Angad surprised me. 

I was dreading seeing him again at the next introductory society meet because I knew it would be really awkward given our last conversation. To my relief, he didn't show up. It turned out to be a really fun two hours. Red Wagon made all of us really comfortable and we got to know each other a little better. I was becoming better friends with the rest of the gang and we ended up going to a nearby cafe with them again. 

"Where is Angad today?" Yug asked as we sipped coffee together. 

"You are supposed to keep track of his whereabouts being the best friend and all," Siddharth replied.

Yug rolled his eyes and turned to me,

"Angad is great Meera, You haven't gotten a chance to get to know him but once you do you'll love him." 

I almost choked on my latte. 

"Sure," was all I said.

"Are you going to the unofficial fresher's party then?" Yug asked.

"Maybe. Vahni wants to go but Smriti cannot. I am a little torn."

"Aren't freshers supposed to be really excited for all these parties?" Deepani spoke up.

"They are but I think I got my fill of parties with the last one you guys threw," I said to her. This was maybe the second time she had spoken to me. Shreyas and Deepani were that couple. They usually talked between themselves in giggles and whispers or got involved with the conversation for a few seconds only.

I was compelled to think about my relationship for a moment. Were Parth and I this way? Did we seem inseparable and unbearable? 

Before I could dwell on this further I stashed this thought in the corner of my brain and looked up at the rest of the group. Yug and Siddharth had become really good friends of mine. When Vahni had her fashion society practice and Smriti wasn't around, I hung out with them. Which was mostly the case. 

"The person organizing it is a friend of mine, we might swing by," Yug said. 

"Really?" I asked. 

"Yeah, there isn't much of a college-specific scenario. It's a party at a lounge. Should be fun." he said. I smiled at him.

Yug was a hoot and Siddharth usually balanced the equation. They knew everyone and everyone knew them, Consequently, everyone got to know me, Meera, the fresher they had taken under their wing. I did not absolutely resent this new identity but I didn't love it either.

Did I really want to be recognized only for who I was friends with? Not to mention the dirty glances I got from their fangirls and the whispers that followed. I had half a mind to hold up a sign that said I didn't want anything other than a platonic friendship from their precious Red Wagon members.

Well, at least they knew all the good hang out spots and cafes. I did not have to experiment a lot. And the prospect of having them around at the party made me consider it at least. 

***

Here I was, another party, another evening. 

Vahni wore me down in the end. Smriti could not obtain permission for this event which was expected. Vahni really wanted to go and her friends from fashion society would be there as well, besides, Yug and Siddharth were coming too, so I decided this was another great opportunity to have fun. 

I was in another pretty dress and Vahni, who looked stunning, stood next to me smiling ear to ear. 

"Okay, let's go over the rules once again." I stopped her before she stepped into the Shilling Lounge. 

"Yes ma'am, no drinking more than three drinks, not parting ways and always keeping an eye out for trouble." she recited. I smiled in satisfaction and entered the place. 

Instantly we were hit by a bunch of smells, hookah, sheesha, alcohol, smoke. The noise assaulted my ears and the place seemed too dark to my unadjusted eyes. Before I could settle into the atmosphere Vahni dragged me inside,

"I see Aishwarya, c'mon," she said pulling me behind her.

She introduced me to the people I didn't already know. One of the girls looked me up and down and said,

"Aren't you the Red Wagon's little pet?" 

"Excuse me?" I demanded with narrowed eyes. 

"I am just kidding," she said and laughed. Everyone laughed along a little awkwardly. 

I did not think she was kidding. These were the kind of comments I was talking about when I said I wasn't too pleased with my newfound popularity. I excused myself and went to order myself a drink. I did not fancy sitting down with them at the table. 

***

Vahni was keeping her promise and I was pleased with that but other than that this party wasn't turning out to be much fun. Hanging out with Vahni's friends was dull and I clung to vinous stimulants to keep me going. Yug and Siddharth hadn't shown up despite their promises. 

I was at the bar again sipping on my drink when someone tapped on my shoulder. 

I turned around to find none other than Nirav from our class standing there with a big smile on his face. 

"Hey, Meera right?" he asked. 

