Cultural fest

Anjali leaned against the classroom wall, calming her pounding heart while waiting for him to speak so she could hear his voice again. This time the bass voice resonated clearly into her ears, powerful. "Hey, everyone...Delhi medical college invites you to the cultural fest Indigo starting on the 13th of March. With more than 100 events, it will be a spectacular week with lots of fun. Let's break the monotony of a fixed routine and recharge yourselves...."

So, he is a medicine student, Anjali thought.

She could hear the voice for hours, still not get bored. Why am I getting drawn to this guy? It's the first time, though. She had three to four crushes, but all of them are movie actors. Though they lasted maximum of three days.

Anjali was sure the sound emanating from this six-foot stature garnered the attention of the whole class. She roasted herself internally for creating a mess in the class. After addressing the gathering, the group distributed the pamphlet to each student leaving the poor Anjali in the air.

"What about me? Do they not consider me a student?" She mocked their unruly behaviour. Hearing the footsteps approaching her, Anjali deduced he was moving to the next class. Mustering up her courage, she stretched her hand in his direction. He stopped.

A chill ran down Anjali's spine. She looked apprehensively at his confused eyes, silently staring at her with a question mark face. Swallowing hard, she pointed her timid eyes to the pamphlet in his hand, silently demanding it. She could hear the whispers from the people standing a step behind him, but that didnot make her flinch. Not a word he spoke. It made Anjali wonder if she had overstepped her boundaries.

He gave her the only pamphlet he had been carrying since morning clearing her suspicions. He walked off, taking a look at her for one last time. Anjali watched him trail off the corridor, and to her wonder, she noticed Meera talking closely with someone from the same group.

"How does this butterball knows them?" Anjali went through the pamphlet: Music competitions, dance competitions, storytelling, ad making..the list went on.

"Should I go see him again?" A smile plastered across her face. The watchman rang the bell, indicating the end of the period. She slipped inside the classroom after the professor stormed off.

Her stomach also grumbled for food. Throwing the pamphlet into the bag, Anjali grabbed the lunchbox. Meera and food definitely have a telepathy connection, Anjali thought, because the butterball appeared as soon as she opened the box.

Both remained silent, although Anjali knew Meera was staring at the Dal Makhani. She wanted to ask Meera about her connection with Delhi Medical College students. If this butterball is close, she can pull some information about the guy in the black shirt.

Seeing Anjali gobbling up the food at the speed of a bullet train, Meera broke the silence to at least get the last portion. "Anju...Are you participating in the cultural festival?" She sweetly questioned.

"I am not sure..." Anjali replied.

"Why? You are very good at dancing. You should definitely try. My elder brother is part of a cultural fest. Infact, I know all of his friends. I will suggest your name for the finals directly."

So, it was her brother from the group, Anjali thought. "Ummm...who is the guy leading this fest? He came to the class to address." She offered the lunchbox to Meera. Food is Meera's weakness. Anjali can ask anything without creating suspicion.

Meera licked her lips as she spoke. "The one wearing the black shirt?"

"Yes..it's him."

Dipping the roti in the curry, Meera put it into her mouth, savouring the softly cooked lentils. "Mmmmm...so tasty...your mom is the best, Anju."

Anjali sighed. "What's his name, Meera?"

"I forgot his name.." Meera said. "He is in the same class as my brother, doing medicine—very popular guy in the college. He came to my home last year on my brother's birthday along with his girlfriend. You don't believe Anju...she is so beautiful and kind...She gave me a big packet of Mango Bite chocolates as my birthday present."

If her crush having a girlfriend angered Anjali, his girlfriend's kindness vexed her. She has no right to get angry over a guy she barely knows, but her emotions get the best of her.

"You are so sweet, Anju...You offered me lunch despite_"

Anjali grabbed the lunchbox, stopping Meera in the middle of her talks.

"Eat your upma." She stormed out of the classroom in annoyance.

"Hey! What did I do? Give back my food," Meera screamed at the retreating figure. "You heartless girl."