Once Upon a University Campus

Summer vacation

Annika noticed Shivaay examining himself in the sun visor mirror as she fastened her seat belt that Sunday morning . She bent a little further to figure out what he was up to. Never had she noticed him adjust that one stubborn stray hair. He brushed the corners of the collars on his stiff white and light green striped cotton shirt. He noticed her smile and her amusement watching him.

"What? Why are you looking at me like I am clown" he spoke without taking his eyes off the mirror.

"Nothing.." Annika straightened and felt her own tiny braid running from the edge of her forehead to the back of her ear keeping her otherwise loose straight hair in place.

"Don't judge me alright, just because you are clumsy and don't care for your appearance does not mean I should not either."

"When ever did I judge you?" Annika protested. There was some truth to what he said. What a contrast they were. Her old yellow sleeveless kurta, several-times-fallen apart Chandni was in stark contrast to his perfect hair, perfect clothes and vernier calipers measured, trimmed perfect beard.

"Just now, the look in your eyes, that was enough." He revved up the engine.

"Really?" Annika turned away somehow confused. He hadn't even looked at her.

"So, Do I look good? " he paused for a few minutes and then asked "At least ok?" when Annika did not respond.

"Shivaay, what is going on? You act as if you are going to meet your girlfriend or something." Annika was annoyed at his constant hair fiddling.

"You go it wrong, Ma belle, I have already met my girlfriend and now going to meet her brother." Shivaay turned towards her for a brief second, one eyebrow raised, mischief written all over.

Annika blushed and looked away. Indeed she was his girlfriend but when he explicitly mentioned it, she could feel the butterflies in her stomach, as if her whole being melted rederning her into a puddle of sweet nectar.

"Tell me, do I look good enough?"

"Shivaay, stop fretting and stop making me nervous now." Annika's heart started to thump the moment she started envisaging an encounter between her brand new boyfriend and her baby brother.

"You nervous? .. what , why? " He was not expecting her to nervous.

"Nothing in particular... " Annika slipped into thoughtfulness,a lump in her throat bothered her. "His exams are going on.. We should not disturb him right now? What if his reaction is negative? "

The car stopped at a red light and they both were silently looked at each other.

"Why are you always so negative ?" Shivaay spoke breaking the silence. "But then what is the hurry? I can meet Saahil once his exams are over. I will drop you near his school, message me and I will pick you up once you are done." Shivaay spoke after careful consideration.

Annika agreed.

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Saahil came running to his Annika Didi, she was visiting him for the first time since her indisposition. He hugged, his tears left a wet spot on her kurta. Standing at her chin, Saahil was puny for his ago. If only she could feed him some extra milk and ghee, Annika sighed. Soon they had settled down under the tree and Saahil relished the mango chunks that Annika had brought along with her today.

"You know what Annika didi, you look very fresh today, did you find a boyfriend or something ?"

"Uh? Silly, why would you say that." Annika tried to look away pretending to wipe off the juice that had dripped on his thigh.