I’m Your Loving Intern

Naina goes to an internship at B.H.E.L and falls in love with someone special. However, she has to complete her training before long and doesn’t get enough time to express herself. So she expresses her love through an anonymous letter and lets her destiny take its course.

A few weeks later, one of Naina’s well-wishers tells her that giving up on her dream will not make destiny push it towards her. So Naina starts again & works to reach the man of her dreams. What happened next?

“I’m Your Loving Intern” by Nikhila Kotni tells the story of a girl passionately in love with a charming guy. The story shows how one should work for their dreams, and nothing is impossible if sought wholeheartedly.

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Cover Photo by Ravindra Patoju

Contents

Free Access

1. Part I First Day in B.H.E.L That Tamilian! A Love Letter to My Love

2. Part II
   

Exclusive Access

1. Part III

2. Part IV

3. Part V

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Credits

This contribution is edited by R. K. Chamarla & R. S. Chintalapati and photographed by Ravindra Patoju.

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Product

This novella is available in paperback & ebook.

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Chapter I

First Day in B.H.E.L

It was my first day at work, perhaps the most awaited day of my life. At last, I obtained a position in B.H.E.L. as an assistant engineer, and I was to work in the Heat Exchangers department and couldn’t contain my excitement!

I would work in the same room as he does and sit at the same table with my name on it instead of his. I couldn’t wait to get inside the Production Shop, but I had to stay at the Administration Office for now.

I’ve been told that an employee would help me to my cabin and show me the ways. But I didn’t need any assistance. I already knew all the ways, and I even knew where my workplace was. All I needed was to search for the thief who stole my heart long ago. I still remember everything as if it had happened just yesterday, even though it happened a while ago.

Now that I recall, this is how it started.

Naina:

Hello Avantika! We are almost there. Where are you?

Avantika:

There will be a grocery store on the other side of the road. Can you see that?

Naina:

Yes, now I see you.

I was going to stay at Avantika’s house for two weeks along with Pari. I thought it’ll be a blast of fun. But I never thought I would have so much fun with a touch of love. We reached Avantika’s home in an auto-rickshaw. Her house was a duplex, one well built. Small and cute hall with a sofa set and an L.C.D. at the right corner with steps leading to her parent’s room and her bedroom.

Attached to the living room where the dining room and kitchen. They had plentiful crockery arranged in the cupboards. As I looked around, Avantika’s brother Yash came down. He helped me with my luggage. At first, he was a bit shy; indeed, he was just fourteen.

That night, we slept in Avantika’s room, but before we did, we talked about the next day at B.H.E.L. and how our internship could be. We talked about our crushes, and we never knew when we slept. The next day, when I woke up, I saw a window beside me and a big apartment on the other side of the road.

Pari:

Hey Naina! Wake up!

Naina:

Yeah! I’m awake.

I turned toward Pari and was shocked. She had already gotten ready.

Naina:

When did you wake up?

Pari:

At 5:30

Naina:

O.M.G.! What’s the time now? Where’s Avantika?

Pari:

She just woke up, probably brushing her teeth. And it’s 6:30. So you better hurry up, we need to start at 7:30.

Naina:

Oh, God!

Obeying her, I rushed and got ready as soon as possible. We had breakfast, and Avantika’s father took us to B.H.E.L. There were two gates, a small one and a big wide black gate. On the right of the entrance on a white wall was written B.H.E.L. with its logo, and beside it was written “Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited - Heavy Plates and Vessels Plant”.

A security guard came to us without opening the gate and asked us why we were there and whom exactly we wanted to meet. Avantika’s father told him about the internship program and that we wanted to meet Mr Ram, Head of the Training Department.

Hearing this, the guard allowed us. Going inside to the right was a big building, the administration office. We took a left turn to be led into a lane separated by trees dividing the road with palm trees planted on either side.

We were going inside, and to the right, there was a big building, the administration office, we turned to the left, and wow, there were two roads separated by trees well planted, and on either side of the roads, there were trees too. There was a big tree to our left, and the footpath was white. We didn’t get to observe what it was like; we were in a car. And in front of us was a parking lot for bikes and cycles. Avantika’s father parked the car there, and we got out of the car. Now to our right was a big toll-gate kind of thing.

Avantika:

Hey Naina, can you call Amar and ask him where he is?

Naina:

Yup! Hold on.

I was calling Amar. Meanwhile, I heard a voice.

Amar:

Are you calling me?

Naina:

Oh, Amar! Hi!

I smiled as Avantika’s father went inside the Training Department.

Naina:

So what’s next? Did you see that gate, Amar? What is that?