As if he didn't know my name already. Nirav and I had gotten to know each other during the time we spent in class and our respective campaigns. We weren't anything nearing friends, acquaintances would be the term. He hadn't gotten any less annoying during our brief acquaintance.

"Yes, Nirav. We've spoken before," I said resisting the urge to roll my eyes. 

"I just had to make sure," he said giving me what I am sure he thought was a charming smile.

"Right," I nodded.

"I didn't know you were coming to the Unofficial fresher's party. I asked in class last week,"

"Yes, it was sort of a last-minute plan. We didn't intend to. Just bought the passes yesterday." I explained. Why was I explaining myself to this guy?

"That's great actually. Join me. My friends over there would love to meet you," he said gesturing to a large group of people occupying a table at a little distance from us.

It took me a second to process that he wanted me to spend time with him. Two seconds ago he pretended not to know my name and now he wanted to introduce me to his friends? 

"That's sweet of you but I'm with a group myself," I gave him a curt smile. 

"Ah, c'mon. I have seen you walk back and forth so many times from the bar alone in the past hour. You are clearly in need of better company."

He had observed that in this crowded bar?

"Or maybe that means I'm just an alcoholic," I said winking and started to walk away. There was only so much Nirav I can handle in a day. 

"If you're intimidated then that is okay," he said and I stopped in my tracks. 

"Intimidated?" I asked.

"I mean they are all important people. You must know. They are all part of the union. They have big political connections," he said and shrugged trying hard to sound innocent but I could hear the smugness in his voice over the loud music in the lounge. 

"You know what? You're right; let's go and meet your big political connections," I said. 

He smiled triumphantly at his success. I knew I was letting him get his way but I couldn't leave after that remark. Besides, I was curious to see the important people he kept bragging about being friends with. 

He gestured towards his table and I shook my head and walked ahead. As we approached the table Nirav placed his hand on the small of my back and I felt my temper flare. I sidestepped to move out of the reach of his dirty mittens and glared at him. 

He ignored my look and tried getting the attention of the people sitting around the smoking hookah. I counted three grown men who looked nowhere near our age, they seemed pretty imposing with their chunky gold jewellery and kurtas. Another boy sat next to them and he had his arm around a girl who was blowing smoke rings from a pipe. The rest were a mix of people who looked more my age. I had seen a couple around the college so I knew those were my peers. 

"Raju Bhaiya, this is Meera. She is my friend," Nirav said to the beefiest kurta guy. The rest of the group gave me a once over. 

Friend!? I was bewildered by this sudden familiarity. Not wanting to insult him in front of his posse I smiled at them tightly and waved. 

"I have sure heard a lot about you from Nirav," I said, "Poor guy worships you. Can't stop talking about you guys."

Raju Bhaiya did not seem amused by my dig because he kept staring at me. 

"Hey you are the singing girl from that lousy fresher's party," one of the older guys called out.

"Yes, that's me. Singing girl, lousy party," I said awkwardly.

"Our party didn't win this year. KGV threw the fresher's party which was really bad. Last year was a great, great party, right Raju Bhaiya?" Nirav explained and then turned to his idol with the last part. Which also made clear why a grown man had witnessed my performance at a college event. 

Raju Bhaiya just grunted and lit a cigarette. 

At least Nirav was delighted with this minimal validation. As he took the first puff of his cigarette a staff member came up to him and said,

"Sir, the smoking area is separate." 

Which honestly seemed dumb to me because the whole area was pretty much choking with the hookah smoke. 

One of the college boys jumped up from his seat and grabbed him by the arm and lead him away from the table. The staff member came back a few seconds later and apologized profusely for bothering him. 

"What just happened?" I whispered at Nirav. 

"That man had a death wish," he said.

I stared at the kurta clad man sitting a few feet in front of me, smoking unbothered. The poor man had looked terrified. I guess he really had someone powerful backing him up. This sort of bullying and coercion in the name of political power disgusted me. 

But at that moment I could only excuse myself and leave. Which is exactly what I tried to do. 

"It was lovely meeting you all but I have to go now," I said.

"Hey what's the rush. Have a drink with us at least," Nirav said settling down on a chair.

"No, I'm good," and tried walking away but Nirav clasped his hand around my wrist.

