Once Upon a University Campus

Man With a Plan

Things got emotional after DJ finished the last song as the hour got smaller. Carefree kids long suppressed in their adult bodies hugged each other, a few cried and a few laughed. It intrigued Annika that Shivaay was capable of having fun with people other than herself. But then she had to remind herself that she was the newest addition to his life not these people. Perhaps he has always been thus, especially with his childhood friends, perhaps it was her presence that led to a lightness in his heart that made him have fun amidst any company. Everything said, she will not know what his life was before her. But then it was also true that her heart lit up whenever she saw the wide smile on his face, just like it did then when he threw a fleeting glance at her..

She would not have been able to take her eyes off him had she not noticed Maaya walk up to him with her arms wide open for a hug.. Annika's breath was stuck until Maaya released Shivaay or was it the other way round? She badly wanted to read Shivaay's expression when Maaya was close to him. Unfortunately, his back was towards her and she could not see his face.

Tia and Paddy came as a package deal because Tia would not let Paddy go. Everyone except Shivaay and Maaya hugged Annika, the quick photo op kind of hugs that is. Like Tia 'hugged' Annika barely touching her and air kissing her as if touching Annika would somehow alter her own biochemistry. Payal gave her a quick side hug, but only so much could be accomplished with her swollen belly. A few more women hugged Annika Tia style before leaving. While Shivaay got busy with someone, Maaya approached Annika and gave her a hug. The hug was longer, warmer and more genuine. The others, Annika reasoned, were more out of politeness.

Annika noticed a mostly empty charcuterie board lying on one of the tables. All the meats, cheese and dried fruits were gone. There were some bits left on the board but they could have been garnishes.

"You did good. Food did not go waste" Annika genuinely complimented Maaya as Maaya continued to hold Annika. If not for Maaya's presence of mind, the waiter would have discarded that charcuterie.

"Bloody snowflake drunks. No wonder they ate whatever the hell it was.They can eat a dead horse when drunk but would not remember one spoken word." Maaya said disdainfully. Annika looked around and noticed many who were drunk, exhausted and were in various states of disarray, one slumped on the table, one curled up in the corner, one had passed out next to his vomit. The venue now looked like a disaster zone with empty plastic bottles, used tissues strewn everywhere. A few crew members frantically were trying to keep the place clean while being as inconspicuous, as invisible as possible.

Annika nodded her head disapprovingly.

"That is alright. They will be fine. WE will be fine. I will be fine as long as food is not wasted and I get my eight hour sleep."

"Ha! The magical eight hours of sleep." Annika signed wishfully. Between her thesis and making time for Shivaay, eight hours of sleep was a remote possibility.

"I like you." Maaya said abruptly. Annika caught the glint of her diamond nose stud, something she had failed to notice earlier. What else had she not noticed about Maaya she wondered.

"I like you" Maaya repeated unsure if Annika heard her the first time around.

Annika was caught off guard at Maaya's forthright declaration. But then Maaya sounded very honest. Moments later it pleased Annika that someone from Shivaay's world actually found her likable for who she was. Unlike Payal or the guys, here was one person who was appreciating Annika without considering the fact that she was Shivaay's fiance.

"I like you too" Annika said as a matter of fact, which was the truth. Maaya like Annika did not conform. She wore regular clothes to a fancy dance party, cared enough to not waste food, spoke her mind. What if Maaya was also everything that Annika was not- fair, not clumsy, delicate,graceful and a perfectionist.