A 'Really' Stolen Election - 2

CHAPTER 01: THE FINAL RESULTS

As the applause subsided, all the students were curious about the final results. After the debate, the singing competition went well & as expected, Saurabh Shukla won the first prize, & the fourth Year secured 10 points.

Later that evening, after all, events were over, the principal stood up to conclude the Cultural Fest with the final results.

“As expected, the cultural event was a grand success. The main aim of such contests is always to get the creative ideas out from all our students. Most of the time, every one of you is totally engaged in finishing all the submissions & sessionals, which honestly gives you a very short time to play & enjoy. Considering the hectic work, myself & the faculty members decided to carry out the culturals every year, which gives you some leisure time.”

As all students clapped, Srini was irritated.

“Kya philosophy zhaad raha hai, chutiya…! Tell us who has won man…!”

“Thanda le, bhai, we will soon come to know.” Machar cooled him down.

The principal continued, “Keeping aside the situation that had happened during the elections, the third-year team led by Mr Rahul Singh managed everything nicely.”

All the third-years & also students from the second year who supported the third years applauded loudly. As Rahul gave hi-fives to his team, he saw Srini & Lambu glancing angrily at him.

“With all the events now over, we have come to the final results.” The principal continued, “Before the debate, the fourth years were lagging behind with 170 points & the third years were ahead with 180 points. After Mr Saurabh Shukla from the fourth year won the singing competition, the fourth year jumped to 180 points, levelling the scores. Now with the results of the debate, we have the final winner.”

Even before the final grades were announced, the third years started cheering themselves loudly, confident that they will be the winners.

Signalling them to stay quiet, the principal continued, “The topic of debate was: Engineers are the Smartest People. While Mr Sriniwas Rao of the fourth year did put up a good argument regarding the smartness of innovators as compared to engineers, Mr Ashwin Kulkarni of the third year had a good preface of how well engineers can do. Eventually, the faculty members have now decided who is the winner.” Saying this, the principal opened the envelope.

Rahul & Machar shot glances at each other.

“The winning year is….”

There was pin drop silence in the entire auditorium.

“The fourth years…!”

The entire fourth & first years applauded & cheering up loudly, they rushed on the stage, even as the principal announced why they were declared as winners. Without waiting for the dignitaries, the fourth years took the trophy themselves & passed it on to Machar, who gave it to Srini as his speech in the debate was the turning point of all this.

As the fourth years lifted Srini on their shoulders while loudly cheering for him, Machar saw Rahul & his team glaring angrily at them. One of the third years showed a middle finger in their direction, but Machar decided not to respond back.

CHAPTER 02: CELEBRATIONS…!

The environment inside the fourth-year hostel was full of happiness, triumph & joy. Every hostelite was congratulating Srini on his groundbreaking debate which changed the whole game.

Machar, Lambu & Srini were seated in Machar’s room. Srini was seated near the door, which was left open to let all hostelites come & have a look of the winning trophy kept in Machar’s room.

“Whatever it may be, your speech was very important. It changed everything.” Machar appreciated his friend.

“That’s all here, mere dost...!” Srini replied, pointing his finger to his head.

“All the girls were pretty impressed. Now, those girls will get their documentations done by you…!” Lambu said, recollecting all the girls congratulating Srini for his marvellous achievement.

“But how could you think anything so fast?” Machar questioned, patting his hand on Srini’s shoulder.

“As I said, it’s all here, buddy…!” Srini replied with a swag in his voice again pointing his finger to his head. “That Bechara Saurabh is not getting any appreciation at all. Even he deserves equal applauds. He too sang very nicely...”

“That’s right.” Machar agreed with Srini, “Guys, now we must be careful of Rahul & his gang. Because he will take this defeat very seriously. I never noticed any of the third years applauding and congratulating us. I am sure he will plot something…”

“I don’t care who he is. If he comes again in front of me….” Srini said, banging his fist on the floor.

“Cool down. Don’t be aggressive. Because of such an attitude, we all were almost evicted from the hostel. Let us keep one thing in mind: we all should stay calm & silent, even if Rahul & his team tries to provoke us. He will deliberately do this because he wants to avenge the defeat in the culturals & he will blame us for every small thing that we do against the college policies. So, let’s not give him such a chance, Cool?” Machar gave a suggestion.

