Like a puppy
Kiran was studying hard for examination. She wanted to pass this examination at any cost. She was working so hard to get right marks. She was so happy that she was remembering every thing in proper way. She was so happy. She began to study her every concept with concentration. She was working so hard to learn those concept but she was not sure that she could remember them. She began to feel so stressed. She looked around. She was staying in one room as paying guest. Her land lady was not nice person. She didn't like here at all. She still remembered her first college. It was wonderful. But this college was not nice one. She tried to make friendship. She even managed to get few friends. Still she always felt that something was missing. In fact she was missing everything. She didn't have that kind of happiness. Her studies were so hard. She felt so stupid when she get less marks. Her last course was simple and she was topper in class so she decided to go for hard one and her world turned upside down. She needed to study hard. But she didn't manage to get much marks. It was so frustrating. She was so upset. She tried so hard but those subjects were hard to grasp on every point. She studied so hard but her course was so complicated. She was studying when suddenly her land lady came inside and asked " Are you busy?" " Yes I am studying for examination." Land lady clearly didn't like answer. Land lady "Actually I wanted you to do breakfast." " I can't do breakfast today. I am studying for exams." "But you must spare some seconds for breakfast. I mean you can surely cook breakfast. I saw you watching TV few hours ago." She was so frustrated. She was just watching serial to relax herself but it proved worst. That serial was so irritating. She expected some hopeful positive side of story but they just turned it totally negative. She knew very well that they wanted to increase it's length but it managed to upset her from soul. She was not expecting this. She was expecting something positive but it created worst effect when it turned negative. Now her land lady started to use it for forcing her to cook breakfast. She sensed that she didn't have much option. She kept her books aside and went in kitchen. She heard her land lady telling from behind. " Cook for three people." She sensed that she was supposed to cook for land lady and her husband too. She began to feel that she was not Paying Guest but her maid. She said " I am not your maid" under her breath. She didn't dare to say it loudly. This lady was offering her room at low cost so she supposed to tolerate. That room she noticed had small adjustment room with single bed which was empty so many times she could even use it but she was sure that no one was going to take that room. It was so small. Only one bed was taking it's entire area it didn't have enough space for one chair too. She was totally sure that she wasn't getting partner in that room. So she was glad to have entire room for her. She took deep breath and went in kitchen. She started looking around. She was confused. She couldn't find bread to make toast. Land lady came from behind and added with sorrowful face. " Ohh I forgot to tell you. Today we don't have bread. I just forgot. You needed to cook something else." Then she went away. Kiran was so angry. She knew very well that they didn't forgot. They just wanted something else tasty. She didn't have much option. She knew that those arguments were just waste of time. She did them many times but finally it was useless. This land lady managed to threaten her regarding calling her parents and demanding more rent. It was not direct approach. Land lady started to explain her how hard it was to survive on pension. " Once we have three servants. Those were wonderful days. But now hard to keep even one. Their salary is so large. We needed to increase your rent if we keep one." She knew that she didn't want it. She knew that it was not her work. But she wanted to stay in that rent so she did it. She didn't argue today. She started cooking breakfast. She started to tell herself that this examination wouldn't turn out as worst as she imagined. She began to cook as fast as possible. When it was over, she called land lady. " Put this in plate I am going back to study." Land lady "But what about your breakfast?" " I am not hungry." She said this and went back in her room. She was so frustrated. Then her land lady screamed loudly from behind " Not eating breakfast is unhealthy but this young generation never listen." This lady was truly so irritating. Sometime she just wished to put some laxatives in her food. She started laughing even that thought. It was truly appealing thought. She didn't understand when she started to feel fresh again. She was feeling so upset at first that she wanted to tell all to her parents when she knew that they couldn't change things but now she decided that she didn't need to discuss about that land lady with anyone. She could manage her. She screamed from her room. " But diet is important too otherwise I might need to loose my clothes." She taunted land lady who looked clearly upset. Kiran didn't like to talk this way with elder but this land lady never kept any option for her. Then she heard angry screams of land lady on her husband and then big argument began. Kiran saw their argument every day. She just didn't understand how did this marriage survived. They were living with each other while hating each other from heart. Many times she felt that it must for money. But question was whose money. None of them had any money. She didn't understand why did they married but it was none of her business so she just went in her room and started studying. She looked at wall clock. It showed that she just had three hours before examination. She began to do quick revision of every thing. Then she started to get ready. After getting ready she confirmed that her textbooks didn't come with her. She didn't want to be punished for cheating in examination without cause. She managed to get ready everything. Then she ran out. Her land lady screamed " You must pray before God if you want good marks." Kiran was so upset. She just bowed before God and then ran away towards examination center. She needed to catch auto too.
