Once Upon a University Campus

A Pair of Feral Eyes

Having made plans for the day, starting with breakfast and then a walk around the lawns of India gate under the toasty mid-day sun, Annika and Shivaay languidly walked down the stairs with Annika's gripping Shivaay's arms.

Annika had grown quite, but the sparkle in her eyes made it amply clear how happy she was. She had mustered enough courage to accept her share of happiness that destiny was bounteously blessing her with.

"What have you been thinking? You are unusually quiet today?" Shivaay asked her softly stepping down the second step.

"Uh? " Annika savoring the moment's bliss took a moment to understand what he just said. "Shivaay, I am happy now."

"What do you mean now? You should be happy all the time." Shivaay said as a matter of fact.

"You don't understand it. I am not as eloquent as you are in these things, but I will try. Ever since we have been together, I feel a comfort I had not felt in a long time. I don't miss my parents anymore and I cannot believe I am saying this. If there is a God and if God grants me a boon, I will ask for your happiness. Because if you are happy, I am happy." Annika longingly looked at Shivaay.

"Darn! That is a problem" Shivaay seriously. Annika got a bit tensed and turned towards him having loosened her grip around his arm. He looked at her fondly and continued. "The problem is, you are happy when I am happy. And I am happy when you are happy. How are we to break this vicious circle of happiness."

"You scared me." Annika brushed it aside and gripped his arm once more.

"On a serious note, we would need nothing else to be happy. Just each other. I can work with that."

"Fewer variables make analysis easy. Hope this one would .." Annika was interrupted by yet another chink of glass hitting the marble floor.

"Komal, is that you?" Shivaay hollered. Komal came out running , she looked pale as if she had seen a ghost and stood before Shivaay without a word. But her silence and down cast eyes were proclaiming her guilty. "That is alright. We are ready for breakfast. Lay the table right away." It was business as usual.

As they approached the table, Shivaay noticed Komal's hands unsteady while laying the plate. "Are you o.k Komal?" Shivaay asked and Komal only cast her glace towards the bar.

Unbeknown to Annika and Shivaay Jhanvi had come back home after an eventful tour. Annika let go of Shivaay's hand. She found herself in an awkward position, not sure if Jhanvi had seen them together.

"Badi Ma, I am happy to see you back. I was not expecting you today." An excited Shivaay went close to Jhanvi but was taken aback to see her with a glass of whiskey. He checked the time. I was not yet 9 AM. "You must be tired and jet lagged" Shivaay continued to stare at her drink.

"You don't have to lie, Shivaay." Jhanvi replied coldly.

"Lie? Why would you say such a thing? " Shivaay was perplexed.

"I know now." Jhanvi replied cryptically.

Shivaay did not get it. "You know ? what?"

Jhanvi pointed her finger towards him and Annika without a word or even looking towards either of them. She downed the neat peg in one go and her face contorted as the corrosive liquid made its way through her system. As she poured herself another drink, Shivaay looked towards Annika who stood frozen, petrified. Shivaay lowered his head as if he knew he was guilty.

"I am sorry Badi Ma.. " he muttered. "I should have told you about us."

"Tell me? Why Shivaay? Does telling me makes it any less evil? How can you do this? I never expected this from you." Jhanvi pointed towards her fingers towards Annika, "And that girl, I took her to be my daughter. How could the two of you do this?"