04-12-2025, 08:14 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-12-2025, 08:37 PM by lee.jae.han. Edited 4 times in total. Edited 4 times in total.)
## Update 172: Wheels of Freedom (Avi and Komal)
Today was a truly happy day. My mind was buzzing with the success of my result and the exhilarating promise of a new bike. Despite the sadness of the five-month separation from Chachi's *choot*, the impending bike and the certainty of Meena chachi’s promise made the wait manageable, keeping my desire calm.
The next morning, Chacha, Suman Chachi, Seema Chachi, Meena Chachi, Sweta Didi, and I all traveled to the city. Upon arrival, we dropped all the chachis off at the hospital for Seema Chachi's check-up. Then, Chacha, Sweta Didi, and I went directly to the bike showroom.
As soon as we entered the showroom, my eyes swept over the gleaming machines. Before I could even point one out, Sweta Didi immediately chose a sturdy red bike. Chacha looked it over and, to my relief, he also liked the bike Sweta Didi had picked. We bought the exact model Sweta Didi chose without question. I was genuinely happy with the selection. The bike was simple and sturdy—the perfect kind of vehicle on which I could comfortably take my Chachi to the city when the need arose.
After buying the bike, Sweta Didi and Chacha left to rejoin the chachis at the hospital. I stayed behind to finalize some small adjustments to the bike. Once done, I also drove to the hospital.
After the hospital work was finished, we headed back to the village. Chacha and the chachis took the bus, but I came back with Sweta Didi on my new bike. I had wanted to take Meena Chachi, on the first ride, but she politely refused, insisting that I take Sweta Didi instead, pushing me toward the bike.
"Always use the ATM card, Avi," Sweta Didi instructed seriously during the ride, turning her head slightly. She was filling out an ATM card application form for the bank where we had an account in the city. She stressed that I should never carry large amounts of cash to the city—I had brought sixty thousand rupees with me today. "You'll receive the ATM card and PIN in about two or three weeks."
Once we reached the village, I couldn't contain my excitement. I took Sital, then Komal, then Kavita, then Leena, and even Raj for exhilarating rides on the new bike, feeling the wind rush past us. Meena Chachi knew Chacha’s weakness—his overwhelming fear for the baby’s safety—and she had masterfully exploited it to get what we wanted. I benefited immensely: I got a bike and secured an ATM card.
---
Two days later, Komal and I drove the bike to the city to visit the college.
When I first saw the college, I couldn't stop staring. It was huge, the biggest college building in the entire area. Many students had come to collect the application forms, and there was a long queue snaking from the counter.
"Go sit in the canteen while I get in line to get the form," I told Komal, handing her my helmet.
The queue was shared by both boys and girls, but unfortunately, my luck ran out there. The student directly in front of me was a boy. If it had been a beautiful girl, the wait would have been much more fun.
It didn't matter. I started talking to the boy, trying to pass the time while we waited for our turn.
"Hi," I offered, nodding quickly.
"Hi," the boy turned and replied, looking back.
"My name is Avi," I introduced myself.
"I'm Karim," the boy responded with a slight smile.
"Are you a local? Do you live here in the city?" I asked, looking him over.
"Yes, I live right here in the city," Karim replied. "Where are you from?"
"I live in a nearby village. This line is incredibly long," I observed, stretching my neck to see the counter. "The college must be really famous. You must know a lot about it."
"Yes, this college is the biggest in the city," a boy from behind us leaned forward and interjected, his voice loud. "Hi, my name is Pankaj," he added quickly.
"Do you know about this college?" Karim looked back at him, interested.
"Yes, my sister studied here a few years ago," Pankaj explained, adjusting his glasses.
"Tell us about the college, too," I prompted, eager for details.
"This college offers everything—art, science, and commerce," Pankaj shared, leaning in conspiratorially. "A few of the teachers here are known to be really strict. But the most important thing is that the most beautiful and hottest girls study in the science and commerce streams in this college. See that garden over there? That’s where all the couples sit and have fun." Pankaj then turned to us. "By the way, which branch are both of you taking?"
"I'm taking science," I answered immediately, my voice firm.
"I'm also taking science," Karim confirmed, nodding to me.
"What are you taking?" Karim asked the other boy, turning his body.