Kiran was so sure that she could able to catch Auto so that she didn't made other arrangements. If her parents were there to support and advice her, she should done something. Now she was on road screaming for Auto while catching none. She finally started even to try to stop Taxi. She could pay extra money but she wanted to reach to her destination. It was so upsetting. She wanted to just go there. Then suddenly she noticed one Taxi whose driver was on opposite side of road. He asked from there when she told. Her voice was shivering. But he seemed agree and he took u turn. He stood before her and she jumped in Taxi. She was so scared. But Driver managed to reach to examination center on time. She just jumped out of Taxi and made payment. Then she started running towards college when suddenly one girl crashed with her. She screamed on her "Are you blind? How could you walk like that?" But that girl was shivering like feather. She said in low voice " I am sorry." Kiran wanted to argue but when she saw that scared mouse sort of girl, she just said " It's okay." That timid girl smiled and asked while stopping time to time with such caution as if Kiran would kill her if she did any mistake. " Do you know where is room number 3." Kiran gave her irritated look. " How could I know? I am coming here for first time to give examination." That girl said " Ohh.." in sad way. Kiran " But I can ask watchman." That timid girl kept following her like puppy. She truly started to remind her of her puppy. She had one at home. She called him " Jack" She didn't remember why didn't she kept that name but she always kept her dog's name Jack. Every time when first one dies, new one replace it. No one mention death. Every one pretend as if it was same Dog. It was truly working in nice way for her psychology. She was so happy but now a human who was acting like Dog appeared very strange. She didn't hate it. After all who would hate when another person started to treat like most intelligent person of universe to that person. She was happy. She went to watchman and asked him with confidence about room. He showed it. Then she went in that room while that girl followed. She went in room. She found her bench and was planning to sit there when that girl pushed her hall ticket towards her too. It was frustrating. But when she looked at her, she felt so sad. She was little timid innocent girl. Kiran couldn't ignore her. Kiran showed her hall ticket to teacher and showed her bench. In this process she understood that this timid girl had name and it was Rucha. Kiran smiled at Rucha and pointed her bench. Then they sat on it. Kiran immediately got tense with thought of exam. Kiran started to feel happy when she understood that she knew all answers. She started writing them. Now she could tell her parents confidently that she would pass. It was not easy to pay that rent and her college expenses but her parents were do it for her. She was wanted to pass in every exam with full confidence and today she felt very happy. She started to studying so hard since she wanted pass every exam. But she was not sure about every exam. Still she was sure that she would pass at least this exam. She started to write with full confidence. She took breath of relief when she sensed that she had completed her paper in time. She smiled and looked around. She noticed that Rucha was still writing. She felt sad about her since she was clearly looking tense. She decided that she would chat with her after exam. She knew such time of small kindness were helpful when exam paper didn't go as per expectations. Then teacher started collecting answer sheets. Finally she took Kiran's answer sheets. Then Kiran took breath of relief. It was last paper of examination. Now she needed to wait for results. She decided to hope for best. Then she stood up. She was so relieved that she totally forgot about Rucha. When suddenly Rucha called her from behind. She turned back. Rucha smiled. Rucha " I am observing you everyday. I like your attitude and style. Can I become your friend?" Kiran didn't find any reason to say no. " Sure." Rucha smiled happily. Then they started discussing about Kiran. She told Rucha about her college and her place of staying. Rucha " Do you have more space?" Kiran was confused. Kiran " No. I mean we have one small room but it is too small no one can live there." " I can live there. Just give me one chance." Kiran was so shocked. She felt that Rucha was presenting entire situation in such way as if she desired that Rucha should stay with her. Kiran " That room is so small. I will not advice anyone to purchase it." Kiran made it clear. Then she started talking about things around world. She began to feel that Rucha was not bad company. She liked her. She chatted with her for long time. Whole time she was talking and Rucha seemed to have same views like her. Kiran was so happy. She finally found person who thought just like her. Then she took Auto and went back in her rented room. She wished that she had apartment with her own TV and study but it was impossible. She had two more siblings so she didn't have entire room for herself even at home. She took deep breath and smiled. She needed to adjust with what she got instead of keep demanding. She needed to study hard if she wanted to give her parents return of money they spent on her. It was not about earnings. Even if she got degree and respect for them. She knew that they would appreciate her. She was so lucky to have parents who were not money minded. They liked style of rich people but they didn't want to destroy her life to include it in their life. They were happy with what they had but they wanted her to bring that degree with her when she returned home and she was doing it with full dedication. She found auto quickly this time. She sat in Auto and went to her room. She was happy since her exam were good. She was on top of world.
