Chapter 2- New Friend

Diya's p.o.v

I went to college and met tina. We are really excited as it's our 1st day at college. We entered into our class and sat down on the bench.

Then comes our mighty seniors. They started talking about manners, how to behave..how to respect..blah..blah...

Hearing them, I am feeling too much bored. When these seniors left the classroom I took a relief of breath.

I and Tina started talking about random things. Tina is looking at all the boys and telling me who is handsome, who is looking like a fool.

I don't like to judge people by their looks so I just nodded my head.

Suddenly, my eyes went to a particular girl. She is sitting alone. She is looking like she belongs to any rich family. Her clothing looks very expensive. But she is silent and looking at everyone with a blank expression. Curiosity erupted inside me to know the girl. Why is she sitting alone! So, I decided to talk with her. I walked in front of her bench.

"Hi, myself Diya Roy. What's your name? I asked her extending my right hand.

She took my hand and said smiling," I am Lavanya Pratap Singh. Nice to meet you."

She is beautiful and her smiling makes her more beautiful.

"Why are you sitting here alone? I asked her curiously.

" Actually, I don't feel comfortable with many people. that's why I am sitting here alone," she replied to me chuckling.

" you don't have to sit here alone. Come with me. From today we are friends. " I said to her showing my all teeth. She chuckled seeing my childish behaviour.

I almost dragged her to our bench and made her sit beside me. I also introduced Tina with her. In a short period of time, we became good friends.

" So, you are Lavanya Pratap Singh, daughter of Uday Pratap Singh? Tina asked Lavanya surprisingly.

"Yeah" she replied sadly.

" oh my god!  I can't believe I have just befriended with Singh family's daughter," Tina said. I can sense the excitement in her voice...

I know who is Uday Pratap Singh. He is one of the richest men in this whole country. He is also a well-known politician. I have seen him multiple times in T.v. Though he looks very rough and tough but his daughter looks too much fragile.

"Umm, Lavanya. Can I ask you something? I said to Lavanya hesitantly.

" yes, sure," she said smiling.

"Your father is a well-known personality. But you look very simple and fragile. May I know the reason? I asked her with hesitation.

She took a deep breath and started saying," you both are very lucky that you have born in a normal family. Though my family has name, fame and money but we don't live like a family. In my family, we have to follow many rules. Especially the women of our family. And the men in my family don't even respect their women.

My father still beats my mother in front of us for any kind of small mistake. My mother looks after the whole Singh household. But my father doesn't respect her. In my 18 years of life, I never saw my mother talking with my father smilingly. I have always seen the fear in her eyes. But she loves both of her children. And my brother is the worst Singh. He is another copy of my father. Though my father never looked at any woman except my mother. But my brother is a complete playboy. He uses girls like tissue papers. Though I am very close to my mother. But my brother is closest to my father. He never taught him how to respect women. Because of my father, everyone fears me and don't want to be my friend. That's why I am uncomfortable around people," She narrated her family situation.

I am feeling sorry for her. Now I am understanding why people say that "money is not everything ".

"Don't be sad. From today we are your new family. Now smile like a good girl" I tried to cheer up Lavanya.

She smiled and said, "thank you so much for becoming my friend ".

" oh! Come on, no thank you and no sorry in friendship. I said to her giving my toothy smile.

Then we also shared our family life with Lavanya.

So, my first day at college didn't go so bad.I hope my whole college life will go smoothly like today....

At night

Author's p.o.v

A family is having their dinner sitting on a large dining table. There are sitting only four people. Servants are serving food in everyone's plate. All are silent.

A Middle-aged man is sitting with the most authoritative aura. A middle-aged woman is sitting beside the man. And a young man and a girl are also sitting here.

Suddenly the middle-aged man asked the girl," How was your college day, Lavanya"?Did anyone bother you?"

"No, Dad. Everything was alright. No one bothered me. I enjoyed the whole day, "Lavanya replied with a slight afraid voice.

" that's good. But remember one thing that don't mingle with boys. If I ever see you with any boy then you know me what I will do to you. You are already promised with Samrat Rathore's son. So, be careful," The man warned Lavanya.

" Dad, I don't want to marry Vicky. I don't love him. I will keep myself away from every boy but don't tell me to marry him. He is not a good person."Lavanya said almost crying.

A loud sound echoed throughout the whole room. Yes, Mr Uday Pratap has slapped his daughter. He stood up from his chair and everyone also stood up.

"Don't you dare to question my decision! I have promised Mr Rathore that we will join our families together. And I will do that. You, being my daughter. Follow your father's word," Uday Pratap replied angrily.

Lavanya is crying. She is feeling too much angry but she can't do anything. She is helpless.

Lavanya's mother is looking at her daughter with pitiful eyes. But she dares not to open her mouth in front of Lavanya's father.

"Calm down,  Dad. She is still a child. Forgive her. She didn't mean it. " the young man said.

"Teach your sister some manner, Rudra. I don't want to be ashamed in front of the whole country because of her" Uday Pratap almost yelled..

"I will teach her. Now, you calm down. Your BP will get high. I have something important to talk with you." Rudra said to his father.

"Ok, meet me in my study room." saying that uday Pratap left the dining space.

"Why you always have to make Dad angry!! Can't you shut your mouth for some time? " Rudra said to Lavanya with a pissed off voice.

"Bhai, please. Try to understand. I don't want to get married. " Lavanya pleaded with her tearful eyes.

"Don't worry. I will do something. Now, go to your room and take rest." Rudra said to Lavanya softly. Lavanya went to her room immediately.

Rudra is going to leave the dining space when his mother called him.

"Beta(dear).try to make your father understand that Lavanya is still young. Don't marry her off too soon," The middle-aged woman said to Rudra.

"In your whole married life, you couldn't make him understand anything. Then how can I, "Rudra replied mockingly and left the dining space.

Anjali(Rudra's mother) is hurt by her son's word. But She didsn't say anything. Because she is used to everything. What her husband did to their son. He doesn't even respect his mother.