The Murder(s)

Chapter 1: 'Mars, Venus and Jupiter?'
Chapter 2: 'A Date?'
Chapter 3: 'Football'
Chapter 4: 'Friends!'
Chapter 5: 'A Night'
Chapter 6: 'Meeting'

Chapter 7: The Murder(s)

May 6th 2009, 7:10 PM

The day was yet to end, after the brutal murder came to light at dawn when some joggers graced the football ground. The murder was a big deal for most kids: the first murder in campus and it was bloody bloody!. There were parents in campus, in such large numbers for the first time since last convocation. Some even took away their child home. It was a "Murder" and understandably, everybody was in great amount of stress. Especially in the circumstances in which the death occurred and followed by the little or no evidence that police had found thus far.

Rahul woke up from deep sleep and looks at the wall clock: 7.10 PM. He was still trying to recall what he had seen in the last two days. Trying to relate Janni's behavior during these two days. Earlier he wanted to talk to police regarding what he had seen in the last two days, but Vinayak stopped him from leaving the place.



Before Rahul went to bed at 2 PM.

Rahul: "I will go talk to the police. This might be of help to them."
Vinayak: "You are not going anywhere, mind you."
Rahul: "What? They haven't found a single major clue since morning. I might be holding one, who knows ?"
Vinayak: "If you are the 'showstopper', then so be it. But all I care is your mental peace now."
Rahul: "Hmm... but.."
Vinayak: "Listen. We are not discussing this. You need some rest first, just go sleep."


Rahul kept wondering but agreed to Vinayak and tried to relax. Few moments later, he was in deep sleep already. He was damn tired, exhausted mentally, and without his knowledge on sedatives.

It was 7.45 PM now as Rahul walked down towards the police who were still roaming through the campus trying to find some evidence. After nearly 12 hrs since their arrival at the crime scene they are yet to add 'circumstantial evidence' to the First Information Report (FIR). As of now they haven't even been able to confirm if the football ground was itself the crime scene. They found no evidence there, no disturbance, no fingerprints, no footprints, etc.. They practically found nothing worth mentioning since morning. They are still searching for potential crime scenes throughout the campus.

"7.45 PM" He said to himself. Yesterday it was at this time that the two girls came to the coffee corner.
"Oh, where are the girls ? I didn't see them around the body this morning."
"Did they really have something to do with this murder? Were they involved? One of them, may be?" He repeated to himself. But somebody heard him murmuring.

Sub-Inspector Rawat was a well disciplined man. One among those rare breed that were born just to be a police officer. Strong, well built, with a straight face and a cunning smile were traits perhaps he was proud of.

Rawat: "Hello son, do you mind talking to me for a while?"
Rahul: "Well, actually...."
Rawat: "No, it is okay if you don't want to talk to me today. You already look very tired. Something seems to be bugging you." Rawat thought he had just found his first breakthrough in the entire day and he tried to use words carefully and managed a smile too.
Rahul: "No, Actually I wanted to talk to you myself."

Rawat was pleasantly surprised. He was getting someone to talk to voluntarily. The whole day he spoke to students who were either not willing to talk or those who weren't calm enough to talk to.

Rahul: "I have tried to talk to you since morning. But I wasn't mentally prepared. A murder is a huge thing you see."
Rawat: "Good. It is okay. Any help will be wonderful. You might be aware that we haven't found any major clue since morning." Rawat was reading Rahul's mind as this was going to be important. He was assessing Rahul's credibility, as that was the most important thing in this otherwise evidence-less case.
Rahul: "Yes. Which is why I came to you now. It shouldn't be too late."
Rawat: "Good. Thank you. So, shall we start ?". Rawat was all smiles here and he wasn't so good at it, it was visible now. He still tried his best.
Rahul: "Can we go over to the coffee corner? I would like to have a tea while I introduce you to what I know." Rahul didn't return the favor. He didn't even notice Rawat smiling at all, he was seriously thinking all the while, trying to connect the dots he had in hand.
Rawat: "hmm... okay, lets go." In a surprised tone. He was now wondering what the new found pandora's box might contain. "Who in the world would want to have a tea to describe a crime situation", he thought. Rahul needed it badly, though.