When Kiran went in room, she sensed that everything was not over. She needed to study for next paper after all it was beginning not end of exam. But this one was hardest paper. She knew that she could score good marks in remaining subjects. She was not careless by nature. She kept studying until end and last hour of exam. She started studying when she heard voices in hall. Land lady was talking sweetly. She sensed that it must be something profitable to her. She never talked sweetly without cause. Land lady never did it without purpose. She did it only when she wanted fraud. Kiran knew very well that her land lady was fooling someone same way she rolled her parents. She told them that she would give one room to Kiran but she was like her daughter. She could use entire house freely. She could use hall and she could use TV or washing machine. She could use refrigerator as per her choice. She should be treated like one family member. She had full freedom in that house but it was not true. When she entered in that house, she thought that it was true. She went in hall after college and she reached for remote of TV when Land lady screamed " I wanted to watch my serial." She was so upset but then she thought that she could watch that serial. She smiled and gave remote to Land lady. Her Mom told her that she must treat her Land lady. She must give her respect and she should do few adjustments like mature girl. So she immediately agreed. " Sure Auntie you can see serial of your choice and I will join you in watching it." Suddenly face of Land lady was seemed so angry. She was so confused. Land lady "You can call my Auntie but I prefer Mrs. Smita. " Kiran started to nod. Kiran sensed that Land lady didn't consider her as daughter. She just pretended. She started feeling so frustrated. She still controlled herself and sat with Land lady while watching with TV. She kept enjoying those serials. At beginning she hated it but she knew that she had no option. After that every day she began to watch serials with her Land lady. At beginning she didn't object them after sometime she began objecting it. She started to feel frustrated by it. Since during that serial that Land lady kept harassing her. She kept questioning her about her college. Like what kind of friends she managed to make when she managed to answer she began to criticize her choice. She made many friends. She started to discribe them happily. But soon Land lady started criticising them all. Land lady "This are not friend. These are just girls who are studying with you. Now a days young girls like you didn't understand value of friendship. Do friendship even for just timepass so sad." Kiran was so upset. Kiran tried her best to make friends but sadly she didn't manage much on that front according to Land lady. She wanted to think about those girls as best friend but her Land lady created doubts in her mind about them. Kiran sensed that she didn't have much friend. Then next day Land lady asked about her study. Kiran told her that she finished two chapters. But that land lady looked unimpressed. " You are too slow. I mean your parents wasted so much money on you and I hardly hope that they could get anything." Kiran " My parents didn't send me here for money!!" " Then why did they send you? As some welfare job!! Nonsense. Every parent want return of their money from kid. Some just say and remaining kept lying to please their kids. I hope you have sense enough to understand this." After this Kiran never sat with Land lady. Even when few times Land lady personally invited her. Land lady said " I have promised this to your parents. You must watch. " Kiran couldn't say yes. She didn't want to watch with Land lady. She denied her offer nicely. Kiran didn't feel relaxed at all when she watched TV with her. Then time of washing machine came. In this case Land lady made it clear that she couldn't use it. Land lady "We can't over load it. If we want to put your clothes then you must pay extra for electricity." Land lady told such large amount that Kiran thought laundry would be cheaper. So Kiran couldn't be her daughter and she never got any chance to use any instrument except refrigerator. She could use it and she could store her food in