It was five in the evening, and Bhoomi was in Aakash's office, but she was quickly finishing her work. Today was a special day for her. It was Saturday, and Bhoomi eagerly awaited this day all week. Every Saturday, Akhil spent time with her at a café on the hill. This rule was made by Akhil himself.
As soon as Bhoomi picked up her bag to leave, she saw Aakash in the gallery outside, talking to another professor. Bhoomi lowered her gaze and began to slip away quietly, worried that Aakash might assign her some work, ruining her evening. Thinking this, Bhoomi hastily left.
Fifteen minutes later, Bhoomi arrived at the hilltop café. Wearing a loose black hoodie and blue jeans, she didn't look like she was on a date. Akhil sat in a corner, working on his laptop. An empty cup in front of him indicated he had already finished one coffee, meaning Bhoomi was late. Bhoomi sat in the chair opposite him, her head bowed.
Akhil looked up and smiled softly as their eyes met. Bhoomi's heart skipped a beat. She knew she was late and Apologized with her eyes. Akhil's expression changed to one of understanding, and he closed his laptop, signaling the start of their special time together.
"That was something for you, Akhi," Bhoomi said softly, placing a file in front of him. Akhil's hands paused on his laptop, and he closed it, shifting it aside.
"Is this the file Aakash sir gave you?" Akhil asked directly, and Bhoomi nodded.
"Do you want me to face his scolding?" Akhil asked, and Bhoomi quickly shook her head.
"You think Aakash sir is stupid. He'll recognize his assigned work in a minute. I don't want his work. Collect something else," Akhil said, pushing the file back towards Bhoomi, and reclined in his chair.
Bhoomi put the file back in her bag, her head bowed. "Akhi, you don't like me, do you?" she asked. Akhil's eyes widened in surprise.
"Who said that to you?" Akhil asked, taking a sip of his coffee. By then, Bhoomi's tea had arrived.
"No one... I just feel it," Bhoomi said, but Akhil remained silent.
This was their usual. One day a week, a formal date, exchanging only a few questions and answers. Akhil worked on his laptop while Bhoomi sat with her head down, unaware that every time, a pair of eyes watched them from the rooftop.
Today was no exception. Those eyes still fixed on them as Akhil and Bhoomi left the café. A figure emerged, its massive black wings unfolding. With a gentle flutter, it took to the sky, disappearing into the darkness, its vulture-like eyes still fixed on the car carrying Akhil and Bhoomi back to the hostel. It soared above, shrouded in the night sky.
It was 9 PM when Akhil dropped Bhoomi off at the girls' hostel and headed to the boys' hostel. Bhoomi bounced into her room, threw her bag on the bed, and stood in the balcony. She was happy today. Even if Akhil considered their weekly meetups just a formality, Bhoomi found joy in them.
Her gaze fell on the professor's apartment across from hers, where Aakash stood in the balcony. Bhoomi felt like he was staring right at her, though it was too far to see clearly. His hands were in his pockets, and he stood motionless, as if he wasn't breathing.
Bhoomi's eyes narrowed. "This guy is the strangest I've ever met. He's a professor, but his manners are worse than a street vendor. When God was distributing manners, he must have been standing with a tea strainer. Psycho! Why is he so uptight? If he ever gets married, he'll know what love means. He wants to be Salman Khan, the most handsome bachelor. No! He deserves the most uptight award."
Bhoomi muttered to herself, clapped her hands, and laughed loudly. "You're great, Bhoomi!" She patted her own shoulder and looked back at Aakash. He still stood there, unmoving.
Bhoomi made binoculars with her fingers and peered through them. "Why is he standing like a ghost? It's as if he's still staring at me. Let him; I'm beautiful, Mr. Uptight." Bhoomi tossed her hair and went inside, her face scrunched in distaste.
If she had looked closer, she would have seen Aakash's face reddening with anger. He went inside, answering his phone. "Hello, Mr. Pathak. Good evening. Yes, everything's fine. Don't worry."
After a brief conversation, Aakash hung up and sat on his bed, lying back. He closed his eyes, his expression still tense.
"Hello, Mr. Pathak. Good evening. Yes, everything's fine. Don't worry." After a brief conversation, Aakash hung up and sat on his bed, lying back. He closed his eyes, but soon, a voice echoed in his mind.
