Her Second-Hand Husband!

Author's PoV

Anika and her friend Nithya got down from the college bus and started walking into the college. Their college is located under the foothills with greenery all around. Since it is November, Anika shivered when the cold breeze brushed her skin.

"uhhhh! Despite being born and brought up here, I am still not immune to this cold." Anika told Nithya, shivering in the cold.

"Haha, Then you should have worn a full sleeve cloth. Come let's get in faster." They started walking at a faster pace.

"Nithu, I told mom and dad that Arun is helping us with the project. Mom is not happy about him being our help. She asked why not a girl help us instead of him. I am scared to open up the matter to them. We are in our final year and we just have little months left to complete our degree." Anika started her whines.

"Look Anu, you are in no position to tell your love to your parents yet. What will you tell them? That you are in love with a guy who doesn't even have a job? Wait until he lands himself a job." Nithya told her.

"I thought so too. But luckily I have told them that I will definitely go to work. So hopefully they won't start the marriage topic anytime soon. But dad is all ready with money for my wedding. Even today he talked about that."

"Whatever, first let's concentrate on the project. We will get a job only if our project excels others. If you get a job when you finish the degree, you can at least buy time by telling your parents that you like to go to work at least for a year before getting married." Nithya gave her confidence and advice.

"You are right." They both entered the class and got on with the day.

Anika and Arun have been in love with each other for almost a year now. When Anika entered her second year in college, there was a function in her department and she was in the reception committee. That night when she was checking her mail on her phone, she received an email from an anonymous ID. It said 'To the beautiful peacock!'. When she opened it, she knew it was someone from the college. Maybe a senior or someone from her class. It said,

'Hello Beautiful,

You looked wonderful in the peacock color saree today. You have something that most girls don't have. That is, you don't realize how beautiful you are and that adds to your beauty. The way you carried yourself today literally made you very outstanding in the crowd and I liked you so much for it. There is some magic in you that lifts all my worries off of my heart just by looking at your smile. Thank you for that. All the best for your studies. Study well and may you reach the heights you aim for!

Regards,

Your Secret Admirer.'

had a little smile spread across her lips reading the mail. It gave her a little confident boost. She enjoyed the positivity in the mail and ignored it. She was thrilled to have a

'Hello Beautiful,

are doing good. Just thought of talking to you. How are your studies going? I was feeling a bit low today, I just need a pinch of positivity and vent and I am not a very talkative person. So when you came in my mind, I thought I could vent it out to you. Sorry

Regards!'

she felt a bit low for that faceless admirer. She decided to reply to that mail because she thought if she could give a little peace to someone, she is not going

"Hello Mr. Stalker,

are so good so far. Don't worry sir, you will feel fine and better tomorrow. Everything will work out just the way you wanted it to be. You

Take care."

sent that mail, she felt content. The stalker never said anything that would make her uncomfortable. She didn't feel any threat from him so far. Again there was a pause, she didn't get any mail from him. She forgot about the stalker and

'Hello Beautiful,

This mail is to tell you that I passed a crucial level in my career. I am truly

Regards,

Your secret Admirer.'

and she got the curiosity to know who he is and what he passed. Nithya reminded her that

an email from him today, de"

did it say?" she asked

his career. I am so happy for him,

about him. Don't get too excited for his happiness. This is not good, Anu."

I am too curious to know who he is. I feel like

is not right.'' They entered the auditorium along with their classmates. The auditorium was full and it was a function to recognize the winners of a paper presentation. It was for the MSc students and it was when she first met Arun. He

Nithu." She said to her

so smart." Nithya

said that he achieved something. Why not be this award? I know for sure that he is studying in our college. Might that be him? His name is Arun, right? The mail id also starts with A and some numbers." Anika

It might be him too." Nithya showed her another boy who got the next prize.