Amar:

Gate? That toll gate kind of thing?

Naina:

Yeah! Exactly.

Amar:

Well. No idea, actually.

Naina:

Ugh!

Avantika’s father:

Children come inside.

We entered the building before walking into Mr Ram’s room on the first floor. There were three sets of chairs and a table facing the wall to the right, and on the left, there was a clock that was not working. At the top left corner, there was a wash basin that was so broken that it looked as if someone’s head hit it during a fight, like in the movies, and adding to it, the walls were slightly cracked.

At the centre of this room sat an old man under the fan that barely turned or served any purpose. His table was covered by almost fifteen reports and was loaded with dust that seemed to not bother him even for a moment.

Avantika:

Who’s this old man dad?

Avantika’s father:

Shush! He’s the head of the Training Department, Mr Ram.

Avantika:

Oops sorry…!

Ram:

So these are the four students?

Avantika’s father:

Yes sir.

Ram:

Which college are you from, students?

Avantika:

M.V.G.R College of Engineering.

Ram:

Oh okay. Listen, take this project report and by the end of your training, you should be making one such report.

Completing his sentence, he handed the report to Amar.

Ram:

You will be doing your Internship in the Welding Department. There will be an elderly gentleman named Mr Shankar. He’ll guide you and give you more reports like this, and you’ll have to study them.

Amar:

Okay, sir.

Ram:

Did you see the gate while you were coming here?

Naina:

The toll gate kind of thing?

Ram:

Yes, there in the middle, there will be security personnel. Show this personnel this permission letter, and you will be allowed inside after checking your bags. Go straight, and after walking for fifteen minutes, you will see a board saying, “Welding Department”.

Amar:

Okay, sir.

Ram:

Now you can go.

Following the instructions, we left for the gate, and Avantika’s father went from there. Amar gave that letter to the chief security guard sitting in the room in the middle of that gate. They told us that we were not allowed to take mobiles and if we did, then we were not allowed to take any photographs. They gave us the letter back, checked our bags and allowed us in.

There were buildings on both sides and boards beside the road with quotes, and I kept reading them while walking for twenty-five minutes, and then we saw a black marble board on which it was written, “Welding Technology”. And to its side was a spacious room with two men inside. Amar enquired where we could meet Mr Shankar, and they said to go inside the next building and climb upstairs.

Following the suggestions, we went inside a big square room in the bottom right corner; there was a small closed room with two computers, and there were eight sets of tables and chairs arranged in four rows. In the first row, there was a table and chair beside that closed room where an older man sat and was seriously working on something. In the second row, there were three sets of tables and chairs; in the last two sets, two men were working on the tables. One of them was of dark complexion, had glasses and wore a cement-coloured shirt and pants.

Employee:

Who are you guys?

Amar:

Hello sir! Mr Ram sent us.

Employee:

Oh hello! I’m Lakshman. So you guys have come for the internship, right?

Pari:

Yes sir.

Lakshman:

Ravi sir?

The older man raised his head.

Lakshman:

These students came to do internships under your guidance.

Shankar:

Oh! Okay.

Lakshman and the man beside him smiled at each other.

Lakshman:

Go and stand before him.

As instructed, we stood with him for twenty minutes, and he didn’t even look at us. We kept on standing, and I lost my patience after a point.

Naina:

Sir?

Pari whispered:

Hey! What are you doing?

I didn’t care.

Naina:

Sir? Could you please tell us what to do?

Shankar:

See there on that last table? Sit there and read those project reports.

Naina:

Okay!

We went and sat down. Each one of us took a report and started turning pages. All morning we’ve done nothing but observe the cracks on the wall and the faces of the staff. It was 1:00 p.m., and we were hungry, and Mr Lakshman had read our hungry faces.

Lakshman:

Did you guys have your lunch?

Amar:

No sir, we don’t know where the canteen is.

Lakshman:

Don’t you know? The way is so easy to remember. Go straight. You’ll see people going in and out. Just ask them where to buy coupons. Go there and buy four meals. Give those coupons inside he’ll give you meals.

Amar:

Okay, thank you, sir.

Lakshman:

No problem.

We four started to walk down the road, straightly as he said. We were walking and walking and walking in that hot sun. And after twenty long minutes, we finally reached our lunch destination. We asked a man where we had to take coupons, and he pointed toward a counter, and I thanked him. Pari rushed toward the counter, took money from her wallet, and asked for four meals. She gave us a ticket each. We went inside, and it was a big canteen but not gigantic.

