Our Story Needs No Filter Page 3

  ‘Do you think they’ll let us out? There are students guarding every gate,’ said Chris.

  ‘You don’t need to worry about them. Is the SCI also involved in it?’ Jai asked.

  ‘Maybe,’ replied Raghu.

  Jai was not sure if Akhilesh, as the leader of the SCI, was the one stopping students from leaving the campus, but he was sure he had something to do with it. Even the students of AISC and their leader Krishna had ordered a ban on New Year’s parties because of the petty crimes and rowdiness they usually led to. Only the ABCP had a neutral stand regarding such parties and they were Jai’s ticket to leave the campus.

  ‘The AISC and ABCP are constantly arguing with each other. But I’m on good terms with the ABCP, and have already informed them that I am going for a party outside the campus along with my friends. They agreed but said that the girls should be careful.’

  ‘Is it safe?’ Megha asked.

  ‘When you are with us, you don’t need to worry. As I said, a few representatives of the ABCP are good friends of mine. They won’t let me down. I have supported them often in the past, even if it was indirectly.’

  ‘Is that why you and Akhilesh argue so often these days?’

  ‘That could be the reason. But I’m not really bothered about him; I am more worried about this guy Krishna. He has a good hold over his people and a strong political backup. We should be careful around them in case they try to pressure us into staying in by harassing the girls,’ Jai suggested.

  Ruhi, being new into this, looked worried, but was soon convinced by her friends that everything would be fine. Everyone then went to their respective rooms to rest and prepare for the evening ahead.

  ‘See to it that no one leaves the gates of this campus. I’ll beat you up along with the ones who do leave. The students have to be made to understand that it’s for their own safety.’

  Ruhi overheard Krishna addressing the representatives of the AISC while having her dinner in the canteen. Intrigued and scared, she strained her ears in an attempt to concentrate and listen to what they were saying. ‘I want people at all the gates and extra security at the back gate,’ continued Krishna.

  Worried by Krishna’s hostile tone, Ruhi rushed up to Megha’s room. She desperately wanted to tell Megha what she had heard and anxiously banged on her door.

  The door had barely been opened before Ruhi started speaking breathlessly, ‘I overhead Krishna saying that he will not let anyone leave the campus tonight. He seemed very serious about it. I really hope Jai’s plan doesn’t backfire on us.’

  ‘Calm down. If Jai says he is confident about something, you don’t need to worry. He usually has some plan or the other. Also, he’s a big guy around campus, no one messes with him,’ Megha tried pacifying her friend.

  Despite the comforting words, Ruhi was apprehensive. She had never experienced political agitation like this before and strongly considered staying on campus with her other friends from the social sciences department. But after some thinking, she changed her mind. She had rather enjoyed the past few days with Megha, who was from the same department, and her group of friends. She had become close to them but she knew that Raghu especially would feel let down if she were to back out. A little wary, a little curious and excited about the evening ahead, she went back to her room to get ready.

  Jai banged on the bathroom door desperately to try and get Chris to come out. ‘Chris, come on, we are getting late! The representatives of ABCP will be leaving the campus in some time.’

  ‘So?’

  ‘They are a very important part of our plan.’

  ‘What exactly is the plan?’ the door opened, revealing a grumpy-looking Chris, ‘Relax, we still have time.’

  ‘No, actually, we don’t. Now get out, I need to use the bathroom,’ Jai said, rushing past Chris to get ready. When he came out of the bathroom, Chris was sitting on the bed, playing a game on his mobile phone. Exasperated, Jai grabbed the phone from his hand and told him to start packing the props and other things for the party. He did as he was told, but soon plonked on a chair to read a magazine. Jai looked at him unhappily and then gave up. It’s better if I do the rest by myself, he thought.

  Suddenly, a knock. Alarmed because they were not ready yet, Jai opened the door, expecting the ABCP members. He was relieved to find Raghu and the girls instead. He hurriedly resumed his work and shouted at Chris to get changed.

