Winter, 2022.
Like thousands of students preparing for competitive exams, Rahul was living the typical PG life in Sikar. His room near Piprali Road was a complete mess. Open books, JEE modules, empty snack packets, and clothes hanging everywhere made it look less like a room and more like a battlefield.
Wrapped inside a blanket, Rahul slept peacefully.
On the other side of the room, DD sat on a plastic chair, deeply involved in yet another phone call with his girlfriend.
"Arey baby suno na..."
Rahul slowly opened his eyes and looked at him.
"Subah subah inka randi rona shuru."
Without even muting the call, DD fired back.
"Teri bandi nahi hai tab bol raha hai, gandu."
Rahul picked up a charger lying nearby and threw it at him.
"Chutiya hai kya, bhosdike?!"
Immediately changing his tone, DD returned to his call.
"Nahi nahi baby... tumse nahi bol raha tha sach mein. Nahi baby..."
And then—
Call disconnected.
DD stared at his phone in frustration.
Rahul got up from the bed, wore his black jacket, fixed his hair in front of the mirror and said,
"Aaj bahar kuch khane chalte hain."
"Tu ja na bhosdike," DD replied while checking his phone hopefully.
Rahul walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Wo toh gayi. Kuch kha kar aate hain."
DD sighed.
"Chal."
Before leaving, Rahul reminded him,
"Aaryan ko bhi bula le."
A few moments later, they met Aaryan on the staircase.
"Bahar khane chalega?" Rahul asked.
"Chal."
Aaryan noticed DD's sad face.
"Aaj tujhe kya hua?"
DD pointed dramatically towards Rahul.
"Aaj phir iski wajah se breakup ho gaya."
Rahul laughed while the three friends headed downstairs.
After finishing burgers at a busy food stall near CLC Chowk, DD wiped his hands and announced,
"Chalo. Mujhe kachhe lene hain."
"Arey yaar..." Rahul complained.
Aaryan grinned.
"Chal na. Ladkiyan bhi dekh lenge."
DD immediately became interested.
"Haan bhai. Ab baat bani."
Soon, the three entered a clothing showroom nearby.
As expected, DD spotted two girls and nudged Aaryan.
"Research material mil gaya."
"Field study karte hain," Aaryan replied.
Both disappeared in another direction.
"Namune," Rahul muttered, shaking his head.
He casually walked around, looking at jackets and sweatshirts.
And then—
He stopped.
Across the showroom stood a beautiful girl.
She was looking at a dress displayed on a rack.
Confident.
Elegant.
Completely focused on the dress.
Rahul couldn't take his eyes off her.
As if sensing his gaze, she turned.
Their eyes met.
Gathering all his courage, Rahul walked towards her.
"Ye dress... aap pe achhi lagegi."
The girl looked slightly surprised.
Then smiled.
"Mere paas itne paise nahi hain ki ise kharid sakun."
"Aapko toh ye koi bhi dila dega," Rahul replied confidently.
The girl raised an eyebrow.
"Tum hi dila do."
Rahul immediately ran out of words.
Seeing his expression, she smiled.
"Hmm."
She started walking away.
"Arey... ruko toh."
She stopped and half turned.
"Tum Instagram pe ho kya?" Rahul asked.
"Nahi."
"Toh naam hi bata do."
The girl smiled again.
"Pata kar lo."
And with that, she walked out of the showroom.
As she left, Rahul noticed an ID card hanging around her neck.
He could only read one word.
Khan.
And from the card, he realized that she was a NEET student.
Rahul walked to the entrance and looked outside.
The road was crowded with students.
But the girl was nowhere to be seen.
He stood there quietly.
Thinking.
Only one question echoed in his mind.
What was her name?