To the right, there was a queue. We went there and stood in the queue. Pari stood first in the line, followed by Avantika, me and Amar.

Pari and Avantika got their meals fast. But when it came to me, the serving plates were finished. They asked us to wait for five min, and I turned back to Amar.

Naina:

OMG! We two are last?

Server:

It’s almost 1:30 p.m. We’ll close the canteen at 2:00 p.m., and today even the crowd was more.

Amar:

Oh! When will you open the canteen?

Server:

From 11 a.m.

Naina:

Oh, from 11?

Server:

Are you a diploma student?

Naina:

No, we are B. Tech students, we’ve come for an internship.

Server:

Oh! For six months?

Amar:

No. Just for two weeks.

Server:

Oh! Many students like you came today, so the crowd was more than we expected.

Meanwhile, a man came and brought plates. The server served us, and we smiled to thank him. We turned back to see Avantika and Pari, who were already eating, and we went and sat beside them.

Naina:

Oh gosh! Your plate is a mess, Avantika.

Avantika:

Our hostel food is far better than this. Rice is so hard, and I can’t eat it.

Naina:

Look at Pari for a moment.

I smiled and pointed toward Pari, who was continuously eating very fast as if she didn’t eat for days. Amar and I smiled at Avantika.

Avantika:

What? You know about Pari. She eats a lot.

Naina:

She didn’t complain about anything. She’s eating calmly. Why can’t you?

Avantika:

You guys eat then suggest to me about food.

We started eating, and as Avantika said, the rice was raw but not so bad and edible. So we ate without complaining.

Avantika:

Don’t tell me. Do you guys like it?

Amar:

It’s not too bad.

Naina:

Yes. Learn to adjust Avantika.

Avantika:

Gosh! You guys are just impossible.

Naina:

It’s okay. Cool down from tomorrow, and we’ll try to find some other better place to eat. Just adjust for now.

Avantika:

You guys go on. I had enough!

Avantika was annoyed, so we didn’t dare to bother her. After having lunch, we walked back to the welding department. And just before the Welding Department to the right, there was a big board saying, “Production Shop.”

Naina:

Wow!

Pari:

I want to go side.

Amar:

First, we’ll ask sir, and then we’ll go.

Pari:

Okay!

But I wanted to go inside at that instant, and I saw a worker coming out from that Production Shop.

Naina:

Sir?

Worker:

Yes?

Naina:

We are B. Tech students and we came here for an internship. Can we go inside the Production Shop?

Worker:

Yeah! You can go. There will be staff near the machines. Go to them, tell them you’ve come for training and ask them to explain the processes and working of machines. They’ll explain everything and will help you in all possible ways.

Naina:

Thank you so much, sir. We’ll do what you said.

He smiled and left. With a proud smile, I looked at my friends.

Pari:

Okay! Okay! You are cool.

Amar:

You thought well and did well.

Naina:

Thank you, thank you! Now shall we?

Amar:

Yeah! Come on!

We went inside the Production Shop. It was huge. I still remember how I felt when I entered the shop. For the first time, I felt as if I had come to a new world, a world meant for me, an engineer. Giant cranes were inside the shop, arranged along with many machines.

As we went on, we saw four men talking to each other. One was dressed in a white shirt and cream pants, while others were in a workers’ uniform. We went to them.

Naina:

Hello, sir! We are B. Tech students. We came here for an internship. We heard from a worker that you will help us learn about these machines and procedures. Will you please help us?

Sir:

Oh! You came for an internship. What is the period of your training? Six months?

Naina:

No, sir! Just for 15 days.

Sir:

Oh! Yeah, you said you were B. Tech students. Right! Right! By the way, I’m N. V. K. Dora. I’m an Assistant Engineer here.

Saying about himself, he led us to his tiny cabin with two tables and four chairs.

Dora:

I’ve done my diploma and joined this company as a worker. Now I’m promoted to Asst. Engineer. I’m in charge of this department called the Shells Department. There are different departments in this production shop: Shells, Heat Exchangers, Pressure Vessels, Combustion Systems I & II, Quality Control, Heavy Metal Shop, L.M.S., and other departments. Here we make shells. I’ll tell you everything tomorrow morning. Since it is lunch break now, you can’t see the working machines. If you come before the lunch break, you can see the working machines and ask the people who are operating them.

Amar:

Okay! Thank you, sir. We’ll come around nine tomorrow.

Dora:

Yeah, that would be good.

Naina:

Thank you, sir.

We thanked him and left his cabin. We returned to the Welding department to the room where we were supposed to read those reports. We entered in there was no one inside. Since we came in the hot sun, we sat in our places under fans. After some time, all three men came back. Mr Lakshman asked and called us. We wondered why he was calling, and we went to him.

