Strangers: Two

*All things narrated here are fictional.*

Previously...
With rays of hope, she stepped into Banglore. She took a deep breath and whispered in the air. "Namma Bengaluru, you're going to be my new home for a few months from now onwards; please take good care of me and do not disappoint me. I've high expectations of you. Let the journey begin, baby."

Cont...
Outside the airport, she got a cab and conveyed the address to the cab driver. Kaaya started capturing the beautiful city on her phone. During her ride the outspoken and curious nature of Kaaya couldn't keep herself silent. She glanced outside the window and posed several questions to the cab driver. The responses of the driver suffice the intensely inquisitive mind of Kaaya. She got to know a little information about the city and managed to know certain routes. Upon inquiring, she got to know the cab driver's name as Shyamo. She was now well acquainted with Shayamo da and he helped Kaaya to know certain beautiful spots she could capture. Because of this, she could frame certain good pictures and immediately shared them with her beloved monkus (her friends). Seeing the images, everyone was awed. Kaaya was hungry, and Shyamo told her that there was a traffic queue for 2km straight and there was no food till they made it out of the traffic. Kaaya remembered Kunal had given her a tiffin, she took it out, and, to her surprise, she found some brownies Kunal had baked. Kaaya was happy eating them and offered some to Shyamo da. 
Also, her profound love for South songs could make her build rapport with the driver. During their conversation, it was revealed to her that Shyamo is a native of Kolkata and has been in Bangalore for the past 10 years. Shyamo requested her to play Bengali songs to which Kaaya nodded. He played 'Era sukher lagi chahe prem'. Kaaya exclaimed with excitement "Rabindra Sangeet". Shyamo was surprised to know someone could have an idea about it. "Are you aware of this? I'm surprised!" Kaaya replied, "it's a beautiful song Shyamo da. It has a very deep meaning. If one could summarise it means~
They seek love in their quest for happiness. 
They do not discover love, and joy is lost. They overlook their losses. To obtain what they desire. Thus, the night passes in tears; thus, life is scorched; thus, pride and ego wound. Night falls faster and dreams disappear. Moon breaks the spell of sleep, bringing this love tale to an end. Some people grin, while others cry.
So deep and beautiful!" "Indeed" Shyamo da replied. 
While on ride Shyamo also informed her about the nearby art theatre and galleries, museums, and parks where she could spend her alone time. Shyamo has been a follower of art and culture. He said, "Find escape in art and literature instead of people. It is the medium through which you hear the unheard, see the unseen, find the lost; it is not magic but escapism from reality." He also shared a piece of advice which can help Kaaya to make Bengaluru feel like home. Finally, after a long ride through chaotic traffic, kaaya reached her stay. However, the conversation with Shyamo da made the journey less chaotic. She thanked Shyamo da and noted down his no for future reference.
Kaaya called Aai and informed her about her safe reach to stay and also dropped texts to her friends. She unfortunately couldn't reserve her hostel at her University so now she's forced to accommodate herself in a private flat. Kaaya's distant cousin Samartha found a good rental flat for her where already a girl was residing and was in wait and search of a partner. 

*So let me introduce Kriya into the story. Kriya and Kaaya are alike. If someone new is meeting them for the first time, they would misunderstand them for one another. However, both are new to each other. Kriya shifted to Bangalore 3 years ago, and since then, she's been staying there. She completed her degree and got herself a good job.*

Kaaya was all nervous about meeting up with Roomie and getting herself to stay with a stranger. Though Kaaya claims to be an extrovert, in turn, she's selectively extroverted, ambivert maybe. Kaaya took a deep breath and went inside the building. To her misfortune, the lift was under maintenance, and now she had to take the stairs to the 7th floor carrying all the luggage. Kaaya finally managed to reach the 7th floor. Covered in sweat and with heavy breath she rang the doorbell. To her surprise, a girl in a blue crop top and shorts, headphones on, opend the door and shouted, "Welcome darling, you're all welcome to our little world. I was expecting you a little late, but never mind considering the traffic, I must say you've come early." However, Kaaya was all tired and in desperate need to take her inhaler, pushed Kriya aside and, went inside, sat under the fan. She took out her inhaler and sprayed, calming herself down. Seeing the pump, Kriya said, "You too are asthmatic, wonderful." Kaaya gave her a weird Stare and asked what was so wonderful about it. Kriya explained, "I'm asthmatic as well and use the same pump as you, so in case I fall short, I can use your pump as a handy backup, and so could she." She also cracked a joke, saying, "If I ever get an asthma attack, someone would know the right things to be done, so Bghwan Ji could wait to see me." Kaaya smiled upon her response and extended her apology for not greeting her rightly at the entrance. "I'm sorry, Kriya, I was falling short of breath and wanted to sit urgently. I couldn't greet you earlier, so hi, I'm"... before Kaaya could introduce herself, Kriya started blabbering about Kaaya. "I know you're Kaaya, from Pune, cleared JRF, here to pursue further studies, who's foodie and sleepy like a panda, wanderer and..." Kaaya stopped Kriya and said "I guess that's enough for the introduction." Both laughed and Kriya showed Kaaya her room and also helped her take her luggage in. By the end of the evening, both the girls set up Kaaya's room. And headed outside for dinner. During dinner, they conversate about Kaaya's journey and how she's finding her first day in Banglore.

Kaaya, by now, was a little comfortable with Kriya. She narrated how she embarrassed herself in front of a guy by holding his hand. And how she missed an opportunity to have a potentially enchanting conversation with him as she felt all embarrassed and couldn't dare talk. How she made the guy feel clingy and creepy while all the time he was making her feel comfortable. Kriya listened to all the narration and asked, "So who's this guy we were talking about" Kaaya couldn't understand a thing as Kriya was having food in her mouth, which made her repeat herself. Kaaya replied, "Oh yes, he's; wait a second, I didn't know his name, neither did I ask," Kriya said politely nevermind by now, he too might have forgotten meeting you, no need to  remember him. At times we spend too much energy to think of those who does not even have a thought of us." They both agreed and carried on their dinner with talks.

Upon returning at night, Kaaya called her mother and her friends, turn by turn, and narrated her day. She was shocked to see such a wonderful beginning in Bangalore. Her friends were a little jealous and happy about her roommate's closeness with Kaaya. She narrated the thing that happened on the flight, and while thinking again, she remembered the time when he spoke; his voice was similar; she had heard it somewhere, but where. After a few minutes, she remembered yes, Nimish, I believe it was his voice. She told her friends that it might have been Nimish. However, her friends had disputed opinions. Some fuelled her delulu, and some denied the possibility of it being of Nimish. They continued the chatter for a few hours, and they made little jokes, and that's how Kaaya's first day in Banglore ended.

There's still a week left for Kaaya's University to begin, and in the meantime, she needs to get acquainted with the routes and suit herself in the city. Let's see how she does that in the next chapter.
16/05/2024

Note: Quoting site link for apt song translation:
https://gitabitan-en.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-search-of-joy-they-look-for-love.html?m=1