CHAPTER 6
"Umang" she exclaimed. He was not very surprised to see the warmth missing from her eyes.
"Come join us. Hi Neeshi." And although she smiled, it did not reach up to her eyes. Not for the first time, Umang felt like throttling Anudeep.
But this was not the right time of doing so. And so, with a tight smile and a nod, Umang took the seat adjacent to Devyanshi, which placed her on his left and Neel on his right. Neeshi simply circled the table and sank down besides Neel on his right.
They both knew Neel was incensed, and rightly so. And it would take both of them to calm Neel down if things went out of hand. He had been shocked when Neeshi had offered to accompany him, and though he could understand why, he also realized the immense courage it took on the part of Neeshi to sit here and be a part of the conversation.
He smoothly turned his attention towards the juniors to find that the usually jovial and fun loving Neel was sitting silently; his face set in grim lines while Devyanshi was fiddling with the spoon, her face set in hard lines was a blank mask. What were these two thinking? One incident and all the rapport they had built was lost.
He felt like he dropping his head in his hands. Or perhaps, he could bang his head against a solid wall. He would have done it gladly if it could have solved matters.
A silence thick as a sheet of ice coated the gathering. None of them spoke; no one knew what to say. And to make matters even worse, Aniket chose just that moment to join them.
His face took on a hard gleam as he surveyed his seniors and he sat down in the only empty chair next to Devyanshi. Umang had no doubts about how much this boy had suffered because of Anudeep. He did not want to deal with both of them together, but he also realized that he did not have any choice.
Suppressing his melodramatic thoughts with sheer will power, he turned towards Devyanshi. She was still fiddling with the spoon. Neel was staring straight ahead at the wall. What sense the dull blue paint made to him was known only to Neel.
Possessed by a strange feeling, he reached out and took the spoon from her unresisting fingers. It served his purpose. She jerked out of her thoughts and turned her eyes towards him.
At such a close quarter he could see those exquisite features with ease. Her eyes were beautiful, too beautiful for him to describe. And her pupils were not black as he had thought earlier, but a brown so deep that from a distance they looked like black. He could detect a few specks of gold in them.
She was looking at him now, confusion, weariness, a certain amount of caution and nervousness warred with each other to take the centre stage. Her eyes were so expressive. He could not look away.
He gave himself a mental kick and forced the words past his throat. "Are you all right?"
"No, she is not. And I don't think anybody else in her place would be." It was Neel who answered.
Relieved that Neel was finally talking with him, Umang turned to look at the young man who had come to mean like a younger brother to him.
Neel's eyes were burning. But atleast he was speaking now. That counted for something. Umang did not interrupt the younger boy, just let him speak.
"Tell me Umang bhai, what do you guys think of yourself? How dare you all or rather a group of your batch mates misbehave with us? Just because we are juniors by admission does not mean we would take it lying down." Neel's eyes were blazing fire and looking around Umang could see that even Aniket was angry. Devyanshi sat silent, staring at her two friends with an
expressionless face.
Umang exhaled a sigh he did not know he was holding back and locked his eyes with Neel.
"Did I, or Neeshi or one of us at any point condone the behaviour of Anudeep and his cohorts? You called me up to tell me about this Neel, as well as the entire fiasco surrounding ANiket? You heard me speak; you have been with me since morning. Have I at any point given you the impression that I was in agreement with all that had happened?"
The fight went out of the younger boy, and he sagged back against the plastic back rest of the chair.
"No, you did not. But that does not mean I have to like it." he admitted.
"None of us is exactly happy with this situation, Neel. We are in fact horrified to say the least. Never in my wildest dreams had I expected ANudeep to do something like this in the college; that too in full public gaze."
Umang turned towards Aniket who was looking shocked as well as a little worried.
"I guess you had no idea Neel told me about your predicament. Will you believe me if I say that I will take care of this situation and see to it that the real culprit is unmasked?"
He could see the unwillingness in Aniket's eyes. But something forced the boy to trust him. And he did, giving him the permission to handle this matter in his own way.
Neeshi finally joined in the conversation and addressed Aniket. "Though this is neither the right time nor the right situation, but we can't let this day pass. So Happy Birthday Aniket." she smiled.
Devyanshi jumped in with a smile on her face. "Oh yes, I had no idea but Happy Birthday."
Aniket smiled and at long last, it was reflecting some happiness.