As both of them walked towards the coffee corner both got to know more about each other. SI Rawat was the topper of his batch a gold medalist. He was known to be someone who could read what was coming, he usually finished cases before the clues team arrived. Not today!

Rahul walks towards the coffee corner and gets a couple of Tea and gets around the table where Rawat already rested.
Rahul: "Sir, here is your tea. You must be tired too!"
Rawat: "Oh yeah, thanks. Yes, I am tired after a long time. This is a very different case. Students involved, I am not allowed to tamper young minds. We will crack this anyway."
Rahul: "Yeah, you will. I hope."

silence.

Rahul: "So actually the story begins here from what I know...." And he narrates whatever he has seen and observed during the last two days. Rawat almost jumped of his seat a couple of times during the narration. He was getting vital clues here from someone who volunteered. Nobody ever mentioned these girls' names so far.
Rawat: "Where are they?" He asked.
Rahul: "Precisely my question sir. I haven't seen them since morning. They could be mourning Janni's demise, but I can't confirm this from anybody from the girls hostel either. I thought you should know about this."
Rawat: "Okay, so go on... This was day before yesterday, right ?"
Rahul: "Yeah, and yesterday at about this time at this same place...." He continued with what happened just yesterday.

The coffee corner owner seenu seemed to be in a hurry, he needed to go home and was waiting to see if these guys would take another tea or not. He knew noone else would come to take anything. Half the campus was still in shock including his wife whom he sent back home as soon as he heard of the news. He comes over to the table and interrupts.
Seenu: "Sir, I am closing now. If you might need something later on, I can stay back".
Rawat: "Its okay man. Thank you. Would you like to have something else K?". Addressing both Seenu and Rahul.
Rahul: "No, thanks. It is better you leave seenu, your wife must be worried back at home. Take care of her.", He managed a smile this time.

Seenu left to home a bit hurriedly. He was indeed worried about his wife, Rahul sensed.

Rahul: "So Prashanti called Janni (the victim) on his mobile asking him to come over here. She was in a complainant mood as I told you before. ..." And he went on.

35 minutes passed now since Seenu left and it was getting around 10 PM.

A young constable Raja was seen running towards the table.

Raja: "eh huh... Sir, why is your mobile switched off.... We were worried!"
Rawat: "Oh, is it ? I didn't notice. I might have..."
Raja: "It is okay sir. There is another update ..."
Rawat: "What is it ?"
Raja: "Sir, actually...." He looks at Rahul.
Rawat: "It is okay. He is the one helping us out. You can talk about anything related to this case."
Raja: "Sir. Two more bodies have been recovered from an unfinished building this evening. A couple went near the building to talk privately and found the bodies. Both of them are now unconscious and just now we sent them to the hospital. We have been looking for you for an hour now!"
Rawat: "Oh my god. What is happening here today!"
Rahul: "Holy.........". Leaning back on to the chair. He was suspecting something deeper now.
Rawat: "You relax Rahul. I will deal with this. Give your number to Raja and I will get back to you tomorrow morning. Lot needs to be done now." Just when he thought he has some lead he found new complexity involved.
Rahul: "Yes, tomorrow morning if we both are available." He wasn't joking.
Rawat: "Bye Rahul. See you tomorrow". He wasn't in a mood to comprehend what Rahul implied.

Rahul gave his details to Raja and left to lab. He wasn't in mood of having dinner. Later that night he got many calls from Madhu, all of which he ignored. He took just one call, that from Vinayak, before vinayak went to sleep and Rahul's phone switched-off.

May 7, 2009

8.23 AM

Security guards of the campus were running in from all points in the campus towards the main gate. Some senior students had already gathered at a location nearer to the gate; they all looked puzzled. Most of these students were joggers from the campus who were practicing for the upcoming Half-Marathon later this year. A couple of girls were there too, who were crying and couldn't be consoled at the happenings in the campus during the last 2 days. Madhu was one of the two girls, who suddenly stopped crying, and said "He will be back tomorrow. I know he will be." paused a few moments and repeated the mantra "He must!". She went silent again, but not for long. She bawled rather vehemently as she wasn't able to believe her eyes. And this continued...