Both of them nodded their heads. Machar instructed them to pass on the words to other fourth years as well.

CHAPTER 03: EFFECTS OF THE WINING

The next day onwards, Rahul & his gang started giving angry stares, middle fingers & mouthed abuses to Machar & his team, but as decided, they ignored all of this. Some of them even tried to get personal with the fourth years, but as strictly instructed by Machar, every fourth year decided to neglect such things.

A few days after the cultural fest, Machar had observed that the first years were behaving strangely. They had become much quieter, & were not conversating much, even between themselves. He requested Lambu to enquire about it to his friends in the lower years.

A month later, while Machar was in his room finishing the assignments, Lambu entered & asked him, “Do you know what’s happening?”

Machar looked up from his book & shrugged his shoulders.

“I just heard from the first years that they have complained against Rahul & his team to the principal,” Lambu said, confident about his news.

“What are you saying?” Machar asked, keeping his book aside.

“Yes, that’s right. The first years have raised an issue to the principal stating that as previously promised, the third years have not done any efforts to rectify the condition of the hostel toilets, nor has the food hygiene improved. The building continues to be in a dilapidated condition, the landscaping around is still in thorny bushes.” Lambu explained further.

“Well, that’s a concern. If they had promised, they should fulfil it.” Machar said. Meanwhile Srini also entered the room & joined the conversation.

“What’s more, the first years have also complained about the arrogance & incompetent behavior of Rahul himself towards them. Some nights, he & his drunken goons come & rag all the juniors inside their rooms. They force them to do all sorts of unwanted things, never allowing them to sleep the entire night. This has almost become a routine for them now.”

Now Machar understood what was wrong with the first years.

“But this is a serious issue, man…! Why is the principal not taking action? Fucking ass!” Srini got angry.

“Unfortunately, they went & requested Rahul to stop this. Initially, that chutiya agreed, but later on, he started the same. When it was finally limit, the first years have written a note to the principal.” Lambu added.

“What will that boodha do? He did nothing when that fight happened at our hostel before the elections even though he knew that Rahul’s gang had caused problems…!” Srini answered.

“Let’s go tomorrow & speak with the principal.” Lambu suggested, “We will…”

“We can’t do anything...! We are not on the committee. I know this is a matter of concern, but no one from the faculty and the non-teaching staff will listen to us.” Machar stopped Lambu in between, feeling sad for the first years.

“But let me think what we can do. I’ll try, but I am not sure how will this help everyone…” Machar assured of help to the juniors.

A couple of days later, rumors were heard in the hostels that the principal had called Rahul, Tiwary & his team members to his cabin & had given them a warning to improve their behaviour.

CHAPTER 04: THE AFTERMATH

About two months later, towards the end of the semester, the fourth years started asking for help to the first years for finishing their assignments as instructed by Machar. But the first years had their own work & submissions to finish. Eventually, Machar and his team decided that they will also help first years in their work. 

However, it was decided that all such help will happen in the fourth-year hostel building, as Machar decided to keep his classmates away from Rahul & his goons, who could come along anytime to disrupt their work.

Two weeks later, the fourth year had an important assignment to be submitted. Machar & Srini had called Tushar Sinha, a first-year student to help in their assignments. All three of them were working in Machar’s room.

“Listen Tushar, you finish this work today. While leaving, I’ll give you my first-year assignments. Don’t worry, I had received a good grade in all of my submissions. You can take these sheets & directly trace them.” Machar explained his ideas & winked at him as he said the last sentence.

Tushar just nodded with a light smile.

“Hey Machar…”, suddenly one of the fourth-year guy called him, “What are you doing? Submission gaya bhaad mein. There is a semifinal between India & West Indies. Did you forget?”

Machar & Srini, both of them kept staring at him.

“Abey, bhoolakad ho kya? ICC Knockout Trophy is going on…!”

“Oh hell...! I just forgot it…!” Machar screamed as he remembered, “What’s the score?”

“Ganguly & Robin Singh did half centuries, but still India managed only 242/6 in 50 overs. And now, West Indies require 45 runs in 72 balls. Lara & Arthurton are still on strike.”

