The university 4: New threads

G-one: (Turning the pages quickly)

Moon: G-one! what are you...

G-one: Don't disturb me I am reading.

Moon: What are you reading? Teacher has already left.

G-one: I know what I am reading. I will read.

Moon: What's with the attitude? You did something, didn't you?

G-one: (Ana flashes before his eyes) No, no, me, oh come on. You know I can't do anything stupid. Right! Come on.

Moon: You can do it alright. Tell me what you did?

G-one: Shut up, I am reading.

Lavangi: Hey G-one, that's how you talk to a girl, maniac.

G-one: I am sorry for that. And I am reading.

Lavangi: I can see that, what's wrong with you?

Simar: ( notices Piyush burrowing his head into the book) What's wrong with you now, Piyush?

Piyush: (with a shock) I am not him, I am not.

Simar: What not? What are you talking about.

Lavangi: They are acting weird. What's up with them Akash?

Akash: I don't know, don't ask me.

Lavangi: Phew! whatever.

Mia: (gesturing Akash to calm Piyush down)

Lavangi: What are you doing now?

Mia: What!? me! just stretching my arm. It's been sore a little.

Lavangi: Sore, your arm, weirdness is in the air today I think.

Moon: You got hit that bad? Ohh! let me help you with the stretching.

Mia: No, I am done. And don't make me remember that incident everytime( lays her head down on the bench with a sigh looking at G-one, whispers) I wonder what's up with him?

Akash: (pulls Piyush closer and whispers in his ear) Cool it down, fucking termite. Try to blend in with them or they might notice that something is wrong with us. It won't be long before they figure it out.

Piyush: How can I calm myself down, crazy bitch? First Moon, then the partner mess and now G-one went ahead and laid down with a girl.

Akash: Who laid down with whom?

Piyush: I mean laid her down, the girl he hit on the second floor. For god's sake, if she recognises us, we would have the entire senior wing flying over us to whoop our asses.

Akash: Don't worry, we vanished before she could even see our faces, relax.

Piyush: You sure about that?

Akash: Maybe,

Piyush: Maybe, maybe, did you say maybe? (looks at G-one) And look at him, after doing the valiant deed he is studying like a scholar (slaps G-one).

Lavangi: Whoa whoa! what's happening?

G-one: (still studying).

Piyush: Even hitting him makes me feel good even in this desperation.

Simar: Why are you hitting him Piyush?

Piyush: I feel relaxed, whew!

Lavangi: Boys!

Simar: Piyush! what's going on?

Piyush: Sorry, it's just when we are disturbed we make ourselves comfortable by hitting each other. Hahaha

Simar: Seriously!

Akash: Ya, we do, we do. Don't worry, its regular for G-one. It's was just a snap out of it slap from whatever you are doing.

Simar: Excuse me, he is studying sincerely, does he need a wake up call from that? Doesn't seem like to me he does.

Akash: He is studying uncommonly, that's why.

Simar: You got a complicated logic Akash.

Piyush: Hey, Simar, can you give me a summary about what the teacher explained earlier in the class? Actually I missed some of it.

Simar: (smiles) Ofcourse!

Lavangi: Hello, you can ask me. Here!

Simar: Excuse me, he asked me first, I will do it.

Lavangi: Whatever, I can explain it better than anyone here.

Simar: Do you even know the C of chemistry? What would you explain him about?

Akash: (runs his mouth without any voice) What are you doing?

Piyush: (mutely runs his mouth) Trying to blend in.

Akash: Like this!

Piyush: Excuse me ladies, let's beat it for the moment, you can explain me about it in the free time. What do you say?

Simar: Ok!

Lavangi: Fine!

Akash: What about the next class? Do we need to switch our rooms or what?

Lavangi: That depends. What's your subject?

Piyush: Maths side,

Lavangi: Then your every subject will be conducted in this room.

Akash: Why some of the students are going out?

Simar: They belong to the bio side. They are going to the next room to attend their biology class.

Akash: So, they would be coming back to attend Physics and chemistry classes, won't they?

Simar: Ofcourse, first year's physics, maths and chemistry classes run in this room, so they will have to come back.

