Coloured Me Grey (Book Two)

Chapter 33

Slightly long-ish chapter, but I assure you it's worth the while. Personally, this has to be my favorite chapter just because of its last scene. (Sighs happily because most of the angst is over by now).

Now that all school boards results are out, what are you guys doing at home?

Killing time.

Perhaps I should do some kind of a deep allegorical painting on it with an absolutely trashy philosophy behind it since that’s the only thing I seemed to be doing lately. I’m just sitting there, killing time.

Floating through the days like a bodyless soul, fleeting past mirrors that reflect nothing –

Wait, that’s not the aesthetic of this story.

Chacha Ji stood at the gate, smiling in my direction, as I made my way towards him.

"Leaving already?"

I quickly cast a glance behind me before turning my attention to him. If taking it slow meant I had to consciously keep my distance from Yash then so be it.

"Yes," I forced a smile on my face even though there was nothing to be happy about.

"Where is your friend? You two always leave together. Has he not come today? Is he ill?"

Why were the staff I knew here all obsessed with my friendship with Yash?

Friendship, huh?

I wanted to smirk.

Don’t be so cocky, you bastard.

"He needed to stay back today."

Well, I wasn't lying. He and his painting class friends had to sit with their seniors and teachers to help plan their events in the upcoming fest. Seeing as I wasn't a part of their class, or any social activities in the college, I thought it was best to stay out of the way.

I did wait for a while. But swatting away flies and mosquitoes constantly for half an hour was not very productive.

If killing time meant trying to kill insects and risking my life to dengue and malaria, then I’d rather be at home.

"Chacha Ji, for how many years have you been here?"

"Around thirty five years now," he leant back in his chair. Suddenly he sat up straight and looked at me, "Do you want to sit, beta?"

"Nah, please. I'm good here," I said and crouched down against the steps to the narrow guards' stand beside the gates. Hugging my knees closer to the chest, I asked him, "Then you've surely seen your share of the weirdest things that happen during the fest, huh?"

The old man threw back his head in laughter. "Suddenly this question? Have you started smoking, or what? Are you worried that I'd tell on you if your parents ever come to visit the campus?"

"I don't even like smok- wait, parents come to visit the campus?"

"During the fest, the exhibition is open to all during the day. Students from other colleges can enter if they have their college IDs. They can stay back for the evening performances."

"Wow," I breathed out. "That's great."

So that meant I could bring Zara and show her around. I know it'd be awkward to steer a child clear off the course of dangers in a campus full of rowdy, horny teenagers and young adults, but I still wanted her to see the artworks and the installations that were being planned.