Lakshman:

Go inside that computer room and ask Mr Dhruv to teach you something.

Amar:

Okay, sir.

We went inside; he looked arrogant. We stood before him, and he didn’t even look at us. I didn’t want to wait as I did in the morning, so without waiting for him to look at us and ask why we came to him, I started asking him to teach us something.

Dhruv:

Teach you something?

Naina:

Yes sir.

Dhruv:

What do you want me to teach you?

Naina:

About welding technology!

Dhruv:

What do you want to learn about welding technology?

Naina:

How will they do welding?

Dhruv:

If I tell you the welding process, will you go yourself and start to do welding?

Naina:

Why will we do that?

Dhruv:

Then why do you want to learn?

Naina:

Didn’t you learn about welding in your college education? Why do you want to learn it? It’s the same case. As an engineer, we must make workers do the work. To make them do it, we must know how to do it in the first case. If you know something, tell us or else we’ll leave. We didn’t come here to answer your stupid questions, and thank you for wasting our time, sir!

After that argument, I left the computer room. I went to Mr Lakshman.

Naina:

Thanks for helping us out today, sir. Please try to help us in these 15 days. Thank you, sir! We’ll leave now.

I turned towards Mr Shankar.

Naina:

As you said, we read the reports all day, sir. We even went to the Production Shop they said we could go there and learn about the machines. I think it’s time for us to leave now. Thank you, sir!

Shankar:

Okay! Come early tomorrow at 8 a.m.

Naina:

We’ll try, sir.

I turned back. Amar, Avantika and Pari were standing at the computer room’s door with blank and shocked faces.

Naina:

Aren’t you guys coming?

Amar:

Ha? Oh yeah! We are coming. I went out and came down. Amar and the two girls came down after two minutes. They looked shocked when they came down.

Amar:

What was that just now?

Pari:

Are you out of your mind?

Avantika:

You just rocked out there. You should have seen the burn on his face.

Pari:

What Avantika? Is this fun?

Naina:

Oh! Please, whatever I just said, he deserved it. He was showing off so much. Does he even know how to weld?

Amar:

Calm down, Naina. I got to see your new face. So I’m kind of happy, and let’s just go back home for now.

Avantika:

Hmm, we should do that.

Pari:

You guys! How can you support her? Gosh!

Naina:

Oh! My sweet Pari, didn’t you just say that you were hungry? Don’t you want to eat ice cream?

Pari:

Ice cream?

We are late, and let’s get out of here first. We all laughed and went out to an ice cream parlour nearby. And after eating, Amar went to his home, and we returned to Avantika’s house.

Avantika asked her mom to pack a Tiffin box from the next day since she didn’t like the canteen’s food. Pari decided to get parcelled tiffin from a tiffin centre on our way. And I chose to eat with Amar and was happy to have enough time to talk with Amar while eating alone.

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Chapter II

That Tamilian!

The next day we woke up early and reached B.H.E.L. As planned, we visited the Production Shop first, and as we entered the shop, we saw Dora sir and another employee talking to him.

This employee wore a white shirt and blue jeans. The way he talked, the way he looked, and his body language were quite attractive. My heart unknowingly started to beat faster than usual.

Naina:

Amar?

Amar:

Hmm?

Naina:

Did you see the guy who was talking to Dora sir?

Amar:

That white shirt guy?

Naina:

Hmm! He looks attractive. Doesn’t he?

Amar:

What makes you think he is attractive?

Naina:

His face, body language, and the way he’s talking! He looks like a Tamilian.

Amar:

Tamilian?

Naina:

Yeah!

Finishing his discussion, the guy left.

Amar:

Naina! Stop staring at him!

Naina:

What are you talking about? Why would I stare at him?

Amar:

I think we should go now. Avantika and Pari already started walking to Dora sir.

Naina:

What? Oh my God! They really went!

We ran after them. After getting to know our names, Dora sir took us to the Shells department. He showed us an automatic welding and grinding machine after informing us that the company bought them recently and exported them from Switzerland.

He joked by mentioning that a white man also came along with the machine to instruct the company employees about how to operate this machine.

For the first time, I saw a machine like that. It was terrific, and I couldn’t control my excitement. Watching the machine work, I didn’t realize when time passed by until the clock ticked 11 a.m., and we took a lunch break.

Avantika and Pari went to the Welding department room, while I went with Amar to the canteen. As we ate our lunch, we started talking about our high school and the funny incidents that happened. Out of nowhere, a boy sat at the table before us, and he was eavesdropping on everything we were talking about for reasons unknown.

