Chapter 3: Where it all started

Arun… a friend since high school, and a confidant still, as we headed towards the finale’ of engineering, was one of the few who knew exactly what I was. And hence knew the change was drastic if not devastating.

“So you are telling me there was a time he didn't puff up like a steam engine and drink like a petrol one?” Asked Dipin with raised eyebrows.

“No.” Said Arun.

••

The Flashback

“Hi Suraj, this is Shyla. Shyla, this is Suraj”, Chaitra said, walking in from behind.

“Shyla, this is the fresher guy I told you about, remember? The salsa dancer?”

“Oh yeah! Hieeee, I’m Shyla, and I am one of the very few in this college with whom you share this passion of dancing”, she said in a hushed yet excited tone, extending her hands for a formal handshake.

“Must say, I’m glad, given that you could be my new partner… uh I meant in salsa”, I replied, with my ever so cheesy flirting.

Dance brings people together, of that I knew. But least did I know that this meeting would bring a person in my life who would teach me an art to live life itself.

This was the beginning of many firsts, as Shyla, for the first time made me realize that the level of faith in another soul limits only where you would imagine it to.

Days passed, but meeting more people never hindered the bond between the two of us from getting stronger.

Performing together was common now, and we were later joined by my new dance partner Rochelle. Oh, was she hot!

Shyla was every guy’s dream friend. A guide, a philosopher, and a close friend who was hardly ever offended by my harmless flirting.

Flirting with Rochelle was however nothing of similar sorts. You could only be that decent while holding a magnificently hot girl up in your arms now, isn't that right!?

But well, that’s where my college life started, happy as ever.

And now here I was, sitting in my life’s brakeless ride, going downhill.

••

Dipin sat there, with only expressions from him being the widening of his eyes which was probably because of the comparison the guy in from the story, and the specimen in front of him.