it. But when she did it, Land lady use it when she desired but she was not permitted to use Land lady's food. Whenever she tried Land lady said " So sorry but I needed it tomorrow." Then she added with meaningful smile " You know me. I never say no unless it was needful." Kiran nodded. But after that she understood. This Land lady was expert in monopolizing people. Today she knew that in hall she was playing same trick on someone. Kiran wanted to help but she couldn't since it was not possible. She knew that her word was nothing before Land lady's word. Then she felt shocked when she sensed that she was coming near her with someone. Then finally curtain opened and Land lady came inside with another lady and Rucha. Land lady smiled and pointed towards small room. " This is my second room." Another lady looked shocked. " This is too small for my daughter!!" Rucha smiled at Kiran and said " Don't worry Mom I will adjust." Her Mom " But we can find another room." Rucha " No Mom!! I don't want to keep wandering." Then she took her luggage and went in that room. It was really too small. Kiran started to feel sympathy towards her. Kiran " You can share my cupboard." Rucha smiled happily. Her Mom also looked at Kiran with approving smile. Rucha said " Thanks" in slow and timid voice. Kiran nodded. Kiran said yes to all but truthfully she didn't like idea of sharing her room. But she didn't have option so she decided to co-operate. She went to Rucha to help her in settling room. Then they both started studying together. Rucha's Mom seemed satisfied and she went away. Land lady counted her cash and went out of room happily. According to her every thing was settled perfectly. For Kiran it was problematic but her Mom told her that she must adjust so she started adjusting. Kiran decided to do it with smile. So Kiran greeted Rucha with her best smile while regretting in her heart for losing her place.
After that day Rucha started staying in that small room. Kiran didn't understand how could she managed it. Next day as soon as they wake up, Kiran started to get ready for exam. She studied her best. She sensed one thing whole time Rucha was observing her. She was not harassing her or even acting arrogantly. She was just imitating her. Whenever she took some book. Rucha took same book. Kiran didn't minded. But when Kiran started to get ready, she sensed Rucha observing her. Kiran didn't like it. Kiran didn't want to get ready before anyone like that. She began to feel so upset and angry. She decided to ignore her but it was becoming impossible for her. Finally she closed door between them angrily. Then she started to get ready. She got ready and then she opened door. She knew that Rucha needed to pass from her room if she wanted to go out of door. She decided to behave friendly. But she didn't behaved that way in beginning. She opened door. But when she opened it, she found Rucha standing there in her night gown. Rucha smiled and said " I couldn't decide what I should wear. But now I will wear clothes just like you." Kiran shivered with fear. She didn't have this. She sensed that she was even wearing night gown like her. It was strange. Kiran " Why did you need to wear clothes like me? Don't wear it!! People will taunt us." " Then tell what I should wear?!!" Kiran just pointed something at random. Rucha jumped with joy. Rucha screamed happily. " Thanks I will wear that one." Kiran didn't understand her attitude. But she nodded. Then they went to examination. After that Rucha kept following her like puppy. She didn't stop following her. She was also walking like Kiran. It was so frustrating. Kiran never desired anyone like this with her. She knew her few friends might like her but she didn't like it. She hated her. She knew that it would look wrong. But she hoped that when their examination would over, she could go home and next year she was not sure that this room would be reserved for her. She was sure that it was going get over that she let Rucha ask her everything she didn't object. Rucha was obeying her so much that one day finally their land lady asked " Do you know that girl?" Kiran " No. I have never seen her before." " Then why did she obey you like your slave?!! Stop lying." "I am telling