After lunch, we went back to the Welding department to meet Avantika and Pari, who had already finished having their tiffins. All afternoon we spent turning the pages of the reports. I continuously thought about that Tamilian guy getting a lot of free time. Though I saw him for two minutes, I couldn’t help but constantly think about him.

Every day, we visited the Production shop, and during our lunch break, the weird guy used to sit near our table and listen to everything we talked about no matter what. Though we changed tables, this weird guy visited us everywhere we sat.

Meanwhile, I kept searching for the Tamilian guy in the Production shop, but I didn’t see him. Ten days passed, and we visited almost all of the Production shop divisions. We went to Dora sir to inform him about the shops we visited. He was such a genial person.

Dora:

So you visited all the departments?

Pari:

Yes, sir!

Naina:

You told us you would take us to R&D, but...

Dora:

Oh yes. I’ll take you tomorrow.

Naina:

But, sir, we have already been there.

Dora:

I am sure you wouldn’t have been allowed inside.

Naina:

No, sir. We went inside, and an employee even explained the history of this B.H.P.V.

Dora:

What? Did they permit you? So you now know about Bharat Heavy Pressure Vessel’s Plant!

Naina:

Yes sir. And we also learned that in India, this B.H.P.V. plant is the first to make a Heat Exchanger.

Dora:

That’s true. So you have visited all the shops?

Amar:

Almost, sir.

Dora:

So, did you go to the Heat Exchangers department?

Avantika:

No sir. We didn’t.

He showed us a cabin.

Dora:

Go meet Shakti Mukund sir. He’s new here but knows many things about this plant, and he’s Tamilian.

I stepped back and whispered in Amar’s ears.

Naina:

I told you he was different and that he looked like Tamilian.

Amar:

I agree! You are smarter than you look.

Naina:

Thank you!

Amar:

Idiot.

Naina:

What smarter than I look?

Amar:

Shush! They are talking.

Naina:

Ah..! This boy is always so mean.

As Dora sir instructed, we went to that cabin. I was anxious because I was going to meet the person I had been searching for unknowingly all these days. Now I even know his name. So I was honestly anxious to meet him. But when we entered the cabin after knocking on the door, a middle-aged man was inside. The title plate mentioned his designation to be “Manager”. As he started at us,

Naina:

Sir, We have come to meet Mr Shakti Mukund.

Manager:

Shakti sir?

Naina:

Yes sir!

Manager:

Shakti sir is not here, and he’s busy. Come tomorrow.

Naina:

What?

Manager:

Hmm?

Naina:

I mean, yes, sir. We’ll do that. We’ll come tomorrow.

Amar:

Thank you, sir.

We left the cabin and went back to the Welding department tired. So we rested for a few minutes before Amar, and I left for lunch. Strangely we finished our lunch, and even the weirdo didn’t come that day.

Naina:

That weirdo didn’t come today?

Amar:

Why? Do you miss him?

Naina:

What? Why on earth would I miss him?

Amar:

But you were looking for him.

Naina:

Gosh! This guy is always so mean!

When we went back to the Welding department, Avantika and Pari suddenly looked at me as if they were waiting for me so hard to tease me.

Naina:

What? Why are you looking like that?

They looked at each other with wicked smiles on their faces.

Naina:

Is something wrong?

Avantika:

Everything is excellent.

Pari:

Instead, it’s over wonderful.

I looked at Amar, wondering if he knew something. But he looked more confused than me.

Avantika:

Let’s go

Amar:

Where?

Pari:

To Welding Department

Avantika:

Don’t you want to know how they weld?

Amar:

But isn’t this the Welding department?

Pari:

Nope! Just come with us fast.

We had no idea what was running in those two wicked girls’ minds, but all we could do was just follow them. They took us to a workshop just opposite the building, where we studied the reports all day. There were three boys inside wearing welding helmets. So we couldn’t see their faces.

Avantika:

Ready Venkat?

Venkat:

Yup ready! Manoj, please show them T.I.G. and M.I.G. welding.

Manoj:

Okay! Come here, take these glasses.

Pointing to the instrument, he said

Manoj:

This is a filler rod, and this is the job we have to weld. Look carefully at what I do.

He held something and pulled the trigger, and it started to shoot fire. First, he gave glasses to Pari and asked her to observe, and she watched what he did.

Manoj:

What did you observe?

Pari:

I observed that you were welding.

Manoj:

What? Ufff..! Give glasses to the girl next to you.

Pari:

Okay!

