Once Upon a University Campus

Girl Gang

The autorickshaw lumbered through the maze of haphazardly moving heavy vehicles exposing Annika to the thick black exhaust. Annika coughed and draped her dupatta around her mouth and nose into a defacto mask. The autorickshaw driver coughed a few times but did not seem to mind it. Annika could not help pondering over her answers during the interview she had just finished.

"Dang!" She said audibly though the dupatta around her mouth muffled it.

"Madam ji.. Did you say anything?" The rickshaw driver slowed down to turn around.

"No no Bhaiyya ji. You keep going." Annika recovered briefly but went back to thinking about her interview when her phone lit up.

It was Shivaay. "Interview done?" the message said.

"Yes" she replied only for her phone to ring. Shivaay was calling.

"How did it go?"

"Not very well. I could have done better." Annika said ruefully.

"Then you did pretty well. " Shivaay chuckled. "There is never a day, you would say you did well."

"It is not like that.." Annika got a bit defensive.

"It is like that. You are very rarely happy with your performance. Never mind, how about we go grab some lunch?" He offered.

Annika looked up at her watch. It was 12.20 PM. She thought for a minute.

"No Shivaay, not today. I have a lot to finish today." She was making a mental note. "I have to meet Prof Phatak today. I have a few questions that need clarification. "Annika fidgetted in her seat.

"Alright, I will see you later after dinner. Take care sweetheart."

"Yes. You too take care" and they both hung up.

****************************************

Prof Phatak had become strangely inaccessible. Her phone calls and emails had gone unanswered. Mrs Phatak had no clue either. Her only hope was bumping into him was at the center. Maybe he was stuck at one of those super long departmental meetings. She lugged her bag and herself on the stairs making her way to the third floor. Still thinking about her interview, she did not notice Daksh waving at her from a distance. Only when he hollered for her did she notice him.

"Hey beautiful" Daksh huffed, recovering his breath.

Annika acknowledged him with a smile but did not have much to say since the only thing on her mind was Prof Phatak.

"Did you see prof Phatak?"

"Ummmm. I am fine thanks. " Daksh replied with a smile.

Annika realised what she had just done and huffed to take a deep breath.

"Sorry Daksh. I am just so..."

".. lost" Daksh chimed in.

"Yeah... lost." Annika nodded."How have you been?"

"I have been fantastic. Finished all my coursework and ready to start on my thesis next semester. When is your submission deadline?"

"Two weeks" Annika sighed.

"Wow.. that is close. You all set? You must be."

"Not really Daksh.. I am not yet there. Prof Phatak suggested some corrections. I had some doubts and he is nowhere to be seen."

"I saw him going into a meeting just a few minutes ago. " Daksh replied as a matter of fact.

"Oh god.. No. I have to wait for the meeting to be done? That is such a waste of time." Annika grumbled.