you truth. I seen her just on first day of this exam." " Ohh and she suddenly become so fond of you!! I feel she even took this room because she wanted to stay near you." Kiran was so shocked at this suggestion. She has never heard bigger nonsense than this one. Kiran " Come on. Why should she do that? You are suggesting as if she is some boy who is following me." Land lady looked at her in strange way and said " But she was following in same passion." Kiran was so angry now. She decided that she didn't want to stay in this house for next term. She screamed " Enough!! As soon as I finish my exam I want to go away from here." Land lady " I wished same thing and also tell this to Rucha." "Why should I do that?" " Because I wanted her to obey you. I want to get rid of that strange girl!!" " If she is following me the way you said then she didn't stay here when she sensed I am not staying here." Land lady looked confused. Kiran was so confused and scared. She noticed Rucha's strange devotion. She kept imitating her. But it all seemed like act of Puppy. She needed to tell Rucha to stop it. But Kiran didn't understand why did Land lady objected it. She decided to ask it. Kiran " Even if she followed me like Puppy why does you mind?" " Because I feel she might even kill me if I insult you." This was too much. Kiran couldn't control her laughter. Kiran " You think she could kill you?!!" " Yes I think. You have not seen that anger in her eyes which I saw on that day.." Land lady shivered with fear. Land lady turned to Kiran " You must stay away from her. She could be some psycho path." Kiran shivered and nodded. Kiran was so upset. She was expecting some different answer. But thought of psychopath managed to scare her. She kept looking Land lady with shock. Kiran " I don't believe she is psychopath. She is simply trying to replace her sister." Land lady " Sister? Did she told you her sister is dead?" Kiran was so confused. Kiran made up entire story. Rucha never told her anything like that. Kiran " I am.." Kiran was so upset. She didn't understand how could she explain her lie. She sensed her situation was getting worst day by day. But Land lady was not interested in her explaination. She continued her talking. Land lady " Did you remember that serial which we watched?" Kiran watched it and remembered it very well. Kiran " Yes that lady was psychopath and she was obsessed with that girl.." Land lady smiled with excitement " Yes..yes and then she killed every one who was attached with her so what if she felt I am attached with you she will kill me too. Remember in that serial that girl killed that land lady too?" " Yes but she treated that girl like her daughter. You don't bother on that front. You never treated me like daughter. You always told me to call you." Land lady smiled happily. She turned to Kiran and asked " Did you tell this to Rucha?" " Yes I told her. You are very irritating woman." Land lady smiled happily " So I am safe!!" Kiran " And do one thing. Don't inform Rucha about anything. I will go home for vacation. She will do same. If you told her that I am not coming. She will surely ask for cause and she might suspect you." Land lady shivered. Land lady " Don't worry I will not tell." So during those days they all tolerated Rucha nicely. Kiran was scared of her but still she felt even strange attachment towards her. Kiran felt as if she was like her sister. But Kiran kept reminding herself that she was mad. Finally examination was over. Kiran jumped with joy. She wanted to go back to her home and stay with her family due to separation her attachment towards family increase more and more. She just wanted to be with them. Kiran was so happy when she packed bags. She didn't even noticed Rucha until Rucha came beside her. Rucha " Can I stay with you in your home?" Kiran was shocked. She couldn't able to answer. Rucha smiled and continued while assuming answer was yes. " We can stay together whole time." Kiran didn't like this idea at all. She said it loud without second thought. " Why did you want to follow me like Puppy?" Rucha was shocked. She didn't say anything. She just returned back to room. After this Rucha didn't came to chat with her. They just packed and went away.