She gave those glasses to me & I wore them. I thought they were like sunglasses, but they were totally different. I couldn’t see anything but the fire coming out from the torch.

Manoj:

Did you observe something?

Naina:

Yes?

Manoj:

What did you observe? Welding?

Naina:

What? Gosh! Why is everyone so mean to me? No, I observed that the rod, you said, was the filler that was melting and joining those two metal blocks.

Manoj:

Hmm! Good! See? She didn’t just observe me doing this welding thing, she observed what had happened there.

Pari:

Okay! Don’t act smart!

Manoj:

Whatever!

Avantika:

Can I see it too?

Amar:

Yeah! I want to watch it too.

Venkat:

Yeah, go on and watch it. Take this helmet, Amar.

He took off his helmet, and I was surprised when I saw his face.

Naina:

Weirdo?

Avantika:

What? He’s Venkat & Venkat this is Naina.

Venkat:

Hi!

He extended his hand as if he wanted me to shake his hand with me. But I ignored him with a smile. I turned to Avantika.

Naina:

Will you please watch it soon? If this is over, we’ll leave.

Venkat:

You’ll leave so soon?

Naina:

Hmm. We’ll leave early today.

Venkat:

Why?

Naina:

Do I have to answer?

His friends looked at each other’s faces as if they were shocked about my reply. I just felt a negative feeling when he was talking to me. So I didn’t want to speak with him, and he didn’t bother me from then. After all of us watched how welding was done, we left for home.

All night I had only one thing on my mind, or shall I say only one person was on my mind. ‘Shakti’ sir!

Many questions were running through my mind, like, “What should I wear tomorrow? What kind of person will he be? What should I say when I meet him? Does he speak my language?”

The next day we went to Shakti sir’s room as soon as we went to B.H.E.L. He was inside the room, and even the manager was with him.

Manager:

Didn’t I tell you yesterday? These are those kids who asked for you.

And looking at us, Shakti sir smiled. My heart was pounding like a time bomb, as if it’ll explode if he stared at me for one more second.

Shakti:

Who told you that my name is Shakti?

Naina:

Dora sir told us that your name is Shakti and that you’ll help us learn about Heat Exchangers.

Shakti:

Okay! I’ll tell you I have work now come in the lunch break. Till then, just go around and help yourselves.

Naina:

Okay Shakti sir.

When he heard me call him ‘Shakti sir, he gave a cute smile and left that cabin. My heart exploded, and I fell for him that very second. I followed him wherever he went. I went behind him like a hutch dog. The air, those big fans, blew; I suddenly started to feel like the air was tickling me all over.

The noise that the machines make, I’ve started to feel as if they were the music of my heartstrings. Everything seemed colourful, and my heart was flying around him every moment. I followed him till lunch break. He suddenly turned back and looked at me. But I didn’t pretend to not looking him. I was still looking into his eyes. I couldn’t help it. He came towards me. I felt like it was a dream, a beautiful dream!

Shakti:

I’m going to have my lunch now. You should go and have yours too! Come back after having your lunch.

I couldn’t utter a word, and I couldn’t do anything but nod my head. And he smiled again and went. As soon as he left out of my sight, everything turned normal. Music of heartstrings became those noisy sounds of machines again. And I heard someone screaming my name loudly, and I turned back to notice it was from Pari.

Pari:

Gosh! Are you mad? What happened to you suddenly? We were screaming like dogs, and you are not even responding?

Naina:

Were you calling me?

Avantika:

Gosh! Seriously! Pari, after screaming continuously, I lost all my energy. Let’s go. I’m hungry.

She left angrily!

Pari:

Amar? After lunch, come to Shakti sir’s cabin directly. We’ll wait for you there.

Amar:

Hmmm! Okay!

Pari and Avantika went back to have lunch. We went to the canteen to have lunch. Although that weirdo didn’t bother me officially, he kept stalking me during lunch. Amar didn’t say a word, and this weirdo stared at me. And suddenly, he started asking Amar about us.

Venkat:

You are… Amar! Right!

Amar:

Hmm!

Venkat:

Are you guys from M.V.G.R. College?

Amar:

Hmm!

Venkat:

Where do you live?

Amar:

Nearby area!

Venkat:

Okay! Are you guys in relation?

I was shocked when he suddenly questioned that. I felt so annoyed and thought, “What made him think that? And why does he want to know about us anyway?”

Amar didn’t say anything; instead, he was smiling at me. I didn’t know what was running through his mind, but his smile made me uneasy. He suddenly held my hand, and with a cheerful face, he said.

