Vikram's eyes widened in surprise. "A date? You want to go on a date with me? But… why me?" He looked genuinely confused. "I mean, I've heard and seen enough to know that neither you nor that bird guy are normal humans. Who are you? Why are you meddling in my life? And why did you go through all the trouble to save me?"
Onna smiled softly, her gaze steady as she looked into Vikram's eyes. "Because you're the chosen one," she said.
Vikram's eyes widened further, his face full of questions. Before he could voice them, Onna leaned in and gave him a quick, fleeting kiss on the lips. Vikram froze, startled. His hand shot up to his mouth in disbelief.
Onna grinned playfully. "At least you know when to get shy. I like that," she teased. Turning to leave the room, she glanced back and added, "Hurry up. Who knows? By the end of the date, you might just win me over… even in bed."
---
Outside a bustling bank, several police cars were parked, lights flashing. Aditya, arriving in his car, frowned at the scene. "What's going on?" he muttered as he stepped out. The moment he did, a throng of reporters swarmed him, bombarding him with questions.
"Where did you hide the money?"
"How much did you steal?"
"Are you not ashamed?"
Aditya's face twisted in anger and panic. "What are you talking about? I'm innocent! I didn't do anything!"
"Calm down, everyone," a calm voice cut through the chaos. It was Samradh, motioning for silence.
Relieved, Aditya turned to him. "Samradh, tell them! You know me!"
But Samradh's expression was somber. In a flat tone, he said, "I know," before pulling out handcuffs and snapping them onto Aditya's wrists.
Aditya's heart sank, his face a mix of tension and distress. He could only stare at Samradh's back as he was led away, the crowd of reporters and onlookers buzzing around them.
---
In a cozy sweet shop, Onna was joyfully eating pastries, her expression almost childlike in delight. Vikram couldn't take his eyes off her. Others in the shop were equally enchanted.
"She's so cute and pretty," someone murmured nearby.
"Her hair, her eyes… the way she's eating. Damn, she's super hot and adorable."
Vikram, lost in his thoughts, felt a strange sense of pride. Everyone in my class would be so jealous if they saw this.
Onna, noticing his stare, held out a piece of pastry. "Say ahh," she said playfully.
Vikram's face flushed. "I'm not doing that," he muttered, turning away in embarrassment.
Onna pouted. "Fine. I'll eat it myself." She took a bite, but then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, grabbed Vikram's mouth, forcing it open and feeding him from her own mouth.
Startled, Vikram toppled from his chair onto the floor. Onna perched atop the table like a cat, adjusting her hair with one hand. Sitting cross-legged, she smirked down at him.
"Let's go to a love hotel," she announced, drawing gasps from everyone around them.
---
In a dark, isolated cell, Samradh approached Aditya. "Do you need anything?"
Aditya's face was tense, his frustration evident. "Why did you put me in here? I'm telling you, I'm innocent! I didn't do anything!"
Samradh sighed. "I know," he said quietly. "But all the evidence is against you." He held up some forged loan papers bearing Aditya's signature.
Aditya's jaw clenched. "This is fake!"
Samradh nodded solemnly. "I believe you. But we found the bank's safe codes on your device. Someone used them to get inside without breaking anything."
Aditya's mind raced. This can't be happening. He replayed recent events, his thoughts drifting to Onna and the strange bird-like figure he'd seen in the moonlight.
"I saw… a bird guy," he muttered.
Samradh's eyes narrowed. "A bird guy?"
Aditya nodded, his gaze distant. "I thought I was dreaming. But Onna showed me pictures. He's real."
The two men exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them.