Lavangi: Optional subjects have different rooms. On different floors, even in different buildings.

Piyush: How do you know so much about the system here? You are a first year too.

Lavangi: We have our contacts with the seniors as well.

Piyush: Oh yeah! who, a boyfriend?

Lavangi: No, never, she is a friend, like you boys have friends older than you.

Piyush: Ok sorry, it was just an assumption.

Simar: What about you, Piyush? You seeing someone?

Piyush: Seeing, ya right now I am seeing you two.

Lavangi: Stopping messing around. Be serious.

Piyush: No, I never head such good luck with girls. Why? You two seem oddly interested if I am seeing someone or not?

Lavangi: Why? I am curious about it too.

Simar: Maybe you can tell us why?

Piyush: (leans in) Let me guess.

Akash: (thinks, smiling cunningly) Good going dude, you got this.

Suddenly Akash sees Nikita appearing out from behind a group of new students. His expression soon changes from delight to grief.

Akash: (pats on Piyush's shoulder)

Piyush: Wait, I am busy here.

Lavangi: Think deeply, Piyush.

Piyush: Actually, I wanna hear it from you.

Akash: (pats on Piyush's shoulder)

Piyush: (flicks Akash's hand of his shoulder) Shake it off, bitch.

Simar: Is it that hard to guess?

Piyush: It is for me.

Mia: (thinks) Are they really the one Simar and Lavangi I know? Just one boy is all it took to change their perspective. He is attractive though.

Soon Nikita sees Piyush and Akash sitting on the other side and merrily steps towards them. Akash notices that she has recognised them.

Akash: (pats on Piyush's shoulder)

Piyush: (turns quickly) Why you crazy son of a, what's the itch in your ass?

Akash: (indicates Nikita) Holy, mother father, you won't like it.

Piyush: What's so intimidating about it (turns and sees Nikita coming their way, starts shivering) Oh! Lord Hanuman, please save me. (lifts the book to cover his face).

Lavangi: Piyush, why did you turn?

Simar: I wasn't finish here.

Lavangi: I wasn't finish here.

Simar: He was talking to me.

Lavangi: Talking to me.

Piyush: (begins muttering Hanuman chalisa).

Akash: ( starts praying) Please don't recognise us, please.

Nikita: Piyush, Akash, I don't believe this.

Lavangi: Who is she now?

Simar: She knows them.

Nikita: Piyush, it's me Nikita.

Piyush: (still covering face) You are mistaken. There is no one named Piyush here.

Akash: Ya, I heard someone calling the name Piyush in the other room next to this one.

Nikita: Akash, you still need to work on your jokes. They are not funny.

Akash: I am serious, bitch.

Nikita: Huh!?

Akash: I mean, which, which Akash you are talking to?

Nikita: You, knucklehead. You!

Akash: Oh! wait, who are you again?

Nikita: (raises her fist twisting) You don't know who I am?

Akash: (gulp) Here, here he is. Your boy!

Nikita: I know it's him. (pulls down the book) Piyush, you are still as adorable as before.

Simar and Lavangi stand in shock. Mia lifts her head to clarify the situation.

Simar: Adorable!

Lavangi: Who are you?

Nikita: Sorry, how rude of me. I am Piyush's girlfriend, Nikita.

Simar and Lavangi: What!?

Mia: (whispers) What!

G-one: (gains his senses) What the bitch! She is your girlfriend?

Piyush and Akash: Hell, nooo!

Nikita: They are still no good with their fake acting. (to Moon) Hello, can I sit here?

Piyush and Akash: (whisper) Don't , don't.

Moon: Ofcourse, we have plenty of space.

Nikita: (sits) Thankyou,

Akash and Piyush: (slap their forehead).

Simar and Lavangi sit down in disbelief. Mia stares at their expressionless faces.

Simar: (thinks) Another rival.

Lavangi: (thinks) Another rival.

Mia: Hold it together you two.

Scene switch, it's dark, a murmuring was audible through the blackout.

Person: She had already been looking pale since this morning.

Person 2: It seemed to me like she was sick.