"Stay," he pleaded. I had half a mind to punch his face hard enough to leave a bruise. 

I did not think he could get any more insufferable. 

"Yeah, Meena. Let us buy you a drink so you vote for us this election," the lousy party guy from earlier piped up. 

"It's Meera," I corrected "And I think my vote is a little more valuable than a free drink at a Hookah bar." 

I was trying hard to keep my composure and stay civil. 

"Yes, your vote is very valuable. Drink with us regardless of whom you cast it for." 

This time it was their beloved Raju Bhaiya who had spoken. Immediately, chairs were adjusted and the waiter was called for another round of drinks. Saying no to him was out of the question. Nobody even considered that I did not care as much about their boss man. 

Before I could protest any further Nirav was asking me what I wanted to have as the waiter listened in rapt attention. 

"Long Island Iced Tea," I said sighing and sitting down in the chair next to him. If I was going to bear this group for the next hour I needed something strong. 

***

The past hour had been even more mind-numbing than Vahni's friend group. All they talked about was winning this election and establishing a sort of stronghold so they couldn't lose like last time. I nodded and answered politely wherever indicated. 

Raju Bhaiya asked me what I had gotten as a prize for winning the singing competition and I told him I got a certificate and a set of roller brushes and a coupon for a cafe. He scoffed and told me if I had won under his reign I would have gotten a huge cash prize instead of useless trinkets. 

Yes, he actually used the word "reign" like a 16th-century monarch and like he wasn't talking about a stupid college election. But everyone starts somewhere I guess. 

It was getting late and I finally managed to untangle myself from the Nirav web. Yug and Siddharth clearly had no intention to show up so I wanted to leave. 

Vahni was nowhere to be found which didn't surprise me. Of course, I couldn't just exit a party when I wanted to.

I stepped outside to call her because the music was still playing relentlessly. I only hoped she would hear her cell phone.

I called thrice and she didn't answer. I kicked a stone in frustration. I absolutely would have left the place with an apologetic text if it wasn't for the major fact that I was staying over at Vahni's PG. 

"Hey Meena!" a voice called out. 

It was 'lousy party' guy, whose name I had learnt was Gautam during the agonizing hour I had spent at their table. He clearly hadn't bothered to learn mine. 

"Hey Gaurav," I said to annoy him. 

He didn't seem to notice I had called him Gaurav. As he stumbled his way to me I realized why. 

He was drunk, sloshed actually. He was having trouble keeping a steady gait. 

Is that why he was being loud and obnoxious? I'd just assumed that was his actual personality. 

"You wanna go for a drive with us?" he was slurring his words now and got close enough for me to see his bloodshot eyes. 

"No, thank you. I am waiting for a friend here. We're heading home," I said stepping slightly back. Suddenly I was very aware of the deserted street we were standing in. The only sound was the muffled music blasting inside the lounge permeating through the soundproof doors. 

"Listen, I want you to know something. You have a lot of potential, my dear. At first, I thought you were just pretty but you are intelligent too! Beauty with brains. And singing talent too." he slurred further, grinning to himself as I looked around for ways to exit this situation. Adrenaline was coursing through my veins and the remaining effects of the LIIT wore off in an instant. 

"You are going home na? We can drive you!" he exclaimed and stepped closer, the whiff of alcohol from his breath hit me and I tried not to gag, "We can get parathas from Bindra Dhaba too. That is my car right there."  

"That won't be necessary," a familiar deep voice said from behind me. 

Angad. 

My stomach did a flip. 

What was Angad doing here? 

"Yes! Here he is. My friend. He has a car so we won't need a ride from you," I said quickly turning towards him. Relief was evident in my eyes. Angad flashed a brief smile before turning towards Gautam. 

"Your friend?" Gautam echoed.

"Is there a problem?" Angad asked and stared him down. 

Gautam stared up at him for a moment, frowning and sizing him up. You know the way men do it? Evidently, he decided that this wasn't worth the confrontation. 

"I see your time is very valuable Meena madam," he said snidely and turned around to leave. 

Once he was out of earshot Angad turned to me and said,

"You, Meena madam, have a knack of ending up in these situations don't you?" 

A/N

Meen-- I mean Meera's dress on top.