"I'm taking commerce," Pankaj replied. "But don't worry. We'll find ways to have fun together for the next two years. By the way, what percentage did both of you score?"
"Seventy-four point sixty-six percent," I held up my fingers, showing the four.
"Seventy-two percent," Karim stated, checking his watch.
"You'll both get science admission easily," Pankaj nodded approvingly, looking at our scores.
"What's your mobile number?" Karim pulled out his phone, ready to exchange.
Pankaj gave his number to Karim, and Karim reciprocated.
"Avi, what's your number?" Pankaj looked at me expectantly.
"I don't have a mobile phone yet," I sighed, shaking my head slightly.
"It's okay, we can sort that out later," Karim said, dismissing the issue. "Come on, it's finally our turn now," he said, stepping forward quickly.
We collected the admission forms. I requested two forms, holding up two fingers.
"Why did you take two forms?" Pankaj gave me a curious look.
"One is for me, and one is for my sister, Komal," I explained, tucking the forms safely inside my shirt. "Let's head over to the canteen now. We can fill out the forms while sitting there."
"Yes, let's go," Karim agreed. "Let's walk around and look at the campus for a bit, then we can fill out the forms and submit them."
The three of us walked to the canteen. I spotted Komal sitting at a table with two girls, deep in conversation. I walked up to the table with Karim and Pankaj trailing behind me.
"Komal, here is your admission form," I said, placing it on the table. "Fill it out and give it back to me when you're done. And yes, these are my friends, Pankaj and Karim. Guys, this is my sister, Komal."
"Hi, Komal," Karim greeted her with a warm smile.
"Hi, Komal," Pankaj said, winking at Karim. "Your sister means our sister, right, Karim?"
"Yes, you're absolutely right," Karim confirmed, laughing loudly.
"Komal, who are these two?" I asked, looking at the two girls sitting with her.
"This is Aarati, and this is Rani," Komal introduced them, gesturing with her hand. "Aarati and Rani are also taking science, and they're taking biology with me."
"Hi, I'm Avi..." I offered a slight bow, trying to be polite.
"We know," Aarati cut me off, smiling easily. "Komal already told us that her brother was standing in the line to get the forms for her."
I left Komal to fill out her form with her two new friends, Rani and Aarati, and went with Karim and Pankaj to explore the college grounds, feeling the excitement of being in a new place.
After a thorough walk-around, and after submitting our completed application forms, Komal and I rode the bike back home.
"I really liked the college, Avi," Komal leaned forward on the bike and spoke clearly.
"Yes, the college is quite good," I observed, smiling. "And you managed to make friends on the very first day,"
"You also made friends immediately," Komal pointed out, tapping my shoulder.
"Yes, I have to live in that college for two years; I can't survive without friends," I replied, feeling the bike rumble beneath us. "By the way, your friends, Rani and Aarati, are quite beautiful and hot."
"Stay away from them, understand?" Komal immediately turned on the bike, her voice firm and serious. "You haven't even started college yet, and you've started thinking these things. First, study... otherwise, I'll definitely tell Mami."
"Okay, Komal," I rolled my eyes, giving in instantly. "I'll stay away from them."
"By the way, Rani was asking me all sorts of questions about you right after you left," Komal suddenly chuckled, leaning in closer.
I was instantly intrigued, feeling a quick rush of excitement. "What was she asking?"
"Don't ask what she was asking, Avi," Komal teased, tapping my arm playfully. "Ask what she *didn't* ask."
"What exactly was she asking you about me?" I demanded, my curiosity piqued, turning my head slightly.
"I'm not going to tell you the specifics," Komal shook her head, holding back a mischievous smile. "But she was asking a little too much information. For an entire hour, Rani just kept asking questions, and I kept telling her everything."
"You told her everything about me? About our family?" I asked, dismayed by the idea of Komal revealing too much.
"What could I do?" Komal shrugged, her voice light. "It just came out naturally in conversation. And besides, she's my new friend."
"In a two-hour friendship, you told her everything?" I pressed, my voice flat with disbelief.
"Forget it, Avi," Komal said, tapping my arm again firmly. "Don't talk about this anymore. Just ride the bike quietly now."