Person: But her body tells me otherwise. It appears fatigue to me.

Person 2: Maybe, she tends to work too hard sometimes too.

Person: Better let her rest for sometime then.

Person 2: Ya, class is about to start too.

Their voices faded into the dark. Suddenly after a phrase, oh man she is curvy, blue eyes popped onto her face and Ana woke up in a haste. She wiggled her hands around her waist in a desperate attempt to find someone's hand which she thought was surrounding her waist. But she found nothing. She found herself on the infirmary bed, she rubs her head, looks at her wrist watch.

Ana: Oof! the first class is over. Jeez! how did I pass out?

She rolls off the bed and stands on her feet, feels very light, no pain, no weariness.

Ana: No way! what is this? Just an hour of sleep, it can't be ( moves her hands and feets) . I feel so light, like a bird. Whatever, let's attend the rest of my class.

On the other side,

Nikita: Hey! you seem a little different girl. Are you a foreigner?

Moon: Yes, Actually I am not from this world, I came from heav...

G-one: (coughs and puts a hand on Moon's shoulder)

Moon: Sorry, I was just kidding. I am Moon, Piyush's sister.

Nikita: Ohh! That's makes you my sister-in-law. But, Piyush never mentioned any sister.

Lavangi bites her sleeves and Simar tore her pages and began dividing it into pieces. Piyush and Akash gulped in fright.

Moon: Ya, it's that, because,

G-one: Let me explain, Moon. She used to live with her grandparents since she was born, that's why she was anonymous to everyone. Even to me and Akash.

Nikita: (lost in G-one's light blue eyes) And who are you?

G-one: Me, did Piyush and Akash never told you about me?

Nikita: Maybe, they did, but I don't remember. Enlighten me.

G-one: G-one! (looks at Akash and Piyush with disappointment) G-one is my name.

Piyush: (whispers) He is introducing to her like she is some kind of a VIP.

Akash: (whispers) Let him, he will suck on his thumb too when he will know who and what she is (sucks on his thumb with fearful eyes).

Nikita: G-one, ya I remember now. You were that boy whose mother died mysteriously. I have read about you in the newspaper.

G-one: Ya, atleast you have heard of me somehow.

Lavangi: What! my god.

Simar: Oh no! sorry for that G-one.

G-one: Don't worry about it.

Mia: Mysteriously!? Oh G-one!

Moon: (thinks)Huh!? mother died? When? Who is G-one's mother anyway?

Nikita: I am very intruiged to know why I didn't hear about you from Piyush and Akash (looks at Akash and Piyush and smiles).

Piyush and Akash begin sweating.

Piyush: Did we never mention G-one before her?

Akash: No, we were trying to keep him away from her, don't you remember?

Piyush: And here fish itself is chasing the fishnet to get caught.

G-one: I am disappointed on that fact too. They sometimes act like a jerk.

Nikita: Don't call Piyush a jerk, Akash could be a jerk. But leave Piyush out of this.

G-one: (smiles with a nonplus face)

Nikita: By the way, it's nice to meet you (stretches her hand out for a hand shake).

G-one: Ya, nice to meet you too ( Piyush holds his hands tight and doesn't let it go, struggles). Haha, wait, I think my hand is stuck, hehehe! (mutely to Piyush) What the fuck, bitch!

Piyush and Akash nod at him to avoid the handshake and do weird hand gestures. And the next professor walks in.

Nikita: Well, maybe next time.

Moon: Let me shake it for him (shakes hand with her).

Nikita: Thankyou!

During the ongoing class.

Piyush: (whispers) Crazy fuck man, I remember she saying she would pursue humanities. What is she doing in maths class?

Akash: How would I know about that termite? Maybe she chose maths as an optional subject.

Piyush: Why would she come to this college then? You never told her about where we were going, did you?

Akash: I never sucked to her, it was you. I didn't say shit.

Piyush: You are crazy stupid, you didn't see what she did if I didn't do what she said. Or did you forget it?

Akash: (looks at Nikita focusing on her notebook) Has she decided to be serious about her studies? Look how attentive she is.