  ‘Is everything going according to plan?’ Megha asked.

  ‘Of course,’ replied Jai, running a comb through his hair.

  Everyone was ready, including Ruhi, who had long forgotten her worries at the prospect of partying all night. They headed towards the back gate of the campus where the ABCP representatives were supposed to gather. Raghu was a little anxious about taking their help since he didn’t agree with their ideology. But what mattered at the moment was to be able to leave the campus safely, so he remained silent. When they reached the gate, they were greeted by the ABCP representatives.

  ‘You don’t need to worry. The AISC won’t dare touch you when you are with us,’ said one of the representatives.

  ‘We don’t want to get involved in any fight with them, there are girls with us,’ Jai declared.

  ‘Leave it to us. They just pretend to care about the safety of women, when most of them are actually hooligans. We are here to help you but don’t make us regret it by getting involved in any illegal activity. Come back on time. It’ll be safe to enter because soon everyone will get involved in their own celebrations,’ said another of Jai’s friends. ‘If there’s any problem, I will give you a call.’

  ‘Sure.’

  The group was joined by one of the senior professors of the college and the plan slowly unfolded. The professor was leaving town and students of the ABCP were dropping him off at the Nizamuddin railway station. Jai and his gang were to mingle and appear to be a part of that group, and then go their own way.

  ‘These students . . .’

  The professor was about to inquire about Jai and his friends when a member of the ABCP who was on good terms with the professor intervened, ‘They are heading to a close relative’s home to celebrate the new year.’

  ‘A relative?’ the professor asked sceptically.

  ‘Trust me, sir. I wouldn’t lie.’

  ‘Yes, sir, my uncle stays close by and has invited us to spend some time with him. We were supposed to go in the morning but he got late at work and asked us to come now,’ Jai explained. ‘So when I heard that you were leaving campus I asked if we could join you because it wouldn’t be safe for the girls otherwise. I hope you don’t mind, sir.’

  ‘Hmm,’ the professor seemed to agree.

  With that, Jai knew no one could stop the car of a professor who was leaving town.

  ‘You all sit in that car,’ Jai’s friend said to them.

  An Innova was parked behind the college Ambassador that the professor was to travel in. A couple of representatives got into the car carrying the professor, while the others boarded the Innova with Jai and his friends. As they reached the main gate, the professor rolled down the window of the Ambassador and ordered the gate to be opened. The AISC students standing near the security guards did not suspect a thing and allowed the cars to pass.

  Seeing Ruhi smile with relief, Megha winked at her. Her fear was left behind, locked inside the gates of the campus. The moment the car dropped them at their destination, Raghu and Chris shouted with excitement. The journey of life has lots to offer, but without friends the path seems dull and lonely. Elated, the friends congratulated each other on their accomplishment and hugged each other with joy. Carefree and electrified, their party had just begun.

  Four

  20 May 2016

  ‘How could you even think something like that, Raghu? I still can’t believe you feel that way,’ said Chris, giving him a surprised look.

  ‘Why, what did I say wrong? Isn’t it all because of these people? Why were only both of us made to suffer while he escaped
without any repercussions?’ Raghu shouted, looking accusingly at Jai.

  ‘It was never about me. It was nobody’s fault and we couldn’t have helped what happened. But please, don’t drag me into this,’ Jai said fiercely.

  ‘Raghu, are you in your senses?’ Ruhi tried to calm him down.

  ‘I am . . . I know what I am talking about. He has always disagreed with me—these bhakts are shameless creatures. They can never understand our pain.’

  ‘When did it come down to this? Yours and mine? That too on the basis of caste?’

  ‘It has been like this for a long time. Ever since you started treating us like we didn’t exist, since you started harassing us and what not,’ said Raghu. ‘Chris, it’d be better if you realize what is happening soon. Otherwise you will be termed as an adarsh liberal by these bhakts and they will snatch your identity. Instead of arguing with me, you should ask him what he thinks about our existence.’

