Once Upon a University Campus

A Wee Bit More of the Love Story

"You might not know.. But I took her around Paris" Shivaay spoke in a hushed tone like a little kid confessing his naughty act.

"What? Honeymoon before dating? Shivaay bhaiyya you turned out to be a surprise package." Rudy flashed a thumbs up

Sumo slapped him on his arm.

"Ouch Sumo, it hurts" Rudy repeated his refrain. This time though he rubbed patch of skin which had come under Sumo's brutal assault. He must have been really hurt.

Sumo figured it out instantly and regretted.

"Was it too hard? So sorry baba" She gently ran her fingers over the red area.

"That is alright Sumo, I am a strong boy.. I mean a strong man." Rudy straightened up.

"Bhaiya please continue." Rudy eagerly waited for Shivaay. Shivaay just sat there with a stupefying smile. Annika could see that he was reliving those magical moments. She wondered if he was thinking about the time they spent looking at the love locks or the moment he held her hand as the Eiffel tower light up.

Annika reverie was broken when Sumo elbowed Annika to whisper, "We know that you went around Paris, we just don't know the details. Poor Bhaiyya doesn't know that I have seen your romantic Eiffel tower photo.."

A completely embarrassed Annika lowered her eyes unable to face the others now that their 'secret' rendezvous became public knowledge.

"Looking it the two of you, I am certain you were up to some mischief in Paris. Honeymoon confirmed." Rudy "My brother is not the saint I always thought he is. Turns of his love story began with a one night stand."

"Absolutely not!" Annika looked up and screamed. Her face was crimson.

"Mr Dumbell Oberoi, Pay attention. Bhaiyya is talking about going around Paris, when you are going around Paris, you cannot do one... that thing you just mentioned." Sumo lectured Rudy authoritatively.

"Hmm ..Point..Sumo.. You are so smart." Rudy fawned over her as she basked in his attention.

"But Bhaiyya did you at least kiss? "

"NO" Annika said vehemently.

"Cut it Rudy. I sometimes doubt if they have kissed yet." Om added nonchalantly. "For heaven's sake, let him speak. As such he finds it hard to speak and your jumping at him like this is no help."

Sumo snickered and stuffed a mirchi pakora in her mouth.

"I spare you this once Rudy. Don't forget, I sign your allowance." Shivaay firmed said though Annika noticed the lingering sweet stupefying smile that Paris brought him.

"Oh no" Rudy recovered and gave an innocent but broad smile.."You are sweet Bhaiyya, you are the best big brother in the whole world, you are my strongest, smartest bhaiyya.. "

"Alright, stop your nonsense now." Shivaay waved.

"Ok. ok.. No teasing . Tell us no Bhaiyya. What happened in Paris" Rudy rubbed his palms excited at the thoughts of juicy details.

"Parissss... Paaarisss..." Shivaay sighed. "We were on a sitting on a small wooden bench on the Pont des Arts. " Shivaay started.

"Pont des Arts?" Sumo mumbled.

"It is a small pedestrian bridge in the heart of Paris. It is very beautiful" Om briefed Sumo.

"Aww.. I should ask Anand if he knows about it. " Sumo nonchalantly quipped now that Shivaay was meditative.

"Why?" Rudy jumped "Ask me Sumo. I know all about Paris."

"You have been to Paris too?" Sumo and Rudy started chatting in hushed tones.