Piyush: Maybe if she had done that during the school times, the pain coming from her might have been reduced to some extent.

Akash: Ya man, you couldn't have said it better. She wasn't that good in studies, how did she manage to enroll in this college?

Piyush: I bet it is her father. You remember who he is, right?

Akash: You asking me. That who gave her the power to do what she can. He is a fuckin termite shit.

Piyush: When I went to the principal earlier. He told me that some special arrangements can be done for certain special people.

Akash: Oh yeah, that makes fuckin sense now.

Piyush: (looks at her) She is so pretty, only if she could get rid of that inhumane mobster residing inside her, I might accept her unwanted affection.

Akash: Ya, then she might stop cracking our bones.

Nikita: (looks at them and smile).

Akash and Piyush turn their face on their notebook. The class ends, Nikita gets up.

Nikita: Well, I am off now. I thought it would take time for me to find you two but God is very generous. Well, see you all soon. Bye!

She walks away,

Moon: Bye,

G-one: She seems close to you two. How come you never told me about her?

Akash: Later, later.

Lavangi: What later Akash? Piyush, you said you were not seeing anyone, what the hell was that?

Simar: You are a liar.

Piyush: Wait, let me explain.

G-one: ( rest on his hand and watches them quarrel).

Piyush: Actually, she a school friend, just a friend. Nothing more.

Lavangi: That's not what she said. She said you are adorable, it's not like you aren't but who is she to say that to you?

Piyush: She has a screw loose, believe me. She keeps saying that to everyone even though she doesn't mean it. During school times, she used me as her punching bag.

G-one: Hah!(smiles)

Lavangi: What are you laughing at?

G-one: They used me as a punching bag, so it felt good when I heard him say he was used as a punching bag.

Lavangi: G-one, shut up.

G-one: As you say (smiles).

Simar: You are strong, why didn't you do anything about her?

Akash: She has a powerful background. Not just anyone you can mess around with.

Piyush: Ya, she had us both pinned. Akash for her homework, me as her butler.

Akash: She made me do her every academic related work, assignments, project.

Piyush: She made me bring her snacks, make up kits, clean her seat, do her hairs, I can't say anymore.

Akash: Actually, she used to turn him into a horse then ride on him, you forgot to mention that man.

G-one: (breaks into laughter)

Mia: (giggles)

Lavangi: You too,

Mia: It's funny. Ok, sorry.

Simar: (chuckles).

G-one: She did what now?

Piyush: You didn't had to say that.

Akash: I thought we were telling them what she used to do with us.

Piyush: Not everything, man. Not everything.

Akash: You enjoyed it too, so I thought it was worth mentioning.

Lavangi: You enjoyed it?

Piyush: No, I didn't. Shut the fuck up Akash.

Lavangi: Whatever, I am not gonna let her do those things to you anymore. Actually I am not gonna let her do anything to you two from now on.

Akash: Please, I will be indebted to you Lady Lavangi. Please save us.

G-one: Why not? It would be fun.

Simar: It would be torture.

Moon: (swats G-one) G-one!

Mia: Ok guys, teacher is here. Focus.

The class ends. It was their lunch time.

Piyush: Today's day is a mess.

G-one: So much for keeping a low profile.

Mia: Guys, lets go.

Akash: Where?

Mia: It's our lunch time. To the cafeteria, we decided to meet up with Lily.

Akash: Oh my, she could heal me all from this (leaps over his bench). Come on let's go Mia.

Mia and Akash went forward.

Lavangi: Let's go Moon.

Moon: Ok (follows Lavangi).

Simar: Come on you two, move it.

G-one: Ya, right behind you. Let's go man.

Piyush: Ya, some food might help me to think properly.

They walk into the cafeteria filled with students from different streams.

Akash: (pulls the chair back and sits) Oooh! There is a lot of people here.

Lavangi: Ya, most people do not bring food with themselves. They choose to eat from the cafeteria.

Mia: Only who don't wanna cook (opens her lunch box).

Akash: You bring your lunch. That's nice. That means you don't need to eat from the cafeteria.

