Stranger Asking for______.: Stranger Asking for_______., #1

By ATTU

This multiple protagonist series with numerous points of view (PoV) centres around five college students about to begin their academic careers. Three of those five are boys who were childhood buddies, and the other two are female who they met in college.  

A side narrative about "Ms. Editor and Mr. Author," who are writing and editing the main story, is also included in the series. 

 

This section contains three storylines:

1) the main ML and FL,

2) the side characters of this section, and

3) Ms. Editor and Mr. Author.

 

 

First story: The female lead, on her first day of college, noticed a group of three boys arguing with college professors, and she thought that they were delinquents. Later, she became friends with those boys and started liking one of them. They are both completely opposite in everything; the only thing that is the same about them is that they are both human beings. But she doesn't know that the boy she likes already has a partner, which is more than a girlfriend but less than a wife. Why? It's because they have been a couple for some years, and their father and mother have also been friends since childhood. Before our female lead confesses to him, her own mom requests that she find a stranger (a boy), whom she meets in the garden. That stranger helped her mom make a big decision that is going to change their lives for real. Still, our female lead ignored her mom's request to find that stranger (a boy) and planned to confess the boy she liked from her friend circle. Neglecting everything she confessed to him in the garden, he.....

   

Second Story: Our second Male lead's (note: He's a side character in this part) college doesn't start as he thought it would. On his first day of college, he fell in love at first sight when he saw a very beautiful girl coming near his bus stop. He thought college life was going to be fun, but he didn't know that the author had planned something else for his tale. The girl, whom he thought would be his future partner, left their bus in a private car. He recovered from the tragic first day of college, but not fully. After a few days, his one and only girl friend, on whom he had a crush for many years, directed him to date one of the girls with whom he became friends in college. He accepted that request from his friend but also told her that he would wait for his love at first sight, no matter how long it took.

 

 

Side story: Ms. Editor and Mr. Author

 

Mr. Author is writing the main story, and Ms. Editor is his partner and is helping him in his work. They have been a couple since their college days. But still, they're not living together. It's because, according to Mr. Author, it's very hard to control himself around Ms. Editor in his own apartment. And also, Ms. Editor is a professional editor and earns at least five times more money than Mr. Author, who has only published a 20-page essay until now. Mr. Author gets a great response from everyone who reads that essay, and that's why he decided to become an author. Mr. Author is an independent author.

 

Total pages = 334

Total words count = 127040

Size = 5.8 x 8.5 inches

Margins: Top and Bottom = 0.7 inches

               Inside = 0.5 inches   Outside = 0.3 inches

• Language: English
• Publisher: ATTU
• Release date: Jul 9, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223418511

Book preview

CONTENT

Ch-1 The Trio.... Crush

Ch-2 Ms Editor & Mr Author

Ch-3 The Ocean Wave intro.... see her

Ch-4 Miss Shusmita....let me

Ch-5 Victory intro.... her eyes

Ch-6 Let’s go on.... suck it

Ch-7 Hot chicks.... true colour

Ch-8 Nobel is ill.... hey stop

Ch-9 Tony home.... sleep...

Ch-10 Eren.... kiss

Ch-11 Stranger.... Can I

Ch-12 Ms Ed want.... go ahead

Ch-13 Plans.... help me

Ch-14 Cry.... I’m coming

Ch-15 Let’s.... go for...

Ch-16 Deep.... you’re right

Ch-17 Treat me.... you mean...

Ch-18 Meet my gf.... Bond

Ch-19 Best friend.... makeup

Ch-20 Sweating.... Not leaving

Ch-21 Chad home.... eat me

Ch-22 Lie.... Smile

Ch-23 Keeping eye.... joy.

Ch-24 Who are.... Why not

Ch-25 Bold.... hard work

Ch-26 Let us.... Hot stuff

Ch-27 You here.... Let’s go

Ch-28 Fools....one step...

