𝟐.𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫.

Bangalore, has been my haven; I've never ventured beyond its borders. Every aspect of my life seems neatly confined within this city.

Managing everything alone is a daunting task, especially juggling college and work simultaneously. My job as a waitress brought me here, and just now, I finished a performance at a local singer's gig. These days, singers and their excuses! They never fail to disappoint.

Lost in thought, I reached for a tray laden with drinks, making my way to a table when my friend's voice pulled me back.

"Hey Aarini, we're late again! Let's hurry, or we'll be in for a lecture from the hostel warden. With your job, one day we might end up homeless," she teased.

She Is Riya My Best Friend And My Crime Partner.

Setting down the tray ont the table, I turned to her with a wry smile. "Sure Riya, let me inform the manager first, then we can leave." Together, we headed to the manager's office.

"Sir, everything's sorted. We're running late, so we'll take off now," I informed the manager.

"Alright," came his reply, and with that, we exited the bar.

Flagging down an auto-rickshaw, I turned to my friend. "Riya, we're really cutting it close today. I doubt the warden will let us off the hook."

Seating ourselves in the auto-rickshaw, Riya remarked, "Aarini, your job might be the end of me one day."

I placed a comforting hand on Riya's, "Don't worry, Riya. We'll make it to the hostel in time."

Looking up at the auto-rickshaw's roof, Riya muttered, "I hope God is on our side today."

After a short while, the auto-rickshaw came to a stop outside the hostel gates. I paid the driver and, with Riya by my side, we entered the hostel premises.

Next Day,

Finally, our classes were over, Riya and I were leaving college. Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized it was already four in the evening, means, there was only an hour left to reach the bar.

"Arini, my dad has called me for some urgent work. I'll have to go out with him for a few days," Riya informed me.

"Okay," I replied absentmindedly, my gaze fixed on the road ahead.

"Yeah, and until I come back, take care of yourself. And be careful at work because it's late, and there are some shady characters around, and you're a girl alone, you understand, right?" Riya's words echoed in my ears as she spoke.

She still thinks of me as a kid.

"Yes, Riya, I understand, and I know all this well," I reassured her.

Riya and I hugged each other, and then I got into an auto-rickshaw while Riya left with her dad.

I was on my way from college to the hostel in an auto when suddenly the auto broke down midway.

"What happened? Why did the auto stop?" I asked the driver as the auto came to a halt.

"Oh, madam, what can I say? It seems like the fuel is finished," the auto driver replied.

"Why don't you check before driving? If there's no fuel, why do you even bring the auto?" I muttered in frustration.

I paid the auto driver and started walking. Because of the long classes, I had left college late today, and it was getting late for me to reach the bar, and now it was starting to get dark.

As I walked, I felt as if there were three or four people walking behind me, but I didn't look back because of fear. I quickened my pace, and the four people also started walking faster.

I panicked and started running. Suddenly, the headlights of a car coming from the front hit my eyes, and my legs started hurting, and before I knew it, everything went dark.

When I opened my eyes, everything was a blur. Then I realized I was in a hospital.

But who brought me here? Before I could dwell on it, a man walked in.

"How are you feeling now?" he asked, his first words as he entered.

"I'm okay now," I replied, settling onto the chair.

"Where's home for you? If you tell me, I can take you there," he offered.

"How did I get here, and who are you?" I suddenly wondered aloud.

"You were being chased by some thugs. While fleeing, you collided with my car and passed out. So, I brought you here," he explained from his seat.

"Could you tell me the time?" I asked, scanning the ward for a clock.

Unfortunately, there was no clock in the ward.

"It's 9 o'clock at night," he said, checking his wrist watch.

The gates of hostel must have closed by now,

"Where will I go at this hour?" I murmured to myself.

"Why? What happened? Any problem? Can I assist you with something else?" He asked,

Maybe sensing my distress.

"No, thank you. I'll manage. Thank you so much for saving me," I smiled.

"Okay, as you wish," he said, rising from his chair.

"Could I find a place to stay for the night?" I asked after a moment's thought.

Hearing my request, he paused, turned back, and said, "Yes, of course. Come with me."

I didn't want to trust a stranger so easily, but he had saved my life. Besides, there seemed to be no other option, given the late hour.

Alright, I'll have to go with him."

Here I was with a complete stranger.

Yes, you heard that right-a stranger from whom I had sought help for the first time. Normally, I don't trust strangers, or maybe I had never been in a situation where I needed to ask one for help.

Oh, I forgot to mention, the stranger's name is Kedon. Now, I was standing outside Kedon's house while he went to park his car.

I was watching a stray cat pass right in front of me, wondering why people don't adopt these cats and why they have to wander around like this.

I thought about adopting it myself. Before I could pick it up, Kedon called out to me.

"Come inside," he said as he went in. I followed him, and we were now standing in front of a room.

"Here is your room. You can stay here. Please come down for dinner after a while," Kedon said, showing me the room.

"Thank you so much for helping me," I said to Kedon as I entered the room.

Kedon left.

I quickly took a shower and changed my clothes. Thank God Kedon had provided some clothes.

I went down to the hall for dinner and sat at the small dining table in the corner. Kedon was sitting right across from me. A servant brought dinner and served us before leaving.

"If you don't mind, may I ask why you didn't go home?" Kedon asked.

"Because girls aren't allowed entry into the hostel after 9 PM."

"Why? Where is your family?"

Hearing this, I paused mid-bite. Placing the food back on my plate, I replied, "I don't have a family. I'm an orphan." Kedon was shocked by this revelation.

I could see the surprise on his face.

Perhaps he was sinking into the sorrow of my being an orphan. I would have drowned in sorrow too if he were an orphan.

Anyway, I quickly finished my meal and returned to my room for a tight sleep.

Next morning,

When I got ready and came downstairs, I saw Kedon sitting on the sofa, deeply engrossed in reading a file.

I approached Kedon and said, "Can you drop me off at my college? I know I've already asked for a lot of help from you, but if you ever need my help, I'll be there. Besides, I don't know the way to the college from here, so I can't go alone."

Oh Jesus, sometimes I wish I could just stop talking.

Seeing him look up at me after my non-stop chatter, I rolled my eyes.

"Which college do you attend?" Kedon asked, closing the file and taking a deep breath.

"Bangalore University."

"Okay, wait, I'll get my car keys," he said, and went to get the keys.

To Be Continued...