"A Face He Couldn't Forget"

After finishing all the work at the hospital, Chaitanya headed to the college at the time Geetha had mentioned. It was the same college he had graduated from—a very famous medical college in Chennai. Entering the campus, he waited for Geetha. He also sent her a message on the phone saying he was waiting outside. She replied immediately saying, "I'll be right there." He turned on the car AC, played a song, and sat back, listening to the music and watching the surroundings as he waited.

It was nearing 7 PM. Just then, students began exiting the auditorium one by one. Suddenly, he was stunned by the sight of someone. A girl stepped out, looking divine in a traditional half-saree. Her long braided hair adorned with flowers, big gold jhumkas swaying with her movement, a beautiful necklace matching her outfit, and bangles gleaming on her hands—she looked like a goddess. She walked past, laughing and chatting with her friend, not noticing Chaitanya.

Chaitanya, mesmerized by her beauty, stared at her. He felt like he had seen her somewhere before. He tried to recall, but couldn't place her. She walked past his car, chatting with her friend, while he kept staring from inside. Suddenly, he stepped out of the car, his eyes following her as he tried to remember where he had seen her before, but it didn't come to him.

"Hello Anna (brother), I'm right here. What are you staring at so intently?" Geetha tapped him on the shoulder, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Only then did he realize Geetha had arrived. She too was dressed in a traditional half-saree. He asked, "Oh! Is there a function at your college today? By the way, isn't this your college too? Say 'our' college," she corrected him. "Today is welcome day for the juniors, so we had a small celebration," she explained. He looked her up and down.

"Wow! Surprising to see you in this dress, Geetha. You always wear jeans and t-shirts. What's the occasion for the silk half-saree?" he asked.

"Just for a change, Anna. Jeans and churidars were getting boring, so we all decided to wear half-sarees today. Do I look good?" she asked, twirling to show off her outfit.

Admiring her, he replied, "Anything would look good on my little sister. Alright, shall we leave? It's getting late. Mom will start worrying." They both got into the car and drove to Geetha's home.

As soon as Chaitanya's car pulled in, Manjula, Geetha's mother, came running out with joy. A widow from a young age, she lived comfortably off ancestral property. Seeing Chaitanya, her face lit up. "Come in, Chaitanya dear," she invited warmly.

"I have some urgent work at the hospital, Aunty," he said politely.

"You're always busy with work. Can't you come in for just a bit? Come in!" she insisted.

Smiling, Chaitanya went in. Only after she served him dinner did Manjula allow him to leave.

On his way back home, Chaitanya couldn't stop thinking about the girl. Her face kept flashing in his mind. No one has ever affected me like this before. Who is she? he wondered, trying to recall.

But I've definitely seen her somewhere! Where could it be? The thought consumed him all night. The next morning, the same face filled his mind. I can't go on like this. I need to find out who she is. But how? Then an idea struck him. Why don't I drop Geetha at college today too? Maybe I'll see her again.

With that thought, he quickly drove to Geetha's house.

Seeing him so early, everyone was surprised. "Why are you here so early? Is there a problem? Is Grandpa okay?" Pari (Geetha's brother) asked.

"No, no. Grandpa is fine. I just have to see a patient near the medical college. Thought I'd drop Geetha off on the way," Chaitanya replied.

Hearing that, Pari and Manjula looked at each other in surprise. Chaitanya was not the kind of person to go out of his way like this during work hours. But they simply said, "Alright, take her."

On the way, Geetha looked at him curiously. "What's going on, Anna? I can't believe you came voluntarily to drop me off. That too in the morning!"

Chaitanya replied, "Oh come on, your college is on my way. I just thought I'd drop you. What's wrong with that?"

"I still can't believe it. Something's up," she said, giving him a side glance.

When they reached college, he started scanning the surroundings. Geetha asked, "Anna, are you looking for someone?"

Realizing he couldn't hide it anymore, he said, "Well, Geetha... I saw a girl yesterday at your college... she was wearing a maroon skirt and a red half-saree... tall, long hair, with a lot of flowers in it."

Surprised, Geetha said, "Anna, almost everyone dressed like that yesterday. How am I supposed to know who you're talking about?"

It was shocking for Geetha to hear Chaitanya describe a girl. He was someone who never even looked at women—he was extremely reserved and strict in that matter. That he was now describing a girl in such detail showed how much of an impression she had left on him.

Chaitanya had helped her so much in life, standing in for her brother Pari many times. If he liked a girl, nothing would make her happier. Her heart filled with joy.

"Anna, let's do this—let's sit in the car for a bit. You watch everyone as they come in. If you see her again, point her out to me, and I'll tell you who she is," Geetha suggested.

That idea sounded good to him. So they sat in the car. Students from the hostel were entering the college one by one.

Just then, a girl came in wearing a light pink churidar and a white shawl. The moment Chaitanya saw her, his heart soared.

"Hey Geetha!" he shouted, hitting his own forehead in excitement.

"Ow! Anna, my head hurts. You've messed up my hair!" she said, fixing her hair. "Who is it? Which girl?" she asked.

"There! The one in the pink churidar, white shawl, black slippers, swinging her hands as she talks. That's her!" he said excitedly.

Looking at the group to identify the girl he pointed to, Geetha was stunned.