Once Upon a University Campus

The Storm

The early morning dew settling on her skin made her feel chilly and as always her mind was wide awake while her eyes were still plastered shut. She fumbled for the phone on her table, but all she could touch was something cold and metal like. Her eyes opened at once. Of course, she was not in her bed or her room. She had slept through the night at the bus shelter.The sun was yet to rise and the last darkness of the night hung around. She had no idea what the time was but the moon was setting so it must have been early hours of the day. She walked back, the stray dogs were all curled up, trying to keep themselves warm. One of them woke up with a start at her approaching footsteps but curled back again at her familiarity. Her thoughts were getting organised around the immediate concerns that had to be addressed. First, was to have a frank chat with Om and make sure that they are on the same page about their relationship. It would amount to a certain distrust towards their friendship but she needed that clarity. The world she did not care, but their friendship should not be held hostage by a small worm called lingering suspicion.

Annika noticed the light from Om's window. "Wonder what was keeping him up at this hour. May be he was too disturbed to sleep, just like me" She thought, as she approached his patio. But it was good for her, a quick chat and she could start her day. She hollered for him from his patio. Through the partially open window, she could see him bent over on his table. His face was turned towards the other side. He did not respond. "May be he is asleep." She climbed the wall of the patio and jumped in. She pried the window pane open and called out for Om. He still did not respond. That was strange. He was a known light sleeper. Something made Annika's heart race. She jumped out of the patio and rushed inside, hoping to be able to enter his room from the main door. The door was locked. The window on the other side was closed but she knocked it open with a punch. Thankfully it was not bolted from inside. She was horrified to see Om. He was slumped over his study desk. It reminded her of her father. That was how she had found him on a fateful day, the last day she heard him speak.

"Sumo.. Sumo.." Annika rushed to Sumo. Sumo was asleep but the horror on Annika's face woke her up. Annika barely managed to say "Om.. Om.." and pulled her along. It was clear to the girls that Om was in trouble. They banged against the door but it was too heavy for them. They rushed to the lobby and shook Ranaji awake. The trio started banging the door which woke up the other residents. Someone called for an Ambulance, someone managed to break the door open. Annika and Sumo rushed in. There was a half a strip of valium lying next to Om. the other half lie in bits around him.

Sumo was distraught. Annika was shell shocked at the turn of events.

"How did this happen Akka. Me and Om bhaiyya were waiting for you till about an hour ago.I could no long keep myself up so I went to sleep. How did this happen Akka. Will he be alright? Is ......is he dead.." Sumo stuttered.

A girl who happened to be a medical doctor pursuing an advanced degree in science was summoned. She quickly checked and told them that he will have to be hospitalised soon. A few of the boys carried Om to the lobby and lay him down on one of the sofas at the visitor's room.

The Ambulance turned up soon, but the attendant was tardy. He took all the time in the world to pull out the stretcher.

Annika urged him to make haste, but the attendant dismissed her concerns,

"Nothing madam, must have consumed some extra Bhaang last night. Just the headache around Holi. These boys they don't even let us sleep" He grumbled.

The doctor girl rushed out and barked instructions at him only like a doctor does. He knew it was serious the minute she took charge. The attendant hastened and listened to her diligently. In no time Om was transferred to the creaky van of a makeshift ambulance. Annika boarded the van making some space for herself. Sumo came rushing back.