Illusionary Intimacy
Illusionary Intimacy
Nirbhay made a face at her words but Abhirath took in her smiling expression and grinned broadly.
"Since we can't have anyone going back home hungry, I will order another round of chicken," he said generously.
At the last leg of the semester, most of the students were left with little or no money with them to spend and hence the dishes had been ordered keeping the budget in mind, especially since Abhirath was paying the bill.
At Abhirath's announcement, the group cheered loudly.
Before the arrival of Vandit and the girls, the two boys had ensured that they were seated in such a manner that Mriga was placed next to Abhirath during lunch. Looking at the merry bunch, Yash's blood had started to boil. Was she this unaffected by the events of this morning that she was celebrating already?
Right at that time, Abhirath's gaze met Yash's across the room. Surprised to see him stand there, his instinctive reaction was to shield Mriga. He didn't want her to spoil her mood because of the guy's presence there. But then he thought of something better.
Sitting in a cramped space, with shoulders touching, Abhirath deliberately leaned sideways to whisper in Mriga's ear. Much to Yash's consternation, she didn't push him away. Instead, she moved in and whispered back something back to him. He was only enquiring about Shaurya but he could imagine that it may have looked like an intimate moment to onlookers.
"Yash, I am sorry but I have to return to the campus. I hadn't expected that this would take so long. Do you mind taking me back?" Vindhya requested.
Her purpose of coming here had been completed multifold, going by Yash's reaction. So, she didn't want to waste her time further by standing in this lowly eatery anymore.
Yash gritted his teeth in frustration but nodded his head. Giving Mriga a last lingering look, he walked out of there.
Outside the girls' dorm
"Uh, so now that I know that you are and always been a part of the Admin team, I was wondering if, erhm, if I happened to be in the Eastern zilla during the vacation, maybe we could catch up," Abhirath said to Mriga.
He could feel the tips of his ears growing warm. Vandit and Ishani had fallen back while returning to the campus from the eatery. So, it was just the two of them here.
"Sure, is that even a question? But aren't you stationed at the Western zilla for your stint?" she asked in confusion.
"No no, I am. I was just saying incase there is travel involved during my stint towards your zilla, I will come look you up," he said, growing more embarrassed by the second.
This love business was way tougher than drawing a battle plan against the onslaught of the enemy!
He bid a clumsy but warm farewell to her and walked away, cursing himself for not being able to express his feelings better.
Mriga went back inside the dorm and was handed over a message. Reading it quickly, she frowned in concern and ran back out, this time towards the Admin building.
She had been summoned urgently.
"Ah, you made it at the right time," Saraswati said as Mriga entered the reception area.
"Is something wrong?" she asked with a worried look.
"Well, that depends upon how you look at it," Saraswati said cryptically.
Mriga wanted to roll her eyes at the woman's statement but held her impatience in check and waited.
"Guruji has asked Shaurya to be stationed at the Northern zilla till further notice. He will be travelling with you today in the boat. I will be sending the staying arrangement details with him but till the time that you are there, can you help him settle in?" Saraswati asked in a nonchalant tone.
Mriga was surprised but happy to know that Shaurya was coming to the Northern zilla. But she bit her lip the next minute.
"Is he well enough to travel already? Won't it be better if he rested here for longer?" she asked.
"Why am I surrounded by clueless people?" Saraswati wanted to slap her head in irritation.
"I don't question Guruji's orders," she replied testily, indicating that Mriga should stop quizzing her further as well.
Immediately contrite, Mriga bowed her head and asked, "How can I help right now?"
"Help Shaurya pack whatever he needs for the trip. Carry the baggage with you and deposit it with the transportation team. Come to pick him up when it is time for leaving for the port," Saraswati rattled off instructions.
Nodding her head in agreement, Mriga went inside and ran down the steps towards Shaurya's room.
His face was contorted in pain as Shaurya pulled a bag out of the cupboard.
"What are you doing?" Mriga's shrill voice made him drop it and look at her in surprise.
Reaching him in quick strides, she raised his arm and placed her shoulder below it to support him.
"You need to sit down quietly and simply tell me what all is to be packed. I have been sent with strict instructions to do all the work on your behalf," she told him with a smirk, as she helped him sit back on the bed.
Before he could speak, she extended her palm, stopping him.
"There is no need to speak. Just point at the things which you want me to put in," she told him.
He raised his eyebrow at her bossy tone and stared at her.