After a few minutes, Vinayak came and stood speechless. He was looking at Madhu, speechless. Many people had now gathered and some of those who were there earlier had left, but Vinayak still speechless and still staring Madhu, or so it seemed. Madhu seemed to have sobbed forever, her eyes nearly tainted.

May 8 2009, 8:18 AM

The next day a bunch of boys at the boys hostel were in the TV room carefully reading the following news item.

Five new Bodies Recovered: Hyderabad yet to Recover.

Reported by Raman Srinivasan.

Hyderabad, India.

In an unexpected turn to the murder case in the Gachibowli area, which had puzzled the best policemen in the state, has now shocked the city with the latest twist. Five new bodies were recovered while no suspects have been framed and the 'clues team' is still clueless. Among the deceased are Sub-Inspector Rawat, constable Raju, two girls Prashanti & Megha and a senior student Rahul. The only notable piece that could be found in the last 2 days was a paper from Raju's notes where Rahul's details were noted. The girl's bodies were recovered last night at approximately 9 PM by a young couple in the campus. Another couple who found the bodies of the SI, the constable and student Mr Rahul are still recovering from shock at the Appolo Hospitals and are reported to be safe. But their statements are yet to be recorded.

"No suspects have been found, and the rumors on the reported notes from Raju's pocket is true. The notes were on the contact details of Rahul, a senior student who is also among the dead. It is difficult to say if Rahul was the murderer of the earlier crime. He is said to have met SI Rawat last evening regarding some information he has, after which both of them went missing till Rawat reappeared at the second crime scene along with Raja.", the Police sources said. "We are in a difficult situation. Both the phones (of Rawat and Mr Rahul) were switched-off since last evening so we do not have many clues from that angle.", police sources informed. "Nobody saw any of these people since last evening. And even these girls have not met anybody since the night before the first crime, so we hardly have some information about them. We are trying to locate what is common among all these students.", the officer said.

Nothing has been confirmed, and nothing can be unless the police has new leads in the story. In this one of a kind scenario that has never been recorded earlier in India, 6 people have been killed in less than 48 hours within a university campus. With policemen being among the victims, Cyberabad Police has a tough nut to crack. No motives, No suspects and No evidence have been recorded with the police. Senior officials are now investigating the case as the case now involves policeman among the deceased. 25 policemen have been deputed at the institution that already boasts of a very tight security provided by G4S securities. The otherwise vibrant campus of IIIT-H has now turned to an eerie silence. Most students are still to get out of the shock that these three incidents created. Police are unwilling to let parents take their children home, as they are wary of suspect(s) or evidence being lost. Cyberabad Police is hopeful of finding some lead soon though they already lost their best man and with him all the evidence he gathered.

The Times Group and the entire media hopes that the institution and its students would get out of this trauma that they have had to bear for now. And soon, we hope we would get to see the institution's name in the news for all the good they have been doing.

To be continued ...

Meeting

Chapter 1: 'Mars, Venus and Jupiter?'
Chapter 2: 'A Date?'
Chapter 3: 'Football'
Chapter 4: 'Friends!'
Chapter 5: 'A Night'

Chapter 6: Meeting

May 6th 2009, 2:43 PM
---------------------------

Vinayak was beginning to get worried about Rahul. Ever since the news of the murder broke out to public there had been panic around in the campus. Rahul was way too disturbed, didn't have his lunch and was heard murmuring something unknown to anybody. Vinayak was getting uncomfortable and he decides to do this.

Vinayak took his mobile out of his pocket, and silently slipped out of his room where Rahul was sleeping. He went to the veranda and was still undecided about doing this. As many times as he had tried to answer his questions, there was only one answer: "What are your other options?".
Tired of fighting himself, he dialed a number. He had this number for a long time now, two years infact, but he never called at all. He never had a reason to, now it was all different.

"Tring Tring....Tring Tring....Tring Tring...... beep! The person you are calling is not accepting any calls at this moment, please try again later." An automated response replied.
"Go to hell." said vinayak and he dialed again.

He tried 4 more times, before he decided to giveup. But just then he thought he should try once more and he did.