The silence which descended on the table after this was a bit awkward if not completely. Umang and Neeshi had never ever interacted with Aniket and the way he remained silent, fiddling with his phone and looking here and there seemed to grate on everyone's nerves. The first rule of being in a group was to give priority to the people around you. Aniket had yet to learn that.
Umang smiled as he thought about the class the juniors would be getting on mobile etiquette.
Mrs. Deshkmukh was a fabulous teacher who invariably ended up taking this class for the students every year. Umang remembered his own class a year back, and almost unknowingly a half smile formed on his face. He quickly pushed it away and concentrated on the table.
None of them had eaten their lunch, and were quite ravenous. Devyanshi had pushed her plate of food away from her, not having touched a single morsel. It had gone stone cold. Umang shook his head... so much for not wasting food. But perhaps it was better than wasting tears.
Luckily for them, Aniket's cell rang at that precise moment and he excused himself and hurried away. All that they heard was a muttered "Yes Apu... M fine..." and then the voice as well as its owner went out of their hearing range.
Devyanshi sighed and leaned back, the oppressive environment surrounding the table left with Aniket's departure.
"Poor Aniket... what a splendid way of spending his birthday."
"He didn't seem very comfortable." Umang observed.
"I guess not." she agreed thoughtfully. "I am not very comfortable with him and neither is he. We just don't click. And especially after the fight... So maybe, that was the reason."
"He doesn't know us either." observed Neeshi and then looked at the big clock hanging on the wall in front of her.
"What fight?" Umang wanted to know.
Devyanshi and Neel exchanged a glance, and then the girl grimaced. "We were working in a group and he was behaving in his usual obnoxious self... So..." she trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Umang understood that she was no very keen to share this information. If he had guessed right, inspite of her friendly attitude, she was quite reserved, not volunteering any information about herself. She guarded her secrets fiercely and Umang knew not to push her. So he kept silent, and tried to come up with a different topic of conversation.
Luckily, Neeshi came to his rescue.
"We still have 15 minutes left before this break gets over. Anyone for coffee?" she asked.
"I guess I can do with a cup." murmured Neel.
"I will get it." Neeshi got up. Umang made to rise from his seat but Neel placed a palm on his forearm.
"Juniors ke rehte seniors kaam karen?" his eyes were dancing mischievously. "Not happening. You sit, I will get it."
Devyanshi made to rise but one quelling look and a sit down and finish your lunch from Neeshi had her sinking bank into her seat with a sheepish smile on her face. Umang found it very amusing that this girl, who looked every inch a lioness while facing Anudeep could be so docile. Neeshi and Neel left together leaving him to deal with Devyanshi.
"Have something." he said at long last.
"I don't feel like it." she replied.
"Are you all right...?" he asked after a short pause.
She didn't reply at first, but just sat there staring at the table top with a thoughtful expression on her face. And when she spoke, he had to strain his ears to hear her.
"Logically, I know it's not my fault that Anudeep was a..."
"Total... excuse my language, but total b*****d?" Umang supplied helpfully.
She smiled, a soft one at that and though it lacked the warmth of her earlier greetings, it atleast was genuine.
"Never mind that. I am used to such words."
"Still... i prefer not to..."
"Swear in front of girls?? Women?? Females??" she cocked an eye at him and he blushed.
"Whatever...I meant..."
Thankfully she smiled and went back to her previous topic letting the matter drop.
"As I was saying, I know it's not my fault, yet I cannot help but feel a bit ambiguous about it. I don't know why but I feel somehow very... dirty I guess." she finished lamely.
"Don't." his voice was as sharp as a whip lash and she looked at him in surprise.
"Do not... and I repeat DO NOT blame yourself for what happened today. If it was anyone's fault, it was Anudeep's and I promise I will take care of that matter. By the end of the day he would be begging you for forgiveness. But do not feel like that. Do not hate yourself. You are not... what did you say...yes, dirty. DO you get me?"
"I..." she was stunned at his rage.
"No I's, Devyanshi. I know you have received a shock, but it is not such a big thing to eat yourself up over it. You are lucky to have such a good friend in Neel. "
"Don't I know that? But I just can't get over his face... his expressions... It was so filthy and disgusting that..."
"Believe me when I say this Devyanshi, I know Anudeep a lot better than you. He is a lost case...completely. And I am not undermining the incident that happened with you, but let me tell you that life has much more horrible things to offer. If you will break down at this point, how will you move ahead? It is not that bad, Dev."
To his relief, she nodded and smiled a bit. "I know all of that you said. But I guess, I needed to hear it from someone. Thanks a lot."
