Once Upon a University Campus

Some More of the Love Story

"Caught and bowled Shivaay bhaiyya... caught and bowled" Rudy clutched his stomach laughing.

"Bull crap!" Shivaay rolled his eyes.

"It is o.k bhaiyya. I promise to not tease you ...ever. " Rudy held his throat dramatically. "Now that we are on a fact finding mission, you have to tell us the truth.You were floored that day. Were you not?" Rudy coxed Shivaay.

"Those were different days." Shivaay opened up after a long pause."I did not know what it was....But it is true that day I could not help myself. For the first time I found her attractive, as in an attractive woman. I saw her beyond the collaborator, colleague, or for that matter a friend that she had grown to be. She looked beautiful in that sari. Red, pink maroon, whatever color it was.. Honestly speaking that night when I bumped into her, it took me a minute to recognize her. I was used to a shaggy haired Annika who wore yellow kurtas and carried a giant book bag. This dressed up Annika took me by a pleasant surprise. Few drinks down, a lot happened over that long night, during the course of which I found out a few things about her. Like, it was so much fun to sneak on her and catch her completely unguarded, to see her irrepressible self frozen for a change, or to watch her trying hard to not be clumsy but ending up clumsier. Unmistakably, she was fun and I stole every chance just to have a small talk with her. I had never felt that way about a woman before. It was a strange feeling to be attracted to a colleague, some one my brother was friends with. The same night Bade Papa met her and Bannerjee... " Shivaay reflexively clenched his jaws while his neck muscles pulled taut. "....misbehaved with her."

Annika gently patted the top of his hand with her other hand and Shivaay closed his eyes for a moment allowing his emotions to run its course. Annika's gentle touch seemed to soothe him and his muscles gradually relaxed.

"I badly wanted to spend time with her, listen to her silly quips like Chai-that-kicked-latte, Chai-ko-chai-reheno-do-koi-naam-na-do over endless cups of coffee. The only way I thought that could happen was to have her in my team. As soon as Bade Papa made an offer, I made a counter offer."

"Bhaiyya turned out to be a rookie. All you needed to do was ask her out on a date." Rudy announced smugly with the experience of a consummate flirt.

Shivaay chucked. "Date? Out of question. She would not as much as, agree to work for me. Besides, I was neither sure of her relationship status, or did it occur to me that it mattered, nor did the know the thing brewing in my own head. I had, by then overheard that obnoxious Daksh mention a significant someone in Annika's life, though I did not ponder over it much. At that point, I had convinced myself that I was valuing her as a colleague, though I badly wanted to see her everyday, speak to her about random things, watch her as she relished her favorite vanilla cappuccino, spook her, catch her unaware, watch her face light up everytime she ate her favorite food or anything and everything that made her happy."

"Like Sarson ka saag?" Om giggled.

"Yeah.. including sarson ka saag. I bribed her with my signature dish with the hope that she would accept my offer. Armed with my best ever sarson ka saag, I landed at your door unannounced only to find you, Sumo celebrating her birthday with some terrible idli-sambar." Shivaay spoke looking at Om.

"Come on Shivaay, it was not that bad." Annika grumbled even as Shivaay continued.

"It was that bad and worse sweetheart. Any way, that discussion is for another night." Shivaay sipped his drink and continued. " It was awkward being an uninvited guest at a birthday party but Sumo especially tried to include me in your celebrations. Annika was cross at me that day because I had given her a gift voucher. Unbelievable right ? How can anyone be upset for a gift they received ? That's how crazy she is."