Mismatched

Sana

"What's your name ?"..the girl with specs asked me . I lifted my gaze from , "Sana".. I answered.

"Full name madam "..she asked with a sarcastic tone.

" Sana Ahuja"...I said meekly.

" Your name is not there in the list "...she said after checking the list of the students who were allocated in the hostel.

" But one ma'am said that I was allocated a room"..I replied.

" But it's not there in the list "..She replied bluntly.

I glanced at my father who was standing slightly away from me . Il felt bad for him as he had to wait for a very long time in this summer because of me. I took baby steps towards him.

"What happened beta?"...he asked as I stood beside him.

" They told that my name is not on the list. I'll not get a room in the hostel".

" You want any help miss ? "...I looked back to see a guy standing. He was lean and tall. His hair black and messy.

He stared at my eyes. " I am Sidharth. Do you need any help? ".. He asked again when I didn't answer.

" Yes beta, they told my daughter that her name is not on the list "... my dad started when I cut him off in the middle, " thank you for the offer but we don't need your help "..

" Hey miss universe I am not doing it to impress you, can't you see your dad's condition ? This elderly man is standing here for a very long time . Think about him atleast "...he snapped.

Everybody's attention shifted towards us.

I lowered my head, tears brimmed in my eyes , my day is already ruined I guess. At first the girl said that my name is not on the list and now getting scolded by a stranger in front of everyone.

"Hey hey Sid calm down . She is nervous, don't make it a big issue"... another guy standing beside him said.

" Hii I am Vivek , final year computer science branch "...he introduced himself with a smile.

I looked at him. He seems to be nice.

" Sana Ahuja "...I replied . My voice released like a whisper.

" Sana you don't need to worry, I'll ask them about the matter,why you didn't get a room and thd next procedure. You guys wait here, I'll be back"...Vivek said and excused himself.

The guy , Sidharth looked at me for the last time before walking away.

I sighed in relief. But as I already said by day is ruined, he returned after 5 minutes, with a chair , a water bottle and an apple.

" Uncle sit here please "...he said and forwarded the water bottle and the apple to papa.

Papa smiled at him and took the water bottle and the apple from him gladly. I stood beside my dad in silence as he fished out his phone from his pocket and fixed his gaze on his phone screen.

Vivek came after a few minutes. " The girls hostel is filled as of now , there are no room available. But you can get room in the extension building , it is in walking distance from here "... He informed.

" Thank you bhaiya "...I said with a smile, " let's go papa ". He nodded with a smile.

Papa and I walked without waiting for that guy. As we walked few meteres a bike came from behind and stopped in front of us.

Sidharth..

" Uncle let me drop you ".. He offered.

Okay I agree he is not that bad . Murder idea cancel.

" Vivek you get off. Sana, Vivek will come with you to show the extension building, I'll drop your dad ". He said .I just nodded without looking at him. As papa get on the backseat, he started the bike and drove off.

Vivek started walking with me at my pace. "Sana did you feel bad at his words? I mean when he scolded you "...he asked.

" Yeah. He was rude. I don't want to talk with him "..I blurted out.

Sana shit. He is his friend. What will you do if he inform him what you blurted about him.

My face paled.

Maybe he noticed the change in colour of my face. "Hey did you think that I would tell him?? Don't worry I'll not tell him "...he laughed.

I chuckled at his words.

"Bhaiya you are sweet, but your friend is very rude "..

Again.. Sana?? Wow...

" Yeah. We balance each other, like acid and base . He damages and I control the damage."..he winked. " Here, we reached"

I looked at the buildings in front of me. They were new , painted in white, surrounded by the large , tall walls . The area was crowded . Vivek and I walked towards the corridor. I saw papa, he was sitting on a bench in the shadow.

" Papa "...I called him. He looked at me hearing my voice.

"Sidharth has told me to sit here and went inside to talk with the administrator.

I smiled at him. That guy, Sidharth came after a few minutes. " Uncle , she has been allocated a room , come with me to see the room "..he said completely ignoring me. Papa walked along with him and I followed them without uttering a single word.

As we reached the room , the woman who was already present there looked at me . " What's your name ? She asked, her gaze at the notebook present on her left hand "Sana " I replied instantly.

" You are allocated this room , but you will have a roommate. You have to share the room as the hostel is already full. After few months , when the seniors will leave you will get room in the hostel . Okay na "...she said politely. I nodded with a smile. " Wait I'll call your roommate "...She said and left the room after discussing something with Sidharth.

A girl in blue jeans and a pink cute top entered the room. She smiled seeing me .

" Hii , I am Nisha"..she introduced.

" Sana "...i replied.

