A city within a city

Rahul insisted that we meet him on campus, he must have thought it an essential part of our education, of the alternative guide to India. When he was studying in Mumbai he was officially accommodated in the university’s dormitories, and now whenever he comes to visit, he sneaks in and stays with a friend. Strolling through the tree-lined lanes, Rahul points out the buildings and their functions, the different departments, the student’s accommodations, the library, the cafeteria. The institute is another world separated by walls from the outside, the city is also made of these pockets that isolate it from itself. Still, neither the walls nor the tidy green gardens can really sustain it, the metropolis infiltrates through the air, and Rahul’s cough keeps getting worse. The allergy has spread to his eyes, reddened, and he constantly scratches them under the glasses.

At the entrance of a tower with several floors we meet one of his friends. Tall, with slanted eyes, he announces the results for a job opening have come out and he was placed as an assistant at a university in Hyderabad.

“You tribals have such an easy life” says Rahul, laughing. The other one smiles, apparently not offended. “I have to go to my room for just a second. Sorry Sara, ladies are not allowed inside.”

The friend replies with sarcasm. “We can corrupt you. Or vice versa.”

“It’s ok, we wait here” says Sara.

“You can come” says Rahul to me. “He’ll stay here with Sara, won’t you?” he asks the friend. “It will…