Once Upon a University Campus

Family

No human pancreas could have stabilized Buaji's sweetness that was being bestowed in the form of sweet chatter, rasgullas and other snacks. Mr Sharma was reticent most of the time except for a brief conversation with Shakti. Buaji had hit the right spot with Pinky and the two ladies were talking about the best place to shop for chooras, bangles and all things wedding.

"Our Lucknow is the place for bangles and chooras" Buaji had declared. "Sharma ji's family lives in Aminabad. We do all our shopping, especially wedding related shopping from Aminabad."

"Lucknow is famous for Chikan work right?" Pinky asked out of curiosity.

"You are so right Pinky ji. Lucknow is Chikan, Chikan is Lucknow. There is nothing better than chikan. " Bua ji ran her hand over her suit. She was wearing a chikan suit.

Annika was amused at this exchange. She knew Pinky's tastes and how handicapped she was when it came to appreciating subtle things. She was wearing an orange suit with golden embroidery while Bua ji wore a pale pastel chikan suit.

"Your family hails from Lucknow?" Pinky intelligently changed the subject.

"My brother and I were born and raised in Delhi. It is only my in-laws that are from Lucknow."

"What about relatives on your side?" Pinky continued to prod. Annika suppressed a sardonic smile. Pinky was speaking of relatives, extended family with a woman who disown her own niece and nephew.

"Relatives on my side ? only Annika. Rest are all gone." Bua ji pointed skywards and feigned wiping a nonexistent tear.

"And Saahil" Pinky corrected in good humor.

"Of course.. Of course Saahil too." Bua ji corrected and went on about her dead brother, sister inlaw, parents. Some of the details Annika could not belive, nor would there be corroboration from any other source. Bua ji spoke highly of Annika's dead mother and how fond they were of each other. She also spoke of her dead brother, of how much she had helped him raise his kids. All of which were untrue. The very thought that Bua ji was pretending to be a part of a normal family left Annika grinding her teeth. They were not a normal family by any measure. If not for Pinky, Annika would have nothing to do with any of her kin. She fidgeted and accidentally looked up to see Shivaay's stare fixed on her. He had crossed his hands at his chest. The minute she looked up, he softly moved his hand over his heart and closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if to say, he was there for her. She had to calm down. Shivaay tried to get closer to Annika when Bua ji stopped him.

"Beta ji, please come and sit, make yourself comfortable. It is your own house." Buaji's generous sugar coating continued as she moved her ample behind and offered her seat to Shivaay.

"No it is alright. I am fine here."Shivaay gestured her to sit and continued to stand all the while keenly aware of Annika's discomfort. When Annika started fiddling with her sunflower pendant Shivaay knew, he had to act. This banter of the ladies had to conclude.

"Mom" Shivaay intervened looking at his wrist watch. "We are late. We should leave now. Annika get ready"

"Uh? Achha? Uma ji your company is so delightful that I did not notice the time fly by. We have indeed taken a lot of your time. We should leave now." Pinky was all graceful to her hosts. Annika grabbed her bag, ready to sprint to the door when Bua ji stopped her.

"Annika Beta, you are not staying with us tonight ?" Uma spoke as if it was only natural, that Annika was a regular fixture at her house. "I was hoping to sit down with you and banter all night long. Talking about your parents made me so emotional. I cannot ever have my brother back but at least you can stay back for the sake of your poor broken hearted aunt." Bua ji again pretended to wipe a non existent tear from the corner of her eye. She was a natural at these things. She would have done fine on stage or on camera. But alas, she was confining her talents to her drawing room. Recovering quickly she continued. "You are yet to meet Sunny, Bunny. They will be back only late in the evening. You can spend some time with them and then just us mother-daughter talks. How I miss you all the time my dear. Tomorrow I will make your favorite aloo poori. Your Fupha ji will drop you afterwards on his way to work.." Bua ji gave a broad smile revealing all her teeth and threw a pointed stare at her husband.