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Aakash glanced around, noticing that all the chairs were occupied. Bhoomi realized that Aakash had sat down due to the lack of empty seats, but she had no idea when he arrived. All she knew was that her world was about to turn upside down.
Suddenly, Aakash removed his earpieces and Bhoomi felt a surge of relief. "What happened? What are you looking at? Let me work. I'm not waste material like you. I have more research to do," Aakash said in his signature serious tone, reviving Bhoomi from her trance.
She quickly gathered her belongings and left. Aakash's hands paused, and he put his earpieces back on, his face reflecting annoyance and anger. "Where does she get off thinking I'm Hitler? And mocking me? Takes responsibility and then talks nonsense about me. Thinks she'll hang me upside down! In the jungle, no less."
Aakash muttered to himself, having overheard Bhoomi's comments. But he couldn't confront her here.
Bhoomi returned to her class, clutching her chest. Since Aakash had temporarily removed her from the lab, class was her only refuge. However, she never felt comfortable here either, as her peers constantly gazed at her with devouring eyes, as if she were an alien. They were all book-smart students, a breed she couldn't relate to.
She sat down at her desk, picked up her notebook, and began browsing through it. Her gaze fell upon a chapter about Rakhigarhi, specifically the gold jewelry discovered there and its connection to the Vedic period. They had discussed this topic in class just yesterday. Despite herself, Bhoomi began pondering.
How ancient our civilization was. Yet, it never received its due recognition simply because its language remains undeciphered. If only someone could crack the code, this civilization would be hailed as the oldest literate civilization in the world. I wish there was a magic formula to decipher this script, so the world could understand the depth of India's ancient, sophisticated culture. Those who claim to be modern and better educated would realize that Sumerian and Mesopotamian civilizations trailed behind us."
Just then, her phone beeped with a notification. Bhoomi opened it and began reading.
The Kal Ghati, a valley shrouded in mystery and myths. But why is it so enigmatic? What secrets lie hidden? Why did this dynasty vanish? Bhoral Ghati and Kal Ghati shared a common ancestry, but a war drove them apart. Bhoral Ghati's most trusted advisor's betrayal led to Kal Ghati acquiring supremely powerful positive energies, making it more potent. However, the last princess of Bhoral Ghati, a blessed royal daughter, was murdered in Kal Ghati, triggering a curse that consumed the valley along with its presiding deity. Legend says it still thrives. Archaeologists seek to uncover its secrets."
"What the hell is this?" Bhoomi wondered to herself.
"Where's your focus? I've been calling you for ages. Can't you hear?" Aakash's voice jolted her back to reality. She checked the time and panicked – it was already 6 pm.
"Oh God, what's happened to me?" Bhoomi muttered, bewildered. "I was lost in thought all day."
"Miss Bhoomi, I think you need a psychiatrist, not a Ph.D. You're foolish yourself and confuse others," Aakash said calmly but with an icy tone.
"Yes..." Bhoomi stuttered, causing Aakash's eyebrows to rise.
"No, I didn't mean it that way," Bhoomi hastened to clarify.
"How's it going, Bhoomi? You're sitting with your notebook upside down. You haven't even opened the book. Are you doing research? Or are you here to sell chole bhature?" Aakash's anger escalated.
"No, sir, it's not like that. I was just... I mean..." Bhoomi stuttered before Aakash cut her off.
"Holding your book upside down is your idea of working? Now, you'll have to explain yourself to your parents tonight."
Aakash turned to leave, but Bhoomi pleaded, "Sir, please don't tell them. I'll complete my work."
"Miss Bhoomi, I've heard that too many times, and I'm exhausted from dealing with you. I can't babysit you anymore. Answer your parents' call tonight," Aakash said, exiting without letting Bhoomi finish.
In his anger, Aakash forgot that the department had closed, leaving Bhoomi alone. Moreover, she had to take a somewhat deserted route to return to her hostel, which terrified her, especially in the dark.
"Why me, God? What did I do to deserve this? Why did you make this stone-hearted man my supervisor?" Bhoomi muttered to herself, frustrated, and stepped out into the darkness. Winter had just begun, and the nights were already setting in early.
She clutched her coat tightly and slung her bag over her shoulder, venturing into the deserted campus. The various departments stood isolated, all closed for the day. Bhoomi felt as if God had forsaken her.
As she walked, the sound of her own footsteps and the sight of her own shadow sent shivers down her spine. Suddenly, rustling noises emanated from the bushes beside the road. Her ears perked up, and her heart nearly skipped a beat. Her body felt icy cold.
The noises grew louder, and Bhoomi collapsed to the ground, dropping her bag. She covered her ears and shut her eyes tightly. The road remained eerily silent, but then the sound of footsteps echoed through the darkness.
"Hey Bhoomi, what happened? Are you okay?" a boy approached her. Bhoomi was on the verge of fainting. JB scooped her up in his arms and placed her in his car, speeding away quickly.
Unbeknownst to him, someone's gaze followed the departing car. As soon as it disappeared from view, a figure emerged beside the road. With a sudden jolt, the figure revealed enormous black wings. A black mask covered its face, with glowing red eyes and a hawk's beak. Flapping its wings, the creature vanished into the sky like a ghost.
Meanwhile, Aakash muttered, "This girl is trouble for everyone." Shaking his head, he arrived at his apartment, went straight to the window, and gazed at the girls' hostel across from him. However, Bhoomi's room was dark.
Aakash pulled out his phone and made a call. "Has Bhoomi not reached the hostel yet?" He exclaimed, disconnecting and dialing another number.
"Where is Bhoomi?" Aakash demanded as soon as someone answered.
"Sir... I... I don't know..." Jb stuttered before Aakash erupted in anger.
"Don't dare lie to me, Jb. Or I'll have you thrown out of college and into the Himalayas. You'll vanish without a trace." Aakash's threat made Jb's voice tremble.
"Sir, she's in the medical room. She fainted." Jb replied fearfully.
"Has she regained consciousness?" Aakash asked calmly.
"Yes, just now," Jb answered.
"Drop her off at the hostel immediately. She's always losing track of time. This girl is a headache for me." Aakash's grip on his phone tightened.
Just then, his phone rang again. He saw Mr. Pathak's name on the screen and smiled.
"Hello, sir!" Aakash said softly.
"Yes... yes... She's fine. Don't worry, sir. I can handle her. She's my responsibility." Aakash reassured him and ended the call after a brief discussion.
"Such helpful parents, and this girl? A tornado, only knowing destruction." Aakash muttered to himself.
His phone rang again. This time, it was the Girls' Warden. Aakash answered but remained silent, gazing at the girls' hostel across from him. The second-floor room lit up, and Bhoomi stepped onto the balcony, clinging to the railing. Her eyes were fixed on the sky, brimming with tears.
"Why, God? Why did you make that professor my parents' favorite and leave me behind? I'm trying to be like them, but it's impossible. Why did they leave me here, trusting him? Is anyone listening?" Bhoomi whispered, frustrated.
Aakash watched her, concerned. "Has this girl gone mad? Why is she banging her head? Idiot, as if she'd kill herself. No one's even bothering her." He dialed a number.
Bhoomi's phone rang, and she reluctantly got up.
"Alive, then. Otherwise, she'd be haunting this hostel as a ghost. Ugh, why am I thinking this? May she perish. Forget her." Aakash hung up and went inside.
"Why did the professor call me so late? Has he started drinking again? His eyes always seem intoxicated." Bhoomi shook her head and collapsed onto her bed.