I rode the bike quietly for the remainder of the journey and dropped Komal off at her house. The thought of Rani's interest, however, was a welcome distraction, making my mind race with possibilities.
---
Today was a truly happy day. My mind was buzzing with the success of my result and the exhilarating promise of a new bike. Despite the sadness of the five-month separation from Chachi's *choot*, the impending bike and the certainty of Meena chachi’s promise made the wait manageable, keeping my desire calm.
The next morning, Chacha, Suman Chachi, Seema Chachi, Meena Chachi, Sweta Didi, and I all traveled to the city. Upon arrival, we dropped all the chachis off at the hospital for Seema Chachi's check-up. Then, Chacha, Sweta Didi, and I went directly to the bike showroom.
As soon as we entered the showroom, my eyes swept over the gleaming machines. Before I could even point one out, Sweta Didi immediately chose a sturdy red bike. Chacha looked it over and, to my relief, he also liked the bike Sweta Didi had picked. We bought the exact model Sweta Didi chose without question. I was genuinely happy with the selection. The bike was simple and sturdy—the perfect kind of vehicle on which I could comfortably take my Chachi to the city when the need arose.
After buying the bike, Sweta Didi and Chacha left to rejoin the chachis at the hospital. I stayed behind to finalize some small adjustments to the bike. Once done, I also drove to the hospital.
After the hospital work was finished, we headed back to the village. Chacha and the chachis took the bus, but I came back with Sweta Didi on my new bike. I had wanted to take Meena Chachi, on the first ride, but she politely refused, insisting that I take Sweta Didi instead, pushing me toward the bike.
"Always use the ATM card, Avi," Sweta Didi instructed seriously during the ride, turning her head slightly. She was filling out an ATM card application form for the bank where we had an account in the city. She stressed that I should never carry large amounts of cash to the city—I had brought sixty thousand rupees with me today. "You'll receive the ATM card and PIN in about two or three weeks."
Once we reached the village, I couldn't contain my excitement. I took Sital, then Komal, then Kavita, then Leena, and even Raj for exhilarating rides on the new bike, feeling the wind rush past us. Meena Chachi knew Chacha’s weakness—his overwhelming fear for the baby’s safety—and she had masterfully exploited it to get what we wanted. I benefited immensely: I got a bike and secured an ATM card.
---
Two days later, Komal and I drove the bike to the city to visit the college.
When I first saw the college, I couldn't stop staring. It was huge, the biggest college building in the entire area. Many students had come to collect the application forms, and there was a long queue snaking from the counter.
"Go sit in the canteen while I get in line to get the form," I told Komal, handing her my helmet.
The queue was shared by both boys and girls, but unfortunately, my luck ran out there. The student directly in front of me was a boy. If it had been a beautiful girl, the wait would have been much more fun.
It didn't matter. I started talking to the boy, trying to pass the time while we waited for our turn.
"Hi," I offered, nodding quickly.
"Hi," the boy turned and replied, looking back.
"My name is Avi," I introduced myself.
"I'm Karim," the boy responded with a slight smile.
"Are you a local? Do you live here in the city?" I asked, looking him over.
"Yes, I live right here in the city," Karim replied. "Where are you from?"
"I live in a nearby village. This line is incredibly long," I observed, stretching my neck to see the counter. "The college must be really famous. You must know a lot about it."
"Yes, this college is the biggest in the city," a boy from behind us leaned forward and interjected, his voice loud. "Hi, my name is Pankaj," he added quickly.
"Do you know about this college?" Karim looked back at him, interested.
"Yes, my sister studied here a few years ago," Pankaj explained, adjusting his glasses.
"Tell us about the college, too," I prompted, eager for details.
"This college offers everything—art, science, and commerce," Pankaj shared, leaning in conspiratorially. "A few of the teachers here are known to be really strict. But the most important thing is that the most beautiful and hottest girls study in the science and commerce streams in this college. See that garden over there? That’s where all the couples sit and have fun." Pankaj then turned to us. "By the way, which branch are both of you taking?"
"I'm taking science," I answered immediately, my voice firm.
"I'm also taking science," Karim confirmed, nodding to me.
"What are you taking?" Karim asked the other boy, turning his body.
"I'm taking commerce," Pankaj replied. "But don't worry. We'll find ways to have fun together for the next two years. By the way, what percentage did both of you score?"