“Oh…” Machar said, knowing that India was almost on the verge of defeat, “but let’s keep our hopes alive.” Turning to Tushar, he said, “Listen, you finish this part & join us in the meeting room to watch the match. The other parts can be finished later.”

All the fourth years assembled in the small meeting room which had a television set with only two channels in it, DD1 & DD Metro, & both were quite popular during those years.

While watching the match, for every dot ball, all the viewers cheered for the Indian bowlers. With two good batsmen on strike, all of them knew the match was almost gone from India’s hands. However, as die-hard fans of cricket, everyone was watching it, hoping that India may win the game.

“And now, West Indies need only 20 runs from 30 balls. So Srinath will be bowling the 45th over….”

“Arrey, woh Azhar yeda hai kya?” one of the fourth years got irritated, “this guy has conceded maximum runs while bowling...!”

“Chup be chutiye…!” Srini got irritated, “He is from South India. He’s a good bowler.”

Suddenly Lambu, who was not interested in watching the match, came running in the meeting room.

“Machar, Srini, guys…something has happened…Come Fast…!”

Understanding the urgency in his voice, both of them followed him to Machar’s room.

Tushar had collapsed on the floor, his eyes half open.

CHAPTER 05: BLAME GAMES

“Oh shit…. pick him up…. fast...!” Machar ordered. He quickly cleaned up the mess on his bed while Lambu & Srini lifted Tushar & placed him on the bed. Hearing the commotion, all the other guys rushed towards Machar’s room.

Lambu & Srini sprinkled water on Tushar’s face. He slowly opened his eyes but was still dizzy. Finally, the hostelites decided to call a doctor.

After Tushar was inspected by a local physician, he concluded that it was majorly due to stress & was nothing serious, but he was advised to take rest for 3-4 days.

The next day, there was a huge commotion in the college. The third-years, led by Rahul & his team, had gathered outside the principal’s office & were shouting arguments against the fourth years.

“This is not at all acceptable…!” Rahul was arguing with the principal, “They are making the juniors work so much, one of them collapsed yesterday inside their hostel…!”

“That’s right sir.” One of the third years followed, “The watchman said that he used to see many first years going in the fourth-year hostel building.”

“There is one important thing sir,” Tiwary said, “the watchman has also told us that while the first-year boy was working, all the fourth years were watching the cricket match between India & West Indies.”

Later that day, all the fourth-year boys, headed by Machar, Lambu & Srini were called in the college auditorium. Rahul & other third years along with the first & second years were also present.

The principal entered the auditorium followed by the faculty members.

As the principal stood up to speak, the entire auditorium fell silent.

“It is been complained to us & all the faculty members that the fourth-year students have made the first years work on their assignments.” Pointing at the first years, he asked. “Is this true?”

“Yes,” one of the first years replied, “Most of them used to frequently call us to work on their assignments.”

The whole auditorium was filled with arguments & shouts against the fourth year.

“But that’s not right sir…!” Srini interrupted.

“We will let you speak.” The principal said sternly, signalling Srini to be quiet.

“Now tell me, we have also been told that they used to rag you while working. Is this true?”

Again, there was commotion, but this time it was from the fourth years side.

“That’s wrong…!”

“What is he asking?”

“Hum logon ne aisa kuch nahi kiya tha…”

“Yaar, we had only asked for help….!”

Machar & Lambu silenced everyone.

“Not that way. They used to…” as one of the first year spoke, the principal stopped him in between and asked, “Yes, or no?”

There was a few second pauses, before a student named Ajay from the first year replied, “Yes.”

Again, there was a commotion in the auditorium, with the fourth years, arguing between themselves & the third years demanding strict action to be taken.

“Silence please…!” The principal ordered.

Totally irritated by what was happening, the principal paused for a few moments & started speaking, “What is happening in this college? A few months ago, there was a major fight between the fourth year & third years. Outside goons were called to beat each other in the hostel buildings. We had to literally call the police to stop that fight. Later we got complaints that the third years are abusing the first years. Now, again we see the fourth years ragging & assaulting the first years. Is this what you guys are here for? Is this what was being taught to you in your schools & higher educations?”

“What you have heard is wrong, sir,” Srini decided to raise his voice, “We did call the first years, but we never ragged them. They…”

“Just be quiet. I don’t want to hear anything.”

