Cross Connection
Cross Connection
Fifteen minutes later, Outside Girls' dorm
"Uh hi, my name is Abhirath. I am waiting for Mrignayani here. Could you please ask her to come down?" he requested a girl who was going up to the dormitory.
"What year is she in? What floor?" the girl asked him back.
"I am sorry. I don't know the floor but she is…" he started apologetically.
"Second floor. First room on the right. Just inform the helper on that floor and she will pass on the message," spoke a voice from behind.
The young girl looked from one guy to another, quizzically before shrugging her shoulders and walking inside.
Abhirath turned to look at Mriga's boyfriend, who stood there scowling.
"Isn't it early for any sort of discussion, whether it is regarding any quiz or debate?" Yash said sarcastically.
Abhirath knew that he needed to come up with a valid excuse else the guy would misunderstand Mriga and she wouldn't be able to defend herself because of the situation involving the Admin department.
"Actually, I am here because Mrignayani came looking for me last evening. Apparently, there was some issue between Vandit and Ishani and she needed my help," he fibbed with a straight face.
Yash frowned at the guy's explanation. It did sound like Mriga's typical response to a situation like that.
"I will let her know that you are looking for her. Let me know what time can we meet you to discuss this. Does evening 5pm work for you?" Yash asked superciliously.
Abhirath felt his eyebrow raise at the 'WE'.
He shook his head and said, "I am busy later during the day. I might as well finish the conversation here and now. Don't worry. It shouldn't take long," he said neutrally.
He had originally come to ask Mriga if she wanted to accompany him to the Admin department earlier than planned. But now he was stuck because if he left without saying anything, she will wonder and come looking for him at the hostel and he would have to wait back in uncertainty. There was also the off-chance that the boyfriend may not tell her about his visit all together. None of this was a big deal but Abhirath just wanted to spend the maximum time together with Mriga before the holidays started. Hence...
Yash scowled at the thick-skinned guy. He just wasn't ready to take the hint.
He decided to go confrontational finally by saying, "I hope you are aware that Mriga is my girl."
Abhirath gave a mirthless smile and replied, "I don't think you have left any of us in doubt about it."
"Well, then what you probably don't know is that I am aware of your long-held affection for her. So, you can understand why I don't like you hanging around her," Yash spat out.
Abhirath took a moment to recover from his words. How did he know? Apart from the Admin team boys, no one knew about it and he was very sure that none of them would ever share it with anyone.
"My feelings are none of your business. Also, I am not 'hanging' around her. She is my friend. Having said that, the day I decide to go after her, you and everyone else would know about it. Till then, don't go around with misconceptions filling your head. I am leaving now. Make sure to let Mriga know that I came looking for her," with that, he walked off.
Yash stood there fuming over the guy's words. How dare he behave so high and mighty. Who did he think he was? Did this mean that he planned to go after Mriga, someday?
"I am so sorry to keep you waiting. I was in the middle of something," said Mriga hurriedly, descending from the steps.
She was carrying a cotton shoulder bag which looked heavy.
Yash took in her hurried expressions and smiled. It felt as if he hadn't seen her in days now.
"Is your ship going to sail somewhere soon? Why are you in so much of a hurry? I have waited enough number of times in the past right at this spot patiently, haven't I? I guess I enjoy the anticipation of seeing you," he told her with a smile.
Mriga's eyes puckered in confusion.
"Someone left me a message saying that two people were waiting for me. Hence, I ran down wondering what had happened," she said.
Yash's face turned sour at her words.
"So, you mean to say that you didn't come running down thinking that I am waiting for you here?" he rebuked her.
"I stood outside your dorm for a really long time yesterday but I didn't whine about it the minute I saw you," she said testily.
Yash's face coloured immediately.
"Yes, I received the message that you had come looking for me which is why I hurried here this morning. Actually, my mother is in town and a small party was held in her honour. So, I had gone to attend that. Actually, I had originally wanted to ask you to come along to the event but since it was an official gathering, I didn't do so. But soon, I am going to arrange for an informal interaction between the two most important women in my life," he promised with an endearing smile.
Mriga was surprised to hear about his mother's presence in town and then blushed at his last sentence.
"Oh! I didn't know that. Is she well? Why did you come back so soon? Did you not want to spend more time with her? Did your father also come visit?" she asked him.
This is what Yash loved about her – her warmth and concern for others. He told her that since she had come for an official trip, she couldn't stay back longer and his father preferred staying far away from politics and anything related to it and had stayed back in the Southern zilla.