Mia: I am just here cause I said I will eat with Lily. Otherwise I might have stayed in the classroom. Or gone outside in the field or something.

Simar: Better bring our lunches from next time and sit in the classroom away from this shouting and all.

Lavangi: Good idea, uff, so much noise.

Moon: What are they doing over that counter? Looks like they are fighting over something.

Lavangi: Must be over some food item. Only much would have been left.

Moon: You have to fight to get food here?

Mia: For some special items. Don't worry. You won't have to do it. We got ourselves some fighters. Isn't it Akash?

Akash: Oh, yeah, yeah. Sure do. Would Lily be able to find us here?

Mia: Why? You don't think she would.

Akash: I mean, it so crowded in here. I think I should go and fetch her myself (stands).

Lavangi: Hold it lover boy, behind you.

Akash: ( Looks back) What?

Lily: (appears behind Akash with a lunch box) Sorry, it took me some time. There is so many people here (sits).

Akash: See, I knew it would be heard for her.

Lily: What!

Mia: Nothing, what did you bring?

Lily: Where are your lunches?

Moon: Piyush and G-one went to buy some. We didn't make our lunch boxes.

Lily: Ohh! Ok,

Piyush and G-one arrives,

G-one: Holy shit, the things here are expensive.

Piyush: You don't say. We won't be eating from here anymore. The charts are crazy high.

Piyush and G-one sit.

G-one: I am cooking for the afternoon tomorrow too.

Mia: You did bring for today right? What are you gonna do for now?

G-one: Well, no, I brought something. Here, the stinking place is so crowded, God, and more to that they are pushing each other out of the line.

Mia: It's just your first day. You will get the hang of it.

G-one: ( unpacking ) You talk like you have already adapted to everything here, Mia. This is supposed to be your first day too.

Mia: Ok, then we will get the hang of it together.

G-one: Ya, right (laughs).

Lavangi: (whispers to Simar) You see that?

Simar: (whispers) She is actually having a conversation with a boy.

Lavangi: Without any hesitation for this long. Wow! She was talking to Akash the same way. I never saw her speaking to any boy like this before. What have these boys changed in her?

Simar: Whatever, I am just glad she can finally get over her anxiety.

G-one: (notices Lily) Sorry, are you with us?

Akash: Ya man, I didn't tell you, she is,

Lily: Wait, hi, it's Lily, nice to meet you G-one.

G-one: Good heavens, she is Lily, that, that's Lily.

Lily: Don't freak out, jeez.

G-one: What a beauty you are. Do you know that?

Mia: Does everyone of you talk like that?

G-one: Did I say something wrong?

Everyone laughs, except Akash, Piyush and G-one.

Moon: Ya, he sure does says that a lot. It's sort a like his catch phrase.

G-one: Catch phrase! Piyush, isn't she beautiful? You tell them.

Piyush: That's what I have been saying. I don't know what annoys them when we praise someone who worths it.

Lily: Guys, guys, ok. We understand, Akash here is no exception. He said it a lot many times too.

Akash: Ya I did, and they were genuine.

G-one: Ofcourse they were. You did the right thing man. Proud of you.

Akash: Proud of you too dude. Good job.

Lavangi: Ya, girl do like hearing people praising them, their beauty, clothes and all.

Piyush: You say it like you don't like people saying about you.

Simar: Ofcourse she likes it, Duh! she is a girl too you know.

Everyone laughs,

Mia: Thankyou for mentioning the obvious, silver tongue.

G-one: Let me taste your food a bit, you don't mind, do you?

Mia: Please, I would love to.

Lily: You can have some of mine too. Here!

G-one: Thankyou Lily.

Piyush: Now don't go on and give everything to him. Let me have a taste of your cooking too.

As they were enjoying their time together. Nikita sweeps in with a chair.

Nikita: Oh come on, you all started without me. This is not very nice.

Akash and Piyush hold their breathing in terror.

G-one: Hey, Nikita, sorry for that. I thought you were having lunch with your friends.

Nikita: Why would I have lunch with someone else when I got my beloved right here (gently pushes Piyush with her shoulder).

Lavangi clutches her hand in anger.

