Nandika was cursing herself for being so late. She hates to not be on time and she hates to be scolded by her professors. Actually, she was cursing that “Lost Boy” guy who disturbed her sweet dream last night. Neither he would come in her dream nor would she awake for the entire night and be late for her classes. For the first time in her life, someone keeps on refusing to elude her rational mind. Nandika adjusts her specs on her nose bridge and tries to storm into the college gate. However, she doesn’t know what happened next but when she gains her conscience, she was lying on someone’s body and shockingly their lips were perfectly joined with each other. Really? She kissed an unknown! Her first kiss or an accidental kiss? It takes some moments for her to muster her thoughts and then she frees herself with a jerk and gets up after a brief try. Till then, a small yet curious crowd is gathered, circling them like an audience who prefers to watch a free circus show.

“They kissed…My God! The most dweeb and introvert girl and the kickiest and flamboyant boy of the college had their most unusual encounter. Not bad….ha….Ha… It’s like a fairytale begins.”

“Hey, what should be the title of this upcoming story?... Rockstar’s nerd or Modern Cinderella? No…no…Dweeb and the Dreamboat. Ha…ha…”

“But, dude…was it an accident or a publicity stunt? Who knows?”

All the remarks pour like molten lead in Nandika’s ears. She embarrassingly tucks her hair behind the ears and wipes her lips. Till now, she hadn’t even glanced at the boy whom she collided with and this disaster happened. Tears prick her eyes.

“Shut your mouths…you morons! Don’t you all have any productive work to do instead of gossiping like quidnunc? Get lost from this place before I kick you all out. Dimwits!”

Maan yells at the crowd and within the blink of an eye, the place gets deserted. Only then, Nandika observes her accidental kisser. He is a very handsome guy just like most of the protagonists of her stories. His sharp feature has a permanent nonchalant expression plastered on his lips and eyes, indicating that how self-obsessed and proud he is. For a moment, Nandika feels amused.

“The kiss was accidental but the option is interesting.”

Her writer mind nudges her with a meaningful wink. Maan dusts off his hands and stands up. Nandika is still sitting on the ground while gazing at him.

“How tall he is! Like an Eiffel Tower.”

Her naughty mind again remarks.

“Are you okay, Ms? Sorry I didn’t see you and this happened. Never mind.”

Nandika’s reverie gets broken when Maan tries to normalize the situation and lends his hand to help her rise. With a brief hesitation, Nandika holds his stretched hand and gets up.

“No, it’s okay. In fact, I was in a hurry and didn’t notice you. My mistake. Excuse me.”

Nandika says embarrassedly and starts managing her unruly hair. Her introvert and shy nature again overpowers her mind. She bends to gather her scattered books and copies. It is hard to meet those intense eyes after whatever happened. Shit…it’s hell embarrassing. She tries to escape the moment.

“Excused then. Take care and if anyone tries to tease you, just let me know. I know how to handle these jerks.”

Maan shows his thumbs up. In reply, Nandika just nods with a pale smile. With a cordial bye, Maan disappears, whistling in a pleasant mood. A tint of pink adorns Nandika’s cheeks. An acceptable accident. Her writer mind can’t refrain from
the literary alliteration. She too approaches the main college building.

..........................

“Dude, is it true whatever I have just heard?”

Kabir sounds dramatic. Without looking at him, Maan asks casually, while sitting on the staircase.

“What have you heard, my dear friend?”

“That, you have just proposed to a girl and that is in a very unique style!”

Kabir air quotes the words “Unique style.” Although he can whiff where the conversation is turning Maan frowns at his best friend.

“Means?”

His annoyed query comes.

“Means the whole college is talking about your kiss to that nerd. Are you serious, Bro? Does that mean Nutty M is at last gone from your head? But why that bookworm? You both have nothing in common.”

Kabir shows his concern while coming closer to his friend. Maan rolls his eyes in helplessness.

“Look; nothing happened like this that you are making mountains out of molehills. I don’t even know that girl. It was just a silly accident. And about Nutty M…well, she is my ultimate dream girl. Once I meet her, I will be on my knees. What a girl, Man! You should read her books. The way she explains my inner thoughts…it seems I am her long-term boyfriend or soulmate. She can read my mind, Dude. Ufff…I am getting goosebumps. Look..!”

Maan sounds enthralled when shows his trembling hand to Kabir who makes an unwavering face.

“Hmmmm…That means she is still there and I was thinking that you have grown up. Dude, how long are you going to live in this illusion? She is a celebrity. A famous writer. Why will she give you any heed? For the last one year, you have been stalking her on every social media but she as expected has never reverted you. Do you have any self-respect or not? Just forget her and focus on other girls. You are the heartthrob of college, Bro. Any girl, I mean any damn girl on this earth would feel lucky to have you as her boyfriend. And you…. are chasing her like a mirage.”
Kabir mouths disappointedly and wobbles his head in despair. He knows how Maan is mad after Nutty M…the famous author. But everything should have a limit. Fairytale never comes true. Some tranquillity stays in the air.

“She messaged me back…last night.”

Maan suddenly replies. A nonchalant and mischievous smile is lingering on his lips. His eyes are shining in hope. Fairytale begins?