She was waiting for him at the old Central College Library. Though Bangalore had undergone a lot of change, the Central College Library had not changed much. She went to their favourite spot in the Library. A vintage teak wooden desk and bench were placed near a huge Victorian style open window. There was a huge gulmohar tree, brimming red with its flaming head. The tree had withstood many changes in its lifetime. She felt a very eerie feeling, as though, the gulmohar was waiting for her for almost a decade. It was after a gap of ten years that Vaishali and Dev were meeting each other. Vaishali, had reached the library before time. She just walked through the various benches and desks, various sections of books and more books. Vaishali laughed at her fluttering heart, prancing glances, tapping feet and over anxious mind. She had become a naive vulnerable PG student of Economics... just like the good old days.
 

Vaishali and Dev were classmates from their under-graduate days. They were completely different in their personalities. Vaishali was demure, coy and shy in nature whereas Dev was a dream boy for every girl in the college. He had very good communication skills, wrote good essays and poetry and wanted to catch the first train towards success. Dev always wanted to join JNU, New Delhi. He wanted to do his MPhil and PhD. Dev had a vicious smile. He was sensitive, considerate and vociferous.
Dev, after 10 years, entered the library premises and took confident brisk steps. Dev was sharp half an hour late. He saw Vaishali sitting at their favourite spot near the Victorian style window with a canopy created by the gulmohar branches. Ten years had not changed Vaishali much. He was welcomed by a beautiful smile. Her teeth were like pomegranate pearls and her lips were well shaped. Her eye brows were neatly done and her whole face looked delicate and feminine. He used to love a subtle fragrance emanating from her hair. Vaishali used to dry her hair with some fragrant dhoop, a tradition followed still in some households in India. After ten years, when he came close to her, she had the same faint fragrance. Vaishali was and is still beautiful, he thought.

They sat together at their favourite spot. It was strange that Dev and Vaishali had a weird quietness between them. Vaishali was a lecturer in the same college where they studied PG and Dev was working with the World Bank. He was successful and had reached his destination. Vaishali, on the other hand was content with her simple teaching life. Vaishali was still a spinster. Dev had married Shikha, has a child and is now a divorcee. Dev was very fast in his life. He and Shikha were also classmates and childhood friends. She was also outspoken, ambitious and intelligent. Shikha also wanted to join JNU, complete MPhil and PhD. Shikha and Dev decided to marry as they found marriage an extension of their friendship. They both joined World Bank and after a few years, their son, Arya, arrived. Everything was going fine in their family life. The professional differences and ego slowly crept into their marital life. They decided to divorce and Arya was now living with Dev. He was only the sane source of happiness in Dev's insane world.

Vaishali noticed Dev to be more handsome than his college days. Vaishali could not understand the reason they fell apart. The events that occurred on that New Year's evening was still fresh in her mind. It was the New Year’s evening, the last year of college life. Vaishali had decided to confess her true love to Dev. She was sure that Dev liked her, but not sure whether Dev loved her. It was five years since they knew each other and on 31st Dec 2009, Vaishali decided to express her love for Dev.

 
Vaishali had dressed in a baby pink sleeveless top and a denim skirt. She had tied her hair up in an artistic knot, but somehow the knot was not enough tight to hold up her long hair for long. She had worn small crimson red chunks of terracotta earrings. Vaishali completed her crisp look with a pair of new sandals. Vaishali had used a kohl liner to define her beautiful eyes. She had her high cheek bones defined with blush and had given life to her lips with a colour known as spiced rose, a colour which could not go wrong.  Vaishali was looking beautiful and her friends echoed the same. Vaishali reached the auditorium early. The college juniors were hosting a party to the seniors. She had brought a book written by Rumi and was pouring her heart and soul into love quotes. She wanted to gift the book to Dev.
Shikha also had thoughts of proposing to Dev. Shikha had known Dev from childhood and knew his each and every movement. She knew his likes and dislikes more than her own. Shikha was wearing a chic knitted blouse with a low waist denim. She had worn her heels, loud make up and opened her hair. Shikha had used a subtle perfume which was very seducing. She was looking like a diva. Shikha also reached the auditorium early.

Shikha was not surprised to meet Vaishali. Shikha noticed that Vaishali was looking very serene, pristine and pretty. Shikha also noticed that Vaishali was holding a book on love quotes by Rumi. Vaishali also noticed that Shikha was looking extremely hot. Shikha casually pulled Vaishali's leg whether she was waiting for someone special on the New Year eve. Vaishali, confessed to Shikha that on that day, New Year eve, she would profess her love to Dev. Shikha was extremely heart broken. She became very possessive of her guy, but tactfully filled some doubts in Vaishali's mind. Shikha pointed out that Dev had big plans of moving to Delhi and carve out a niche for himself. Vaishali, a simple town girl was content to stay in the same hometown.
 