Amar:

I’m so lucky to have her. Aren’t I?

Venkat:

What?

Amar:

What did you say?

Venkat:

Yeah! You are one lucky guy.

Amar:

Honey, I’m done. What about you?

Venkat:

Honey?

Naina:

Ha? Ha! I... I’m done!

Amar:

Let’s go, then.

Naina:

Yeah!

He held my hand and took me from there! We took the backside route to go back to the Production shop. It was nice with big trees on the left and the shop on the right. No one was there around us, and it was so peaceful and soothing. We returned to the cabin, and I was desperately waiting for him.

Suddenly I heard someone saying, “Illae illae.”

Turning back, I was trying to confirm that it was him! It was him! He looked even more charming after eating. I know! I know! Childish feeling, Isn’t it? But he looked like Prince Charming in a fairytale book. He came inside, smiled at us again, and sat in his chair.

Shakti:

Finished your lunch?

Naina:

Yes, sir.

Shakti:

So, visited all departments?

Amar:

Except for your department, sir.

Shakti:

Fine then. This department manufactures Heat Exchangers.

And he explained everything about heat exchangers. For the first time, I paid so much attention to someone that whatever he said directly went into my brain. After explaining, we even talked about his experiences and the things that happened with us at B.H.E.L.

I had never felt so happy to talk with someone. I’ve been smiling so much that my cheeks started to hurt. Later the manager came and asked him to come with him. He went to that new machine which arrived from Switzerland. It was grinding a shell and we watched the processes.

Avantika:

Hey! Naina!

Naina:

Hmm?

Avantika:

Why is Shakti sir staring at you for a while?

Naina:

Please stop kidding. I can’t see him, and you are talking nonsense, saying he is staring at me.

Avantika:

Why can’t you see him? He’s just right there!

She pointed towards someone, and it was the manager, and Shakti sir was not even around.

Naina:

If you make up a story, you have to make it worth believable.

Avantika:

Why don’t you believe me? Gosh! Where did he go? He was just right there!

Amar:

Hey Naina?

Naina:

Yeah!

Amar:

You like me, right?

Naina:

Of course! I do

Amar:

Do you like me more? Or do you like Shakti?

Naina:

You both are totally different, Amar! But one thing I can say. It’s difficult for me to live without talking with you. But it’s not difficult to live without meeting Shakti sir and...

Amar:

Ah! Forget it! It’s fine; this is enough. Just watch the grinding.

He gave a cheerful smile. So I couldn’t say those incomplete words. I told them in my mind, “It’s difficult for me to live without talking with you. But it’s not difficult to live without meeting Shakti sir. Same time I can live without thinking about you, but now I realize it’s hard for me to live without thinking about him. I keep thinking about him no matter how much I divert myself.”

I spent all three days watching him. Every time I looked at him, he became more and more charming. Mr Shankar asked us to come and look at the automatic welding process. As he recommended, we went to Shell’s department. Mr Lakshman, Mr Dhruv and Mr Shankar guided those three boys we met at the Welding workshop. We went to the welding machine.

Mr Lakshman asked us to observe everything clearly and explained how it was done. After his explanation, we stood back, and suddenly my heart skipped a beat. It was Shakti sir talking with Mr Dhruv, and they both seemed close enough. Maybe because they had almost the same age, they were talking and giggling, and it looked like they were making fun of something.

After some time, a man came and gave them tea. He drank it fast, and the foam was all over his moustache. He looked so funny that I couldn’t help myself from laughing. Suddenly, everyone looked at me, wondering what was so amusing that I laughed out loud. I told them sorry and stood behind Avantika to hide for a while.

We stood there for two hours, and it felt like a moment I was lost in his face, eyes, and smile. I’ve totally lost myself in him. We were late, and it was already 4:00 p.m., so we returned home. That night Pari and Avantika forced me to do something since the next day was our last day. As they forced the next day, we went to Shakti sir. They were all standing behind me and pushing my front, and I liked it as if I was proposing to him.

Naina:

Shakti sir?

Shakti:

Hmm?

He was talking with a worker seriously and turned to me after listening to me.

Shakti:

Oh! You!

Naina:

Today…

Shakti:

Hmm?

Naina:

Today is our last day.

Shakti:

Oh okay! All the best! Bye! I’m busy now.

Naina:

Ha! Oh! O-

Before I could say something, he turned back. I came back to my friends.

Avantika:

Did you ask him?

Naina:

No, he looked busy.

Pari:

Gosh! Seriously! This was your last chance, and you couldn’t manage to ask for his number.

Naina:

I’m sorry.

