The Perfect Photo

Chapter 12

Wednesday afternoon.

"Did you know I had to bunk my class to go with you?", said Neha.

"Isn't someone gonna make sure you get a proxy?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Then what is your problem in coming along?", I said.

"You are not talking like the nerd you are, Harsha. You used to lecture me so much when I chose to sleep an extra hour skipping my first hour class and now you say this. You have changed so much."

I laughed. We were on our way back to the first year campus.

"Would you have come if you had class at the same time ?", she continued.

"Yeah I would have...., for sure", I said.

I knew I was lying. I have never missed a class during my three years in college. While in school, If I had to miss any, it would have been due to severe sickness. Even mild sickness like cold and cough cannot keep me out of class. It was coincidental that my classes were over at noon today and I had the rest of the day off. I would have asked him to give me another time and date if that wasn't the case.

We entered the campus, and it looked deserted. Classes were going on in every single room, and hence no one was found outside in the open. Pritam's class might be the first one to get over at 3:30. I was more confident walking inside the campus. No inhibitions this time out. I actually wouldn't mind doing this every day, coming and meeting him in the evening. It was an excellent exercise walking from my hostel till here.

We were a bit early. It was only 3:10 and we had to while away another 20 minutes till the classes got over, or even longer if the professor decides to extend the class. But I was ready to wait. I was so excited to know what he was going to gift me.

"So much heat and I am perspiring. I'll go and touch up my make-up in the ladies room", said Neha. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

"Sure. I'll be waiting right here. Don't take too long", I said.

"You have dragged me from class directly and did not even give me a chance to catch my breath. I am doing so much for you, and you talk as if......."

"Fine, fine. I am not going to say anything", I said cutting her short. "Take as much time as you have to". She turned swiftly and walked away.

Since my classes were over at noon, I had enough time in the afternoon. I had lunch, went back to the hostel and took a quick nap. Then woke up and freshened before starting and hence I looked fresh, fresh but without makeup. I liked it that way. I was not used to wearing makeup. I always stuck with the go-natural style, again relates back to my lack of effort to look good. The most that I have ever done is to get my skin moisturized, and that too only during winters which is when my skin starts getting very dry.

Suddenly a thought inside me. Maybe I should start wearing makeup. I'll probably ask Neha to teach me. I have never known the order in which to apply the various layers of primers, foundations, and concealers. But Neha, on the other hand, is a pro. She has always been excited to put makeup on me, and I have always avoided her except for on special occasions when she would manage to get some mascara and eye liner on me. If I asked her to teach me and really meant it, she would probably take a day off from her classes to teach me.

I checked my watch, and it was almost 3:30. Neha has been gone for a little more than 15 minutes. Pritam's class might get over before she could come back. I can probably leave her a text to find me inside the classroom and proceed inside without her. But that would make the already angry Neha even more upset. I decided to call her real quick and find how long she would take to get back.

I took my phone out. When I was just about to call her, I felt a touch on my shoulder. Thank God, she is back. I didn't have to waste a call on her. Mobile phones were costly, especially when you are in college and don't have a boyfriend to recharge it regularly for you.

"I was just about to call you", I turned around. "You've........", I stopped midway through the sentence. It wasn't Neha standing in front of me. Instead, a tall, dark person stood in her place.

"Didn't you know that senior students are not allowed inside the first year campus ?"

I was not able to recognize him. But from the professor ID tag that he wore around his collar, I had to say that he was a professor, probably for one of the first years.

"Are you waiting for the classes to get over so that you can pick up someone to rag in your free time ?", he asked.

I felt like being shot at from point blank range. I had no response.

"No, sir. I was...", I stuttered.

"You can give your explanation inside the dean's office", he said dragging me along with him.

"Actually my friend..", I tried to explain.

He shushed me. "To the dean's office, NOW", he demanded.

I had the breath taken away from me. I couldn't say anything, and anything that I might say out of stupidity can be used against me. I walked with him. What I thought I was a hero for, now looks to be the thing I am being accused of. I clinched my teeth real hard for the bad luck following me around everywhere. I strode towards the dean's office not knowing what is to follow.