Once Upon a University Campus

Who Will Bell The Billu?

Shivaay went out from their bedroom to the veranda to check on the commotion at the door. The main door was on the left end of the veranda while the entrance to the bedroom on the right end offering a good deal of privacy, so Annika did not have to think about unrequited guests. She just stood there waiting for Shivaay. She grabbed a napkin to pat her hair dry. The fragrance of Mehndi in her hand caught her attention. She chortled again at the sight of rose petals strewn on the bed and the intricate mehendi covering every inch of her hand. For the unpredictable roller coaster their relationship was, this trip was turning out to be too prosaic.

"Guys! What are you doing here ?" Shivaay was caught unaware, thought Annika. He did sound angry, but then that was only to be expected. But it also was obviously someone he knew.

"You tell us big man. What are you doing here. You grew too big for the room we had reserved, that you had to upgrade to a cottage? "

"Calm down Paddy.. That is not it" Shivaay was heard trying to convince the other person.

"Of course, what else could it be? Big Man, too big for us mere mortals.." The man Shivaay had just addressed as Paddy replied.

"Guys calm down. I just got here" Shivaay paused " Wait...Have you guys been drinking? Hell it is 8 in the morning?" Shivaay yelled.

"No BEEG MAAN" yet another voice in complete drunken stupor said, "We have been drinking since last night." The rest of the party laughed before the drunken man continued "We are celebrating Gulati's last few days as a bachelor. You missed all the fun Biiiiig Maaaaan."

"Guys, this is not good. Go and rest before the picnic on the beach post noon. " Shivaay tried to reason with the motley of drunks.

"No SSO... you did not do good by upgrading to a cottage. Now that you have, I will stay with you and annoy you Billu." hissed the drunk person.

Annika was horrified that anyone could talk to Shivaay the way these people were talking.

"Don't call me that" Snapped Shivaay.

"Billu.. Billu

Billu hates aloo

Billu loves his daadi's pallu

who will bell the billu

No one will bell the billu"

The drunken man broke into a spontaneous jingle.

"Billu's friend is a ullu" Shivaay snapped "Alright, done now? Get out of here."

Annika could not believe the Shivaay was patiently speaking to these drunks, even after they made fun of his pet name. Immediately, there was a sound of roughing up and Annika heard Shivaay scream.

"Put me down you drunken monkeys. Blood hell. You guys, have you lost it. Put me down." Annika had half a heart to go out but she was cognisant of her body hugging wet kurta, something that was previously a pale shade of yellow but was now pretty much transparent. Also Shivaay had explicitly asked her to stay there.

Annika heard the door open again and the heavy steps of someone walking in. "Sorry SSO." Annika heard a familiar voice. "These morons have been drinking since last night and are totally out of control. I tried to keep them from hounding you but they are just unruly. They are drunk like.."

"You Billu's Langoor, stop whining." The familiar voice was cut short by yet another voice "Let's throw the big man in his private pool" he suggested.

Annika counted at least four unique voices at the door.

"Yeah!!! Pool party!! " declared the drunk man "Order more beer"

"4 beers and you are a goner Bunty and you are asking for more. You guys will be in serious trouble tomorrow." the familiar voice declared.