I was studying in the Women's College, which was 6 kms away from my home town. There were buses going to the college, but I seldom was taking the bus-ride. The bus fare was pretty reasonable, and my father used to give me the money once in a week for the bus fare. I preferred to go by walk, and I had a friend who accompanied me most of the days. I used to buy the sugar candy and sweet peanut balls and enjoyed our walking. My friend's house was huge with a garden, and there was a swing in which I was very much interested in doing swinging. My friend took Arts group and I took Science group. My friend was so nice, and always entertained me with her hometown stories, as she was from Kerala. Her mother was a sweet person, and any savouries or sweets she made would be very tasty — and I enjoyed it. Especially the kuzhiyappam was my favourite too! Their house was huge, with a beautiful garden with a swing on the tree. We two were so close to each other, and used to study the common subjects there. While we could go together to the college, we could not return together in the evenings, as I had practical classes in physics, chemistry and biology. My intention was to become a doctor, as my father had made up my mind that I should either become a doctor or a teacher, as he thought these two professions were so noble and service-oriented. ** My physics lecturer was strict, and a perfectionist. She never let anyone to go home without completing the experiment with observation and inference. The record notes should be kept on her table at once. Until we finish the practicals, she wouldn't let any one to go home. Though I was good at drawing, I found the physics practicals tougher, as most of them contained the logarithmic tables and calculations etc. That particular day, I had to do the experiment with the Vernier calipers. Not once — every time I did, I could not have done the readings properly, and the measurement with the Vernier calipers didn't seem to be accurate like others. The time was going on and the strict lecturer was watching me curiously. After so many attempts, finally I could succeed in arriving at the correct readings! By then it was going to be 7 p.m.; I handed over the record note to the professor and rushed back home. * I was so exhausted. Did not have enough money to fetch the bus, and I started running. Thought about my mom, who would be worrying as I did not return on time. In fact my mom asked my brothers to go out and look for me. I was very fat and so naïve — not a street-smart, but trusted the people who were known to me. I was humming the song and walking faster — looked up, the sky was almost dark. "Banoo… Banoo!" I could hear that someone was calling me from behind. Oh! It was our milkman Arumugam, who delivers milk daily in the morning in his cycle. He looked so funny as he tied up his hair like a bun; wore the earrings and appeared in white veshti with his brown smile as he chewed the pan always. I was happy to see him, and told that I was delayed to go home due to my science practicals. He immediately asked me, "OK, girl! No problem. I know your mother and others at home would be worrying. So come and sit in the seat behind. Will drop you home soon!" Gladly I jumped and sat on his seat, and he kept my bag in the front. I was talking to him about how he was treating the cows — was it a profitable business to deliver milk, did he have enough income, etc. "Hi, Banoo! You are here with him!" — suddenly my brother screamed at me, as I could see him on the other side of the road. I could see him relieved from the tension as he was searching for me. But he could not control his laughter, as I was going with the milk-man without shy. But I felt happy to go with the trustworthy person and honestly I didn't feel bad for having gone with him. At home my mom and others were so relieved to see me — but scolded me as to how I could take a lift from him. But honestly speaking, I felt that we can go to any length with anyone if they seem to be trustworthy. Trust and faith is important for any one — and I learnt this from that experience.* — Banooravi