It Happened In The Cafeteria
“I once prayed for a Walkman for a whole year..” reminisced the handsome Ram drawing a lung full from a cigarette.
” then.., I realized that God doesn’t work that way” shrugged the athletic six footer.
” So, I stole it and prayed for forgiveness…” he smiled coyly, barely suppressing his glee.
“Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good” continued the 6th semester mechanical student.
” Art of Lying by his holiness Shri Shri Ram Shankar ! Any more of those pearls of wisdom lying around in your bird brain Guruji ? ” chided Nikhil with folded hands.
” See that mane on his head ? The bird brain has long turned to manure..! ” said Vishal joining in with Srini, completing the quartet.
” Nah, it is just whatever he is smoking ! … ” laughed Srini who knew the other three from grade school.
” That makes sense ..” said Nikhil seriously. ” Beauty with brains ? Impossible !” he retorted taking a swipe at Ram’s girl like obsession with his looks.
“Get this..” thundered Vishal ” Hero saab here vacated his seat on the college bus, next to Chitra nonetheless, to Ranga. Ranga of all people.. !”
“Ranga ?” asked a puzzled Nikhil “the moron we hate, our arch nemesis, the fat, useless HOD ke aulad ? ”
“Yep”
” Oye Robin hood ke bachche, whatever happened to teaching a lesson to Jr.HOD ? ”
Ram was enjoying this immensely. ” Patience fellas.I’m on it…” he smiled.
” Talking of the HOD, CSM is not in today and the HOD is taking his class. You guys missing his class ?” grinned Ram getting up.
“I’ll fill you in after the class, gotta run..” Ram said as he hurriedly grabbed his backpack and shouted
” Hey Ranga wait up..”
” Ranga ? What the freak is up with him ?” asked Srini ” Did he just ditch us for Ranga ?”
” Our beauty is ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’ ?” joked Nikhil as they bumped fists and headed out of the cafeteria..
***
” You better have a good reason why you bunked and let us attend HOD’s lecture ” thundered Srini back from the class after 2 hours.
” Guys! Tell me I did ‘attended’ the class ? ” begged Ram. ” Dude Vishy, you gave my proxy at the roll-call didn’t ya ? ” he continued.
” Yes ” Vishal broke the silence to Ram’s relief..
” If all of us were here, would my granny give my proxy during the roll call ?” Ram laughed.
The other 3 just glared down..
” You guys still don’t get it do you ? ” said Ram a tad seriously…
” Guess who lost attendance for 2 lectures ? Ranga…” he thundered
” Is that chair warm enough Srini ? Ranga’s wide bottom was plastered to it for 2 hours ” laughed Ram. ” I just told the motu CSM was out sick and that Chitra liked his shirt..”
” While you were messing with the Sr in the class ; I was doing the same with the Jr. here..”
” Anna, you are great !…” said Vishal ” You continue your Godly work and I’ll take care of the proxy…” smiled Vishal.
” That’s not all folks !” smirked Ram as he made a pretense of drinking the non-existent coffee from his empty cup so he could whisper and suppress a guffaw “Action at 11 ‘o’ Clock near the entrance …”
” Rangaaa with his tail between his legs talking to his dad ! ooooh, this is so good ! ” burst out Nikhil and they all laughed their hearts out.
” Dude, he will blast you when his dad’s done with him ” cautioned Vishal
” Nope. He will tender me an apology..” Ram smiled
” You see, I happen to suggested we go check if someone else is taking CSM’s class. He would not have any of it..”
” Sirjee aap mahaan ho !” said Nikhil
***
Rami how’s your girl friend Ranga-Nayaki ? Have not seen you two around in 3 days..” teased Nikhil.
” Honeymoon kaisa raha yaar ? ” joined in Vishal.
” Shut up guys ! the swine needs more attention than I had imagined. .” said Ram.
” It’s so good to see you help that pig. Brotherly love huh?… ” remarked Srini.
” Where is he now ? ”
” With Chitra, spinning a tale. 9 ‘o’ Clock at the far end….” said Ram dismissively
” Why do you think he is lying ? ” pressed on Nikhil irritating Ram.
” Ain’t his lips moving son ?” glared Ram, like a hero would a sidekick and they all burst out laughing.
” How did Chitra agree to be-friend that moron anyways ?” wondered Srini..
” Must be my good looks and charm !” joked Ram
” Here, right here !” Nikhil slapped his wrist ” I had to take one for you ! Remember how Chitra was hunting for you with a rakhi last year ? ” retorted Vishal.
” Vishy, I know dude ! Some day.., Chitra and my kids will thank you for taking that rakhi for me ! ” Ram joked.
” But seriously, why would she agree ?” joined Srini.
” Elementary my dear morons ! ” Ram said ” Citra is in Industrial Engineering ; IE shares the Workshops with us Mech boys ; Citra on a lathe making a mechanical component would be a sight to watch, but the end product would impress only the raddi-wala looking for scrap metal !”
” Her smile gets her out of it during the weekly labs, but can she bank on her teeth in the exams ?” looked up Ram, brow raised.
” So I suggested she get friendly with Mech HOD ka beta so he can put in a good word with a workshop attender or two ” smiled
Ram.
“Ahaaa”
***
” Ranga is hanging out with with Citra for 2 weeks ; Citra gets help in the lab ; what do we get ? ” smirked Nikhil
” Chu-u-u-na h !!” smirked Vishal
” At this rate, we will get to decorate “Ranganathan Weds Chitra” floral sign …” added Srini
” Since you behen-jis are so interested in decorations, here are some patterns you may like… ” blared Ram as he tossed a couple of his text books onto the table. The books landed on the hard table and one splattered open. A big highlighted page stared at them.
” You have been reading Rami ? What’s wrong with you dude..” started Srini and stopped midway. He then furiously started to flip the marked pages in the usually pristine, untouched text books of Ram ” Is this what I think it is ? ” asked Srini with bated breath.
“Yep !”
” Payback from Ranga ! His dad was on the question paper committee for 3 subjects ” smiled Ram as he got up to leave..
” Where are you off to hero ?” asked Vishal.
” Rumor has it that a certain HOD’s son is in trouble for bunking one too many classes smitten by his new girl friend.. ” he winked. ” But the girl friend blasted him reminding him that she was just friends and how dare he think otherwise let alone telling the town…”
” Now, if you will excuse me, I need to go lend a shoulder to your bhabhi..” winked Ram as 3 faces stared back.
And Then It Happened To Rain…….
Boys Don’t Cry
The Anatomy of a Friendship
A Wild(e) Experience