"Tring Tring...Tring Tring.... Helloo" a voice replied. It was Madhu's voice.
Vinayak: "Hi. I am vinayak, Rahul's friend. Remember ?" he asked curiously.
Madhu: "Of course, I do."
Vinayak: "hmm.. How are you?" he said in a very low tone and continued "With the situation in the campus I hope you are doing better than how Rahul is ..." he said firmly.
Madhu: "What happened to him? Is he okay?" she questioned with authority. "He hasn't been talking to me well since evening yesterday, and I know no reason. And today, this shit happens and he doesn't even take my calls today." she said sadly lying low.
Vinayak: "Actually, he is very disturbed with this incident. He isn't able to come out of it. He feels he is connected somewhere." he put it straight.
Madhu: "What ? Did he do something wrong?", she was worried.
Vinayak: "We must meet. Can you comeover to coffee corner, now?"
Madhu: "Yeah, I am in hostel, I can come. See you there in 5 mins." she said and hung the fone.

Vinayak was relieved, though Rahul was not doing pretty well at least Madhu was fine. Moreover, Vinayak had a crush on Madhu for a long time now and he never expressed it to anybody. So this meeting was an important one for sure, but was also a one-sided date for him. He got ready and went there.


Coffee Corner, 3:02 PM
---------------------------

Vinayak was waiting at the coffee shop, sitting in the same chair that he sat on 4th when he and Rahul were having mango juice, and where they first saw Janni. He was desperately waiting, he had a lot to talk about. By now, he had realized that Rahul is in this current mood not just because of the murder, but something else might have happened between Madhu and him too. But those were his thoughts, he was waiting for Madhu and waiting for reality to unfold.

He could see madhu from a distance, she was at about half way through the sidelines of the basketball court. "Gorgeous" he thought. She was looking wonderful, though she wasn't the most beautiful woman he had seen. He liked it, the way her hair fell on her face and the way she pulls it to plug into a much heavier bunch over her head. He was still mesmerized thinking about here before he realized that she was very close to him now, in physical distance that is.

She waved a "Hi!" to him and so did he. He asked her to take a seat right in front of him. Both sat down and started the conversation slowly.

Vinayak: "So, are you okay?" Vinayak said. He actually wanted to say "You are beautiful baby!" but this wasn't the right time.
Madhu: "I'm fine. What about Rahul?" she asked immediately.

Vinayak wasn't surprised. She hardly knew vinayak, all she cared about was Rahul.

Vinayak: "He is fine, I put him to sleep. He doesn't know it but I put him on sedatives."
Madhu: "Was he okay before that ?" she worried and said "He didn't talk to me yesterday evening. We were supposed to go out but then suddenly he dissappreared without even talking to me."
Vinayak seemed interested, "was it their date?" he thought.
Vinayak: "What exactly happened?"
Madhu: "We... we were supposed to go out last night for dinner, which was postponed from the day before when you both went out for dinner." She seemed to be complaining.
Madhu continued "He was waiting for me here at the coffee corner from 7.30 or so, and as usual it took time for me to come over. By the time I had come here he was already leaving, I followed him begging him to pardon me for the delay he didn't listen. He wasn't in the right nerve at all. It was as if he didn't listen to me at all. He didn't even look at me or didn't even notice me, actually. He seemed disturbed."
Vinayak: "And then ? You called him back ? Did you meet him later?"
Madhu: "hmm.. He never took my call. He was very angry I guess, but I donno why he should be. He should understand right, 15-20 min delay while a girl gets ready is okay, right?" she said in low voice so that no one else would hear.
Vinayak: "So.. this is all the information we have.."
Madhu: "No!" She interupted "This was what I had thought it was. But then..." she continued slowly "I went over to the coffee corner again, and met seenu there."
Vinayak: "Oh, you mean Seenu, the owner of the coffee corner?" he wondered.
Madhu: "Yes. And he told me that there was a small discussion between Janni and Rahul after which Rahul left from the place. I could still see Prashanti, Janni and Megha fighting over something there. So I didn't ask them anything about Rahul and I left to hostel. And ..."
Vinayak: "And ?" he said in a surprised tone, "is there more" he thought.
Madhu: "And today we see Janni nomore, and Rahul in his current state. I don't know whats happening."
Vinayak consoled "Its okay.. I think I can understand what happened there."

Vinayak explained what he knew, and speculated a bit.

