Altered Fate
By Shagufta Hanaphie

1. a. Deepika meets Alok

I was studying in the first year of engineering college at that time,
so was Alok. The first time I met Alok he was struggling with some
luggage he was trying to get to his hostel room. I carried it for him
till the boys' hostel gate, as he walked behind looking quite
embarrassed. I wondered at the frailty of the poor guy, he seemed so
weak and shy.

He thanked me profusely the next time we met - I think it was in the
canteen. I tried to make light of it by saying, "It's alright. What