He smiled at her and said. "Thank me by eating the food."
"Oh no..." she wailed.
"Oh yes..." And he spooned a forkful of rice in to her mouth.
Neel and Neeshi joined them at that very instant, with four bottles of ice cold soft drinks and steaming plate of food. Neeshi placed his hot methi paratha in front of him and sat down in her previous seat.
Umang was about to tear a piece from the paratha when he noticed Devyanshi eating the cold fried rice. He didn't know what came over him but the next instant, he was pushing his plate of food in front of her.
"Care to exchange? I feel like eating rice today." She stared at him in wonder. "But, this is... That is I have already..."
"Jootha hai?? Big deal." he pulled her plate forward and began eating leaving Devyanshi to tackle with the Methi ka Paratha.
He could feel Neeshi's stare digging into him but he chose to ignore it in favour of concentrating on his food. Neel stifled a smile while Devyanshi was trying to tear a chunk of her hot Methi ka Paratha.
Laughing, Neel reached forward and tore a piece out of it. "Here, eat this."
She looked at him for a second before saying. "Don't laugh. Its hot."
"When did I say it was not?" Neel smirked.
"Huh... Thanks." she muttered under her breath. "Monkey."
Neel heard her n parried back. "Yes Miss Universe."
She blushed and Neeshi and Umang burst out laughing.
"If you all are quite finished, can someone give me the number of Hotel Presidency? We still have a party to organize and we don't have much time."
"Don't bother. I will do the bookings. You invite Aniket's friends. And make sure to get him there on time. 7 pm sharp."
"That is Neel's department." Devyanshi declared.
"Done, I will handle it."
"And do make sure this remains a surprise for him." she added.
Neel nodded his head and went back to his food.
"And Devyanshi." began Neeshi.
"Yes Neeshi." She smiled up at Neeshi and Neeshi smiled back. "Take permission for night out today because by the time party ends, it will be very late."
"Err... Neeshi... where will I stay?"
"With me, off course."
"But..."
"No ifs and buts. DO as I say." The older girl commanded and Devyanshi conceded defeat with a smile, her mind churning out the details of the party. After all, it was a surprise Birthday party and they had a lot of preparations to do...!!!
~ ~ ~ ~
Though sitting in the class of Investment Banking, Umang was acutely aware of Neeshi and Arjun sitting beside him and talking in hushed tones. This was the only class all the friends shared together and watching Arjun turn back and relay something to Ishaan was irritating as hell. Varun was the only one who remained quiet while the others giggled, but he knew that his best friend would want to know when they were alone. Varun would not probe, nor would he question but silent though he was he knew Umang like the back of his palm.
Umang knew that he would have no answers for varun... hell he had no answers for himself. He had a fair idea what his friends were talking about, and badly wanted to tell them to stop speculating, but he knew from experience that it will only serve to fan the fire. So he kept quiet and concentrated on trying to solve the questions which their teacher had given them.
He cursed himself mentally for being so impulsive in the canteen, he wished he would not have done it, but he knew that given a second chance he would not change anything in his actions. The girl had looked so distraught that Umang's heart went out for her.
Her moonshine face revolved before his eyes, her eyes filled with pain, and her comment... feeling dirty... he had felt like strangling Anudeep. And he had done what his heart and mind had dictated him to do. For perhaps the first time in his life, they were in sync telling him to reach out and comfort the girl. And he had done that.
The Professor went out of the class for some time and Umang let the pen slip from his fingers. He pinched his eyes close as wave after wave of memories assaulted him... another set of eyes haunted his mind... a bloodied broken body, a pale face, scared, nervous, broken... No... never again...!!
His friends did not notice his distraction, for that Umang was thankful. He picked up his pen and buried himself in the world of financial statements which his Professor had provided.
*@*@*@*
The presentation on "Unilever's Real Beauty Campaign for DOVE" was in full swing. It was an extensive presentation considering that it touched upon so many details and concepts of marketing. Sitting in the last bench, with the class plunged into semi darkness and away from the prying eyes of her classmates, Devyanshi sat in silence as her mind went back to the events of the afternoon. What had happened in thee canteen was an open secret by now. Every teacher who came her way had thrown her concerned glances, the marketing teacher Professor Vashishth even asked her if she was all right? She knew she was not, but she also knew that she will be.
As she contemplated the events of the day, she had no idea how to deal with all the attention which would come her way now. But she knew she will manage, she had never been a cry baby and she was determined not to start now.
