chapter 34

                                                                                                                            

                     A fortnight after Vicky's eventful birthday found Niyati poring over three books simultaneously. Seated at the farthest table of the canteen, she hoped to escape the constant scrutiny that seemed to accompany her everywhere. Being the ACS's sister wasn't easy. It was akin to having a spotlight on her 24x7. Initially the entire college expected her to be as talented a dancer as her brother was. But as soon as it became apparent that she didn't have the slightest inclination to pursue dancing, speculations rose from all the corners as to what she might be decent at. And then there were people who had the illusion that the best way to get in her brother's good books' was to impress her and who bugged her to no end.

                      Amidst all this unwanted attentions, the gang's attentiveness was a welcome change. If she was asked if she believed the gang would keep their promise, then her honest answer would be a no. But The Dance team rose to the occasion once again. Niyati was involved more often in the gang's activities. Be it a simple evening outing or a snack in the canteen. They had a permanent table at the farthest corner where she was currently seated and it was an unspoken agreement that all would sit there and only there. If she was late for the lunch hour, her sandwich and coffee would already be ordered and waiting for her the moment she arrived.

                      Even Niyati preferred studying in the Rehearsal Hall when the gang danced or choreographed for fun. It was a paradoxical setting to study but she felt safe and comforted among the ruckus they created. The best memories she had were during their internal exams. Bharat showed up at their place the night before their second paper claiming he couldn't study and kept dozing off. Closely on his heels Amar and Nil turned up giving the same reasons. They were followed by Aashi, Simmi and Vicky. Everybody else followed as well. And just when Niyati thought Sharon's pride would never allow her to be in the same room as Swayam, she again took everybody by surprise. She just breezed in as if it was the most natural thing to do and brazenly announced that her studies were more important than any 'person', promptly got down in the farthest corner of Niyati's room and got her books out. It was a sight to behold! Everybody engrossed in their books, occasionally scribbling notes or helping one another out with anything they found difficult. Throughout the night, everybody took turns in making cups of coffee and during the coffee-break, they would chat, crack jokes and basically refresh themselves for the next round of grueling. This arrangement proved its merit the next day as everybody noticed an improvement in their performance. And so, the group study continued.

                     The day the exams ended, which was a week later, everybody felt as if they had been released from 'Tihar'. Everybody wanted to do something to de-stress. Amid these discussions, a peon came informing Kria that VP sir wanted to speak to her. As soon as she went away, the discussions proceeded...well, have a look yourself.

                     "Chalo na guys! koi film dekhne chalte hain", Neha pleaded.

                     "Haan haan! Tujhe toh ab films hi pasand aayengi, khud actress jo ban gayi hai. Koi aur past-time kahan acha lagega tujhe!" Simmi joked.

                    "Not funny yaar!" Neha pouted.

                   "Chal na kahin party karte hain", Vicky suggested.

                   "Nahin dude. Party karne ke liye phir kisi ke ghar chalna padega. Sab arrangements karne honge. And honestly, during exams hum ghar ke alawa kahin bhi nahin gaye hain. I want to get out of these four walls!"

                  "Agar tujhe kahin bahar hi chalna hai toh mere paas ek solid idea hai. Yahan se 1 ghanta door ek solid jagah hai. Paani ka..tum log kya bolte ho usko english mein?" Bharat said.

                  "Lake?" Rini suggested.

                  "Nahin re..kuch aur bolte hain."

                  "Well?" Vicky joked and hi-fied Amar. Bharat just glared till both sobered up.

                  "Arre..paani girta hai na. usko kya bolte hain?"

                  "Oh! watelfall?"

                  "Haan! wahi-ich. Yahan se 1 ghanta door hai. gaadiyan lekar jaana padega."

                 "Cool! Meri car hai hi", Rey volunteered. "Vicky bhi le aayega. Hum 12 log araam se fit hojayenge. What say? Done?"

                 Everybody agreed and looked excited for this little outing. Kria appeared then, having returned from the meeting with VP sir. Everybody, the nosy brats they were, immediately began questioning her.

                 "Ek minute guys, bolti hoon. Tum sabko yaad hai? Hamara Annual Day, when I hurt my leg?  Mera Dance Institiute hamare performances se bohot impress hua tha. Un performances ki wajah se kuch students ne yahan studies continue karne ki wish express ki thi. After all the formalities, ek student ko exchange karne ki permission mili hai. Exams se pehle VP sir ne mujhe inform kiya tha ke is week tak woh student St. Louis report karega. Now he has informed ke woh student aagaya hai. And since I am the comon link between St. Louis and New York Dance Institute, us student ko settle down karne ki aur college dikhane ki responsibility meri hai."

               "Arre par kaun hai woh? Hot hai kya?" Neha asked excitedly.

               "Eh? Neha? ye kaise questions pooch rahi ho tum?" Vicky asked agitated. "Woh hot dikhta hai ye nahin isse tumhe kya fark padta hai?"

              "Khud hi dekh lo, He's right behind you", Kria replied winking at her.

             Niyati, Neha and Rini were seated with their back towards the entrance. Swayam, Sharon, Kria and Rey were standing opposite to them. Bharat Aashi and Amar were sitting to the left of Rini while Vicky, Nil and Simmi occupied the right end of the table. When Kria pointed out, everybody except Niyati,Sharon and Swayam turned around. Niyati was busy scribbling something in her book and Swayam and Sharon were having an intense eye-battle, undoubtedly reminiscing their moment on Vicky's birthday.

             "Hi Parth over here!" Kria hollered and waved at him to catch his eye.  Niyati stilled, but then dismissed the thought mentally chiding herself. She was being paranoid. It couldn't be him. There was one-in-a-million chance of him landing in the same college as her.

            "Hey Kria!"

[MEMBERSONLY]