  ‘You’re going too far, Raghu. We’re all friends here. Calm down and think about what you are accusing me of,’ Jai said, trying to pacify Raghu.

  Megha was speechless with shock at how Raghu and Jai were turning against each other. She knew that Jai had done nothing wrong but had no clue how to make Raghu understand that. Jai genuinely thought of Raghu as a close friend, but recent events had turned things sour between them. Sitting outside the canteen, everyone watched the drama unfold.

  ‘This is not you talking, I’m sure someone else has put these words into your mouth. Remember I told you once that anyone can manipulate you?’ added Jai.

  ‘Do you think I have no opinions of my own? Do you think I can’t stand up for my own rights? I will show you!’ Raghu exclaimed.

  Just before he could punch Jai, Chris intervened and pushed Raghu aside. It was bizarre that things had come to such an ugly turn between two close friends. Convinced that his strange behaviour was somebody else’s doing, the rest of the friends tried reasoning with Raghu, but with little effect.

  ‘Fuck off!’ Jai shouted in anger. He had believed that they were best friends, and Raghu’s harsh words cut deep.

  In life, humans can deal with a great amount of loss and still regain their confidence, but the falling out of friends is the greatest loss of all.

  Five

  13 June 2016

  True to his word, Krishna officially welcomed the student and gave him a number of tasks, which he executed with ease. He quickly became one of Krishna’s favourites. Though he was not made to travel again, he controlled and managed the tasks assigned to people by the higher authorities. However, the experience of his first task—when everything seemed covert and suspicious—was always there in a corner of his mind, making him feel a little uncertain about his environment all the time.

  There seemed to be a strong dissonance between how things ought to be carried out and how they actually were. The seeds of doubt flourished due to the lack of information provided to him, and although he completed all his tasks faithfully, his worrying thoughts led him to feel guilty. Most of the time, however, he managed to quieten his thoughts as there was no substantial proof of any wrong or illegal activity.

  ‘We have a task we need to complete,’ Krishna said to the newest members of his movement, Kraanti. The student was also associated with the AISC. ‘Our boxes have arrived and need to be delivered.’

  Pointing at the same student, he added, ‘He will guide you and tell you all the details.’

  The student had hoped he would get to see the bigger picture and clear all the doubts he had, but nothing was clarified as Krishna simply explained that there was a shipment of literature books coming from across the border.

  The task went smoothly and the books were not only collected in a timely fashion, but were also delivered in good condition. Even then, the student could not shake off a nagging feeling that someone was watching him, and this kept him on his toes constantly. Each time a task was assigned, a cold feeling of doubt would creep over him, and he would breathe easy only on the confirmation of the success of the task. On one such occasion, he headed towards Krishna to inform him of the good news.

  ‘Well done, my boy. You are turning out to be a real asset to our wing,’ Krishna said.

  ‘Thank you.’ The blanket of questions still weighed heavily on him.

  ‘Don’t thank me. We are here to make sure that people from our caste do not suffer,’ the student leader said as he came and sat near him on the table.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Why should we constantly live with the fear of being ostracized or treated as inferior? One doesn’t realize the depth of such humiliation until he has faced it. But you have experienced it and you know exactly how it feels, right?’

  He nodded, only partially convinced, and left for the day.

  As he opened the door of his room, he saw a letter on the floor. He locked the door behind him quickly and picked up the envelope. His name was written in bold letters.

  We value your contribution towards Kraanti, MR RAGHU.

  He tore open the envelope and began to read the letter.

  To my favourite student Raghu,

  You have proven to be a great asset to Kraanti and we appreciate your contribution towards the betterment of people from the lower castes. We hope you will continue to serve our organization.