She also thought about the reactions of her batchmates. Most had been shocked, but whether at Anudeep's audacity or at her own shocking defense, she did not know. She had been shocked that Aniket came to her defense, but with his background story now a common knowledge, she understood his intentions. She knew by the end of the day the case against him would be dropped. She had talked to the Commissioner of Police of Bangalore, Mr. Neelendra Sen who had been in this place for the last two years,was a close friend of her father and a family friend. He had listened patiently to all that she had to say and then promised to take care of it. She was relieved on that account.
She had her mind on other things.
Umang for one, confused the hell out of her. The way he had comforted her just with his words, the way he had exchanged the food not bothering whether she had eaten out of the same plate or not, his reaction to her pronunciation of feeling dirty, everything confused her. She had no idea why he had been so affected. Was it because it was one of their batchmates who had misbehaved with her and he felt responsible in a way? She had no idea about it. But she did feel better after talking to him.
Neel was another surprise. The way he had stood up for her, defended her, had informed their seniors and had not been afraid of blasting Umang and Neeshi showed how deeply he cared for her. Then he had torn the paratha for her, teasing her, making her laugh and he had been at it till now. Even now, he was scribbling something on the back page of his notebook, giving every impression of taking notes religiously. But she knew better. It was their favourite way of communicating when a teacher was in the class.
A fond smile crossed her face as she waited for him to push the notebook in her direction.
*@*@*@*
The lights went off marking the beginning of the presentation and Neel sank down gratefully in one of the chairs. He had no idea how to make Devyanshi feel better or even comfortable in her own skin. He knew she had been shaken and he was sensitive enough to understand that she was struggling with it.
He knew she would never accept it aloud that she was shaken, being so unprepared for an attack of this kind. His respect and admiration for her went up a few notches with her deft handling of the situation. And he was not surprised at the pride which he felt for her today, but he certainly was awed by the fondness which welled up inside him for her. And this protective streak which had been lying dormant had raised its hood with a vengeance and Neel was determined to protect her from ANudeep at any cost.
With a sly smile, he opened his notebook and began scribbling a quick note for her.
~ ~ ~ ~
"The party has been arranged." Umang informed his juniors. "The event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. sharp. All of you have to be there by that time. Neel, it's your job to get Aniket to the venue without alerting him about the party. You know the hotel, right?"
Neel nodded his head in affirmative.
"And what about others?"
"I know that hotel." Ayush spoke up.
"Good. Right now, I am going to check the preparations. Any one of you care to join me?" he asked the group of first years.
They all looked at one another, not sure who would like to go. When neither of them spoke for two minutes, it was Neeshi who took matters into her own hand.
"All right, Devyanshi... Would you mind accompanying Umang to the hotel?"
"Not in the least." The girl replied.
"Fine, you go ahead then. The rest of you can go to your classes. Come on, move."
Her voice was filled with authority and Umang watched in concealed amusement as the group of juniors hurried to obey her orders. Chairs scrapped against the floor as they made their way out of the presentation room.
Neel got up at a more sedate pace, but then he too left. On his way out, he placed a palm on Devyanshi's shoulder."All right?" The question was mumbled. She smiled a bit and nodded her head in affirmative. With a smile and a gentle squeeze on her shoulder, Neel left.
Umang wondered if any of the others actually took notice of this exchange.
*@*@*@*@*@*@*
"Are you coming to the party, Sheena?" Dev enquired from her place at the table where she was scribbling a quick application for night out. She had already written Sheena's application for late entry and was now busy writing her own.
"Yes... of course... Though, truth be told Dev, I don't understand why you are doing it for that pest, Aniket."
"He is not that bad."
"He is a conceited, self-centred and ill-mannered prick." Sheena threw back. "Especially, considering the way he behaved with you in that group project."
"I was not the only girl he misbehaved with, Sheena. He tried to undermine each and every member of the group. I was the only one who paid him back in his own coin and that led to the fight." Dev replied.
"So... what did he expect? That he would misbehave with any one and would go scot free?"
"Who cares what he expected, Sheena? He got what he deserved."
"So why this surprise birthday party? Why are you so bothered about it?"
"IT is very simple, Sheena. It is my way of paying him back."
"For what? For standing up for you? Did it occur to you that he was probably standing up for himself?"
"Yes, it did. But did you think what the scenario turned out to be?'
"That he was defending you? Big deal."
"He actually did defend me, Sheena. And this is my way of thanking him. It does not mean that we will become friends and I will act all chummy with him. No. This is simply pay back for his help. I do not keep credits, Sheena."