" Dear your parents?"...dad asked her .

" Ohh dad is here "...she looked back towards the entrance of the room.

Her dad came with slow steps and stood beside her with a smile.

" Namaste uncle"...I wished him.

" Namaste beta "...he replied with a smile on his face .

My dad and her dad started chit chatting and I looked through the room. The room was of medium size , with two beds and two study tables. Through the window we can see the green field of the backward. Cool breeze hit my face as I opened the window.

" Sana come here beta "...i looked back , as papa called me . Papa left the room , Sidharth and Vivek leading him and I followed them after giving a soft smile to Nisha.

We stood at the corridor. " Thank you beta . Tum nhi hote toh humein bohot mushkil hoti . Bhagwan tumhara khyaal rakhe ( without you, we would have faced a lot of problems. God bless them )"..papa spoke up.

" Nahi nahi aisi koi baat nhi hain uncle, yeh roh mera farz hain . ( No ,no it's okay uncle. It was my pleasure) .

Ohhh so he can speak in normal voice also . Wowww !!

" Now , I have to leave . If you face any problem you can call me "....he spoke.

Is he asking for my number

" Sana beta note down his number " papa said .

" Papa my phone's battery is dead "...

Such a big liee

Sidharth looked at me, " okay I'll leave . Take care uncle "...he left .

I think he knows that I lied

Nisha and her dad also joined us shortly.

" Beta , let's go the canteen to have something"...papa suggested. Nisha's dad and papa took the lead Nisha and I followed them .

We took the centre table and ordered some Patties and coffee. We four chit chat for some time.

When we were done , I dialled my mom's number, she picked up the call in the second ring .

" Hello"...came her voice. " Is everything settled down ?...she asked with concern.

" Yes maa, everything is alright here. I got a room and a very nice roommate. Papa is also happy. He is going to leave after sometime"...I said the last line with a slightly pang on my chest.

Growing up I never left my parents, my home. But today I had to leave them all for my dream . I think that's what growing up is , doing the things you need to do no matter how hard it's for you. I disconnected the call after saying her not to cry anymore as it was Papa's time to leave. He stood infront of me , with a sad smile . I looked at him, biting on my lower lip as tears started brimming in my eyes .

He ruffled his fingers through my hand, " take care beta, your maa and I may be not with you physically, but we'll always be with you , in your heart, soul ."...he said . I nodded and hugged him .

" Papa , promise me that you will take your medicine on time, won't consume too much sugar "...i said forwarding my palms towards him . He kept his hand on mine and smiled, " promise".

Papa sat beside the driver seat of the fourwheeler , he looked at me through the window and waved at me with a smile on his lips. I couldn't resist the sob , as tears roll down through my cheeks .

I wish I were as strong as my papa.

I ran to my room and broke down in sobs. After crying for few minutes I looked at Nisha , she was just sitting there like she was an emotionless statue.

" Won't you miss your home, your parents?"...I asked after some hesitation.

She left out a chuckle," not everyone has a home , loving parents like you ."...she looked at me .

I stared at her eyes to find emotions,but it was devoid of any. " When I was 6 years old, mum left papa and me for her lover . She didn't think about me , not even once. Dad lost his beloved wife and turned himself to Kabir Singh, a regular drinker. He gives me every toy , every dress I wanted but not time, not his love. He used to say that he has no time for me because he has other big responsibilities as a businessman. We don't want people's time Sana, we want their presence "....she said as tears rolled through her cheeks. She wept away the tears through the back of her palm.

I looked at Nisha closely for the first time. She had a fair complexion, with slightly thick eyebrows, and brown eyes. The Nisha whom I met before few hours was very different from this Nisha. The smirk on her face when she showed me the guy who was looking at me at the corridor, the smile which reached upto her eyes and now this Nisha, vulnerable, devastated.

I hugged her immediately, as we both broke down in tears . Me because I will miss my home , my parents and she because she doesn't have anyone to miss.

We broke the hig after few minutes .

" Now enough of this saas bahu wala rona dhona, tell me what is the gossip running in the whole building hmm?"..she teased .

" What gossip "...I looked at her confused.

She rolled her eyes," Senior kharus Sidharth helped you to find room , whole time he was there with you hmmm"...she continued her teasing.

Ohhh I forgot about him.

"Nothing yaar , it's just that he felt bad for papa . Papa was standing there , and it was very hot outside. So he helped . You know at first i denied his offer , but he screamt at me, very rude of him. "...

"Hmmm enemy to lovers trope haa"..she winked . I rolled my eyes.

" I'll say him a thank you if I see him tomorrow and then stop. I wish I don't see him anymore "....I said and looked at Nisha.