Vinayak: "So when he was there at that time, he must have hit on to some argument with Janni and probably got insulted by him. That is why he was disturbed yesterday and now with Janni's murder he isn't able to take it anymore." He said and then added "Probably!".

Vinayak: "Okay thanks for the information, I must go now. Rahul is alone in room, he would be alarmed if wakes up and finds himself alone. I haven't even got my phone here."
Madhu: "Take care Vinayak, and take care of Rahul. He means a lot to me." she said in a low voice and almost crying as a few drops fell of her eyes.
Vinayak said "Don't worry. He is my friend, I'l take care of him. You be careful and take rest. We will all meet after he wakes up in the evening, okay? Bye."
Madhu looked at her watch that read "4.13 PM", nodded and said "Bye".

Vinayak left the place happily. He was sensing a feeling of accomplishment. May be because he understood the situation a bit more, or may be because he got to talk to Madhu, at last.
Madhu meanwhile was wondering if Janni's murder had anything to do with Rahul, she has been hoping not.


Chapter 7 here

A Night

Chapter 1: 'Mars, Venus and Jupiter?'
Chapter 2: 'A Date?'
Chapter 3: 'Football'
Chapter 4: 'Friends!'

Chapter 5: A Night

5th May 2009, 7.45 PM
---------------------------------

The basketball players were still at the Basketball Court, couple of them were at the coffee corner grabbing a sprite. Rahul was here too grabbing a bite. Suddenly he finds Prashanti & Megha walking in this direction. Rahul begins to wonder if both Prashanti & Megha were still in the same mood of yesterday.

Rahul could hear a few words here and there..

Prashanti: "Stupid.........that was.....like......robbb.."
Megha:" Oh, Noooo! but, I thought it .....".
Prashanti: "Shhhhh....keep it low!"

But soon Rahul could hear every-word clearly as they were in his hearing range.

Prashanti: "Did you see how he reacted today? I told you he has to change."
Megha: "Hmmm... What exactly bothered you there ? I thought he was perfectly alright."
Prashanti: "You are too biased towards him. You don't want anyone to point at him, isn't it ? But how will he learn in life ?"
Megha: "Sometimes it is us that need to change not him."
Prashanti: "So many of us want him to improve, doesn't that mean he needs to change and not us ?"
Megha: "Who many? How many? Are there significant any? I don't think he needs improvement. He is just alright as he is."
Prashanti: "You know sometimes I begin to wonder if you like him too much. But I hope it is just because you have been so close for so long."
Megha: "hmmm...actually..."
Prashanti: "But, if it is something else. Meaning something that could bug me, you know what I will do."
Megha: "I understand. You both love each other so much. You make a good pair too."
Megha: "Just that your are a bit too fair and he's dark, you talk so much and he doesn't at all, you don't agree to anything he says while he agrees to everything you do...... Just that."
Prashanti: "Exactly! See how perfect we are. Opposite poles attract each other, right ?"
Megha: "In theory, yes."
Prashanti: "Hmm.... So, what are you coming at? Put it straight." Now worried.
Megha: "See yaar. It is a little difficult to understand but...." She tries to explain.
Prashanti: "Just come at it!" she fumed.
Megha: "Okay... It is simple, you both are not for each other! He is not happy with you, can't you see? Every single day he has the same dull expression. He is tired of your lessons, it is visible on his face. Unfortunately, he isn't able to talk to you about this."
Prashanti: "So, you want us to break up ? Why? So you could be with him? If you were so interested in him. You should have talked to him before. Too late now, and we are together forever."
Megha: "Don't get me wrong, it has got nothing to do with me. I don't want you two to be in a situation where he would be forced to throw you away."
Prashanti: "Why? Why would he do that?"
Megha: "Okay, it is complicated than I thought. Not possible this way...."

silence.

Megha:"hmm......Leave it yaar. Lets see how life goes. Forget it."
Prashanti: "Oh, come on... Not like this. Why did you start this in first place?"
Megha: "I am sorry. I thought you should know...."
Prashanti: "Know what ?"
Megha: "I think it is better you talk to him, not me."

Rahul was confused but couldn't leave the place for he wanted to find the truth.

Prashanti: "I will call him, now!"
Megha: "Noooo.... Not now! Keep me away from this. I promised him I won't let you know!"
Prashanti: "Oh secrets from me, isn't it? It is okay, nothing will happen to you. Don't worry."