"Seventy-four point sixty-six percent," I held up my fingers, showing the four.
"Seventy-two percent," Karim stated, checking his watch.
"You'll both get science admission easily," Pankaj nodded approvingly, looking at our scores.
"What's your mobile number?" Karim pulled out his phone, ready to exchange.
Pankaj gave his number to Karim, and Karim reciprocated.
"Avi, what's your number?" Pankaj looked at me expectantly.
"I don't have a mobile phone yet," I sighed, shaking my head slightly.
"It's okay, we can sort that out later," Karim said, dismissing the issue. "Come on, it's finally our turn now," he said, stepping forward quickly.
We collected the admission forms. I requested two forms, holding up two fingers.
"Why did you take two forms?" Pankaj gave me a curious look.
"One is for me, and one is for my sister, Komal," I explained, tucking the forms safely inside my shirt. "Let's head over to the canteen now. We can fill out the forms while sitting there."
"Yes, let's go," Karim agreed. "Let's walk around and look at the campus for a bit, then we can fill out the forms and submit them."
The three of us walked to the canteen. I spotted Komal sitting at a table with two girls, deep in conversation. I walked up to the table with Karim and Pankaj trailing behind me.
"Komal, here is your admission form," I said, placing it on the table. "Fill it out and give it back to me when you're done. And yes, these are my friends, Pankaj and Karim. Guys, this is my sister, Komal."
"Hi, Komal," Karim greeted her with a warm smile.
"Hi, Komal," Pankaj said, winking at Karim. "Your sister means our sister, right, Karim?"
"Yes, you're absolutely right," Karim confirmed, laughing loudly.
"Komal, who are these two?" I asked, looking at the two girls sitting with her.
"This is Aarati, and this is Rani," Komal introduced them, gesturing with her hand. "Aarati and Rani are also taking science, and they're taking biology with me."
"Hi, I'm Avi..." I offered a slight bow, trying to be polite.
"We know," Aarati cut me off, smiling easily. "Komal already told us that her brother was standing in the line to get the forms for her."
I left Komal to fill out her form with her two new friends, Rani and Aarati, and went with Karim and Pankaj to explore the college grounds, feeling the excitement of being in a new place.
After a thorough walk-around, and after submitting our completed application forms, Komal and I rode the bike back home.
"I really liked the college, Avi," Komal leaned forward on the bike and spoke clearly.
"Yes, the college is quite good," I observed, smiling. "And you managed to make friends on the very first day,"
"You also made friends immediately," Komal pointed out, tapping my shoulder.
"Yes, I have to live in that college for two years; I can't survive without friends," I replied, feeling the bike rumble beneath us. "By the way, your friends, Rani and Aarati, are quite beautiful and hot."
"Stay away from them, understand?" Komal immediately turned on the bike, her voice firm and serious. "You haven't even started college yet, and you've started thinking these things. First, study... otherwise, I'll definitely tell Mami."
"Okay, Komal," I rolled my eyes, giving in instantly. "I'll stay away from them."
"By the way, Rani was asking me all sorts of questions about you right after you left," Komal suddenly chuckled, leaning in closer.
I was instantly intrigued, feeling a quick rush of excitement. "What was she asking?"
"Don't ask what she was asking, Avi," Komal teased, tapping my arm playfully. "Ask what she *didn't* ask."
"What exactly was she asking you about me?" I demanded, my curiosity piqued, turning my head slightly.
"I'm not going to tell you the specifics," Komal shook her head, holding back a mischievous smile. "But she was asking a little too much information. For an entire hour, Rani just kept asking questions, and I kept telling her everything."
"You told her everything about me? About our family?" I asked, dismayed by the idea of Komal revealing too much.
"What could I do?" Komal shrugged, her voice light. "It just came out naturally in conversation. And besides, she's my new friend."
"In a two-hour friendship, you told her everything?" I pressed, my voice flat with disbelief.
"Forget it, Avi," Komal said, tapping my arm again firmly. "Don't talk about this anymore. Just ride the bike quietly now."
I rode the bike quietly for the remainder of the journey and dropped Komal off at her house. The thought of Rani's interest, however, was a welcome distraction, making my mind race with possibilities.
---
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