Sheena simply looked at her roommate in mounting confusion. She could hardly understand why Dev was doing this.
"You think I am doing all this? No, I am not."
"Then why..."
"Sheena... Umang, Neeshi and their batch are feeling bad as well for whatever happened today. It is their contribution. As Aniket's batch mates, we can atleast participate in it whole heartedly. It doesn't mean you have to be friends with Aniket. Think of it as a recreation, a time for us to let our hair down and enjoy."
"Well...when you put it that way, it seems logical."
"So will you come?" Devyanshi asked her friend.
"On one condition..." Sheena smirked.
"That being...?"
"Since I am the one who has a better sense of style, I will dress you for the occasion."
"Aaargghhh... Sheena. My sense of style is perfectly all right."
"Yes, for college. If you are going to wear this jens and top to the party, I am not coming with you."
Sheena crossed her arms across her chest and glared at her roommate. Devyanshi knew it was a lost cause.
"All right...what will you have me wear?"
Sheena's smile lit up the room as she turned towards her friend's ward robe and extracted a blue coloured frock from its depths.
"This...!!!"
"Sheenaaa... Kahan se mila ye tujhe?"
"Kal jab tu almirah saja rahi thi, tab dekha tha maine."
"You are impossible." Devyanshi laughed at her friend.
"So are you wearing it or not?"
"Do I have any way out of it? I will wear it."
Sheena smirked as Devyanshi picked up the frock and went to get ready.
Half an hour later, the girls were ready. Devyanshi was dressed in the blue coloured boat necked, knee length frock with short sleeves and a black lace belt on her waist. The neck line of the frock was lined with white stones. She had kept her accessories simple - a blue coloured chandelier ear ring and a metal watch were the only accessories she chose to wear. Her hair was blown dry and left open. Kohl smeared eyes looked up from that pretty face as Sheena added a dash of colour to her lips and stood back to admire her work.
"Take a look."
Devyanshi walked up to the full length mirror at the other end of the room with a beating heart. She could not believe her eyes...
"Sheena... Red lip stick...!"
"As if you have never worn that colour." Sheena laughed. Her friend looked beautiful.
"Yes... I have. Forgive me but I have dressed in dresses which were far bolder than this. But this is college."
"Correction my dear roommate. This is a birthday party. And those bloody boys of our batch need to know that you are more than just brains. They need to know that you are a beauty with brains.
Sheena knew something, Devyanshi was sure of that. But her friend was not letting her into the secret and she did not pry.
Sheena was dressed in a champagne coloured one piece which fell just below her knees. Her makeup was bold - with smoky eyes, oxblood lipstick and her curly hair collected in a neat bun at the crown of her head. She had added a choker and small tops as a part of her jewellery. If anything, Sheena knew how to look glamorous and she was not hesitant to showcase this side of hers.
With a smile, both the girls slipped on their stilettos and walked out of the room.
@*@*@*@*@*@
"What are you doing here, Neel?" Umang slipped into the chair as he fixed Neel with his gaze.
"Waiting for Aniket to finish his convo so that I can get him to the venue."
Umang smiled at this.
"Your batch mates would be coming, right?"
"Yes... a few will be there."
Umang sat there silent for sometime, and then turned to look at the younger boy.
"Would you mind if I ask you something?"
"Nopes, umang. Go ahead."
"Why do I feel that your friends are not much fond of Aniket?"
"They are not at all fond of Aniket."
"Still, he has his group of friends."
"They are not his friends Umang bhai. They are his co horts. They are with him because Aniket is good in studies. And these guys are rowdy and want to milk the situation to their heart's content."
"Because they do not bother to study."
"Yes..."
"Why is Aniket so infamous?"
"His attitude... he is too damn arrogant and does not know how to behave with others. He feels as if the whole world is his slave. It never works that way, Umang bhai."
"What led to this?"
"A group project in marketing. There was a huge fight."
"With Devyanshi, right."
Neel smiled and drained his cup of coffee.
"It was a complete disaster. Why don't you ask the people involved in that?"
"And who all were involved?"
"Vihaan, Debashree, Alok, Paresh and Devyanshi."
"So I am guessing no one other than Devyanshi would be present."
"Yep." Neel gave a small smile.
"That's fine, Neel. We will see about this later. I will leave you to your job now."
With a goodbye, Umang left the canteen.
Done...!!!
Edited by PrincessFlavia - 10 years ago
Financial markets and global economy
Ishaani
0