Once Upon a University Campus

Sweets and Sparklers

The roar of an aircraft flying overhead broke Annika's focus and she almost got off her chair with a jerk, clumsily dropping her book, to go and watch these noisy flying machines. Om had once told her that aircraft at that hour flew international routes. It comforted her to watch these aircrafts that perhaps were returning from New York City, where her heart currently beat. If not for three pairs of questioning eyes that simultaneously looked up at her, she would have gone out running to blow kisses skywards, like a hopelessly silly teenager. An angry red coil stove spattered as it turned on in the corner that had kept them nice and toasty on a cold night.

She looked around herself, Om was looking up at her from his study table, Rudy was sprawled on one end of Om's flimsy hostel bed, Sumo had tucked herself away at the corner on the other end of the bed buried in a quilt. Exams were fast approaching and Om's room now resembled a war room with books, papers, stationery, all scattered over. To dodge the three pairs of curious eyes Annika stretched herself awkwardly and grabbed a drink of water. The sting of cold water in her mouth made her contort her face as she put away the water. Rudy yawned loudly. Sumo slapped him on his feet.

"Ouch Sumo, It hurts" Rudy recoiled as everyone caught the contagious yawn. "Let's take a Chai break." Rudy declared.

Everyone agreed hurriedly grabbing their jackets and trooped out as if they wanted a break so badly. The corridors were empty with most residents holed up in the comfort of quilts and heaters. A hand full of boisterous bravehearts huddled around a small fire in the courtyard near the dhaba on that unusually cold November night..

Rudy yelled for four Chais. Annika corrected him, three Chais and one coffee- her way. Rudy eyed her suspiciously, one eye-brow raised.

"Looks like someone is missing someone" He muttered. Sumo slapped him on his arm again. "Ouch Sumo. It hurts" Rudy recoiled again.

The Dhaba helper hollered to check if they would like some pakoras too, now that he was making it fresh for the other group. Sumo enthusiastically hollered back for four orders.

"I don't want to eat pakoras at this hour" Rudy checked his watch. It was almost 10 P.M "Cannot burn carbs at this hour."

"Don't worry. I will not mind eating some extra pakoras tonight" Sumo replied, only her blinking eyes visible under layers and layers of woollen.

"But it is bad for you too Sumo. You should not be eating unhealthy foods at this hour. If you do, you are coming for a walk around the ring road later." Rudy cajoled Sumo.

"Walk? not in a million years, not on this cold night, not over my dead body." Sumo emphatically declared

"Exactly my point. I don't want this body of yours to drop dead any time soon." Rudy clarified.

Sumo just shrugged and happily grabbed two when the Dhaba helper brought them small paper bags overflowing with onions and cauliflower Pakoras. Annika reluctantly took her bag, so did Om. Each one appeared to be preoccupied with their own thoughts.

They stood close to the stove on which a huge vat of Chai was boiling away when Annika's phone buzzed.

"Missing you" her screen lit up even as Rudy peeped surreptitiously to catch a glimpse.

The message was followed by a photo of hot beverage sporting a Starbucks sleeve.

"Starbucks Chai tea for lunch" her screen lit up, so did her eyes, and her face.

"So Annika didi when did you realize that you were actually in love with my brother?" Rudy asked oh so casually.

Sumo rushed to massage Annika's back when Annika choked on her Pakoras.