After school, in the dormitory.
Olivia knocked on Surjo's door. When the door opened she walked inside and asked "Where is he?" She was referring to Abhirup. Surjo, who was busy reading a novel pointed at the bathroom door. Olivia nodded and sat on a chair. Soon after Abhirup came out of the bathroom, his lower half wrapped in a towel while he used another to wipe his hair. "Oye!" he screamed as he caught the bathrobe thrown at his face. "Is your bathroom door broken?" Abhirup moved the bathrobe out of his face and saw a tall figure sitting on a chair leisurely. Her legs dangled over one of the hand rests while her left arm twisted around the backrest of the chair. Her head was tilted against her left arm. One of her eyebrows was raised as she asked the question.
"Ahem! Olly, what brings you hear?" Abhirup asked avoiding her question. "Put that on," Olivia said instead of answering him. Abhirup followed her gaze and saw the bathrobe on his shoulder. His eyes widened in shock. He looked down and screamed and hurriedly put the bathrobe on. "You pervert!" Abhirup accused her as he covered his chest with his hands. "You were the one walking around half-naked." Olivia pointed out. Surjo laughed from the side. One pointed look from Abhirup shut him up. He was well aware of the meaning of that look and cried inwardly for his back.
"Anyways, I have a task for you," Olivia said. They broke their gaze and looked at her waiting for her to continue. "I want a detailed report on Koushik." "Didn't I already prepare one before the VN HIGH mission?" Abhirup narrowed his eyes hearing her sudden order. "Do it again. Don't miss ANY info." Abhirup nodded. "Did something happen?" Surjo asked. He and Abhirup locked eyes. They knew Olivia would not take the initiative to command them unless necessary. "Sort of." Came the reply. "What is it?" Surjo asked with utmost curiosity. "That kid is quite pitiful. He had a crush on Ankita. He's still waiting to see her. And I'm sure he applied for Ketu's admission exam for her. I want to tell him the truth." Olivia said. "Aaah. So you want to tell him that Ankita was an identity you assumed to expose the drug dealers but for that, you need to tell him something like you were working with the police undercover or something but you're not sure whether to reveal your true self to him yet and want Abhi to run a check on his info to be certain." Surjo clapped his hand and said.
"But why are you suddenly being so kind to him?" Surjo asked rolling over to Abhirup's lap. Abhirup ran his hand through Surjo's hair and nodded at Olivia indicating he was interested to know too.
"He looks like a poodle," Olivia answered with utmost seriousness. Abhirup's hand stopped and he and Surjo had their jaws on the ground. "You, want to tell him the truth, because?" Abhirup asked not believing what he heard. "Did you just call him a dog?" Surjo asked. "Yeah. Why do you look like I cursed at him? It's praise okay? Dogs are sweet cute brave loyal beautiful fluffy warm..." She kept on listing how calling someone a dog was praise. "Okay okay. You dog fanatic. I get it." Abhirup raised his hand to stop her. "Dogs are the best," Olivia said. "Yeah, I got it." "They're better than any other species," said Olivia. "Oh, dear mother I get it. Yes. Yes. Dogs are the best in the world. You were praising Koushik by calling him a poodle." Abhirup joined his hands and bowed as he said this. Olivia gave him a nod like a teacher who was proud of the backbencher who finally understood a lesson completely.
"Hey, don't those contacts irritate your eyes?" Olivia was lying on the bed when that girl from the library, who looked about six years old with a face which was seventy per cent similar to Olivia crept closer to her and asked. "These are not your ordinary contact lenses idiot. And which century are you living in? This is 2554 not the 21st century where you need to take off your contacts when not needed." Olivia rolled her eyes at her and said, "Go away. I'm busy." She flipped over to the other side of the bed. The girl stubbornly remained where she was and asked with her hands on her hips "Tsk, those ugly black contacts are eyesores. Why not show off your jewels?" Olivia raised an eyebrow. "What I meant was that show the world your emerald and sapphire-like eyes." the girl said. "I can't do that. I'll be easily recognised." Olivia shook her head and said.
"Hey." The girl sat on the bed and said. Olivia lay on the bed with a small towel over her eyes. She used that towel instead of eye bands. She didn't like those. "Hey! I'm talking to you!" said louder than before. Olivia was still quiet. "Hey, why are you ignoring me? Talk to me! Speak! I'm talking to you!" The girl yelled near Olivia's ears. "Can you just shut up? I'm tired and I want to sleep. Get out." Olivia said gritting her teeth in an extremely irritated voice. "So annoying!" She muttered. The girl's hands which were raised in an attempt to shake Olivia if she ignored her again paused mid-air. She stared at Olivia's face and swallowed her next words. Retracting her hands and said in a barely audible voice "Sorry, I didn't mean to irritate you. I just wanted to talk to someone. I'm sorry. Don't be mad anymore. I'll leave. Bye!" she said as she stretched her lips and curled her eyes.
When she hopped down the bed the smile disappeared and a little drop of water glistened at the corner of her eyes. As she turned back to look at the girl lying on the bed her lips trembled a little and there was a slight pain in her throat. She turned back and ran out of the room.