Chapter 63: chapter 63

Days passed and Nidhi successfully secured top rank in the entrance exam.." Nidhi, why did you choose the institute in another city when you had an opportunity in our own city?? Nidhi's mom enquired.." Mom ,I want to get away from all these issues  and want to live peacefully in an area where no one recognizes me as  dad's daughter or Kabir's  wife".., please mom.There was a pain in Nidhi's voice when she took Kabir's name."Don't worry , she will be alright, my daughter is strong", Nidhi's dad supported..And very soon she left for the new city with new hopes and new dreams..She  decided to stay in the college hostel and soon walked towards her room..When she entered  she saw two beds in a room and it looked like her other roommate had arrived  and all her stuff was still left to be arranged. Looks like the room was recently painted so it looked good..there was a small wardrobe adjacent to each bed where they can arrange their clothes..Nidhi slowly started to unpack her things and started arranging her clothes in the wardrobe.. When she was done ,she walked towards the bathroom to take a bath and wore comfortable clothes..College was supposed to start after two days but she came earlier so that she can get familiar with the environment..For a second she felt really lonely, this is the first time she is far away from her parents.. even though she was married,she knew Kabir's mom so she didn't feel much strange..She sat on the bed and took a deep sigh and said to herself," Nidhi ,be strong ".When she was in her thoughts,she heard the knock on the door.. It might be her new roommate.She slowly opened the door and saw a  girl in a pink  salwar suit  standing at the door  with a wide smile on her lips.. She was a little chubby and she looked  very cute..Even Nidhi smiled and walked inside .."Hey I am Riya" ,the girl introduced herself.."Hi,I am Nidhi".."You have arrived today?? ",Riya enquired..Yeah, a few hours ago..what about you?? Nidhi asked..I came yesterday but was too lazy to arrange my things.. and it looks like you like a room to be neat and tidy ,you have already arranged things. I will try to clear my things by tomorrow. I hope you don't mind.."No not at all , take your own time and I can even help you in arranging your things "Nidhi tried to be friendly as she got a positive vibe from this girl.."Oh!! dear you are too good.. I think my journey in this college is going to be easy with you here .",Riya replied..very soon ,Riya and Nidhi became close..During the talk  she came to know that the girl Riya has come  from a lower middle class family and her father took out a loan to join her in this prestigious institute..But the girl was very smart and secured a very good rank which actually means she is a hard-working girl..Very soon it was 8:00 PM and it was time to dinner..Both the girls walked towards the dining area and found a place to sit together to have dinner..Nidhi was very hungry but when she put the food in her mouth ,she felt it's completely taste less.She had tears in her eyes when she ate the food.. she was very hungry but she couldn't eat it. Riya looked at her and asked," What you didn't like the food??"Nidhi nodded.. Riya immediately put her boiled egg  in  Nidhi's plate and said , eat along with egg you will feel the food little better.. But I already have egg , why did you give yours to me?? what  will you eat?? Nidhi asked .." I  am used to this kind of food .. During my schooling I used to stay in  hostels where the food was worse than this.. I can eat anything, so you just don't bother about me".. Riya said very casually..Nidhi was touched and felt that this girl has really seen so many hardships in her life..and  felt she is lucky to be born in a rich family with a golden spoon..when they were on the way from the dining area to their room, one of the girls stopped Nidhi and said, " Your senior   wants to talk to you?? " "Me?? ",Nidhi asked..When Riya  heard about it,she panicked and thought they were calling her to rag her.But before she could react, Nidhi followed the girl and reached Pihu  who was sitting on the bench surrounded by a few more girls.When Nidhi walked towards her ,she stood up and introduced herself as Pihu..Pihu looked at Nidhi when she entered the dining room and her eyes fell on her clothes.. The clothes that  Nidhi was wearing were selected by her mom so she chose big brands for her.Usually Nidhi is not a fan of luxury brands and she doesn't like to show off by wearing them..But this time she was too tired to argue with her mother about her clothes.. She didn't give  much thought and packed everything that her mother brought to her..Pihu understood by Nidhi's clothes that she belongs to a rich family and she wanted to have high profile friends in her friends list.  She smiled  at Nidhi and said, " Looks like you belong to a wealthy family. Why are you friends with a girl who wears dresses from roadside stalls?? I will ask the warden to shift your room where you can stay with the people of our status.."When Riya heard Pihu's words her eyes were filled with tears..She arrived here yesterday but there was no one who was interested in talking to her.. Everyone looked down at her due to her clothes. she felt humiliated so she went to temple today  and cried in front of God and asked him to give at least one friend in this hostel so that she doesn't feel alone.. When she returned and met Nidhi she thanked God a million times.. "I don't make friends according to social status.. According to me it's business not friendship.and coming to Riya,  she is my friend and will remain as my friend forever..If you want to stay away from her you can even stay away from me too..I don't mind.." Nidhi replied calmly and left..Pihu was astonished to hear Nidhi..Nidhi walked towards Riya, put her hand around her shoulder and said," Let's go"..Riya was stunned when she heard Nidhi.. this is the first time she met someone who stood for her.When they reached their room ,she hugged Nidhi tightly and said " Thank you Nidhi"..Her voice was hoarse..Nidhi patted her back  and said, you will be my second best friend if you agree.. I can't make you my first best friend because I have already given that spot to my  friend   Sanjana .. Hope you don't mind.." Riya looked at her and said," I will be honoured to be your friend and second best friend is like an achievement for me, you are a wonderful person Nidhi..thank you for standing up for me"Hey, you want me to cry along with you.. I have already cried enough during the journey to leave my parents.I don't have tears in my eyes see ,Nidhi made her eyes bigger and showed them to Riya .Riya smiled  at Nidhi's words..Nidhi turned her  towards the mirror and said," Riya  you look beautiful when she smiles, so keep smiling"..