Dhriti - Part 3

“Dad, I am off to the university”, shouted out Dhriti and was just about to open the gate to go. Poorna stopped her with a comment, “I am the one doing all the chores in the house and not one of you feel the need to tell mum before going but yes, go on – tell your dad! Honestly, I can’t even fault you, it was our fault in raising you this way with way too much pampering from your father”.

“Hey mum, if you want to raise any faults – that may be mum’s but never my dad’s – can’t allow you say one bad word against my dad!”, responded Dhriti strongly. 

“See, even if mum and daughter are fighting, your father doesn’t even feel the urge to come and pacify the situation”

“Argh – not again about dad”, teased Dhriti with a funny face.

After 10 seconds of intense blinking contest, both of them laughed it off. “My lovely mum, I am off to University”, said Dhriti hugging Poorna.

“Finally! Yes – take care”, smiled back Poorna.

Aarthi and Kaarthi let the whole scene unfold as if watching a cinema. Twins teased Poorna, “Are you done? Drama drama – she is just going to the university in the city, not to another country!”

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It has already been 3 months since Dhriti started her university. Vishwa already started feeling that in few months, he will finish his university. Once he leaves the university, how will he get a chance to see Dhriti every day? Does this mean he loves Dhriti? Is this love? Vishwa’s thoughts were all in a muddle.

Dhriti could see Vishwa’s love in his eyes. However, her upbringing, her tradition hasn’t let her take it any further from her side. She has limited herself to only talk to Vishwa as much as others – no more! As Vishwa was popular for his goodness and helpful nature, Dhriti was popular in her own right for her friendliness and pranks. She ensured her friendliness is always seen as a friend and never misunderstood to be something else by anyone. Hence, no chance for anyone to misbehave with her.

 

As university’s anniversary approached, notices went up across the buildings calling for interested students to participate in sports and cultural activities for the anniversary celebrations. As it is the last year for Vishwa’s batch, they all got together to plan different programs within the celebrations.

Vishwa’s batch was the first batch in the university. With his high marks, he had a selection of universities to choose but out of all of them, this university focused on the values of a student more than just marks. There was no room for any unwanted behaviour as all the students were hand picked. Vishwa was the de facto leader discussing any issues and providing guidance to the students as well as taking all concerns and comments from the students to the management. There is a general view in the university that whatever he says is for the good of the university and the students. University management provided excellent teachers and facilities to the teacher without a profit consideration. All the students excelled in that university irrespective of their past performance.

As Dhriti entered the canteen, girls there went around her giving ideas for the sports and cultural programs. Everyone was excited – “Dhriti, come on, let’s make a team for a sport too – we should defeat the boys’ team”.

Vishwa heard it across the canteen, “Aha, no no! Let’s not fight between boys and girls – let us have mixed teams so we can just enjoy the sport.” All the students in the canteen showed their consent with the tumblers banging on the tables.

“Ok, fine. Let’s all plan the programs together,” agreed Dhriti.

As they were planning which programs happen on each day, Dhriti had another idea – “We should include some games from our parents’ childhood memories!”

“Like what?” asked the confused friends – they have all grown up in the city and not really knew any old time or village games.

“My dad talks about so many of the games that he used to play. I am sure, if you ask your parents, they will have some interesting games too. I will check with my dad too today.” Dhriti’s excitement was contagious and everyone nodded excitedly too.

“Ok, 15 days of practice, 2 days of games that you are talking about, 5 days of sports, 1 day of rest, and then the final day is the anniversary. This is the program. Dhriti, think about the games and write it down. Let’s decide a selection of games that can fit during those 2 days. For sports – it is cricket, badminton, Kabaddi, Basketball. Let’s send a notice to all the batches for final approval and once confirmed, let’s get the ball rolling. In that notice, we will ask for submissions to the cultural programme on the day too”, quickly summarised Vishwa.

“Mum, this month from 24^th, we have games and sports in the university. Anniversary celebrations are on 30^th – with dance programs and such – keep your diaries free so you can come and enjoy too”, informed Dhriti quickly to the family.

“Are you dancing?”

“I am not selected yet, I hope to be. Whatever dance I decide, it should be special – it is my first year after all. What do you think? Any recommendations?

“what about the song Himagiri that you used to dance to – that was so good!,” suggested Poorna.

“It has been a while since I danced to that, I can’t quite remember the steps”

“It will all come back once you start practising.”

“Ok… I will think about it tomorrow. Er… Dad, we have a section for your time games too”

Dinesh went back to his childhood memories and Poorna added her memories too – Dhriti and the twins were good audience with the oohs and aahs at the right moments.

“Once we were playing the stick and coin – that coin came flying and hit my eye! It was bleeding and the kids scattered away. My dad came up and can you guess, what he said?!”

“Oh my gosh, Dad – how old were you?”

“I was probably in 3^rd standard/ year 3 – so around 8 years old. He scolded me well and truly and then took me to the hospital to get the stitches. It was at least a fortnight for that pain to go away.”

“You are so mischievous, dad,” Kaarthi exclaimed in awe.

Mummy, We will be finalising our college festival date tomorrow. I can’t believe it is my last year – all done!”, said Vishwa with a tinge of sadness, sitting next to his mum.

