Once Upon a University Campus

Tears Idle Tears...

My dear readers,

Well, the heaviness continues in this chapter. I am aware that many readers were sad the way the previous chapter ended. But then real life love stories are never straight line equations. It looks more like stock market plotted over decades, ups and downs, more ups and more downs till they reach a plateau. For now they are not yet there. But please bear with me, they will sure be there. For now, I am putting everything else in my life on hold so I can complete these heavy chapters soon and bring some happiness before stopping. 

Cheers and hope you continue the love.

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It was well past ten that night when the rickshaw driver -Ranaji's friend dropped Annika at her hostel gate. Ranaji must have been dozing away on his chair but woke up by the time Annika lugged her luggage noisily and walked past. He hurriedly got off his post, greeted Annika warmly and rushed out to meet his friend.

Annika tediously climbed the stairs and stepped into her corridor. Someone was playing a song, nothing unusual, a lot of girls played music in their rooms at all sort of hours.

"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram,"

The song went, her heart leaped, her legs seemed to fail her. She stopped and leaned against the parapet wall that opened to the sky. Stars were twinkling on a clear night.

"....Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram," The song went. It was actually someone singing. The singer seemed to miss a beat and restarted all over again.

"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram," It was followed by a repetition of the same line but the "Yaad" was being stretched ornately. It continued for a few more times. Annika had dropped her bag to the floor and listened intently at the song.

"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram baali umariya....suni hai sajariya"

Each time the line was rendered, a pang of pain erupted deep inside her. She felt helpless. Everything was good. The conference had been ok. She had come across new and interesting ideas, she had a potential collaboration in the works, her thesis was making good progress, Saahil was doing good. All was well. But why this illogical pain, this longing that was beyond all reason and logic? How could she allow herself to be affected thus.

"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram baali umariya..... joban bito jaaye."

The singer kept singing. She closed her eyes feeling helpless at her plight. A pair of twinkling hazel eyes was staring back at her. She opened her eyes with a start.

"Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram.."

She closed her ears, she could bear it no longer. She had to seek the refuge of her room. She quickened her step one hand still on her ear and the other lugging her bag. The song grew louder and louder as she approached her room.

""Yaad Piya Ki Aaye......Yeh dukh saha na jaaye, Haye Ram Bairi koyeliya kook sunaye..."

The door was latched from inside. Someone was singing in her room. A perplexed Annika stopped for a moment to wonder what was happening but decided to knock the door any way. The singing stopped and door opened.. Sumo jumped at Annika like a happy puppy and gave her a tight hug. Annika blankly looked around to see who was it that put her through so much pain with that mellifluous song.

Sumo was offended. "Akka you are not happy to see me? You missed your room not me?"

Annika regained her composure. She hugged Sumo back, this time with all her heart.