Vaishali was pondering the reason Shikha was showing the differences in their character. Though they were distance apart, Vaishali knew that she would be very happy with Dev. Shikha, thus sowing the seeds of doubt rushed outside the auditorium. Shikha had to find Dev and propose to him before Vaishali. As Shikha took fast steps, Dev entered the auditorium.  Shikha just crashed on to him and placed a kiss on his lips. Their lips were locked into each other. They were cheered by students and onlookers. Shikha, though locked her lip, had jealousy and contempt in her mind. Dev though had his lip locked with Shikha's, was actually taken aback with all the events. Shikha made sure that all these scenes were witnessed by Vaishali. Shikha said aloud the three letter word "I love you". Shikha caressed his face and gently squeezed his hand. Shikha left the auditorium with a sadistic happiness and victory. There was nothing sweeter than hurting an opponent, by taking away the dreams of the opponent and making her/ him limp.
 

Vaishali saw all the events. She could not believe her eyes. She found a deep pain in her heart, felt difficulty in breathing and tears rolled from her eyes. She turned away from Dev and ran to a corner of the auditorium. She was looking outside the window with tears dropping from her eyes. Dev rushed towards Vaishali. He understood Shikha's selfish motives and wanted to control the situation. Dev came closer to Vaishali. He noticed her intricate hair design, her beautiful eyes and lips. She was crying inconsolably. He wanted to lift her face and look deep into her beautiful eyes. He immersed himself into those eyes and could write essays about them. The baby pink colour of her dress was beautifully matching with her skin colour. He tried to get closer when Vaishali moved away from him. He noticed Rumi's love quotes with Vaishali, and understood that she wanted to propose to him. He tried to explain the situation, he was not aware of Shikha's tactics and would like to speak to Vaishali. Vaishali threw the book from her hand and ran out of the auditorium. She had seen enough and wanted to get back home as soon as possible. Dev ran behind her, but was stopped by many merry making friends. Dev picked up the book and kept it in his back pack. Dev decided to meet Vaishali at her home that New Year eve. Dev liked Shikha as his friend, but he loved Vaishali. After dropping Shikha, Dev went to Vaishali's house. He did not find her or her parents, but found a letter addressed to him.
 

The letter read thus "Every love outside of his love is pain"- Rumi. The letter did not say anything more or anything less. Those words in the letter haunted Dev. He wanted to stop Vaishali, give her a cuddle and a sweet kiss on her lips. She was hurt deeply and had left the town. The maid did not know anything more about Vaishali's plans. Dev with heavy heart had to leave her house. The college had study holidays and all the students including Dev and Shikha were busy with their studies. He used to visit the library with a hope of meeting Vaishali and explain his innocence. It looked as though Vaishali had disappeared into thin air. He did not find her in exam hall and came to know that Vaishali had not attended any exams. He felt guilty for the events occurred on that fateful New Year eve. Dev and Shikha graduated with flying colours. Though Dev had topped Bangalore University, he had a deep wound inflicted in him from the New Year eve. He had hurt a very sweet girl. Dev had to follow his dreams and JNU was welcoming him with open hands. He had to accept the welcome and left Bangalore. Shikha also followed him.
Vaishali, had not attended any exams that year. She had missed a year. She tried to recover from her shock. She enrolled into personality development programs, dance classes and Photography classes. She found herself in a state of balance after joining yoga classes. She let go off all the unhappiness events and dejection. She started breathing in a new lease of life. After a year, she reappeared for her PG exams and graduated with distinction. She applied for a guest lecturer's post in the same college. Vaishali, nailed her guest lecturer post with improved confidence and personality. Though she tried to forgive Dev, it was very hard for her to forget him. Vaishali had created a cocoon around herself and was comfortable in her space.
 

As years flew, Dev, a high profile officer with World Bank had to come to Bangalore on an official visit. When he reached Bangalore, he made a visit to his alma mater, his college. The principal had changed, the college had become autonomous, the auditorium had become bigger but the library had not changed. He went to the Economics department and found out that Vaishali was now a lecturer in the same department. Vaishali had left home early so he wrote a note on her table about a possible meeting the next day at the library near the Victorian style window.
 

Dev sighed a relief. He was happy that Vaishali had accepted to meet him. He said that he was not responsible for any events that occurred on the New Year eve 10 years ago. He confessed that he was in love with Vaishali and still treasures the book of Rumi. Vaishali gave a shy smile. Dev showed her the picture of Arya and shared his divorce news. He looked at Vaishali. She was still the young naive girl who loved to be loved. He touched her fingers and slowly held her hand. Vaishali felt a sudden splurge of happiness. She blushed like a newly married bride. They both looked into each other’s eyes and walked out of the library hand in hand.