Kiran went back to her home. She was treated like special guest there. While chatting she told everything about Rucha. Her father looked upset. " First of all. I want you to apologize to that girl. This is totally wrong. Who told you this nonsense that she is not psychopath. Just because someone consider you idol that doesn't mean that person is psychopath. Don't you know many people who consider many great famous people idol is it crime if someone consider you idol? You started to call that person killer murderer. Shocking!!" Soon Mom joined him too. Mom " You are so wrong if that girl tried to take little help from you is it her crime?" Kiran began to feel so guilty. "I will call her and apologize." Her Mom " Good." Kiran began to feel so guilty. She didn't even able to finish dinner. Her father " What happened? Why you are not eating? This is your favourite food." " I am feeling so guilty. " " Then go ahead call her. You can't eat dinner without saying sorry." She nodded and went away. She called Rucha. Rucha took her call. Kiran " Rucha I am sorry." For long time no one spoke from other side then finally a voice spoke " I am Rucha's Mom and she is sick. No need to call her again. I know all." Kiran " I am sorry Auntie. I was scared and upset." Then she took deep breath and told entire incidence to Rucha's Mom. Rucha's Mom sounded so angry. " That sadist Land lady filled you head with garbage. What you said and guessed at beginning was right. It was not her sister. It was her father." Then her Mom stopped talking to her for some moments. She was trying hard to control her emotions. Then she started talking " We are planning picnic in Simala why don't you join us there?!!" Kiran was confused. She wanted to spend sometime with her parents. But she didn't want to hurt Rucha's Mom. She said in slow voice. " Sorry Auntie but I want to spend sometime with my parents." Rucha's Mom "Then you can invite your parents too." She took deep breath. Kiran could clearly heard her breath. Rucha's Mom " I really like your friendship for my daughter. Your parents are always going to be with you...forget Simala. Do you like to abroad? Somewhere like Switzerland, US, Thailand, France..any country you like!!" Now Kiran began to feel scared. She didn't like this at all. She was so shocked. This woman was offering her a foreign trip. There must be something wrong in it. She didn't want anything to with them. She regretted taking her parent's advice. She felt that this woman was more mad than Rucha. She took deep breath and said " I can't come. Bye." Then she disconnected call. She was so scared when her mobile started to rang again. She ran towards her parents. She told them all in shortcut. " Now she is calling." Her Mom took call. Kiran's Mom " I am Kiran's Mom. Our daughter can't come on picnic." " But why? Do you know what happened? You abused my daughter!! She called her puppy!!" " Yes, I know but just because of it we can't send away our daughter like that. She is supposed to spend this vacation with us and that is what going to happen." That lady screamed " Do you know my daughter tried to commit suicide because of your daughter!!" Kiran's Mom was shocked. Now she started to regret idea of this apology call. She decided to disconnect her call. When she did it, she turned to Kiran's father. " We did biggest mistake by calling them. That is family of mad people. She said her girl tried to commit suicide and telling me that Kiran was responsible for that mess." Kiran was so shocked. She shivered with fear. She didn't understand how could she manage to get over that trouble. It was frustrating for her. She was so upset. When her mobile rang again, it was unknown number. Kiran's Mom was so confused. But she took it. Kiran's Mom " Hello." It was voice of timid girl. "Auntie I am Rucha and I am sorry about all. My Mom is like that since my childhood. She always managed to grab whatever I desire which lead to bigger trouble for me." Kiran's Mom" Did you tried to commit suicide?" For few seconds Rucha said nothing then she answered. " Yes I did it but not because of Kiran due to sudden death of my father by heart attack." Kiran's Mom felt so sad for her. Kiran's Mom " I am so sorry." " Actually after my father's death I started from suffering a great trauma which lead to many troubles. I was so upset by his death that I wanted to replace him. My Mom was useless in that case." Rucha took deep breath " And I don't know why I felt Kiran is perfect replacement. But today I have started psychiatrist's treatment. He convinced me that I can't replace my father like that. It is not going to help me. I am so upset and scared. After hearing it but step by step I sense that it was wrong. I can't use Kiran as replacement." Then she took deep breath and said " I will call her again." When Kiran's Mom told it, Kiran didn't believe it. Kiran " Mad people didn't get well like that." But as days went ahead Kiran proved wrong. Rucha didn't call her again. Kiran started to feel upset. One day she called Rucha. Rucha answered call. But she was no longer dedicated to her. In fact Rucha started to get irritated too soon by Kiran subjects. She was totally different girl. When Kiran disconnected her call, she sensed one thing that psychiatrist could cure person. Rucha was perfect. But sometimes Kiran seemed that girl who used to follow her but she knew that it was not right. So she smiled and said " Bye " to Rucha in sweet way. Since it was sure now that they would go in their two different ways.
The End
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