Chapter-3 (The Unsettled Love Story)

The entire class was amazed. It's only the first week of college and the lecturer gave assignments to their students. Well, I must say this morning came up with loads of desires from Anaya. But, she is willing to fulfil them all because she never learned to give up or let go that easily, and the best part is, she wants to manage whatever came up in her manner.

Classes were dismissed and everyone left in the wake of getting their assignments but Anaya sat up. The quietness of the room choked her. The only sound her ears could pick up was the relentless ticking of the clock and the scream of her thoughts. She was afraid of how she would submit her assignments within three days. It was next to impossible for her because of her partner.

'Sagarika, oh god!'Anaya sighed.

She was stressed because now she has to work with her roommate who is a careless girl and a major party freak. Later, after an hour, Anaya went back to her room where she saw Sagarika all dressed up for the night out, lying on bed and chatting. During her giggles and laughter, Sagarika noticed Anaya walking in silently and she seemed to be tense.

"How are you doing,Anaya?" Sagarika asked.

Radio silence.

"What's wrong, Anaya, I'm asking something. Are you ignoring me?"

"No, not at all, just wondering about assignments. Umm… Sagarika, aren't you worried?"Anaya asked.

"Chill honey! It's just an assignment.Why are you stressed? We will do it together. Don't worry. Anyways, would you like to join us for the party tonight?" Sagarika asked.

"No! No, I'm not coming… I have to study."

"Oh! Come on, don't be so boring Anaya…" Sagarika shrugged her shoulders.

"No, please Sagarika.."

"Ok fine! Just don't wait for me, I'll be coming late." And she left.

Anaya stayed mum as she realised how it's high time for her to understand that she needs to learn how to observe, realise that everything connects like join-the-dots. The best is what she could be.

The night sky was clear as she went out to have a walk along the seashore, staring at the huge and really deep sea.

'I guess I'll never get tired of looking at the waves.The sea has a way of making me feel thoughtful and I developed a theory- that waves are somewhat similar to life.' Anaya thought to herself.

I sometimes think about how one can be so careless? I mean look at Anaya's roommate, I have never seen a girl in my entire life, which can cause trouble for someone at this peak. I don't know how Anaya is surviving and sharing the same room with her. But as the sea makes us feel like we're a part of something big- something incredible, Anaya is the one who is like a revolution; her strength is just too immense.

Anaya now was just left with two days and Sagarika didn't even give a damn about it, busy partying and clubbing, she forgot that she was having some assignments in the group to complete. 'Hesitation is the cause of fear,' Anaya told herself. 'You let it get to you, and you end up nowhere.' Anaya that morning, without delay, left for her college. She knew Sagarika has nothing to do with the project but Anaya is just so focused on her career that she just can't let this opportunity go because of the lacking interests in Sagarika.

Making different designs, sketching bodies, lining dress designs on rough and tearing those papers showed how Anaya is quite nervous at this moment. She doesn't understand how everything is going to be done on time.

This was like just another afternoon when solitude crept through her veins, and she was struggling to maintain that unaffected face. Millions of unanswered questions clouding her mind; yet she cannot afford to make it obvious to her immediate companions. Does she know what's stealing her peace?

A complex web of mass emotions and nervousness…

Looking at things more closely than most people do and making connections between different things and ideas, going beyond ordinary ways of thinking Anaya started arranging things in new and interesting ways. She was supposed to write and draw something but her frustration let her down and she tore all the papers. For the very first time, she is going to do such a big project without anyone's help.

This project is not an ordinary one but the biggest opportunity for her to be a designer of a fashion week, which is soon going to be held in Mumbai.

While sitting in her class, Anaya was about to start her work, and suddenly her professor entered and saw her juggling with stuff to begin her work. Prof. Sharma realised how hardworking and nervous she is. Since the day she came to college, he had always seen her working and researching and curious to know something new. He decided that he must help such students in her project.

'Knock! Knock!' He created a sound only to distract her.

"So, miss Anaya, working alone?" Mr Sharma asked

"Oh! Hi sir, no, I was just thinking, how to begin with ideas and things."Anaya replied.

"Where's your partner? Isn't she working with you?" "Professor, she's not well… So, I thought I should start working on the ideas we have planned together." Anaya hesitated.

"Are you defending her? I saw her with the student of IT fifteen minutes back… don't lie to me, Anaya." Professor retorted.

"Well you're a hard-working girl, so keep going on and never forget The Best Is You."

And the moment the Professor said the best is you, Anaya took a step ahead, her conscience whispered, 'So chin up and walk ahead. On the way, pick up a pound of confidence and a carton of optimism and move on. Because, darling, only then will you know that you're capable of much, much more than you thought you were.'

Anaya now is positive and completely charged up that she decided to work alone and complete the project. Now she didn't need anyone's help, and finally, she realised she could do it.

Prof. Sharma noted Sagarika is completely out of touch with the project and she has nothing to do in addition to party and hang out with that IT student, so he decided to take her out of Anaya's team.

It was now just one day left to submit the assignment and everyone else in the class was working and discussing their ideas. Anaya is burdened as she has to complete the work of two alone. She got up from her class and left thinking about her dreams, her future and her family, focused on how this one assignment can change her life. In the project room, continuously battling up between the selection of her designs and projection of dresses, Anaya somehow managed to engage herself in tasks instead of the baggage of thoughts.

No wonder, Anaya was so hard-working but at this moment where she is just a beginner in the fashion industry, she was thinking that this isn't going to be that easy.Though I know Anaya loved challenges, she could defeat this contest too. And there comes a moment when finally Anaya completed her designs successfully. While styling mannequins, Prof. Sharma looked from outside the door and felt that this girl has some spark and is going to be a rising star in this industry.

"And time made her realise,

Do what's best for you."