Go “GreeN”..!!

Location: SIMC Canteen

Time: 4 PM Break

“Bhaiya 1 Pepsi Can and Maggi please”

“Chhuta nahi hai” (No change available), is what the guy at the counter tells me, looking out of those green-swine flu-masks tightly wrapped around his face.

As I take the coupon and wait for food, I find the guy serving the food wearing a similar mask.

"Scary", I think and take a corner seat to eat in peace. But as I start looking around, I see at least a dozen of my classmates in those scary green masks!

I gulp my food hurriedly and run for class.

 

Location: Classroom

Time: 4:30 PM

Journalism Lecture

“Eyy chal chal chal... You should never reveal the name of your sources”, the Professor booms.

I try hard to concentrate but my eyes keep on roving all around the class towards those green-mask-clad-faces.

 Scary. Very scary. I feel jittery. I feel like running away.

 

Location: Coffee Shop/ Chaat Shop

Time: 7 PM

After college I walk back towards the mess to grab a bite and have tea.

I find all the staff of the Coffee/Chaat Shop working at a lightening speed. With green masks on their face.

 

Location: Girl’s Hostel

Time: 8 PM

Totally fed up, I decide to come back home and crash on my bed. I want peace and solace. The typical green mask reminds me of doctors, hospital and nausea. I hate it. I hate the panic. I hate the morning headines.

As I scramble my bag for my room keys, I don’t find it as usual. I knock and wait outside, waiting for my roommate to open the door. She greets me cheerfully. With a bright green mask on her face.

Location: My Hostel Room

Time: 3 AM

I see four pigs wearing birthday caps and green masks, dancing away to glory.

One of them comes up to me and says, “Chal chal chal… Swine full tereko pakka hone wala hai. But don’t reveal the source!!”

As I wake up startled and sweaty, I find my room mate reading the morning newspaper.

“Another swine Flu death in Pune. Third Victim in the city”, she tells me sipping tea.

Location: The new Stationary Shop at the “Shopping Complex”

Time: Next Day, 6:30 PM

“Bhaiyaa one mask please”, I hear myself say to the shopkeeper.

With the ten rupee mask tightly wrapped around my face, I march happily towards the hostel all victorious. Sometimes it feels just great to be a part of the crowd.