A Thin Line

003

Some parts of the dialogue (in italics) are in Hindi. They do not add much to the story. Translations will be added at the end of the chapter. Enjoy!

This is not edited. Please point out any errors if you see them.

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Since I saved so much on the journey to college, Vidushi thought, I can afford to buy some good food from the cafeteria.

They were near the college - the sight of farmers hard at work had been replaced by mud huts and tin roofed dwellings.

"Engineering College," the van driver called out as the van rolled to a halt.

Vidushi followed Parth to the front of the bus. She held onto the supporting rod near the door but immediately let go as she felt the brown flakes of rust crumble beneath her fingers.

"Here," Parth offered as he held out his hand.

Vidushi didn't take it. "I can manage." She jumped off the bus and didn't wait for Parth to follow her to the back, where all the luggage was loaded.

"Bhaiya, the red suitcase and the blue bag," Vidushi instructed the conductor who sorted through the piles of bags to finally extract hers.

"Aapka?" the conductor asked Parth.

"I've taken it, thanks. Coming, Vidushi?"

"Can't you see I have two heavy suitcases? Aren't you going to help?"

"But you just - " Parth let out a slow breath, counting backwards in his head. "Okay Vidushi, but I can't carry it to the hostel, I'm planning to go to the canteen first."

"Fine."

They crossed the road - highway really - and signed the check-in register the uniformed security guard held out. "Itna late?" he asked as he took the dog-eared notebook back. "Office closed hai." That meant they would have to stay in someone else's hostel room until the Hostel office opened again and they could get their new keys.

But the sight they were seeing now was worth it. The sky had turned a deep pink and clouds scudded across the sky. Flocks of crows flew towards the trees scattered across the college grounds.

He could see mothers hugging sons and fathers solemnly dispensing advice to daughters. Probably first year students. The sight made Parth oddly nostalgic for an experience he didn't even have.

"So sentimental," Vidushi snorted. "I'm going to be sick."

Ten, Nine, Eight....Zero. "Let's go to the canteen."

They walked across the grounds, dodging the families clustered beneath the lights for a final farewell, and past the Administrative blocks. The canteen was a mishmash of tables, some wooden from the days when the college started in the fifties, then metal desks from the days of License Raj and the newer plastic ones that were delivered last year when the canteen was constantly too crowded.

Parth dropped the bags at the nearest empty table and rotated his wrist, trying to release the tension. "I hope this table is fine. What should I order for you?"

"Poha and a nimbu soda."

Parth weaved through the tables scattered in the canteen and took a stool next to the counter.

"Raju bhaiya! How are you?" Parth asked the shopkeeper.

"Theek hoon," Raju smiled. "Aapka sprouts aur nimbu pani?"

"Poha aur Nimbu Soda bhi."

He felt the slap on his back before he heard it. "Arre Parth!"