Ch-29 Really that...It’s delicious

Ch-30 Truth

Ch-31 POV FROM THE FIRST DAY OF COLLEGE

Ch-32 Acceptance

ABOUT AUTHOR

SNEAK PEAK PART-2

SPEACIAL THANKS

Instructions to read book

In this book, I have used (....) double quotation marks and (‘....’) triple quotation mark for other characters and for the narrator or person from whom point of view I right chapters, I don’t have used and quotation marks and his/her mind thoughts are also without quotation marks.

Example:

Narrator or Pov - Hey, what were you two talking about earlier? I asked.

Tony – Chad just a few minutes ago told one old grandpa to leave this earth.

Chad - ‘Listen, I’m not wrong this time, ok?’

The quotation marks will interchange to other characters in other chapters, but mostly Tony sentences are in double quotations and Chad are in triple quotations throughout the whole book.

Ch 1 The Trio...Crush

August 8, 2022 Monday

Today is my first day of college. I’m on my way to the bus stop. If any of you readers know anything about a typical Indian family, you can imagine what courses I would choose after getting an 80% in science.

No guessing, okay, I'll tell you. It’s mechanical engineering (ME). I wanted to take Computer Science Engineering (CSE) because they have all the girls. But as my philosopher friend said, ‘You can’t choose one thing or one goal in your life that's only going to get you one thing out of it’. So now you all know why I chose ME.

Actually, this he explained to a stranger, whom we met in the garden of our colony. That stranger was sitting on stairs near a pond, holding an iPhone in his hand. We also sit near him and don’t know why, but he asks us, Can I buy this iPhone?. My friend then asked him the reason behind buying an iPhone, and before that stranger replied to my friend, I asked him, Are you a photographer, a businessman, or a government employee? Then he told us that he is not one of them and that he wants to buy that iPhone so that he can take pictures of himself.

After learning about his main reason for wanting to purchase an iPhone, my friend and I discussed the matter with him, and ultimately, he decided against buying one that day. It was positive, however, that he was willing to discuss such a major decision with someone outside of his immediate circle. Many people don’t know that, talking to an stranger on your path of life is only going to be a good experience or memory, I think this. Don’t know about other people, though. Sorry, Tim Cook, because of me and my friend, you lost your one future customer.

One thing that I tell him is this: Listen, stranger, I think buying an iPhone whose price is above 1 lakh is enough to frighten any middle-class family. So, forget dreaming of buying this iPhone. Use smartphones like us; these are Chinese but cheap. I would love to use a Made in India’ smartphone, but India stinks at making them. And also, listen, security is the one reason many people buy iPhones, but what and why do they need security? What they want to secure are their chats, photos, videos, or most important nudes."

Yeah, this is what I explained to a stranger. We still don’t know his name, even though we have met him twice since then. And he also doesn’t know our names, I think. That’s why I choose ME instead of CSE; I can’t choose CSE only because they have girls. I can find one on my own, I think.

But in my class, we got nothing except 45-year-plus professors. I have to handle this for 4 years with 40 subjects, 8 semesters, and infinite numbers of assignments and midterm tests, which doesn’t make any sense, especially assignments. I don’t know if I can handle these four years by myself, but thanks to my two childhood friends, I have my hopes up. They also apply to the same college as mine.

Actually, we don’t have any other options because we have been in the same class since kindergarten. Parting ways doesn’t feel good at this point. They also took Mechanical engineering, so again, we are in the same class.

Speaking of the devil, I can see both of them coming in my direction. I can assume what they are talking about. Probably Tony is explaining to Chad (Jai) some sci-fi thing. And I will also let you know that Tony is our real-life Tony Stark. Without some metal pieces in his chest. I hope he will not die at the end of this series either. He would love to work for ISRO, ESA, OR NASA.

Jai is probably trying to understand what Tony is explaining to him. And once Tony explained whatever the shit he explaining to him, Chad will answer what? at the end.

He is our Chad (nickname). He’s not at the legendary ‘Mr. Chandler’ level. But he got that smile and awkwardness with words. They are both coming in my direction, and Chad is not showing his middle finger to me, this is unusual.