“Sir, all evidence is in front of you.” Rahul spoke in between, “these guys used to make the juniors work so hard…”

“I said I don’t want to hear anything now….!” The principal screamed in high pitch.

There was pin-drop silence in the entire auditorium.

“You people are here to become engineers. Please don’t become local goons or politicians. You all study in one college. I request you all to behave like students please. None of your earlier batches did something like this. All of them had created a good reputation for this institution in studies as well as in all the other activities. But now, everything else is happening other than studies…! I am now very strictly giving all of you one final warning. I am not pointing fingers to anybody or any year in general, but consider this as a last warning…! If I find any other activity, may it be social or private, if I come across any fight or argument which is a threat to this organization, I will take very strict action against them, which will include total suspension from the institution with severe legal proceedings. And remember, this will affect all the years of hard work that you have put in making your career…! So henceforth, please be disciplined and try to behave like college students. I don’t want to hear any further wrongdoings going on in this college in any of the years…!” Saying this, without waiting for anybody’s reply, the principal stepped out of the auditorium, followed by all the other faculty members.

CHAPTER 06: THE REACTION & AN IDEA

That evening, Machar, Lambu & Srini were seated in Machar’s room, smoking a cigarette. Even as Lambu & Srini were tensed, Machar was letting out puffs of smoke towards the ceiling.

“Stop showing that you are cool,” Srini broke the silence addressing Machar, “We have to think something about all that happened today.”

“What happened today was sought to happen,” Machar replied, keeping his voice cool & calm, “that Rahul madxxxd took advantage of the situation & saale ne chance pe dance maar liya…. uss ki maa ki…”

“Chodhenge nahi kutte ko…we will fight back…!” Srini said almost getting up.

“No…stay down. Let’s do what is best for us.” Machar said as he put off the leftover cigarette with his foot, “Let’s go & apologize for what has happened.”

“Are you insane? Pagala gaye ho kya?” Srini almost screamed. Lambu was also surprised on hearing this.

“I understand this may not sound good, but I think of this as a good option. You all heard what the principal said. He will not be ready to hear any explanation after all this has happened. Imagine what would happen to our careers, to our education, to all the money that our families have spent on us if we get into any more fights after this if we initiate any more trouble to our faculty members. Think it over, if we are unnecessarily rusticated from the college, it will impact our families, our mentality.”

Machar paused to observe Lambu & Srini. Both of them were listening intently.

“Guys, we come from middle-class families. For us, a degree, a job, these things are very important. People like Rahul are much more interested in doing only politics. He may have that much money, but we don’t. So, let’s not stretch this further. Let’s apologize & finish this.”

“But what if Rahul comes & threatens us? What should we do? Sit quiet & listen to him? Obey him?” Srini questioned angrily.

“No. After what the principal has said today, I don’t think Rahul will do that. No one would like the liberty of having a Red Mark on their living certificate. He won’t come & even if he comes, let’s maintain silence. Let’s not confront him in any way. And remember one very important thing. Let’s finish our own assignments ourselves. Let’s not involve any of the juniors in this. But of course, we will help them in their submissions, by doing whatever we can.” Machar suggested.

“But what about the first years? Should we not help them if Rahul attacks them?” Srini questioned.

“Of course, we will do, but we won’t fight.” Machar then got up & roamed about in the room, his hands folded back. “I have a plan. I don’t know whether what I am guessing is right, but if we go by it, everything will happen in our favour.” Machar said looking thoughtful.

Both of them agreed to what he was saying.

“By the way, how’s Tushar doing?” Machar asked.

“He’s OK now. The doctor said that happened to him because of no proper food, extreme stress & exertion.” Lambu replied.

Machar nodded his head, thinking something.

CHAPTER 07: REGRETS & FORCED ALLEGATIONS

The next day before college, Machar gathered all the hostelites of fourth-year & told them what he had discussed the previous evening with Lambu & Srini. Even though a maximum of them was not ready to accept this, considering Machar’s maturity & attitude towards them, they finally agreed.

That day itself, with Machar leading them, all the fourth years staying in the hostels went to the principal’s office & ate a humble pie in front of him, by giving a written apology letter. They also made a promise of not creating any more problems in the college & only focusing on their studies.

