On an Evening in Roma

When the Reality Strikes⚡

Main Campus of University of Roam,

Roam, Italy.

Time- 7:10pm.

Reaching the main Campus Bondita was pleasantly surprised to find the lock down has been lifted. She was even more pleased to find the result, which has been hung outside the faculty building.

Her college has won ...and the prize ceremony will start in half an hour.

The campus was bustling with students both local and foreign. Huge floodlights were lit to light up the premises...she found both Kyle and Will who were being congratulated by the other students and teachers.

They didn't notice her and she didn't approach them. She knew if they noticed her she won't be able to sneak out again...and she really needs to go out again. She has to tell her Buddhu Babu that he has failed to recognize his shishya, his disciple...his Bondita...

Acche se khabar lungi unki...kya me itni badal gayi hu ki aap mujhe pahchan bhi nahi paye? Me aaj bhi wase hi hasti hu, wase hi bolti hu, wase hi chalti hu, wase hi tark karti hu jasa bachpan me kia karti thi...toh phir aap kase nahi pahchane mujhe?

Lekin isse bhi jyada jaruri he yeh janna ke inn saat salo me esa kya hua ke Sakha Babu hasna hi bhul gaye? Mujhe inn sare sabalo ke jabab chahiye...aur uske liye mujhe yaha se nikalna padega...uske liye chahe mujhe apni kamiyabi ki inaam na bhi mile toh bhi chalega...wase bhi, Bondita ke liye uski sabse badi inaam uski Sakha Babu ki sabbashi he, aur kisi prize ki koi zarurat nahi he mujhe.

It really was one of the easiest choices she has ever made... choosing between whether to stay at the prize giving ceremony, to be honored for her success or to see the man, who was the sole reason behind her success, one last time before he leaves for India... she didn't think twice before melting into the crowd.

She sneaked back into her dorm room to retrieve the handkerchief and with equal stealth she slipped out through the main gate, nearly fifteen minutes later.

She hailed a cab from near the curb facing the oncoming traffic and gave the driver the address. It was hardly a ten minute drive from here, twenty if you are walking but Bondita didn't want to waste any time...every second was precious right now.

Her mind was so occupied by the thoughts of her Sakha Babu that she didn't notice the humid air or the overcastted sky. The city lights distracted her from the missing Moon and the stars which were obscured behind the thick clouds...the honking cars drowned out the sounds of the slightly rumbling thunders.

Garbatella, Rome, Italy.

Time- 7:38 pm

The Oregano's was an old two storied stone building with a gray awning in front of it...there's the thing about Rome, you can hardly differentiate between landmarks and normal buildings like living residents, bars and restaurants...who knows, maybe the living residents, bars and restaurants have historical value too.

After entering the restaurant Bondita was hit with the fragrance of fresh breads and tomato sauce and on cue her stomach grumbled ...but her appetite died as soon as she realized her Sakha Babu wasn't there. Bondita looked around the dining area but Anirudh was nowhere to be seen.

The restaurant was basically a long room with arrays of tables and chairs and unless her Sakha Babu was hiding under a table, he has left to pack his bag.

Bondita's heart sank.

Aap hamesha esa kyu karte ho? Kyu mujh se kabhi thik se alvida nahi bolte?

When she sensed her eyes were wailing up, she blinked back her tears.

Nahi Bondita, abhi rone ka waqt nahi he, you have to find the Manager...