Hey, what were you two talking about earlier? I asked them, and I see Chad avoiding eye contact with me, which means he did something stupid again. I’m staring at Tony's face because he knows something that he wants to tell me for sure. Tony answer.

Chad just a few minutes ago told one old grandpa to leave this earth. That’s why I’m scolding him and telling him to take his words seriously before speaking to anyone, Tony said, and now I know why Chad is avoiding eye contact with me. He knows I will also lecture him.

I asked Chad what caused him to tell all that to an old man. So he's telling me the full story.

‘Listen, I’m not wrong this time, ok? That grandpa was staring at the sky when we passed by him. He’s sitting on a bench outside his home and staring at the sky so interestingly that Tony asks him, At what are you staring at, grandpa? Then that old man answers that he was just wondering how our world looked from above. He never sits on a plane. So, I tell him, ‘Grandpa, why don’t you leave the earth and die? Then you’ll definitely see our little world from above the clouds.’ After that, Grandpa stopped looking at the sky, and before that old man said anything, Tony kicked me. I fell to the ground, and then Tony apologised to him and told me to apologise to him. I refused to apologise and walked away. Tony has been lecturing me ever since.’

After listening to Chad, I thought that he was only joking with that old man, but Tony takes it seriously as always. I said to Chad, ‘Go tell him that you're joking with that old man.’ Tony is walking a little ahead of us. But Chad is not in the mood for apologising.

‘I’m not apologising to anyone,’ Chad said to me, and now I know what I have to do.

Tony, slow down, I said, and he stopped. After we reach him, I’m asking him.

Tony, who is the hottest aunt, you want to Date.

Chad mom, and I promise, I will take her on Date one day, Tony said, and now Chad is looking at me like he’s going to kill me for asking that question.

‘Soma and Tony, stop now. I will apologise to that old man. Fine now,’ Chad said, but I will ignore his words and ask Tony one more question.

Tony, where do you want to take Susan Aunty (Chad’s mom) on a date?

Himalayas or beach. Yeah, the beach is ideal for my first date with her. I’d like to see Susan Aunty in only two pieces, Tony said, and now Chad is regretting me taking Tony's side today again, and believe me, readers, Tony can actually take Susan Aunty on a date if he wants. You will all understand why Tony said that in future chapters.

Chad is telling us to stop talking about her mom. So, we stop talking about her mom, and now I’m asking Tony some questions, just to cool the tension that we have here because Chad doesn’t like when we talk about her mom.

Tony, I also have some more questions. Answer these Fast, ‘What girl is your type?

Tony knows this is not new for him, so he answers fluently.

Girl with a smile on her face. She must be cute and not too aggressive. Enough or want to know more, which cup size I like.

Ok, save it for the next chapter. We will know it there, I said, and Chad smiled. I ask my second question.

I also wanted to know that Britishers say that ghosts are real and that they believe in them. So that’s true or not?

Tony releases a big sigh and answers.

Don’t you two have anything else to be concerned about on our trip to the bus stop? For example, what subject will we study in our first semester or what type of faculty will teach us?

‘You forgot something important, my man,’ Chad said, and I also started thinking, but then Tony answered.

Oh, I get it. It's the canteen and sports ground.

‘Yup, but still, you forget something, imp.’

On this occasion, Tony’s expression changes, and he knows what he's missing. But he can’t say it's loaded because now we have arrived at the bus top and some other colleagues and faculty are standing. But he still said it quietly.

Girls with big boobs and beautiful asses are your type. And I think I’m forgetting this. We will find someone like them in our college.

As soon as Tony said that, Chad and I started laughing, and after some time, I noticed that there were faculty standing nearby us, in front of us, and behind us. At this point, the trio knows that we all screwed up. And after that, we got our college identity cards taken by faculty. We don’t resist when they ask for our identity card. After all, it’s our first day of college, and we don’t want to make a scene there. But I forget we have Chad with us, who’s not going back without fighting. So, Chad talks to one of the faculty members who took our identity cards.

