Once Upon a University Campus

Sangeeth

Everything was hazy but Annika had to run. She was running behind something that was hidden by the curtain of thick haze. What was it she was running after? She had no idea. Why was she running? No idea either. Just that she could not stop. She was panting, out of breath but she kept running. Her throat was going dry. Water! She needed water. But she could not stop. She had to keep running, what if she could see nothing.. She heard nothing but soothing instrumental music, something she had never heard before, something that sounded oriental. The music strangely did not fade as she kept running. Nothing made sense yet she kept running.

"Akka" She heard someone call. It sounded like Sumo?.. But Annika could not see anyone, the haze continued to be thick.

"Akka". A softer voice rang again. It was Sumo, unmistakably. But where was she?

Annika felt a gentle nudge against her fingers. "Uh?"

"Akka! You were snoring" Sumo broke into giggles. "I have never heard you snore before, not this loud"

Annika looked around confused. She was still in a dimly lit room at the spa. The last she remembered was slipping into a spa gown. Gauri and Sumo were standing close by wearing an amused expression. The masseuse continued working on Annika's right foot.

"Uh? What time.. Ouch..." Annika felt the tight face pack on her face making it hard for her to speak.

"Please relax ma'am. We will be done in a bit. Good that you had a relaxing nap. That is the whole point." The masseuse spoke softly.

"You girls are done already?" Annika whispered trying not to move the taut face pack.

"Yep." Sumo squealed.

"Why am I not done yet?" Annika grimaced unsuccessfully.

"Beeecause... there are some perks to being the bride ? They get the best.." Gauri replied. "Anyway di, enjoy the pampering. We just wanted to check on you. Would you like some juice?"

Before Annika could answer, the masseuse lifted her finger. "Waxing time. Can you girls please step out." The helper stood next with molten wax in what looked like a fondue pot.

"WAXING? What the? I don't need waxing.. " Annika scouled.

"We all need waxing di. Have funnnn" Gauri waved as the two trooped out of the chamber.

Waiting outside, Sumo and Gauri heard Annika shrieking periodically and the masseuse apologizing at equal intervals yet continuing her job deftly.

"Waxing is no fun." Gauri spoke as she sipped on an obnoxious looking green juice.

"I agree.." Sumo concurred as she sipped on her pineapple-mango cooler. "Poor Akka. She is not much into waxing and things." Sumo spoke sympathetically.

"Poor Di! She probably had no clue. " Gauri commisserated. "Wait! Does she have any clue as to what is in store?" there was an evil twinkle in her eyes. Sumo tacitly nodded her head and the two girls broke into a giggle.

"Poor Akka"

"Poor di" the girls giggled. "Or should I say poor Shivaay bhaiyya ?" Gauri continued to giggle.

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The girls bundled up Annika into the car and Mohan drove the girls back to Oberoi Mansion. The girls had pretty much covered Annika in a light cotton blanket so not even a single ray of direct sunlight fell on her skin.

"Is it not too much? It feels like I am a criminal or something" Annika sounded grumpy.

"Di, don't fret. You gotta keep your glow. Sunlight ruins the glow. It is ok. We are here."