"You can never have her, Vyom! Never! You'll always be the villain. You're not made for love; only revenge. Every life of yours will be consumed by vengeance. Vyom, you two can never be one. She'll always be out of your reach."
Aakash's eyes snapped open, his fists clenched, and sweat broke on his forehead. This voice never left him alone. Whenever he tried to relax, it haunted him, until he either fell asleep or distracted himself with work. This was why Aakash kept himself busy.
He got up and opened his laptop, focusing intently on the screen.
It was around 10 AM on Sunday. For Bhoomi, Saturdays and Sundays were the best days. On Saturdays, she spent time with Akhil, and on Sundays, she visited her home. Her parents' house was next to the college, though they weren't there. Bhoomi had permission to visit only on Sundays.
She opened the door, stepped inside, and tossed her bag onto the sofa. She spun around, her feet moving in a happy dance. A wide smile spread across her face.
As she entered, she felt an overwhelming sense of joy and freedom. The empty house was her sanctuary for the day. Bhoomi wondered why her parents, despite living so close, had enrolled her in the hostel. She didn't mind; this solitude was her haven.
"Wow, Bhoomi, I wish my life only had weekends. That professor has made my life a nightmare. He's so unpredictable. What a strange species these professors are."
Bhoomi muttered to herself but then smiled mischievously. An idea struck her. "Yo, yo, Bhoomi!" She started rapping. "Yo, yo, Bhoomi's Sunday funday, one day to unwind, take down Mr. Uptight with a stick, yo, yo, Bhoomi sing..." Bhoomi spun around on one foot, but suddenly...
"Aaaaahhhhh! Mommy!" Bhoomi clutched her chest, stumbling backward until she collided with the wall. Her heart racing, fear filled her eyes. She stared ahead, frozen, as if she'd seen a ghost.
And why wouldn't she? Aakash stood before her, hands clasped behind his back, wearing his signature glasses, and piercing her with an intense gaze.
"S-s-sir! You're...you're here?" Bhoomi stuttered, still on the floor.
"Coffee?" Aakash asked.
"Huh?! C-c-coffee?" Bhoomi exclaimed in shock.
"Can't you hear properly?" Aakash yelled.
Bhoomi frantically nodded.
"M-m-make it, please." Bhoomi stammered.
Aakash glared at her, as if he could incinerate her with his eyes. "Make it for me too. Black coffee, no sugar."
He sat on the sofa, facing her.
"Huh?! M-m-me?" Bhoomi pointed to herself.
"Who else do you see here? You're the only one, you idiot." Aakash's deep voice was stern.
"B-b-but..." Bhoomi tried to speak, but Aakash interrupted.
"What 'but'? Hurry up! I don't have all day." Aakash shouted.
Bhoomi nodded obediently, still in shock.
"Why are you still standing there? Go!" Aakash ordered.
Bhoomi reluctantly got up and headed to the kitchen, bewildered. Aakash had never visited her home before, and this coffee demand was unprecedented.
"What 'but'? Hurry up! I don't have all day." Aakash shouted.
Bhoomi nodded obediently, still in shock, and headed to the kitchen. She was bewildered; Aakash had never visited her home before, and this coffee demand was unprecedented.
"Oh God! My luck is limitless. What were you thinking when you created me? Did I have any control over my life? You created me, fine, but why send this uptight person into my life? What were you thinking? Where did this person come from? He doesn't seem human to me. He must be a time traveler; his outdated thinking gives him away." Bhoomi muttered angrily while making coffee in the kitchen.
The girl who didn't even know how to boil water was attempting to make coffee. However, she tried her best and picked up a cup to take to Aakash.
"Your coffee!" Bhoomi placed the cup on the table and turned to leave.
"I've ordered breakfast; heat it up and eat it when it arrives. Also, keep some for me. I'm going to the rooftop," Aakash said, sipping his coffee and heading upstairs without noticing Bhoomi's perplexed expression.
Bhoomi was confused; what had happened to Aakash today? He had never visited her home on Sundays before. Though she knew her father had entrusted Aakash with taking care of the house, he never came on Sundays. And breakfast? Ordered for her?