3. Anika And Her Admirer

Author's PoV

Anika and her friend Nithya got down from the college bus and started walking into the college. Their college is located under the foothills with greenery all around. Since it is November, Anika shivered when the cold breeze brushed her skin. 

"uhhhh! Despite being born and brought up here, I am still not immune to this cold." Anika told Nithya, shivering in the cold.

"Haha, Then you should have worn a full sleeve cloth. Come let's get in faster." They started walking at a faster pace.

"Nithu, I told mom and dad that Arun is helping us with the project. Mom is not happy about him being our help. She asked why not a girl help us instead of him. I am scared to open up the matter to them. We are in our final year and we just have little months left to complete our degree." Anika started her whines.

"Look Anu, you are in no position to tell your love to your parents yet. What will you tell them? That you are in love with a guy who doesn't even have a job? Wait until he lands himself a job." Nithya told her.

"I thought so too. But luckily I have told them that I will definitely go to work. So hopefully they won't start the marriage topic anytime soon. But dad is all ready with money for my wedding. Even today he talked about that." 

"Whatever, first let's concentrate on the project. We will get a job only if our project excels others. If you get a job when you finish the degree, you can at least buy time by telling your parents that you like to go to work at least for a year before getting married." Nithya gave her confidence and advice.

"You are right." They both entered the class and got on with the day. 

Anika and Arun have been in love with each other for almost a year now. When Anika entered her second year in college, there was a function in her department and she was in the reception committee. That night when she was checking her mail on her phone, she received an email from an anonymous ID. It said 'To the beautiful peacock!'. When she opened it, she knew it was someone from the college. Maybe a senior or someone from her class. It said,

'Hello Beautiful,

You looked wonderful in the peacock color saree today. You have something that most girls don't have. That is, you don't realize how beautiful you are and that adds to your beauty. The way you carried yourself today literally made you very outstanding in the crowd and I liked you so much for it. There is some magic in you that lifts all my worries off of my heart just by looking at your smile. Thank you for that. All the best for your studies. Study well and may you reach the heights you aim for!

Regards,

Your Secret Admirer.'

Anu had a little smile spread across her lips reading the mail. It gave her a little confident boost. She enjoyed the positivity in the mail and ignored it. She was thrilled to have a secret admirer for her in her college. After some days, she got another mail from the 'secret admirer'. 

'Hello Beautiful,

Hope you are doing good. Just thought of talking to you. How are your studies going? I was feeling a bit low today, I just need a pinch of positivity and vent and I am not a very talkative person. So when you came in my mind, I thought I could vent it out to you. Sorry if I have disturbed you in any way. Take care.

Regards!'

When she read that, she felt a bit low for that faceless admirer. She decided to reply to that mail because she thought if she could give a little peace to someone, she is not going to deny it for him.

"Hello Mr. Stalker,

I am good. Thank you. My studies are so good so far. Don't worry sir, you will feel fine and better tomorrow. Everything will work out just the way you wanted it to be. You will have a great time ahead.

Take care."

When she sent that mail, she felt content. The stalker never said anything that would make her uncomfortable. She didn't feel any threat from him so far. Again there was a pause, she didn't get any mail from him. She forgot about the stalker and went on with her days. It was almost at the end of her second year, she got mail from him again.

'Hello Beautiful,

Thank you for your kind words. I truly felt a lot better after your mail. This mail is to tell you that I passed a crucial level in my career. I am truly happy today and I am glad that I can share it with you. Study well and may you be happy all your life.

Regards,

Your secret Admirer.'

The mail lit her face up with a happy smile. She felt happy for him and she got the curiosity to know who he is and what he passed. Nithya reminded her that they had to go to the auditorium. 

"Hey Nithu, I got an email from him today, de" she told Nithya.

"What did it say?" she asked her.

"It said he has achieved something in his career. I am so happy for him, de." 

"Whoa, relax. You don't know anything about him. Don't get too excited for his happiness. This is not good, Anu." Nithya warned her.

"I don't know Nithu. I am too curious to know who he is. I feel like replying to him with congratulations."

"No, Anu. This is not right.'' They entered the auditorium along with their classmates. The auditorium was full and it was a function to recognize the winners of a paper presentation. It was for the MSc students and it was when she first met Arun. He was one of the winners. He was a handsome young man and many girls drooled over him when he got the prize. Anu drooled over him too, looking at his dimpled cheek and his lovely smile. 

"Awe, he is so handsome, Nithu." She said to her friend.

"Yes, He is so smart." Nithya said.

"Hey, the mail said that he achieved something. Why not be this award? I know for sure that he is studying in our college. Might that be him? His name is Arun, right? The mail id also starts with A and some numbers." Anika jumped in joy.

"Whoa, look at that one. His name is Aravind. It might be him too." Nithya showed her another boy who got the next prize. "I have many names that start in A. Anand, Akash, Arjun, Abhilash, Ashok, Ashwin..." Nithya was cut off by Anika.

"You, Stop it, Nithu. You are very bad." Anika slapped on her shoulder playfully. They both laughed their way back to class.

Days later in their fourth semester holidays, Anika got mail again from the stalker. 

'Hello Beautiful,

Hope you are doing fine. How are you enjoying your vacation? I came across an old friend of mine and he spoke about his old project that was very advanced when he finished his engineering. He could not complete it on time and he bought a project for his finals. I looked at its draft and thought of you immediately. It will be a great help to your final project. I am sending you the project details and the base paper for it. Hope it helps. All the best.

Regards,

Your Secret Admirer.'

Anika checked the attachment and her joy knew no bounds. She truly wishes to see this man. The paper was awesome and she immediately thought to put that to use in their final project. He is a gentleman and she immediately replied to his mail.

'Hello Stalker,

I am too good. Hoping the same from you. My vacation is so boring. The abstract and the paper are so good and I will surely look into it. Thank you. Is there a possibility that I can see you, Mr. Stalker?

Take care.'

She got a reply almost immediately.

'Hello Beautiful,

You have seen me in your college. Complete your studies and I will come and greet you in person. I will come to you with a bouquet of yellow flowers and chocolates to congratulate you on your special day for sure. study well!

Regards,

Your Secret Admirer.'

Anika waited for that special day and went on with her work.