‘Faculty or Professor, what can I say to you?’ On this, Tony smiles and answers him.

Dude it’s return on his face that he’s a professor.

I’m smiling at Tony's answer, but not professor. He’s angry. Professor speaks.

Very well. Alright, I’ll talk to you later, ‘Dude boy’. First, I’ll reply to him.

He questioned Chad, What’s your name? At this point, me and Tony know that we are going to fucked up pretty badly this time because we have known Chad since childhood. Chad reply’s Prof.

‘Can’t you read on that identity card, which you took from us? When we are discussing such an important subject. Go change your optometrist (eye doctor) or tell him that you can’t even read a 6 cm4 cm college identity card, or tell your colleagues that ‘we have to increase the size of the identity card’.’

After that, Chad stopped lecturing the professor, and I think the professor is thinking it’s all over. But here we are talking about Chad, and I doubt it’s over. And then it’s over after Chad drops his last line.

‘Still wanna know my name.’

At these, everyone is looking at Chad and the professor, I said to Tony, ‘Let’s run and take Chad with us at home; we can explain this to our moms.’

You think Chad will run from this?

Naah.

So, wait and see what the professor and faculty will do.

Ok, I said, and we wait for the Professor’s response.

"Please keep quiet, all of you; it’s not new for us to handle some delinquents....

The professor is talking to other faculty, and we are laughing because the professor just called us ‘delinquents’. We were delinquents once, but not now. That word is what we are going to hear from college faculty all the time from now on, for sure. Since we are laughing and smiling like nothing happened. The professor turned towards us, and his expressions are changing now, which is not a good sign for our first day of college life, which still has to start by sitting in our bus when it arrives.

The professor took our identity card photo with his smartphone and mentioned other facilities, like keeping an eye on us. At last, he gestures towards us like, My eyes are on you for the next 4 years. And then turned the other side. We also step a little out of our bus top place. After that, we started talking again.

‘I’ve won, but at what cost?’ Chad told us, and we all smiled, then I said, ‘Boys, I think it’s full’. At these times, Tony asks me, What full?

Our quota of getting scolded, I said. At his answer to mine, we all started laughing again. Then Tony reminded us of that.

It’s only 10:05 a.m. We still have to go to college and attend lectures, mostly introductions to subjects.

Ok boys, let's make it happen our first day of college and try to make it a good memory, I said.

Ok, Chad and Tony said in unison to me.

Our bus will arrive in a few minutes, but in the meantime, I just noticed someone who I believe will turn out to be one of the best girls in this tale. Why do gorgeous girls walk slowly? She has a very different aura; maybe she’s an introverted person. My mind is telling me that she’s my love at first sight. My eyes are getting full details of her body, face, and hair. Her appearance is excellent; her light blue dress is beaming a light of calmness around her, but her facial expressions are not matching my thoughts about her, and why is she standing away from us?

My mind was telling me, ‘What if she’s not from our college and waiting for another college bus to stop?’ What if that’s the truth? After releasing this, I think of telling my boys, There's a change in plan, and I’m going where that girl is going. But when I turned back to my boys, I didn’t expect what I saw. All the boys and girls have the same expression as I do; also, Chad and Tony act like they know what they are seeing.

Earth to Chad, Earth to Tony, Tony, I call for them. Later, they respond, and I tell them, ‘I've got my eye for this girl’. They are like, Go for it, my man; win her; conquer her. And then Chad said,

‘I will do anything for you to win that girl's heart, my man.’

Same goes for me too, Tony said, and I can see in their eyes that they are really on my side and not joking. So, I tell them, ‘Don’t make me cry, my children.

One of the faculty members said, ‘The bus is going to arrive in 5 minutes. Take out your college identity card; without it, no one will be allowed to enter the bus’. All students did as she said.

Before I explain my plan to my friends, my biggest fear comes true. The girl, whom I had my eyes on, got into a private car and disappeared in no time. At this point, I started to get dizzy and started leaning on Chad. He told me to ‘Stand like a man, my son.’ But I’m not in good shape after seeing her go away. A little later, I tell Tony and Chad to take care of my mom and dad and my little sister, and I also tell them to delete all my study materials and browser history. And they are really nodding. At last, I said to them, ‘My time has come’.