The principal said that he’ll discuss everything with the faculty members and will give a final call post discussion.

The next day, a notice was put up on the college notice board:

“A few fourth years had instructed some of the students from the first year to come & help them in their submissions. However, the work was carried to such an extent that one of them had collapsed. Fortunately, even though the health condition was not serious, it was clear that this happened due to extensive help asked by the fourth year. The latter has duly accepted the charges bestowed & has also promised that no further actions of such kind will be done by them. The latter has also duly apologized in front of the committee for the understated deeds:

Calling upon juniors to finish their own work. Creating commotion & indiscipline in college as well as hostel premises. Mocking & taunting juniors in a boisterous manner. In view of the written apology notice duly received by the committee from the accused, the undersigned & faculties have decided to grant the apology & absolve all the charges conferred upon the fourth year & no stern steps will be taken on the same.

However, in view of the above matter, the undersigned has given a very strict warning to all the batches of Engineering that no such behavior, whether internal or external, whether done purposely or not, whichever done from above and which will offend the stature of this organization, very strict & serious action will be taken on the same, which will include PERMANENT TERMINATION FROM THIS INSTITUTION WITH A RED MARK FOLLOWED BY RIGOROUS LEGAL ACTION.

Signed,

The Principal,

VNIT

“What the hell is this?” As usual, Srini was the first to get irritated, “We have never done any of those deeds written in the notice…!”

“Calm Down,” Machar held Srini back, “As we have discussed, let’s not create any more problems for ourselves & moreover, you clearly know that this notice was types in by the third-year committee members.”

Both Machar & Lambu were not ready to accept what was written in the notice. But, considering the circumstances drawn upon them, they decided to stay quiet.

CHAPTER 08: A BRILLIANT SUGGESTION

A few days later, in the evening, all the fourth years were in their hostel rooms, finishing their assignments.

Suddenly there was a commotion outside. Some of them were screaming in the passage, others were shouting something.

“What’s the matter?” Srini asked. Machar had called him in his room to discuss the assignments.

“What are you doing inside? Bahar aaja…yeh dekh kya ho raha hai yaha…!”

Machar came out, followed by Srini and Lambu.

The commotion was happening in the meeting room. As the three of them rushed there, they saw Tushar, Ajay & Sunny from first-year standing in the meeting room, discussing something with one of the fourth years.

“Kya ho raha hai bhai?” Machar tried to scream in his voice.

“You know what? The first years have told us that Rahul & his goons used to get drunk & rag them, & so badly most of them got over-exerted…! Many were told to strip & dance & were kept hungry. No proper food was given to anyone…! And because of all this, Tushar had collapsed in our hostel. And the entire blame came up upon us. The college is blaming us because of that Madarchod Rahul…!” one of the fourth years screamed in anger.

Machar ignored what was being said & turned towards Tushar.

“Tell me what has happened, very clearly.”

Tushar paused for a while & started speaking.

“Ever since the third years were elected as the committee members, they have not answered any single query of ours. Initially, one of them typed a letter & took it to the principal, mentioning the problems faced by us & assured all the necessary actions that they will take. But in fact, nothing happened.”

“Tumko kya laga, woh chutiya saala kuch karega?” Srini said angrily, but Machar stopped him & signalled Tushar to continue.

“Every week, at least 3-4 times, those people used to come & rag us badly. They used to tell us to do all the heinous things that we may not even think of. Hum logon se nanga naach karvatey the. Almost every one of them used to be drunk & were taller and stronger than us. So we couldn’t fight back. Rahul had strictly instructed us to complain that fourth years have done it. He also threatened to thrash us if we told the truth…!” Tushar said, almost in a crying voice.

“Let’s go & beat that haraami…!”

“Haddi tod denge saale ki…!”

“Uski wajah se we were blamed for doing things that we have not even done…!”

“Raghu…bike nikal…. Uski ghuss ke maarte hai…!”

“Wait…No one is going anywhere…!” Machar stopped everyone.

Turning to Tushar, he asked, “But why have you come to us?”

“Because we have nowhere else to go…!” Sunny, who was quiet till now, started speaking, “First thing, the principal won’t believe us. He will in turn backfire all of us for not telling the truth the first time. And imagine what that Rahul will do…! He will destroy us completely…!”

