Once Upon a University Campus

When words fail

The door to her room did not sport a lock and lights were on. Annika knocked and pushed the door open. Sowmya was cozily huddled up on her bed watching something on her laptop. The minute she saw Annika, she flung her quit and jumped to hug Annika like an excited puppy. Not used to such display of affection, Annika was amused, but  hugged this little big girl with all her heart.

"Akka, I missed you so much. I have been waiting for you all day. You know I almost missed breakfast today. Only at the last minute did I realize that the mess will be closing soon. Then I met Om Bhaiyya. He asked about you. I told him you were gone before I woke up. Then we had our breakfast together. The mess people said they were serving Upma, but they served something very obnoxious. Because it was a Saturday I did not have classes. So I slept again. When I was sleeping, a girl called Nidhi had come looking for you, She was surprised to see me here. Strangely she did not leave any message. Then I had lunch - really bad gooey Kichdi. But I did not see Om bhaiyya. I could not eat much, so came back and ate a lot of Mandakki Amma had packed for me. Then again I slept for some time. I had dinner roti and mixed veg. Dal was very bad. It made me feel like I was a patient in some hospital eating food meant for sick people. Post dinner I went to Bittu's shop and got myself a cell phone connection. I spoke to Amma. She said hi to you. Appa will reach Hubli early tomorrow morning. And I had been watching movies since." Sowmya had spoken without a pause and needed a long breath to compensate for the long monologue.

"Sowmya, what does you sister call you? Annika asked her calmly.

"Sumo, that is what everyone calls me back home" Sowmya replied enthusiastically.

"Accha Sumo, would you like to eat? I have something." Annika pointed out her brown bag. By now it was more than apparent that Sumo was fond of food. Essentially that is all she remembered of her day.

Sumo got excited. "Burger?" She opened the bag in haste. But there was only one burger but there was also a large order of fries.

"Akka, there is only one burger, so let's do this. We will eat half of this burger each and then we can eat more from my snack bag! " Sumo jumped with a clap of her hand.

Annika smiled at her excitement. "I might be a foodie, but she is a piggie" Annika looked at Sumo fondly. She was enjoying doting on this little girl.

That very instant her phone rang.

"Mr. Oberoi All well?" She answered the call.

"Did you get the calamine lotion Ms Trivedi?"

"Uh? Yes. I got the calamine lotion. I am applying it to my foot as I speak" Annika lied hoping to get Mr Outsider off her back. "Else that mad man will get a bottle of calamine lotion and I will be forced to accept it in front of Ranaji who will snicker. One harmless lie is going to do no bad."

Om borrowed the phone from Mr Outsider.

"Annika, what are you up to ? How did this happen? You should be more careful na?" Om went on a calm lecture.

"Om, Om... I am fine, it is just a small scald. I will be fine and I will see you at breakfast tomorrow" Annika was too tired and hung up.

Sumo had overheard her. "Akka you have a scald? Where ?"

"Grrr, not again. Not this puppy little girl" Annika got cranky with all the attention, something she was not used to But Sumo would not let go. Finally Annika relented and showed her foot.

"Ayyo rama! Akka, this is bad. Amma must have packed me a first aid kid. Give me a moment I will be back" and Sumo went downstairs to her room. It took her some time to get back, but when she did, she was lugging a whole big bag behind her.