For some reason the phone was put in speakerphone, may be she wanted Megha to listen to the conversation. Rahul could hear the phone ringing... Janni takes the call.

Janni: "Hey Hi.. I am a bit busy can I call later ?"
Prashanti: "You don't have time for me tonight, right ?"

"Ooops!" Rahul bit his tongue in haste listening to Bollywood style dialogue.

Janni: "Ah, its not that. Tell me."
Prashanti: "Come over to Coffee corner."
Janni: "What, now ?"
Prashanti: "Come fast, I am choking here..."
Janni: "What happened? Are you alright..." in a worried tone.
Prashanti: "Just come...." The phone hung!

10 secs later. The other phone (Megha's mobile) rings. "Nice ringtone" Rahul thought...

Prashanti: "I know it is him. Don't touch your mobile till we are done with this!"
Megha: "hmm... but it could be my mom."
Prashanti: "Another day, yes. Not today."
Megha: "What!!"

5 minutes pass and Janni comes over there running.

Janni: "What happened? You said its urgent."
Prashanti: "You wouldn't have come if I hadn't said that, right ?"
Janni: "Arey nothing like that...Somebody got hurt in the hostel and we were getting him some first aid. Tell me what happened? What are you both doing here?"
Prashanti: "I think we have some problem here, between the three of us..." She gets it straight.

Janni now stares at Megha. Calms himself down and moves towards Rahul.

Janni: "Hi Rahul".

Rahul is puzzled. He felt as if he got caught listening to them. So much that he forgot that Janni had just come and wouldn't know how long he has been here.

Rahul: "Hi.. I donno your name though..." He smirked.
Janni: "Yeah, But I know you. You research guys are famous these days. Thanks to you, we get to laugh a lot nowadays. Can I take this chair ? Thanks!"

And before Rahul could answer Janni gets back to Prashanti and places himself on the chair.

Janni: "Yes, tell me, what is it ?"

Rahul felt a bit stupid. He was still wondering at the remark made by the otherwise silent Janni. The trio were still talking (even shouting) but he couldn't concentrate on one word!

Rahul said to himself "Alright enough is enough. I better leave. Let them have their private life." And left.



The next Morning, 6th May 2009, 9.10 AM.
-------------------------------------------------------------

breakfast bench
============

Rahul was having his breakfast after 10 hr sound sleep. But he wasn't yet feeling fresh.

He could see a few guys running here and there. Managed to hold one guy.

Rahul:"Hey what is it ? Where are you running ?"
Guy: "Something happened at the other hostel!"
Rahul: "Oh, need some help ? Shall I come."
Guy: "No. Help yourself."

Rahul was puzzled. "Why is everyone talking to me like this" he asked himself.
Finished his breakfast, skipped the milk and was walking away to the lab.

As he stepped out of the hostel. He could see scores of students running to and from the hostel.

Rahul: "Is something very wrong?" He asked John.
John: "I don't know. Ask someone else."


Rahul ran towards the direction in which most guys were running and was now sensing something terribly wrong must have happened.
He goes towards the football ground near Girls hostel and finds hundreds of students and faculty around there. Silence and murmur go hand in hand.
He clears people around him and has a peek at the scene.
"Ahh!!" He mildly screamed as he stared at the body lying there. The person was murdered. Brutally attacked. Face covered.
Rahul shied away from the site and sat around the benches arranged near the hostel.

Vinayak finds Rahul from some distance and comes over to him.
Vinayak: "Hey man, sad isn't it?"
Rahul: "First of its kind in the campus. Sad, of course."
Vinayak: "Yeah, especially to see someone we know, and that too only recently."
Rahul: "What? You know him? Who was it?"
Vinayak: "hmm... you didn't recognize? He is the guy we saw with those 2 girls two nights back!"
Rahul: "What Janni?"
Rahul: "Oh, nooo...Noooooooooooooo!"
Vinayak: "What happened?"
Rahul: "No man...this can't happen."
Vinayak: "hmm...it is done now. Forget it, lets go. I'd buy you Tea today." He manages a smile while Rahul is more upset.
Rahul: "Noooooooooooooooooooooo" he screams.
Vinayak: "Why are you so upset man? You hardly know him. Why bother so much?" Now worried at Rahul's behavior.
Rahul: "There are reasons...but no answers!". He runs away from the place. Crumbles halfway through, fell on his knees, gets up and walks away confused.