“We came to you because only you guys are sensible enough to speak to that chutiya Rahul. He won’t listen to us. He won’t listen to anyone now.” Ajay spoke with concern.

“And what do you think, he will listen to us? We are already in bad relations with him. He will shoo us away…let alone listen to our suggestions…!” Srini argued back.

Machar was still in deep thought.

After a while, Machar replied, “We could have gladly helped you by having a good word with that Gunda, even though we are on opposite ends. But please consider our situation as well. We have already been warned by the principal not once but twice. If we did go and speak on your behalf, and if things go out of hand, then our whole career will be gone. The third-year will take very particular advantage of this situation. Maybe even your career could be in danger. This will jeopardize and will have a very bad effect on many things at once.” Machar paused for a while & then said, “I am sorry, but I cannot help you.”

The 3 first years looked at each other disheartened, hoping that something may work out.

“But I can surely suggest you something, if you may agree to it…!” Machar said as the first years were about to leave.

CHAPTER 09: THE REVOLT

The next day, all the first year hostilities again submitted a letter to the principal stating a very bad quality of food and hygiene in the hostel.

That day onwards, the entire first years and half of the second year, totally went against the third years. For every bad facility, every bad behaviour of the third year, the first years kept raising issues & complaints to the faculty members.

This started happening almost every day. The first years were almost on a revolt with the third years, and never paying heed to any of their comments & taunts.

A few days later, one evening, all the fourth years were in their hostels finishing their own work. A few of them were in the meeting room, watching an English movie on the VCR.

Suddenly, 2 students from the second year came running upstairs.

“Guys…guys… please madad karo…!” they were so exhausted by running that they were not able to speak properly, “…. the…. the…. first years are…. are…. fighting with Rahul & his gang….”

Without waiting for any further explanation, all the fourth years led by Machar & Srini rushed out of their rooms & ran towards the first-year hostel building.

Upon reaching there, they saw there was a huge commotion outside. Many students were fighting with some men who had hockey sticks & cricket bats in their hands. Some were throwing stones at them while some were abusing loudly while thrashing each other.

“Let’s not wait here. We need to stop this fight. Remember…no one of us hits anyone…! Move everyone away from each other…!” Machar instructed everyone.

At once all the fourth years rushed inside the crowd & started moving everyone away. They wanted to stop this fight, but the first years were too angry & aggressive.

“Maaron saalon ko…haraami kutte saale bhadve…!”

“Humko samaj kya rakha hai tum logon ne…?”

“Gaand marrunga saale teri…. haaaddd…!”

“Gandu saalon…humko khilona samajhte ho kya?”

The fourth-year saw Rahul & Tiwary caught in a group of 7-8 students, who were thrashing & slapping both of them, not even given a chance to stand up.

The situation was getting so intense, it started becoming difficult for the fourth year to stop the fight.

“Stop it now….!” Everyone heard the familiar voice of the principal who was standing with a mic in his hand on top of a car. This time, again he had called the local police.

CHAPTER 10 - 20 years later

 “That was an amazing election man. Saala India ki kisi political election main nahi hota hain utna drama VNIT ke election mein hua tha…!” Srini said as all of them: Machar, Lambu, Rajesh, Raghu hi-fived each other.

“That was a good story…! I have never heard this from him before…!” Lambu’s wife, Palak said.

“Yes…he is not good in telling stories. He only sings good songs.” Raghu said and all of them laughed again.

“But …uske baad kya hua?” Palak questioned.

All of them fell silent for a moment, looking at each other.

Finally, Machar spoke, “Hona kya tha? It was then known to all of us that Rahul & his gang used to rag the first years a lot. That yeda very clearly knew that we fourth years used to keep calling the first years for help in our submissions.”

“Basically he felt very much insulted after losing the culturals. He just wanted to remove his frustrations and that’s the reason he had done all that. His idea was very simple: he will rag & abuse all the first years behind the scenes, give them less hygienic things. This will further deteriorate all of their health. And another thing was we were calling them, which was an advantage to that rascal. Usne sirf chance pe dance maara.” Lambu clarified further.