Your sister is now mine. I've got your approval, brother-in-law. You can die peacefully now, Tony said, smiling like a fool. My legs have given up. I crumble like a pyramid made up of cards. And Chad is overacting as always and saying, ‘"Noooooooo, Captain...

Extra #

Narrator - Hey Author, don’t stop story like these readers will get wrong idea.

Author - Who are you?

Narrator- You forget naming me; I think.

Author - Oh sorry. Next of the Next chapter your name is going to reveal ok.

Narrator- how can an Author forget about one of the protagonist names.

Author - side characters don’t need name.

Narrator - Whaaat? I’m not the side character.

Author - keep quiet or you will be erased.

Ch 2 Side story

Ms Editor & Mr Author

Alarm – bip, bip, bip ...

Birds chartering.

Vegetable seller yelling – Buy potato and onion at sale.

Milkman – Horn.

Mr Author- That’s how my day started now. Unavoidable noises that make me doubt my decision to live here. Before moving to these places, I lived outside this town. I can’t say, but one thing leads to another, and after that, I’m here. A house with a two-story building. With a very good owner who doesn’t pry into other people's businesses. Her name is Shusmita. Her behaviour is very unusual. Considering normal Indian aunties, who pry into the whole colony's business, Also, nice views I get from this place in the morning and at sunset.

Ahh... Let’s hurry and bath before she arrives. Or she will lecture me like yesterday. It’s not like I feel bad about her lecturing me on my way of living, sleeping, and not waking up on time. But she's the dominant type, and I get a little worried that she might beat me up if I do not listen to her. Actually, she forces me to live here because this place is near her house. She visits me daily and comes here to give me lunch in the afternoon, and at night she also brings me dinner. She also checks on my work since she’s, my editor. Ahh ... Shit, it’s 9 o’clock already. I’m getting late. She’s going to arrive at any hour now. Hmm, ahh, or maybe I can sleep 5 minutes more. No, I told her yesterday that I would be ready when she arrived at my place so that we could talk about this book that I’m writing.

Ms. Editor: So how’s the new story going? Getting any new idea.

Yeah, pretty good. Actually, I’m enjoying writing it, I said to my partner. She came just 2 minutes ago, and her first question was about my story.

Good for you. So, when is the story going to finish? In 3 months or 5 months.

Ah, sorry, I can’t write it within this time limit. It will take approximately 7 to 8 months with my full determination. Hmm...gulp. Why are you standing up? I said that because she stands on the sofa. I’m sitting opposite her.

Listen here, my better half. If you are not going to finish this book in the time frame that I have given you. Then.

Then what. Don’t stop there; please say what you mean by that.

Wanna know? she said. ‘Yes,’ I said.

Tighten your belt, reader, and especially you, Mr. Author.

Just say it already.

"It Ends with Us"

Don’t just usually say this to me. That was one of the best title drop in contemporary literature. Which we read together at my old house. I’m doing great there, with fewer noises to distract me from my work. You make me lunch every afternoon and night; I appreciate that. But-

But what? my partner said, and she was looking angry. I have to reply fast.

Hmm... listen I can finish this book on my own at my own place. So can I start packing my bag?

Listen, I know that this is my idea of bringing you out of your place to this place. But listen, my name is Ms. Editor for some reason in this chapter, and I want you, Mr. Author, to do your work here. So that I can keep my eyes on you, she said, finally sitting again on the sofa.

What you get by doing this to me, forcing me to live here and write my book here. I want to go to my old house.

Honey, I know what you call me when I’m not around.

Don’t change the subject. What did I call you, and who said that to you?

"You call me Chichi." (Fact: Goku is the strongest character in anime, and Chichi is his wife.)

The house owner told you this, I asked, and she nodded.

Yes. And she also told me that you use that name again and again during your conversation with her.

