas,” I said.
“First, you need to find a way to talk to her,” Shiv advised. “Only then can you think about impressing her.”
I pondered his words as I returned to studying Digital Communication. But the bits and bytes failed to hold my interest. I called Dhiraj again.
“Bhai, good evening,” I greeted him.
“Good evening, man,” he replied.
“I need to talk to her, man,” I blurted out.
“To whom?” he asked, sounding confused.
“That Sayoni girl,” I clarified.
Dhiraj laughed, his voice resonating through the phone. “Why do you want to talk to her?” he asked.
“Because I have a crush on her,” I admitted.
Dhiraj then told me that he and Sayoni had a common friend, a girl from her class. My excitement soared as I realized I had a way in.
“Thanks, Dhiru,” I said, cutting the call.
Two days later, Dhiraj called me with good news: Sayoni had enrolled in C programming classes at Aptech, conveniently located near my house. I was ecstatic. I knew I needed to find her class timings, so I spent the entire day on my terrace, waiting for a glimpse of her. After hours of waiting, I finally saw her parking her scooter, and I knew I had to act quickly.
That night, I devised a plan to join the C programming class, even though it made no sense for an electronics student like me. But my feelings for Sayoni were strong, and I couldn’t resist the urge to be near her.
Over dinner, I sweet-talked my mother into supporting my plan. By the next morning, my dad had agreed to finance the classes. I was ready to join the class, determined to impress Sayoni.
When I finally joined, I was thrilled to see her sitting in the middle row. During the class, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. I answered every question the instructor asked, hoping to catch her attention. Finally, she smiled at me, and I felt like I was floating on air.
After class, I waited by her scooter. When she approached, I mustered the courage to ask for her notes, explaining that I had missed the earlier lectures. She agreed, and as she smiled at me again, I knew I was falling for her even more.
As we parted ways, I realized that my life had taken a new direction after meeting Sayoni. But as I walked home, lost in thought, I was shocked to see Ashwini at my door. My lost love had returned, leaving me speechless and unsure of what to do next.