Lily: Excuse me, you are?

Nikita: Hey Lily, we never met before, did we? I am Nikita.

Lily: ( uncertainly ) Hello! I guess.

Nikita: I am Piyush's girlfriend.

Lily: Ohhh! Ok. But how do you know me?

Nikita: I saw you in Akash's phone, texts and photos everything.

Akash: Why you, how dare you meddle with my phone?

Lily: Hahaha, (very dishonestly)

Nikita: Those chats of him, he sure is a computer freak.

Piyush: Eeeeesh!

Akash: Don't call me that you termite?

Nikita: (smiles and slices her neck with her palm giving Akash caution).

Akash: (gulps)

Lily: What are you doing Nikita?

Nikita: Just kidding, please chill.

G-one: Anyway, how did you find him? Piyush I mean.

Nikita: I just saw which college he was attending that's all.

Piyush: Where did you see that?

Nikita: Akash posted it on insta celebrating all of you qualifying.

Piyush: (Looks quickly at Akash)

Akash: (bites his tongue) Oops! mistake.

Piyush slams a punch into Akash's abdomen with the lightning speed. Akash squeals in pain.

G-one: Hehehe!

Simar: He did need to make the anouncement.

Lavangi: Ya, big deal. You qualified the entrance exam. Woo hoo!

Bell rings,

Nikita: Ok, see you another time. Bye everyone.

Lavangi: Bye ! (whispers) Get lost piece of shit.

G-one: She is a work of nature. Come on, really. She found you out from a insta post. She must really like you to follow your every move.

Lavangi and Simar: No she doesn't.

G-one: Ok, fine.

They get back to their classes. After the final bell rings,

Lavangi: Hey, Moon! let us walk you home.

Moon: Coming.

Ana: (steps out, Moon passes by her).

Mia: Which direction is your home again?

Moon: This (indicates).

Simar: Ok, the way is almost the same, but will have to seperate at the last turn.

Lavangi: Whatever, as long as we can go together.

Mia: Our rooms aren't very far, anyway. Just in opposite directions.

Moon: Where did the boys go?

Mia: Don't worry, they will catch up with us.

Ana: Who is she? A first year? Looks different.

Boy 1: Did you see her? The girl with the blonde hairs.

Boy 2: It is my first time seeing a blonde. She was sweet.

Friend 1: Hey (puts hand on Ana's shoulder) you good?

Ana: Ya, thankyou for helping me earlier.

Friend 1: No problem girl. Just take better care of yourself next time.

Ana: Ya, I will. Thankyou once again.

Friend 1: See ya.

Ana: (waves)

Friend 2: Hey Ana! (while walking)

Ana: Hey!

Piyush, Akash and G-one step outside.

Akash: The day was a mess man, everything just kept on derailing. Even our bad luck is fucked up.

Piyush: Nothing was as bad as seeing Nikita, crazy shit man. Everything got double fucked as soon as she appeared. Mother flower, shitfuck.

G-one: Whatever, let's get lost before something decides to play with our asses again.

Akash: Vanish before Nikita finds us. She is not just gonna play with our asses, she is gonna tear it into pieces and feed it to the dogs.

G-one: What the fuck she doesn't look that vulgar to me.

Akash: Whatever man, I am running outta here.

Piyush: Me too, fuck destiny.

G-one: Hold it, I am coming too.

They start running and pass by Ana. As G-one reaches her she feels a hand around her waist again. With G-one running by, she could only get a glance of his blue eyes. She raises her hand to call G-one but suddenly he bumps into Karan, a third year.

Karan: Better watch where you going, punk.

G-one: Sorry, my mistake. I will be careful next time.

Karan: You better should.

G-one gets away, Karan walk towards Ana.

Karan: Hey, you alright babes? I heard you fell down or something.

Ana: I am fine. And I told you to not call me babes.

Karan: Why not? You are my girlfriend, are you not?

Ana: I never agreed to that. Now move, (pushes him away and starts moving).

Karan: I am not afraid of your kung fu, alright. Don't be so full of yourself. See you soon.

Ana: You better not (walks away).