Ok, as the author of this chapter, I command you to erase those good lines, which I said about my house owner earlier in 1 and a half pages. Is anybody listening or not? Ms. Editor, you can do that, I think, since you are the Ms. Editor after all.

Stop now, she said. Ok, I give up. I replied to cool her mood.

Nice, ok, did you make your breakfast or not?

Haven’t yet. I was in such a hurry that I forgot to make it.

But you have taken a bath, made bed, and are also ready like a gentleman. But don’t make breakfast.

I’m a man, not a woman, which takes an hour to bathe, and getting ready needs another hour. And also...Ehhh... Hmm Gulp... Are you angry at me or my answer? I asked and moved a little back because she brought her face near me.

No. I’m Just wondering how it will feel to stand in court for beating an author of fiction books.

Hey, what are you talking about? Just cool down. What readers are going to think about you is that you are a dominant type. Actually, she is a dominant type of girl.

So what? It’s not like we are the best characters in this story.

But our lo.... sto.... is going to be one of the best. It’s definitely going to be tops for some readers. Dattebayo (believe it).

Ok, if you are saying that, I’m going to believe it, she said and we left my room. I’m walking her to the parking lot. You told me earlier that story writing is going well. What’s the story of this book? Give me some type of hint. After all, I’m Ms. Editor. I can give you some ideas about your story too if you want.

Wait a minute. You wanted to know the story of this book.

Yup. what’s wrong with that.

Nothing, but I’m not sure how I can End this book.

You are worried about the ending, but you just started writing the book, right, and why? Not sure about a good ending, she asked, and now she’s worried about me. I’m also hiding this from her: ‘I’m writing a series and not a single book on contemporary issues’. I will tell her some other time.

You know what culture I follow and what type of things I’m into, I said so that I could change topics. She’s in car now. I’m hanging in her car window.

Which culture do you follow, tell me?

Don’t mess with me; you know me, and I know that.

Haha, I’m just letting readers know something about Mr. Author's personal life.

Haha, nice joke.

Okay, we will talk about this new book story later. I’m going home to prepare your launch. You made your breakfast today, next time I will make it for you. Fine, she said and paused for a moment. Or we go out for lunch today; yeah, come with me.

Nice idea, but I have to think about other character stories and their names.

Oh, hey, speaking of names.

At this point, both Mr. Author and Ms. Editor said in unison, "There’s something missing from this chapter. It’s our name...

Extra#

Mr Au- Hey, sorry to make you wait; let’s go.

Ms. Ed - Where?

Mr Au - Where you ask. Where we have our names mentioned.

Ms Ed- You're sure about it.

Mr Au- Yeah. I’m tired of not having my name mentioned. Even though I’m the main protagonist and character of this side story.

Ms Ed- It seems like I've seen this before. But can’t say where for some reason.

Mr Au- Now that you mention this aah...haa, yup. I understand this reference", but from where, I was mean to someone maybe. It’s returning to me.

Ms. Ed - Hey cool! ‘My other half’ Let’s just wait for the next chapter.

Mr Au - Ok. If you say so. I’m not waiting for my name to be mentioned, but yours. I remember when I first heard your name. It was like the universe just tell me, You got this limited time ** Medium is Premium**, item Bomb.

Ms Ed - Stop that. Please don’t make me blush. Baka (Japanese) (idiot or stupid)

Ch-3 The Ocean Wave intro.... See her

Aug 15, 2022 Monday

Tony- It’s been one week since our college identity card photo was taken on our first day of college. That day was ordinary for Chad and myself, but not for Soma. He experienced love at first sight on our first day of college, only to be broken within a few minutes. That day, we went to college but didn’t attend a single lecture. We just sit in the canteen and garden since Soma is in poor health. So, Chad and I are giving him company.