Chapter 6: 'Meeting' here...

Friends!

Chapter 1: 'Mars, Venus and Jupiter?'
Chapter 2: 'A Date?'
Chapter 3: 'Football'

Chapter 4: Friends!

4th May 2009, 8:42 PM
------------------------------

Friends, the best part of student life, a major chunk of life as some would put it. Within a university campus, you can't exactly separate lives. There aren't usually individual people existing in campus; either there are couples or there are friends. Among the passing out batch this year, three students -- 2 girls and a boy -- were chatting at the coffee corner in the campus. We don't yet know if they were 'just' friends or something deeper lies within their inter-relationships.

Meanwhile two other frustrated research students, Rahul & Vinayak (both MS by Research brand of 2k6 batch), both from different departments were variously frustrated. They had their own horrifying "research" stories to tell but none of the two willing to cut loose. They both had come back tired from a satisfying dinner eating 4 parathas each and had decided to go on to fetch at least 2 cups of mango juice each. They took a long calm walk through the campus towards the coffee corner, both casually reminiscing good old days when they had a batch of PG2k6. The first thing that strikes both of them is the unlimited fun each one in the gang had in room number 40 of the boys hostel.

Back in reality, both of them headed to the coffee corner, bought the juice they were waiting for and sat down at a table adjacent to the trio that was already there. Both gulped the first sip and looked at each other and smiled, and then went on to enjoy the drink. Few moments later Rahul was gazing at the charm of the moon, that was unbelievably smart tonight, and was wondering whether moon should be masculine or feminine. Vinayak had a different feeling for he was still wondering about the good old days and how he would face the days that are yet to come, without friends and possibly one enemy to live with. Vinayak was doing exactly what Rahul didn't want to do!

Each group could over hear each other's voices, none might actually know the other group's context. While this was possible, the minority group wasn't in any mood to talk, they were here to have a life outside everything else they have been doing through the day. They wanted to fill the void created by the emptiness of their daily routine with food and fruits for tonight.

The majority group, on the contrary, were here just to talk. That was their business for tonight. The group consisted of the girls Prashanti and Megha, and the guy Janardhan (Janni) was a stranger to most people; but not to these two girls, both of them were very close to him. Typical of a passing out batch. Rahul & Vinayak meanwhile are struck in awe at the awesomeness of the mango juice that has yet again been prepared with utmost care and given the magical touch. It was a flawlessly wonderful drink and they didn't want to think of anything else other than to be immersed in the joy of the juice. But, just then they overhear Prashanti scream.

Prashanti: "Noooo..... Not like that!" (screams!)
Prashanti: "He has been always like that, never listens to anything I say. You can try if you want."
Megha: "Why do you criticize him all the time ? He is not that irresponsible, I know."
Janni stares at both of them taking turns, shies away from both and hides his face.

Rahul winks at Vinayak; signaling there is going to be an interesting scene developing here.

Megha: "How long do you know him ?". Megha asks.
Prashanti: "4 years are long enough, madam!", Prashanti claims.
Megha: "I know him since my childhood and I would bet my life on his character." Megha said sincerely.
Janni was surprised. But he hardly uttered a word.
Rahul double winks at Vinayak!
Prashanti: "I am not saying he is bad. I just like him the way he is but he must change a little."
Megha fires back: "If changes he wouldn't be the same again!"
At last Janni speaks out : "Ladies, if I could buy your attention for a while, do I have my say in this issue? I think you both are talking about me."
Prashanti & Megha unanimously: "No!"
Janni : "No to what ? Not about me ?"
Prashanti : "No, you don't have a say in this. Just shut up!"
Megha clarifies: "Why don't you keep quite for a while, meanwhile we both decide how to punish you for what you have done ? Didn't you like the soft drink tonight, why don't you finish it while we settle this ?"
Janni: "hmmm... Ok!". And he reluctantly takes another sip, throwing away the straw that he half ate.

Janni shies back to silence and was looking around as if he was looking for some help.