“Must be hard – you have been there right from the start of the college. Part of life to move to something new…” consoled Vasantha. She moved on to a happier topic, “so, what are the anniversary programs?”

“We haven’t decided yet, Mum. We are thinking of going off track with your childhood games instead of just regular sports. The games that you played but we couldn’t or didn’t. What do you think of that – mum and dad?”

There is a great pleasure in remembering the childhood times. Both of Vishwa’s parents competed with each other trying to tell Vishwa all about the games they played with their friends. Their excitement was clear and contagious and Vishwa was getting more excited by minute and had to slow them down so he can write it all down for the discussion next day.

“Fantastic – you both gave us amazing list of games! Next on the list to decide is the cultural programme. Because this is my last, I would very much like to participate… but, what should I do?”

“May be take a leaf from the stories of mahabharat – you should try a damsel and prince story?” said Rajarao.

Immediate image of Dhriti as a beautiful heavenly damsel brought a smile to Vishwa’s face.

“Dad, girls won’t agree to play that part – it is perhaps a bit sexist?”

“No, the boys should play the girls’ parts too – that is the fun of the drama. We used to have the boys playing all parts when we went to school”

“That is because not many girls went to college during your time. Times have changed and having them play the part or not having them play the part are both contentious – Best option would be to leave the choice to them. I’ll discuss with them tomorrow and decide”, Vishwa got busy with the TV remote changing channels rapidly not really seeing anything. Whatever the drama, he would need to convince Dhriti to play with him, decided Vishwa.

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Next day, all the members brought their lists back to compare and shared their parents’ excitement. Then they moved to the cultural programmes.

“Koundinya and I will dance to the tunes of ‘Butta Bomma’”

“Kiran and I will dance to ‘Pathaan’ song”

“We planned a group dance”

“We are doing another group dance on ‘Ramulo’”

“Dhriti, what about you? Did you decide anything? Are joining one of the group dances?”, asked Raagini and Varsha collectively.

“Vishwa, you didn’t decide anything yet…”, reminded his friends.

“I haven’t decided yet, perhaps some small skit or a dance…, what about you Vishwa?”, asked Dhriti.

“Well, I haven’t decided anything yet either”, answered Vishwa.

“That’s settled then, why don’t you both do a joint act?”, encouraged others.

Vishwa and Dhriti finally agreed after much back and forth. With the theme of the old games, they decided to focus on older songs’ medley. A mix of very old and oldish songs of ‘Mava mava’ and ‘You are my Sonia’ – they have ticked all the boxes for language, age and good rhythm.

Days flew with the students practising every moment of their free time. Vishwa rejoiced with the amount of time he is spending with Dhriti. And before they knew it, it was already the day of games.

On the village games’ day, the students all decided to dress up with traditional saree/ half saree for girls and Kurta Pajama for boys. There is no need to register for any games – anyone – student, staff, parent can play the games.

The college was lit up with the bright colours of everyone’s traditional dresses. This must have been how it used to be in the olden time in India…

Vishwa kept looking at the entrance waiting for Dhriti. Vishwa’s eyes lit up as he saw Dhriti enter with her family.

“Namaste Uncle, Aunty – please come”, welcomed Vishwa.

“This is Vishwa”, introduced Dhriti.

“Is this the one who made you cry on the first day?”, whispered Aarthi in Dhriti’s ear.

“Shh!”, Dhriti stopped that discussion with a finger on her lips. Aarthi and Karthi made a sign of sealing their lips with wide smirks.

Vishwa had to try hard to keep in the conversation and not just keep following Dhriti. Dhriti can pull off any dress easily but in this traditional dress with her long hair tied with ornaments and bindi shining brightly in between her eyebrows… Her eyes with a touch of kohl – he was amazed how anyone could be this beautiful and mesmerising!

College has a big Amphitheatre. You can have 1000 students sitting there to see the programs. Students created a village like environment within – with some carts, greenery throughout and bright rangoli design on the walls.

As it was the last year for the first batch, college founder Shekhar joined in the festivities too. He is mid 50s and has an authoritative figure and anyone talking to him will see the respect he earns is well deserved.

Shekhar waved the flag to let the games commence. He originally intended to stay for few minutes after the games start and then leave. But, he was drawn into the games so much that he even brought in friends the next day and stayed for the full duration both days. All the students enjoyed playing as well as cheering for their professors.

“Dhriti, well done… what a great idea to have these games. You have taken us all on a nostalgic journey.” Everyone made it a point to come and congratulate the girl behind the fun 2 days.

Shekhar also called for Dhriti. Dhriti went to Shekhar and respectfully said “Namaste Sir!”. Shekhar was instantly charmed and thought what a wonderful daughter in law she would make. He spoke for a while with Dhriti to find out more about her and the more he spoke, the more he was drawn to Dhriti.

“Such a nice idea, Dhriti. You have sent all of our hearts back to our villages and gave us a wonderful experience. Congratulations dear!”

“I am so glad that everyone enjoyed,” responded Dhriti.

“A sharp student like you is a prestige to our college. All the best, my dear girl”, he blessed her while leaving at the end of the day. Dhriti was happy how well the event turned out.

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