Once Upon a University Campus

The Aftermath

Dear Friends,

Thanks for your patience. Now that the cloud of gloom has lifted, we can go back to our beautiful world of Shivika.

Best,

Goldie

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Gowri and her friends were getting late and ready to leave. Gowri had a long drive ahead of her but Janhvi was yet to have her dinner. Annika could neither convince Gowri to stay back a little longer nor prod Janhvi to have her dinner. Sumo was getting anxious. It would not be easy to reach the campus at this hour if they miss Gowri's ride. But Janhvi sensed their problem and relieved Gowri assuring to arrange a ride for Annika and Sumo later on. Om was still around anyway and Annika hoped to tag along with him on his way back to campus after the party like he always did. She was no doubt sleepy, tired and the saree was not the most comfortable outfit, but she could not have refused Janhvi for these trivial discomforts. As far as Sumo was concerned, she was a happy puppy as long as the Jalebi station was open.

The upcoming presentation gradually started to occupy Annika's thoughts. Does she need revision ? should she go to office once again to make sure everything is working. Mr Oberoi Sr did not come across as a friendly man. How should she face a man like that. She was swimming in a pool of questions and doubts. Sumo grew slightly anxious. She knew that her Om bhaiyya had taken beloved Akka somewhere at the behest of his brother the Zaalim. She checked with Annika if everything was alright. Annika nodded and had gotten back to her thoughts. Sumo left it at that.

Soon most guests had left and finally Janhvi, Pinky, Daadi, Om, Rudy sat down to have their dinner. Janhvi ensured that Annika sat next to her. Pinky offered the plate of kebabs to Annika. But Annika and Sumo refuses the kebabs since they were vegetarians.

"Oh my mata ! Ab kya hoga Jethani ji !" Pinky blurted.

Janhvi dismissed Pinky and gave an awkward smile to Annika.

Finally they all had deserts. Sumo got more Jalebi and kulfi for herself. Rudy kept watching her from the corner of his eyes. Now that Mr Outsides was not around, Rudy was free to watch 'eating machine' Sumo. Once when Sumo left to get a refill, an intrigued Rudy asked Annika out of sheer curiosity.

"Didi does your friend eat like this all the time, I mean even on a regular day ?, If I have one serving of Jalebi I will have to run 6-7 kilometers to burn it. She does not seem to mind"

"Sumo loves food " Annika said with a shrug.

"That's fair enough Didi, but is she not scared? Sugar in such large quantity not good for health"

"But then Rudy there are so many studies that condemn animal protein similarly. Does not mean that we would stop eating animal products? I for one cannot live without Dahi and Panner"

"And.. I cannot live without whey protein. You do have a point! Logic  Didi  Logic." Rudy continued to be intrigued by Sumo and her love affair with food.

Annika felt relieved that Rudy was no long watching her and that Mr Outsider was not to be seen. Nor was Mr Tej Oberoi. Mr Outsider's father was the only member of the family she was yet to meet. The three senior men were absent while the rest of the family finished their dinner.

The embers in the fire pit had died down, the ashes were no longer hot. The night had grown chilly. The catering staff were wrapping up everything. The leftover food was sent to an organization that distributed extra food to the needy. Biodegradable waste was neatly packed in special bags to be collected by the compost makers the next morning. Daadi was ready to sleep and everyone with her moved indoors. Om got Daadi something that looked a warm. Daadi downed it and was off to sleep. He got some sherry for Janhvi and Pinky. Annika and Sumo were ready to leave but Janhvi said nothing about the ride she had promised them. But when Annika reminded her reluctantly, Janhvi begged them to stay back and be the daughter she always missed even if it was for one night. Annika and Sumo were hesitant. They did not have as much as a pair of change of clothes. Janhvi offered Annika her clothes for the night and offered to arrange something off Pinky's wardrobe for Sumo. But both the girls refused and decided to spend the night in their own clothes, They planned to quickly leave at the crack of the dawn. For now Pinky's idea of fun was a game of rummy. Soon packs of cards were procured and a game started. Soon someone suggested Chai and it came upon Om to make it since the staff had all left. Annika offered to help and the two went to kitchen to make Chai while the rest of them sat busy with dealing cards for the next round.