Chapter 5: 'A Night' here

Football

Chapter 1: 'Mars, Venus and Jupiter?'
Chapter 2: 'A Date?'

Chapter 3: 'Football'

4th May 2009, 5:11 PM
--------------------------------

"Sports is like a war, without the killing." -- Ted Turner

Rahul is the captain of the football team of which he has been part of ever since he arrived here. Today, however, he arrived 10 minutes late for the match, but the match didn't start meanwhile. "Home Team advantage" he thought, though he was feeling ashamed. He apologized to his team and coach. They could sense his feelings and could easily identify that he was sleeping till now, or may be even now, some of them thought.

Suddenly he waved towards the small crowd that had gathered there and smiled. A hand rose from the center of the crowd and a guy of an average height -- a well built man, yet looking shabby with a shaved head and an unshaved face -- was clearly visible. Vinayak was Rahul's friend who is also very interested in football. Once vinayak himself was part of the football team before he choose to call it quits for the sake of "research" as he puts it.


With the flip of coin in favor of the home team, the game begun. Team was in good shape today, except Rahul who was yet to wake up.
...
...
Game over.

All shake hands and a few hugs among team members. It was an easy victory. A few hand waves go along as well.

Rahul rushed over to Vinayak and said "Easy it was."
Vinayak : "You guys made it look so. Congratulations." They hugged.
Rahul: "Oh! thanks." He looked around towards his teammates and said "Shall we go get some coffee?"
Vinayak: "Oh sure, lets go!"

At Coffee Corner
============
Rahul: "You don't look too good. When was the last time you slept?"
Vinayak laughs "All the time!" he says and replies back "You were sleeping well today during the first half of the match." he winks.
Rahul grinned knowing that most people would have noticed.

Rahul: "So how is work coming along, any signs of closure anytime soon?"
Vinayak: "Not within this semester. It will take more time than that, sure. And yours."
Rahul: "Wrapping up, really. And may be not. I am fighting with someone inside me. I hope to submit by the end of the semester. "
Vinayak laughs out loud and then returns to his smiling face.
Rahul finished his coffee and said "Okay, I'm done."
Vinayak looked puzzled.
Rahul completed "huh..I'm done with my coffee." and both burst into laughter, they both knew they are not going to graduate soon.

Vinayak: "Lets go. And by the way, lets go out for dinner tonight. We'l have some nice paratha's at Paratha Point."
Rahul "Are they good? I never ate there!"
Vinayak: "Of course they are good. Some of the best paratha's available in the vicinity. See you at 8 PM. Bye."
Rahul "Bye" and he left to his hostel.

On way towards hostel Rahul was wondering how he and vinayak didn't run into an argument today. Every meeting of theirs ended in a meaningless debate on matters of interest to none. And it would only end when one of them withdraws from the argument citing weird reasons, just to avoid conflict. They childishly fight for 5-10 mins and suddenly go silent. Not today. Today they didn't have any argument at all.

"Oh!" He realized. He had setup a dinner-date with Madhu for tonight, he now changed his plans towards paratha's with Vinayak. He was worried now, to disappoint her for the second time this evening. She would be very angry he thought as he dialed her number.

Rahul: "Hello"
Madhu: "Congratulations!"
Rahul: "Thank you so much."
Madhu: "You guys played well. What happened to you during the first half, were you still thinking about the dream girl ?" she played agian.
Rahul: "hmm.... I didn't wake up by then... may be. Oh, wait. You saw our game today. Thanks."
Madhu: "Of course I was there. I am there for every match."
Rahul instantaneously understood she had been attending the matches only to support him, she had no interest in the game. He was more worried now to explain the situation. He raised his voice suddenly and said "Madhu, I want us to replace our dinner meeting tonight with tomorrow at ABC Restaurant. To tell you the truth Vinayak suddenly planned something for tonight and I shamelessly forgot about this. Okay?"
Madhu: "hmm... But, ... Its okay. But tomorrow don't make excuses."
Rahul: "Thank you so much. You are such a darling. See you after dinner, Bye." and he snapped before Madhu could say "bye!".

Little did he know that this could be the last time he heard her voice, or the last time, it might be, that he was talking to her. Nobody knew what was in store for him.

Chapter 4 here...