C U 2MROW @ 9 (October 3, 2016)

Mannu preferred a separate corner today in spite being called for a group discussion. The canteen resembled balcony of a movie theatre. Groups were discussing which topics to be read, what to leave and the subjects were even divided among students. Mannu was allotted Physics and English, Nitesh took chemistry. Eagerly the list was being looked upon. The sale of tea, samosas and grilled sandwiches was on the rise. Just in a spur of excitement Vipul was ordering the waiters to maintain constant supply of the snacks. It earned him praises, also a few touches from the girl he was looking upto. Mannu was sipping tea and wondering what was to follow if the exams were held in the last week of March. Nitesh was right in his words that the exams could not be put at stake to meet Pia. Mannu had already informed Pia that the schedule was coming out in the afternoon. No reply was received from her side. Still there was an hour for the list to be posted. Mannu walked back to the hostel.

As he came in, he found that Mrs. K had called thrice. He called back.

“Hello...namastey Mummy.”

“Namastey... namastey...” She replied.

For a few seconds, nothing except the telephonic distortions was heard.

“Did you receive the courier?” She questioned.

It made an impact on him. He removed the phone from his ear, checked whether he had dialled a wrong number. Mannu could still hear her voice. No! It was the right number, but Mannu had no clue which courier was she talking about.

How does Mummy know that I had to receive a courier? He wondered. Has Vipul informed her about the courier Pia has sent?But why would he do so? I didn’t let him know anything. His confusion continued.

She was still on the line. Perplexed, he cut the call and redialled, finding some seconds to equanimise his mind and slow down his heart beat. In school times it happened, Mr. K would often ask why he was punished in the maths class, even when he knew nothing about what had happened. Old memories were building up with the dial tone of the phone. And Mannu always told him the correct reason trying an age to hide it. Today, he had grown enough to beat the prick and in a firm voice Mannu refused that he received any courier. For the past two minutes; Mannu was in a different state of mind. Pia’s sixth call was on waiting. He asked Mrs. K to excuse him    and he cut the phone. Situation had become very awkward. He had never behaved with his mother in such a rude manner. Mannu called back Pia.

“Mummy is asking whether I received a courier or not. I don’t know which courier she is talking about.” Mannu spoke up without wasting time in a hello. She, too, was amused at Mrs.K’s question.

“I guess you have missed something. Accha tell me what’s the exam schedule. Are you coming?” For the first question Mannu was firm with a No. For the second he was even firm with a No. For the third he had no answer.

“Relax. Go and ask at the reception again.”

“Hmm. I feel messed up Pia.”

And their talk continued. They both forgave each other for the quarrel on the address.

“For three nights I secretly woke up, decorated and designed the gift hiding from grandma... she slept just next to me. That’s why I was worried that why you’re not running to have it with you. Sorry.”

“It’s ok Pia.”

 She even scolded Mannu for giving her so many troubles. There were some moments in the call when both were silent. Silent for the same interval of time!  Mannu was still wondering about Mrs.K’s question. And then they spoke at the same second, ending up with an ‘I love you’ on their lips.