When I returned home, Mom was upstairs, collecting the dried clothes. Srishti was watching TV, so I took the chance and went beside my sister.

"Did you notice anything?" I asked.

Dhara Di glanced at the stairs and whispered. "After you left, Mom rushed inside and started taking out her old sarees. I didn't ask her anything and acted like I was zoning out. She took a few sarees and told me that she would come back soon after giving those sarees to Rituja Aunty for making godaddhi (mattresses)."

"That's it?"

"Yeah. She came back within an hour and began repairing our old clothes. I wasn't able to keep an eye on her in the afternoon as I fell asleep, but even after I woke up in the evening, she was still here. So, I think you are just overthinking, Bhoomi."

I twisted my lips. "What the hell? I thought I was going to find something interesting. Though I am happy that I don't need to doubt Mom, I still don't feel at ease."

"Stop this now. What if Mom has nothing to hide? She will never do anything that will create trouble."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Mom hadn't yet come downstairs, so I silently opened the cupboard and took one of her diaries. Dhara Di scolded me, but I told her to just shut up.

It was just a small rough copy that my mother used to write down her daily expenses. I flipped the pages, my eyes hurting at the monthly expenditure being increasing month by month.

I found nothing, so I took another diary. It just had details about the chit-fund members; like this, I quickly searched through other diaries, and they were of similar kinds, detailing previous years' expenses.

I zipped away from the cupboard when I heard Mom's anklets chiming as she came downstairs. I shot a glance at my sister, and she just gave me a 'Don't try to get yourself killed' look.

I sadly took my towel and entered the bathroom to freshen up. I didn't imagine that my detective era would come to an end so soon. After eating some snacks, I left for my evening shift at Urmila Aunty's house.

Currently, I had 1000 rupees in my savings, so by working for two more days, I would have earned around 400 rupees, but if I had worked a full shift, the chances of meeting my target money would have been possible.

To solve my issue, there was one person whom I hated working for, but he was my only option because he was a master moneymaker. He managed multiple events and had a huge network of workers, both permanent and freelancers, and he had work opportunities ready for anyone he deemed worthy of it. And, he was none other than... Eknath Uncle!

I winced as soon as his face flashed before my eyes. Soon, his pterodactyl like voice rang my ears as I remembered all the scoldings I had gotten from him. Contacting him wasn't a problem, but I wondered if Fatima ma'am would agree with what I had in mind.

After getting my work done, I got back home, ate dinner and went upstairs to prepare my latest choreography. As I had predicted, I forgot to pay Hriaan a portion of his fees before leaving college. I knew he wasn't going to ask me for it soon, but I had to pay him off asap or my stupid brain would have deleted the memory because I didn't like having debts.

I spent the whole night designing my routine, and as I wasn't going to attend college, I took a rest till 10 am and reached Sarthak's studio by 12:30 pm. Before I went to my mentor, I rechecked my video and prepared myself to come out on stretcher.

I knocked on the cabin's door and entered when I got the confirmation to come in. Fatima ma'am's whole face was red, but she wasn't coughing or sneezing.

"Where did you vanish for two days?" she asked.

I sent her the video on her WhatsApp, and she narrowed her eyes as she saw the notification on her laptop.

"I won't check it," she announced.

"But why?" I asked.

She raised an eyebrow. "Because you ran away before showing me your fitness reports. Don't worry, I received them from the nurse's office that day only, and I stand firm on my earlier decision."

I quickly took out my certificate and put it on her desk. "I am sorry, ma'am, but I can't allow this," I pointed at the report, "to stop me from improvising. Please just check once, and if you still don't like it, then I will give up."

"Get out," she commanded.

I fisted my hands. "No, I won't. You have to check."

She shot a glare. "Are you ordering me?"

"I am requesting you. If you won't accept it, I won't leave your cabin."

"Bhoomi, don't try my patien-"

"Ma'am, please!" I whined and took a deep breath. "Please, please, please, please, please, please, plea-"

"Okay, shut up now. You are giving me a headache."

