Once Upon a University Campus

A Lot can Happen at a Party

They reached right on time, only to find that they were one of the first guests to arrive. Prof Phatak parked the car on the kerbside and watchman guided the party toward the lawn behind Oberoi house. The driveway was lit up by big outdoor floor lamps. The lawn was at the end of the driveway behind Oberoi Mansion. A cobblestone path lead to the lawn past the driveway. Prof and Mrs Phatak walked ahead and the girls followed behind them. Unlike typical weddings parties Annika had hereto attended, there were no tents, grand floral decorations or bright twinkling lights or colourful drapes. The decor was minimal, there were tiny fairy lights on a few bushes lining the edge of the lawn. Right in the middle was a fire pit. To the back of the firepit were seats for the guests, all covered in pastel covers. At the very back of the lawn, the catering crew busy setting up their wares. Prof and Mrs Phatak found a familiar face and proceeded their way. Annika was left with Sumo looking around for a familiar face. Sumo tried to sniff for familiar aromas, no avail yet. None of the family members were to be seen.

Annika and sumo found seats closest to the fire pit so they could stay warm. It was strange that the hosts were not to be seen. Annika got a little worked up that she had spent so much time and energy to dress up for this forsaken party. She comforted herself saying it did not matter much as long as they got their food. Sumo took a bunch of selfies, some with just herself and some with Annika. She then moved on to taking the pictures of the fairy light, then the fire pit and the fire itself, finally she took pictures of the beautiful tea lights arrangement on each of the tables. And then she was done with her photo session. It continued to be boring till the catering staff started offering appetizers. As expected staff wore uniform, smiled and were very hospitable. They were serving in one of those expensive eco-friendly palm leaf plates and bamboo picks. Paneer pakora and hara bhara kebabs were particularly good. Sumo enjoyed it with gusto and Annika ate it with somewhat subdued spirit.

"Lambi si thi ye sard raat
Nahi tha jab aap kaa saath.
Naa thi yeh chand mein koi baat
Yaah phir un taaron ki baaraat.

Subeh ki kuch narm dhoop si
Jalsa mein kuch khushion si
Zindagi thi ek dabi arzoo si
Aapki Aahatoon ke intezaar mein

Khushi ke khat pe pata Aap,
Har dua ka jawaab aap,
Aapke saat hi rehmat
Aapki baatein hi raahat
Laayi aap hi hai khushiyan apne saath"

"A long cold night

it was without you
dark and moonless
not even the twinkle of stars

I look forward to your soft footsteps
like the gentle rays of rising sun
like the cheers in any celebration
like all the unsaid desire in life

The letter of happiness is addressed to you
the answer to prayers
blessing and relief

You remain the harbinger of joy "

Om caught an unguarded Annika. She managed to barely smile for she had stuffed herself with pakoras.

"Finally...." She managed to utter hurriedly swallowing the pakoras she was eating "So you actually did not forget that there was a party today! We were all by ourselves, but the pakoras are good, try them." She casually took a pakora from her plate and studded into his mouth..

"Hmm.. " Om held his thumb up. Om was about to tell her something, but they heard someone else.

"Annika indeed it is you! I was so looking forward to meeting you again." it was Janhvi. "You look... what should I say.... stunning." Janhvi hugged Annika and held her for a moment.

The hug was very unexpected for Annika, it was a touch uncomfortable with a plate of pakora, chutney in one hand and traces of pakora grease on another. It struck her that she had to save her sari and Janhvi's sari from her legendary, clumsy spills and that made the hug even more unsteady. Finally Janhvi let her go, not before a kiss on her forehead.