CH - 19 FRESHER'S PARTY
Chapter - 19
The next day, Roshni and Neha awoke to a fresh morning at 7 am. College started at 9 am, and breakfast was served in the mess from 8 am. They got up from their bed, went to the washroom one by one, dressed up, and then Neha said, "Hey Roshni, I'm thinking about the freshers' party. Are you going?" Roshni asked, "What party?" feeling confused. Neha smiled and said, "Don't tell me you don't know about the freshers' party! It happens every year when the new batches come in college. Stupid, I heard that some girls were talking about how this time the freshers' party is going to be on the haunted hill."
Roshni raised an eyebrow and said, "The haunted hill?" Neha chuckled and said, "It's a hill that has been haunted for ages, but recently, everybody is talking about an incident where a werewolf attacked some humans. Huhahh, the rumors were spreading like wildfire. The police investigated, but nothing was found, so it's like a ghost story. It's going to be fun! I can't wait for the freshers' party."
When Roshni heard her, she trembled a little and said, "Who is the idiot that decided to throw a party in a jungle at night? Idiots, I don't know about werewolves, but other stray animals are there. It's dangerous." But Neha smiled and replied, "Oh, my cute Roshni, that's the thrill! You know, Roshni said, 'Thrill, no thanks. I'm not going to any stupid party. It's dangerous, and I'm here for studies, not for stupid parties. So, I'm not going'."
Neha pouted and turned towards the door, saying, "Huh, boring Roshni, you know we have only one life. We have to enjoy this life. Just do unexpected things; that's the thrill." She said this with an excited tone, but Roshni replied with a smile, "Yes, we have only one life, and we can't waste it like this. I have dreams; I want to become an independent lady. I want to do something good for the orphanage that looked after me when I was alone. I have to study hard and earn a good living anyway."
It was already 7:50 am, so they decided to go grab some breakfast. They walked towards the canteen, arrived, and sat down. There were only 50-60 students in the mess. Roshni replied, "Oh, wow, I didn't know nobody comes to breakfast." Neha chuckled and said, "Huh, what are you thinking? I see you don't know." Roshni replied, "What?" Then Neha replied, "You know, St. Mary's College is an expensive and high college. Not everyone can afford it, but who can, those can only enter the college. You know, there are not many students who come from middle-class families, and rich kids don't eat in the mess. They say it's not their standard."
Roshni smiled and said, "Standards in food?" Neha nervously forced a smile and said, "Yes, that's why the canteen has a special and expensive menu. The rich kids only eat by buying there. There are only something 100 students who eat in the mess." Roshni said, "Idiots, let's go grab a table." Neha nodded, feeling relieved that Neha didn't ask her background because she, too, comes from a rich family, but she doesn't like to be called a rich kid. She was a simple girl, which is why she eats in the mess.
They approached a table and sat down. The mess started, and everyone grabbed their plates and began eating their food, chatting. Roshni heard some voices: a girl said, "Hey, you know about the freshers' party? It's going to happen on the haunted hill." The other girl replied, "Yes, I know. How thrilling!" The other girl said, "Thrilling, my foot! You know, there are three dead bodies found on that hill recently, and there are many stray animals." The second girl replied, "Haha, you coward. That's what makes it interesting, you know." They started arguing. Roshni heard their chatting and thought, "Werewolves? They are not real, right?"
The mess was filled with chatting and noises. Everybody was talking about the freshers' party, who was going, and when it would happen (10 days later). Neha and Roshni returned to their dorms after eating breakfast, chatting about studies and all.
As they chatted in their dorm, Roshni glanced at her watch and realized it was already 8:45 am. "Neha, we need to go! Classes are about to start!" she said, hurrying to grab her bag. Neha nodded, and they both headed out of their dorm room, walking slowly towards the college building.
The crisp morning air filled their lungs as they strolled across the campus, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling college life. They walked past the library, where students were already huddled over books and laptops, and the cafeteria, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods wafted out.
As they approached the college building, they could hear the murmur of voices and the sound of footsteps echoing through the corridors. They joined the stream of students flowing into the building, their footsteps blending with the others.
Finally, they reached their classroom, and Roshni pushed open the door, revealing a room filled with chattering students. The air was thick with excitement, and Roshni's irritation grew as she realized everyone was still talking about the freshers' party. "Can't they think about anything else?" she muttered to Neha, who chuckled and whispered, "You'll find out, everybody's coming to class!"
Just then, the door swung open, and Rudhir walked in, his presence commanding attention. The students' eyes turned to him, and Roshni noticed some girls giggling and batting their eyelashes, trying to catch his eye. Others attempted to strike up a conversation, but Rudhir simply nodded and took his seat, his expression unreadable.
The classroom was electric with tension, and Roshni felt a shiver run down her spine as she took her seat beside Neha. She couldn't help but wonder what it was about Rudhir that drew people to him like a magnet. As the professor entered the room, the chatter died down, and the class began, but Roshni's mind wandered back to Rudhir, and she found herself stealing glances at him throughout the lecture.
TO BE CONTINUED...