From that day on, I and Chad will only go to college on alternate days, so that one will always be with Soma at home. From outside, anyone can get confused if we say that the way Soma behaves outside in the world is totally different from what he is from inside. Only a few close friends and family members are aware of Soma’s actual nature, and I’m one of them. Soma shows that no one can physically or mentally harm him, but I know that behind that face is a boy who gets upset or hurt over small things, especially if those things are done by the person with whom he becomes emotionally attached, even if only for a short period. That’s why when that girl did not sit in our bus for college, he was like, This is fine; I’m fine.

I’m at the bus stop now, and I'm standing at the same place that Soma, love at first sight, was standing on our first day of college, looking at a girl who is standing with other girls at the bus stop. If I had to describe her, I’d say she’s a striking girl with a mix of black and hints of brown hair, creating a charming contrast. Her dark brown eyes are appealing, drawing attention to her face and adding a touch of intensity to her expression. Her hot and beautiful appearance is enhanced by her choice of fashion, which reflects her confidence and boldness. However, beneath her alluring exterior, there is also a sense of innocence that adds depth and intrigue to her personality.

She’s carrying a very small bag. I don’t think even a single textbook would fit inside it. Is she-

Take out your college identity card. And for those without an identity card, show some other documents relating to your admission to college. Step inside the bus one by one...., the professor is saying to students because our bus just arrived. I have to take out my ID card.

Now I’m sitting inside the bus, behind that girl, and wondering if I'll become friends with her. Is my girlfriend going to kill me or beat the shit out of me? It’s not like I would get hurt by her slaps or kicks. I can become friends with this girl. Ok, it’s final. I will try to talk to her in recess. Let’s set some of our favourite songs on shuffle to play.

After attending my lectures, I'm now in the canteen, sitting on a bench, and in front of me, that girl is standing only 5 metres away from me, whose appearance I’m narrating. But this time she’s standing alone. Maybe I should call her, and... fuck, she’s coming in my direction. Is she going to slap me for describing her character?

"It gets easier.  Every day it gets a little easier.

But you gotta do it every day – that’s the hard part.

But it does get easier."

– Jogging Baboon, BoJack Horseman

Listen, readers, that quote up there has something to do with my character; actually, it’s not enough, but what can I say? Today I’m so happy because I got a chapter of my own name and also because I’m narrating it. Let’s begin this long tale.

My name is "Nami. Which means Ocean waves". My father named me after his business firm, which deals with making ocean equipment. Strange, huh? Naming your only daughter, which you saw last time when she was 11 years old, such a good name is wasted on me, I think. Why? Because I also wanted to travels all around the world like Ocean waves, which had no boundaries, with my mother and father. But here we are, my mom and I living on ourselves, with no sign of my father coming back home. Thanks to my mother skills as a technician in Computer Science, we are living a good life in India. Can’t say safe though because women and girls are not safe in this country. The only reason we are staying here is because, according to my mom, ‘this country's soil is what connects us with our ancestors’. I’m not sure which ancestors my mom talks about since Switzerland is where my mother was born. She’s half Indian.

In the newspaper, we read daily about girls, women, and sometimes girls below 6 years old getting sexually harassed or raped. It’s so common now that I and my mom have stopped reading newspapers, so that negative news doesn’t get us down and weigh on our consciences. We will always be in a state of fear if that bad news gets to our conscience. Because when mom leaves for work, I’m alone at home, which frightens and scares me. And when I leave for college and mom is alone at home, she also feels the same way I do.

Before I started college, I and mom spent time together and tried not to think about my father because mom and I wanted to move on from him as quickly as possible. We now know that he’s not going to come back anymore. My mom tried talking to him, but he’s not answered any of her calls in the last 3 years. When I asked Mom about what went wrong with my relationship with him, Mom always makes jokes and says, I don’t know, honey, maybe your father gets bored in this country. Maybe he found out that all people do here is nothing but play politics. Which doesn’t even make any sense for our country's goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the time limit, which they self-prescribed. I laughed at these jokes of hers, but deep down we both knew what was true and what kept him away from us. He’s cheating on my mom with someone else.

