Mom:"Wake up!! Wake up, son!! Today is your first day of college and you're getting late!"
Agastya:"Mom!! Just 5 more minutes..."
He covered his blanket over his body again like a bird in a nest.
Mom:"No, son! No more 5 minutes. Just get up, get ready for college, and come down for breakfast. If you're not ready in the next 30 minutes, I'll inform your father!"
Agastya:"Mom!!!!" (crying as he tried to sleep again)
But the moment he heard the word "Father", Agastya instantly jumped up and rushed to get freshened up.
Dad:"Are you ready for your degree life? If you're not, you better be. No one comes when you're in trouble."
Agastya just nodded his head, finished his breakfast, and headed towards his bike.
His mom came outside with a plate filled with holy water, did a small pooja, and wished him good luck.
As he entered the college campus...
Agastya (in his mind):"Ahh!! The college is just around the corner..."
Suddenly, someone called out.
Boy:"Hi! Welcome to STJIT."
Agastya turned around to see a boy in cool sunglasses, wearing a blue denim jacket, and carrying a handsome face standing next to him.
Agastya:"Hi, I'm Agastya."
Boy:"Siddharth."
Siddharth:"First year?"
Agastya:"Yes, what about you?"
Siddharth:"Same. Come, let's go to the auditorium… They're giving a welcome speech to the freshers, it seems."
Agastya:"Okay, let's join the program."
As both were heading towards the auditorium, a strong wind started blowing. Pages flew all over the campus. Amidst the wind and dust, a girl appeared — wearing a white chudidhar, with silky black hair tied with a white hair tie. Suddenly, the wind blew her hair tie away, letting her hair fall free. Her hair flowed all over her face as she tried to hold them back.
Agastya saw her — and his heart skipped a beat. The entire campus turned black and white in his eyes, except her. His mind was filled with her eyes, her beautiful smile.
Agastya (mind voice):"Ahh!! What a moment… she looks like an angel."
He stood still like a statue, just watching her.
Siddharth:"Agastya!! Agastya!!"
Agastya:"Ah! Ah!!" (snapped back to reality)
Agastya:"Macha! Just saw an angel, ra!"
Siddharth:"Angel ahh? I can only see devils here!" (laughs loudly)
Agastya turned to show her to Siddharth, but she and her friends had already disappeared into the crowd.
Without saying a word, Agastya grabbed Siddharth's hand and started running. Siddharth ran behind him, clueless.
They finally reached the auditorium.
Siddharth:"Bro!! We're in the auditorium. We can't roam around here. Let's sit for a few minutes. I'm tired! We'll find her later."
Agastya:"Ahh!? Okay, let's take a break."
They sat on a chair in the auditorium. Siddharth was enjoying the program, but Agastya's eyes were still searching for her.
Anchor:"Now, let's welcome a fresher who will give us a glimpse of Yakshagana — the pride of Karnataka. Please welcome Ahalya to the stage with a big round of applause!"
The audience cheered loudly.
Siddharth:"Macha! Macha! Look there, ra! A first-year girl it seems!"
Agastya turned toward the stage — it was her! The same girl in the white chudidhar. He was stunned. He couldn't hear a single sound — not even the music. All he could see was her — her eyes, her smile, and her graceful dance movements.
He turned toward Siddharth.
Agastya:"Macha! She's the one I was talking about! What's her name?"
Siddharth:(scratching his head)"Aa… aa… something with 'Aa'... Not remembering clearly… aa… yes! Ahalya! Yes, dude! Her name is Ahalya."
Agastya:"Ahalya!! :)"
Agastya (to himself):"Agastya - Ahalya, nice match, right? My angel!"
Agastya:"Macha! My mother's daughter-in-law, she's your sister-in-law!"
Siddharth:"Ahh!!! Sister-in-law? Bro, you just saw her now! How can you say she'll be yours? What if she's already in a relationship?"
Agastya:"And what if she's not? Think positive, macha! Even if she is, I'll leave her alone and just try to be a good friend."
Siddharth:"Good words, and good spirit, dude. I like it a lot!"
The whole audience was talking about her performance and looks. Agastya started getting a little jealous.
Siddharth (laughing):"Hahaha... Don't be jealous, my boy. She's not yours — yet!"
Agastya:"No, I'm not jealous."
But his face said otherwise. Siddharth noticed.
Siddharth:"Okay, okay!" (still laughing)
Siddharth:"You saw her. Can we leave now?"
Agastya:"Wait! Let her finish her performance. Let's meet her."
Siddharth:"Meet her? Bro, hold on, hold on!"
Just as Siddharth was about to speak more, the performance ended. Ahalya walked backstage.
Agastya immediately dragged Siddharth again, rushing toward the back of the auditorium — but by the time they got there, she was already gone. They searched everywhere but couldn't find her.
It was getting late. Agastya's mom started calling, so the boys decided to head to the parking lot.
Agastya remained silent the whole way, replaying her face in his mind. Siddharth kept talking, but Agastya didn't hear a word.
Suddenly, someone called from behind.
Girl:"Hi!! You're Agastya, right? I love you!"
Siddharth turned around — and was stunned.
Agastya turned too — and was completely shocked.
It was Ahalya!!