Love At Last

Professor Budge-Not

Zaara woke up to the sound of her cell phone's alarm. It was just 7:00 and classes started at 9:15 only. Plenty enough time to have a bath and choose which dress to wear, at leisure.

She glanced over at Anakha's bed. She wasn't up yet. She considered going back to sleep for another five minutes. Maybe ten. Or half an hour? She didn't need much time to dress or have a bath. And she wore minimal make up. So, she could get dressed in just ten minutes. Another reason was that she didn't want to sit idle. All those memories of him came up. Not to mention the feeling that something heavy was thrown into her chest. And she didn't want to ruin her first day like that.

But when she lay back down, she had lost her sleep. She let out a deep Huff and got out of bed.

----------------------

When Anakha was up and ready, they went down for breakfast together. The canteen was in a building opposite to the hostel. It was really big with a lot of large tables and a dozen chairs to a table. To the side was a huge kitchen, which was separated from the dining area by a counter on which large stacks of plates and glasses were kept. Next to it were kettles labeled "coffee" and "tea", a large bowl of sugar, a tray full of small packs of butter, a jar of jam and a tray of toasted bread. A wooden table with lots of drawers and a name plate with the words, "Canteen Manager", was placed next to the counter. This was from where you had to collect tokens for lunch. A man in his mid forties was seated behind the table. Seeing us, he smiled.

"New students, eh? I am the Canteen Manager, Mr. Santhosh Martin", he puffed out his chest importantly. "We have arranged the best food for you all and if you have any problems you can talk to me (At this point he puffed out his chest even more). Not that you'll have any, but just letting you know that I'm here for any problems relating to your tummy!" With that he burst into laughter.

Anakha raised an eyebrow at Zaara. Zaara suppressed the urge to laugh. Truly, the man must be a bit... mad?

"Err... Thanks?" Zaara asked hesitantly.

"You're welcome, little girl!" Said Santhosh, showing yellow teeth and chortling with laughter.

Zaara frowned. Little girl? True, she was a bit short for her age and looked like a 10th grader. Okay, younger than that maybe. But surely, the man must have enough common sense to see that "little girls" don't come to Primus.

"Nut case, that one!" Anakha whispered, as they walked to the counter to load their plate with food.

It was 9:00 by the time they arrived at the lobby of the main building. All main offices, placement cell, auditorium, labs and some classrooms were in this block. A huge flower carpet was laid a some few inches from the entrance. By the looks of it, it had been done recently and gave off the smell of jasmine, roses and some other flowers that Zaara couldn't recognise. It had a big 'Welcome Batch 21' written with flowers, in the middle. Around it were more flowers arranged in intricate and beautiful patterns. It was the most beautiful flower carpet she had seen.

Glancing around, she saw that Anakha was already speaking to the receptionist regarding what they should do for now and where they should be headed. Since she looked slightly perplexed, Zaara walked to her side and listened. The receptionist was speaking with an air of superiority.

"...reyally strict. I prifar that. These notty kids mast be tot a lesson,right? Oh my god! I told you yeverything! Mr. Paul vil explain yeverything cliyarly. Now, do not disterb me for sometime. Go up that staircase. Ovar there!", the lady said pointing to a wall with a dead end and clearly, no stairs.

She continued, "OK? You sit in one classroom. I vil call you when yeverything is ready. Understan? Now, please go yaway, if you haav understan. I haav lot of werk to do!"