  Student leader of AISC,

  Krishna

  Raghu kept the letter aside and thought how different his life was now. Unsure about how to proceed, he wished he knew more about the organization and the work they were doing. Despite honestly completing the tasks he was given, Raghu was unaware that a large part of the world he had stepped into was nothing but an illusion!

  Six

  1 January 2016

  The year on the calendar had changed. It was almost noon but the campus remained silent on the first day of the new year. The first of January should be officially declared as Hangover Day. A few go through food hangovers while the rest experience alcohol hangovers. Chris and the others belonged to the latter category while Jai fit into the former.

  As he sat sipping his tea slowly and reading the newspaper in the café, an article about their college caught Jai’s attention. The place was almost empty and in between reading the piece, he saw Chris walking towards him.

  ‘Happy new year,’ Jai greeted him.

  ‘Same to you,’ Chris responded dryly, his hangover evident.

  ‘Did you read the news?’

  ‘What news? That Dilwale managed to collect higher collections than Bajirao yesterday?’ The movie buff in him that idolized SRK shone through the horrible hangover. He eagerly took a seat.

  ‘No, I’m talking about the professors who were stopped from entering the campus last night after we left. They said it was because of some differences in social ideology.’

  ‘Seriously? Who was behind it?’

  ‘Krishna. Who else?’

  ‘That’s ridiculous.’

  ‘Yes and one of the professors got into a fight with the security guards who denied him entry,’ Jai said, drinking the last of the tea.

  ‘You want some more tea?’ Chris asked, getting up to place an order, while Jai continued reading the news.

  ‘No, thanks.’

  ‘But I must say . . . last night was crazy. You saw that chick who was dancing with me? She almost kissed me.’ Chris sighed.

  ‘I am sure she did much more than that in your fantasies.’

  ‘Jai Damadam Mata!’ Chris shouted, evoking the Virgin Tree slogan.

  They both laughed. Chris mulled over asking Jai about Megha. The way Megha kept glancing at him the previous night made it pretty clear that she liked him. Chris wanted to find out the other side of the story.

  ‘You saw Megha yesterday?’

  ‘Yesterday? I have been seeing her every day since first year,’ Jai said, putting the newspaper aside.

  ‘Not in that sense. But in that sense.’

  ‘Which sense?’ Jai rolled his eyes.

 
‘Come on . . . she was totally into you yesterday. ’

  Jai ignored him and picked up the newspaper again.

  Chris threw it aside and exclaimed, ‘I am asking you something!’

  ‘You already know what my answer is. I’m not looking for a relationship right now. I’m not saying that she’s not my type or that she’s not attractive, but I just don’t feel the same way.’

  ‘She loves you Jai, truly loves you. That’s rare.’

  ‘It takes a lot of effort to be in a relationship. To handle the egos, to devote your time and to keep each other constantly updated about your whereabouts. Just the thought of it makes me feel caged. I am not saying all relationships are like this, I have a number of friends who are in committed, happy relationships. It’s just that I am not mentally prepared for one right now, and I’m sure she isn’t either.’

  Jai was very clear about his feelings and didn’t want to ruin his friendship with Megha. He respected her emotions and the way she felt but didn’t think it was worth the risk. Chris liked Jai’s outspoken attitude. Had it been someone else, they might have played with Megha’s emotions, but not Jai. He believed in keeping his relationships transparent.

  ‘That’s exactly what I love about you,’ expressed Chris. ‘Never change.’

  ‘That’s last night’s alcohol speaking.’ Jai laughed.

  ‘Oh please. I’m not drunk any more.’ Chris laughed along.

  Their conversation continued, rolling over New Year’s resolutions, girls in the college, politics and campus diaries, fuelled by endless cups of tea. It finally came to a halt when they spotted Ruhi and Raghu walking out of the gate, engrossed in each other. Ruhi was smiling while looking at Raghu’s hand gestures; it seemed like he was telling her a story. Jai and Chris didn’t disturb them, and the couple didn’t bother stopping by either.

  ‘I am sure there is something cooking between them.’