Once Upon a University Campus

A Golden Opportunity

The idea that Mr Outsider was watching her made her a bundle of nerves.Her throat went parched, her heart started beating erratically, butterflies flutter in her stomach and she felt light in her head.

Rudy still timing his brother announced, "once more the next minute or two" and after a few minutes he went, "Yay! There he goes again". It was strange that Mr outsider had not noticed Rudy watching him, or is it that he did but did not care to stop?

"So Didi, what do you have to say now? you need further proof?" He asked with one eyebrow raised and a smug sense of accomplishment

Annika fumbled, she could not think straight. But she had to do some damage control before it was too late. Somewhere from deep inside her, she mustered enough energy..

"But Mr Oberoi has a girlfriend"

"GIRLFRIEND? Bhaiyya? Bhaiyya has a girlfriend" Rudy was horrified and Rudy's reaction scared Annika.

Did she know for a fact that Ms Fashion Show was his girlfriend? Not really. But who in the world gives jappis and pappis if not for the significant other? She must be then. But may be the family does know about them yet. She felt guilty for having spilled the beans. She meant no harm and hoped that Mr Outsider would not land in any trouble and most importantly she hoped that Mr Outsider never got to know that it was she who spilled the beans...Now in a full on fire fighting mode Annika tried to underplay it.

"I mean he should have a girlfriend. I think I heard something on those lines"

"Girlfriends and Bhaiyya? No way. His work is his girlfriend. Om had one but they broke up. I have many, got to compensate for the two boring brothers right" Rudy tried to look cool. Then he noticed Sowmya and Gowri returning , "Eating Machine is here, Didi I am out of here. But remember to update me if there is a change in your relationship status" he hurriedly whispered before running away.

"Akka what was that joker talking to you about relationship status and all ? All three brothers after you now?" Sumo whispered with a lot of concern having caught the tail end of Rudy's conversation..

"Nooo Sumo, he is a kid!" Annika did not know how to explain what just happened to Sumo. It was just too embarrassing.

Gowri had a plate of food for herself and Sumo had two plates one for herself and one for Annika. Sumo had loaded all her favorites on Annika's plate just to prove a point to Gowri.Gowri probably saw what Sumo was up to but let it be. It was plain for everyone to see that Sumo was being a kid.

Gowri and Sumo seem to enjoy the food.

"Malai kofta is so good Akka, you should try." Sumo urged Annika

But Annika could not move, let alone eat. She felt her breath getting stuck somewhere down, way deep, well inside her core and she had to remind herself to exhale. The idea that she was constantly being watched made it difficult for her to move even a single muscle. Also she was torn between her need to know if Mr Outsider was still around and the improperity of doing so especially if Rudy was still watching them.

Sumo meanwhile was not really happy that Annika was not eating her choice of food. She had a point to prove to Gowri and had strategically seated herself between the two.

"Akka did you try the malai kofta? It is very good."

Annika did not respond, she was lost in her own world of confusion.

"Akka, this Saag is also very tasty, you should try" Sumo continued to pester. Gowri smirked. Sumo's zing was back.

"Akka, here start with Malai Kofta... " She broke a piece of warm roomali roti, rolled it with a bit of the kofta and stuffed it into Annika's mouth. Annika was not expecting this, it was a rude reality check. It struck her that if she did not eat now, Sumo would make her life miserable with her never ending questions and she would then have to tell Sumo everything that had happened. It sounded scary. Eating now looked like a better option. She tried to humor Sumo..