So, for now, enough about my story; let’s return to the bus. The bus just arrived at the college. The campus is as good as they describe it in Magazines. Beautiful scenery, trees all around the campus, a sports arena, and two big auditoriums. I swear I’m going to perform in one of them at a cultural festival. They also got swimming pools, and at centre of campus, there’s a little temple of Lord Krishna. The staff said the boys hostel took care of the temple. I’m just out from inside the temple; it’s really beautiful, as they said. I doubt though that the boys hostel took care of it.

Now I’m in the canteen, and after one week of college, I know it’s not going to be easy for me to stay here without being friends. But my facial expressions and my way of dressing show me like, I’m not easy to talk to or that I’m full of attitude. Being friends with me is not going to help them either, as they would think. But I would like to be friends with someone ‘who is good with his tongue. I mean, who’s good at talking. ‘Good at handling weight with his bare hands; I mean, he is good at handling heavy situations on his own. I don’t know about all that, but for now on, I’m going to be friends with that boy, who is sitting in front of me on a bench, and he looks at me for a few seconds and then diverts his gaze over something. What’s he wanting?

If someone told me to describe him, I would describe him like this: ‘He’s absolutely adorable! When I look at him, I can’t help but notice his striking handsomeness. There’s something about him that makes me feel safe and at ease.’ Let’s try to become friends with him.

Can I sit here? I asked him, and now I’m standing in front of him. He’s not expecting me, I think.

Ah... Yes. It’s free, and nobody's coming.

Thank you, I said as I sat down. He’s smiling a little; I don’t know why.

No problem.

Actually, I’m here to ask you something, I said yes because I have a question about something.

Yes, you can ask.

You and your friends caused a commotion on our first day of college, am I right?

You noticed that.

Yup, at the bus stop, almost everyone is aware of it. The way one of your buddies faced the Professor directly, is one of his screws lost or what? He certainly has a delinquent voice. Is he a member of any bike gang? I said, and I think I’m asking or talking too much. He’s just adorably gazing at my face.

Seems like someone is interested in my friend, he said, paused as though wondering how much information to give me. He’s not a delinquent or a member of any bike gang. He is good with good people and bad with bad people. Believe in Gender equality. You wanted to friends with him, I’m right or not.

No, you misunderstood my words. I wanted to be friends with good people, I responded, and I’m smiling from inside because, the way he described his friend, it sounds like they had known each other since they were young, or maybe they were childhood friends. He pauses for a moment to consider something. Now he’s ready to ask me more.

Then why don’t you start by making me your first friend?

Ok, from now on, you’re my friend. Tell me if you have a name or if you are still unnamed like the rest.

Haha, nice one. Tony is my name. And the other two with me on the other day are Soma and Chad....I mean Jai. We call Jai, Chad, usually. The trio has been friends since childhood. So, if you want to break our friendship, the first thing you have to do is teleport each of us to other planets in another universe. Because continents and oceans are not going to separate us.

Interesting, haha. I appreciate you giving me this advice; I will use it in the future. Just joking, you seem like an interesting character.

You think so.

Yes, simply focus on developing your muscles building and girls are going to fight for you, my friend, I said but he’s smiling like I’m joking. Undoubtedly, one of his best qualities is his smile.

You are not the only one who said this to me. The others are my family members, Soma and Chad; I mean Jai.

Made any other friends yet.

No, you are the 1st girl with whom I have made friends since 12th grade.

Wanted girlfriend or not, I asked him, but he shows no interest. He might already have a girlfriend. His cute voice and smile can make anyone fall for him; I think. Since he’s not interested in making girlfriends, I asked him why.

Hmm, the one reason is that my friend Soma just got his heart broken, so I’m good being single for now. It’s hard seeing him in that condition. It would be nice if only we knew that girl was home, then in just a matter of time, we would get Soma back to normal.

Oohh, so that’s the story. Don’t worry; your friend will be fine. We will find that girl home; just believe in Nami. The world's second-best Navigator is on your side.

Oh, Who’s first?

Can’t say, I said, and we both smiled, and before Tony explained to me his second reason for not being interested in making a girlfriend, I spotted a girl