Avantika:

Feel sorry for yourself.

I tried to look for him the whole day, but I couldn’t see him anywhere. As Avantika said, I felt sorry for myself and regretted it a lot. We bid our farewell to all the staff we knew, and I went back home, depressed that I couldn’t see him for one last time.

I also packed my memories with my luggage since I never knew if I could meet him again. However, somewhere within me, I felt like I had another chance. We might not be meant for each other, but I just wanted to tell him how I felt for him.

---

Chapter III

A Love Letter to My Love

Within a few days, our vacation ended. Avantika and Pari told me that I could forget him within no time. But I couldn’t. We had thermal engineering class, and suddenly someone knocked on our class door. It was George, my senior & friend, who wanted a word with our teacher.

Avantika:

Why did George come here?

Naina:

Sir is his councillor. He might have something to talk about.

Avantika:

Oh yeah!

That evening I got a text from George.

George:

Did you see me? I came to your class today.

Naina:

Yup! I saw you.

George:

Then why don’t you ask me why I came?

Naina:

If it’s something that I need to know, you would tell me anyway. So why ask?

George:

Hmm! All right! You know that my father works in B.H.E.L., right?

Naina:

Yes!

George:

Rajesh sir asked my dad to get permission for you guys.

Naina:

To get permission for us?

George:

You guys are going on an industrial visit next week.

Naina:

Where? O.M.G, don’t tell me! O.M.G! I’m going to B.H.E.L. again! Yeah!

I screamed! I danced! There were no limits to joy for me. I was so excited. I tried all my dresses. I asked myself a thousand times, what should I wear? What will I say? Will I see him? Will he recognize me? Will I be able to talk about anything? Thinking about this, again and again, I concluded.

On the last day at B.H.E.L, I regretted since I couldn’t see him for the last time to tell him what I felt. I may not tell him what I feel, but I can write a letter, right? So I started thinking about what I’ll write all that week, and I came up with this.

Dear Shakti sir, I would say many things if I met you again. Now when it’s time to tell you how I feel, I lack words to describe it. Weirdly, I don’t even know how to start. Shall I start from the day I first saw you? Or shall I start from the day I began to feel for you? It was hard for me to understand how I felt. Is that love? But they say it’s tough for you to live without the people you love. But it’s not that hard for me because you gave me a new dream of my life, a dream to be with you no matter what. If it’s not love, then do I adore you? But they say you will have a reason to say why you adore a person. I asked myself million times, “Why do I like you so much? Why do I think about you all the time? Why do I feel butterflies whenever I remind the time I spent with you?” But I never came up with any reason because I like everything about you. You make me smile. You make me worry. You make me work hard to be your co-employee one day. You make me wonder if you ever think about me. Suppose my feelings for you are genuine! If I love you! Then one day, I’ll be standing next to you, smiling at you and holding your hands. Wow! Just the thought fills my heart. If that happened, my heart would explode. (^o^)(^-^) I’ll be waiting for that moment to happen. Yours Secret fan Note: Please don’t try to find me. If it’s destiny, I’ll meet you one day as I wanted. Thanks for reading. I hope you don’t throw this letter away. It’s not just a paper but my heart. <3

It was the day I had waited for a week. I enjoyed the trip with my classmates though it was just a one-hour forty minutes journey. We played and clicked pictures, and I awaited more excitement than anyone on the bus.

We reached B.H.E.L. We waited for half an hour and chitchatted while our professors went to talk to Mr Ram. They gave us a letter of permission to let us in, and we all went inside, but we started from the H.M.S. shop.

After a long time, we reached the empty Shell’s department as the staff had already left for lunch. I hoped to see him at least once. Anyway, it was a good chance for us since there was no one in Shakti sir’s cabin. I asked my friend to keep the letter on his desk. We returned after having our lunch in the canteen. Though I was happy that my letter had reached his cabin, I was sad that I couldn’t see him.

That night all I could think was, “Did he read that letter? Did he get any idea that I wrote that letter? Or did he throw it away thinking it was a joke?”

My mind was preoccupied with those thoughts. At the same time, my heart unknowingly wished for Shakti sir to find me and tell me that he loved me. The heart often becomes greedy.

Days passed, months passed my friends thought my love might fade away with time. But it didn’t. Shakti sir left a strong mark on my heart, something that doesn’t fade with time. Instead got brighter, and my determination to work in B.H.E.L. grew stronger than before.

I worked so hard that I never thought I could do it, and I chose a path I never thought I could reach. And at last, I did it. I could see my whole future with my beloved when I read my call letter from B.H.E.L.