“Yes, it was because of such things that bechaara Tushar fainted. All these factors added to his ill health. Usko sirf badlaa lena tha, aur kuch nahi. What happened later was quite simple. The principal came to know all the real facts. He immediately dissolved the third-year committee and himself appointed the fourth years as the leads.” Machar said.

“Woh Rahul ka shakal dekhna chahiye tha.” Srini added, making Rahul’s expressions.

“Yes. And actually, he wanted to suspend that taut. But hamare bhai ko gandhigiri suj rahi thi…” Lambu said, pointing towards Machar.

“Yes, I know that you didn’t like it. The principal had called me personally and asked if I wanted to remove Rahul and all his gunda supporters, he will readily do so. But I didn’t agree to it because I never wanted any more enmity between him & us. And also, that would have brought unnecessary trouble to the first years. So, I let it go. Waise bhi it was our last year. Kya phukat ki magachmaari?” Machar clarified.

Lambu stared at him for a while & said, “Tu toh chup hi baith. You played a very good game with them. You very nicely suggested Tushar & his team to start fighting back for every bad thing happening to them. You literally told them to revolt against the third years, and that’s why everything happened. You played a perfect game with them, right? Saale …I know you clearly knew that the third years will surely avenge everything. And you very nicely trapped them. Saap bhi mar gaya & lathi bhi nahi tooti..!”

Machar smiled and winked at him.

“But we did a good job after that.” Srini reminded everyone, “We put up a budget from the college trustees & approved funds for improving all the college & hostel buildings infrastructure. That’s the reason the hostel buildings are now looking so good.”

“Yes. And we also did a lot of work with the college trustees to keep improving all the basic needs of all hostelites & students. That’s why the college infrastructure and architecture improved so much.”

Machar said proudly.

“By the way…what is that Rahul doing now?” Raghu asked.

“Last I heard, he had joined some political party.” Srini added, whose extra research in every field was always one step ahead of others.

“Ah yes…. I have heard Mr. Amit has started a blog?” Srini suddenly remembered.

“Yes, that’s right. Lambuji has started a web blog. He writes a lot about all the corrupt politicians and also how the rural areas ruled by these politicians are lacking in all the basic needs. And a lot more than that. What’s the name of your blog?” Rajesh asked, quite curious.

Just then the event managers announced that a ‘special’ guest is coming in a very short while to meet all of them. This was very much unexpected, as the organizers had not mentioned anything about such visit.

“Who is this guest?” Raghu asked.

“I don’t know.” Rajesh answered.

Meanwhile, the organizers declared that the guest has come. All the event managers went and stood at the gate. The batch of ’95 also followed them, curious to know who had come to visit them on such short notice.

“We now have a very special person with us. He is one of the selected MPs to represent his party. Please welcome…. Mr Rahul Singh.”

All the batch of ’95 stood surprised as Rahul entered, with a namaste and a smiling face. He had the same style of walking, the same swag that he used to display during his college days. He looked much older & bulkier now and was dressed entirely in Indian attire

Rahul was followed by 4-5 bouncers who were telling people to move away as their ‘boss’ entered. He was respectfully looking at everyone & greeting them, shaking hands with whomever he met.

When he came in front of Machar, he smiled and shook hands with him.

“Kaise ho Rohitji?” he asked, with a little attitude in his voice.

“I am doing good. How are you doing?” Machar asked, maintaining simplicity in his voice.

“Chal raha hai….” Rahul replied as he shook hands with Srini & Lambu. While passing, he gave them a swagger look as if to say, “Dekho kamino, main kaha hoon aur tum log kaha ho…”

Rest of the party, Rahul was enjoying his time, having a good word with everyone present & very specifically avoiding Machar, Rahul & Srini.

“I clearly know why he came here. He just wants to tell us he has an eye on all our activities. Abhi bhi bhoola nahi culturals waale event ko…!” Machar said, & all of them agreed to it.

A couple of hours later, after dinner, the party ended & people started leaving. Rohit, Amit & Sriniwas hugged each other, promising to stay in touch ever after.

As they were about to leave, Sriniwas suddenly remembered something.

“Hey Lambu, what’s the name of your blog? I’ll surely visit it…!” Srini called out to Amit.

Amit smiled for a while. Then before answering, he closed his right fist & brought it near his left shoulder & said, “The Buckchodi stops here…!”

And all of them laughed aloud.