A Journey That Began during Training Period
It was a long weekend on campus, and the air buzzed with excitement. Apurv leaned over the dinner table in the trainees canteen and said casually to Prateek, “Tomorrow morning—we’re going to Ooty. Be ready.” The plan involved a group of friends, including Gautham and Ranjeet’s college buddies. Though being part of the same training class, Prateek never had a chance to come across these guys among a group of hundred plus trainees. But he agreed to come for the trip.
Just three months into his software engineering training, Prateek was still adjusting to the new world of IT, lectures, and code. He, along with a hundred others, was part of an intense six-month training program in company’s world-class residential campus. For many of them, it was their first time living in such a grand and diverse setting—trainees had come from every corner of India: Assam to Bihar, Bengal to Maharashtra, MP to Kerala.
What made the training campus truly magical wasn’t just the infrastructure—it was the friendships that blossomed, the late-night tea breaks, the sparks flying quietly between newly met boys and girls figuring each other out in this grown-up playground.
The trip to Ooty began at 6 a.m.—the van filled with music, laughter, and unfamiliar faces. For Prateek, a naturally shy and reserved boy, the setting was out of his comfort zone. Apart from Apurv, he didn’t know anyone, not even by face. Still, he chose to flow with the moment.
They stopped at a roadside dhaba for breakfast. Everyone placed their orders—idli, upma, aloo paratha, and steaming cups of tea. Prateek was still waiting for his food when a girl sitting across from him smiled and spoke.
“Hope you are enjoying the trip with us. I’ve seen you in our training class,” she said warmly. “But we’ve never spoken. What did you order?”
“Aloo paratha,” he replied, “but it looks like I’ll be waiting a while as it will take time to prepare aloo paratha.”
She smiled again and pushed her plate slightly toward him. “Why wait? Share mine till yours arrives.”
That was Akansha.
For Prateek, it wasn’t just a polite gesture—it felt like a moment. He was touched that someone he didn’t even know would offer him a seat at her plate. They shared breakfast, casual conversations, and plenty of laughs. She even introduced him to her boyfriend, Sushanta, somewhere between bites.
The day in Ooty was dreamlike—rose gardens, tea estates, boating, and a thousand candid photos. By late evening, they returned to the training campus. Prateek was able to develop nice bonds with many boys and girls in that group. Though he used to begin shyly in a company of new people, he had the quality to touch people's heart with his friendliness, warmth and a sweet sense of humour. Among all the friendly faces, it was Akansha’s warmth that lingered in his heart. He was still amazed by the fact that someone offered to share her food even without knowing him.
Blossoming Bonds
The following Monday, Prateek noticed that most in the group of Ooty trip had their seats near him. But in the hectic schedule of the training, he never got a chance to recognize it. The group began to include Prateek for their lunch time hangouts, heading out for evening snacks, and spending more time as a tight-knit circle.
Akansha found Prateek gravitating toward her desk during breaks. Their conversations were light, sometimes teasing, sometimes thoughtful. He would compliment her friendly nature and gentle ways, always careful yet sweet.
Akansha, too, enjoyed his presence. If a day passed without him dropping by, she would frown playfully:
“Now you’re too busy to talk to me, huh?”
She’d often invite him when she went out with Sushanta and her other friends. If he planned a short trip outside the campus, she would tease him, “What are you bringing for me?”
“Tell me what you want,” he’d reply.
“Chocolates,” she would grin.
But the moment she secretly looked forward to the most came each time they met.
“Where were you?” Prateek would say. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
To which she’d blush and reply, “Haan, haan... you’ve got nothing better to do than wait for me!”
Their friends noticed. “Prateek, it’s good we know you’re a decent guy,” they joked, “because the way you talk to Akansha—anyone else would be mistaken for a filmy flirt!”
They even teased her: “Akansha, you never react like this to anyone else. What’s so special about Prateek’s words?”
To all this, Prateek always remained respectful. “If I ever say something that makes you uncomfortable, just tell me. Scold me. Slap me if needed.”
Akansha would laugh it off: “Why would I be angry? I know your intentions are always good.” Then she’d smirk, “Though I’m sure you try these lines on every girl you meet.”
Prateek would reply softly, “It’s only you who makes me want to speak like this.”
Even Sushanta echoed Akansha's thoughts and say "We know you are a very nice hearted guy."
Distance, But Not Apart
Soon, the final training phase ended, and postings were announced—Prateek was heading to Delhi, Akansha to Thiruvananthapuram. Emotions ran high. Everyone was excited for their future, but the thought of leaving behind these friendships made them nostalgic even before they left.
Akansha teased him again, “So, happy now? You got your dream posting. Now the same sweet lines you used to tell me—word by word—you’ll use on some other girl in your new office.”
Prateek smiled. “I’ll still be waiting for you. Only you can make me talk this way.”
Friendship in the Time of Deadlines
Even after settling into their new locations and jumping headfirst into client calls, deadlines, and project chaos, Prateek and Akansha never lost touch. Office messenger chats became their daily ritual. At least twice or thrice a week, their phones rang with familiar voices—reassuring and real in a world that was still new and overwhelming.
Akansha had grown to rely on Prateek—not just for comfort when she felt low, but even for work advice when she got stuck. Whenever she felt stressed or alone, scrolling through her phone's contact list always brought her to one name that felt like a safe space: Prateek, and this brought smile on her face.
Prateek, on the other hand, never forgot to say something nice to her—every single day. “Your laugh over the phone—it just makes me feel good,” he’d say.
She would tease back, “Kya hai yaar? What’s so good about my bhootni-type laugh?”
And still, every few days, he’d say sincerely, “If I ever say something wrong, please scold me. Slap me, even.”
Her reply was always the same—tinged with affection:
“Say whatever you want, I’ve given the rights. I always like your words. After all you are not just another friend for me, You’re my very special kind of friend.”
She usually thought that for a girl a boy is not necessarily a brother, a father, a friend or a boy friend etc. There exist connections that do not need a label or we have not yet developed labels for such connections. Her connection with Prateek is one such connection.
