The Great Indian College Romance

11. Rehearsed Affairs

Nirav was a constant pain in my ass.

I didn't think he could get any more annoying than he already was, but then he continued to surprise me every step of the way. He had stopped invading my personal space after a few sharp words but every so often I would see him reach forward to touch my shoulder or place his hand on mine and then think better of it and retract it. 

We were currently in a meeting with the seniors and Nirav was sharing his ideas about how we could spruce up our events. They were listening to him politely but I could tell they really wanted him to shut up. I knew I did.

"So what I am saying is we should approach the brands for sponsorship. If our event is bigger and the prize money is better, students will be attracted," he finished his big speech.

"Yes, Nirav I see your point but you're ignoring the facts I stated, no brand is going to want to sponsor a tiny college event. We use money from the department fund." Shweta, the president, explained to him patiently. 

"But when the union does the fest they get a lot of sponsors and they--" he started when Mihir another postholder cut him off.

"Freshers and their enthusiasm, Nirav, man, Union fests have celebrity performances. There is more foot traffic, more people equals more sponsors. It is simple math. Now if you have any ideas about how we can effectively utilize our tiny budget and reuse the decoration come fest time please speak up, otherwise no sponsor talk," Mihir finished. 

I liked this one. Mihir was very no-nonsense. everybody else walked gingerly around Nirav's feelings but he regularly shut him up. 

"Actually, why don't we let Nirav try and get us sponsors. I mean if he is so confident we should let him do it. We could use the money." Karan, another senior, interjected. 

"I am with Karan, let him go out and try his luck," Shweta agreed. "What is the worst that could happen? It will count as experience."

"Thank you, I will get you the best sponsors there are," Nirav said in a very sincere tone. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. 

"Alright then, Meera can accompany you and this is your task for the day. Get back to us by evening," Shweta said noting it down in her notebook. 

My head shot up in surprise. Did she just say I  had to go with him?

"But Shweta I have practice today," I said.

"Meera you always have practice, try skipping one day to do something important for your department. You are also a postholder, please try and understand your duties." Karan interjected.

"I would like to respectfully counter that. I am always present for meetings and complete my share of work. I don't think I have shirked my responsibility as Cultural Secretary so far," I said, fuming a little. 

I was offended at the implication. I had made it a point to never miss a meeting because I knew people would immediately jump to my involvement with Rhapsody and point fingers. 

"Alright, alright, everyone shut up, and Karan, Meera has attended more meetings than both you and Bhavya combined. Bhavya is not even here today." Mihir said. Bhavya being the other second-year post holder who was indeed MIA today.

See? This is why I liked Mihir. No nonsense and unafraid of being controversial. 

"And Meera, talk amongst yourselves and figure it out. Let's get to class now," he said with an air of finality. 

***

"There's no way in hell I am going out there in all this heat to hunt for sponsors we will never get with you," I fumed as we walked out of the department room.