She gave in as I kept my torture of 'Please' ongoing until she checked my video. Her eyes kept shifting focus, and she looked at me with full concentration.

"This is cool," she said. "But, I still can't allow it."

I felt like crying. "Why not?!"

"Have you started your treatment?"

"Yes!" I lied.

"Show me your supplements then."

"Well... I didn't bring them with me, so...."

"You can't even lie properly," Fatima ma'am reprimanded.

"Please allow me, ma'am. I really want to give my best."

My hopes were lying on a thin string, but I kept being persistent. Due to it, my mentor finally gave in, and I jumped in joy. As she had now agreed to my request, I decided to throw another suggestion.

"Ma'am, thank you. Can I ask you one more thing?" I queried.

She told me to go ahead, and I asked her if I could practice at home instead of coming to the studio. She asked me for a reason, and I told her about the rain that could come anytime, and how commuting for a whole five hours would put a dent on my practice as I had already lost so much time.

She agreed. "Okay, but don't slack off just because I won't be there. Keep sending me daily updates. And don't forget to take your supplements. I only allowed your choreography change because I can see how serious you are about these evaluations. Don't take any risks, okay?"

I nodded and skipped out of her cabin merrily.

Yay, I managed to convince Fatima ma'am. Now, I can even work and practice without worrying about the long hours of travelling.

I had just gotten outside the studio when an iron grip on my shoulder made me land down in one spot.

"Don't you think you are going in the wrong direction?" Tejas asked.

What's with the wrong timing these days?

I shifted away from him, and he pulled his lips into a thin line as I checked the distance between us.

"What are you doing?" he asked and took a step forward.

I took a step back. "I don't want to violate your boundaries accidentally."

Tejas smirked and covered two more steps. I began moving back, but he grabbed the hook on my bag's strap.

"Will you continue walking back if I keep moving forward?" he asked, his eyes shining as the afternoon sun hit us.

I clenched my fingers as goosebumps appeared on my back, rising till my nape. Tejas was just a step away from me, and it wasn't like it was the first time to have him so near me, but all the other times were different.

During our group performances, not just us, but everyone had to get into each other's personal spaces, but during casual times like these, it actually felt weird that Tejas himself talked to me. Also, it was quite amazing how he was so easily interacting with me nowadays and didn't have a frown on his face.

"Well, it wouldn't be appropriate to enter your personal space as you don't like it," I replied.

Tejas nodded. "That's true. But, Bhoomi, will you allow the other person to enter your boundaries then?"

I darted my eyes around. "Um, I won't."

"Of course, you won't, but what are you doing right now then? You are worrying about me, but you should reinforce your own boundaries first. Speak up when you are uncomfortable."

Tejas left my bag's hook and stepped back. I sighed because I suddenly felt the air between us turning cold.

"I don't mind you though," I mumbled to myself.

"You said something?" he asked.

I cleared my throat. "I wasn't uncomfortable, Tejas. I know you were just trying to make me understand."

"Okay, then. Now that you have understood, follow me. I need your help."

"My help?!" I raised my eyebrows. "With what?"

He moved inside the studio and motioned for me to come. "Just follow me."

I did as he said, and he stopped near his locker. He took out a big cloth bag and told me to hold it open.

One by one, Tejas took out small cartons with fruits and medicinal tablets drawn on them. He kept checking his mobile with his left hand while dropping the small cartons in the bag.

The weight kept increasing, but I didn't say anything as I felt happy to see my idol being so comfortable with me that he even asked for my help.

Tejas dropped the last packet and looked at me. "Please let me know if there is anything missing," he said.

I was confused. "How will I know....?"

"Because these are for you."

I snapped my gaze inside the bag. I read the names on those cartons and packets, my brain reminding me that I had read them on my doctor's diagnosis.

Oh, these are the same supplements and energizers. Tejas got them for me? I am really thankful, but I was avoiding buying them due to their prices. I know Tejas won't let me return these, but I can't pay him instantly. I already have Hriaan's fees yet to be paid, and now all these expensive supplements will create a crater in my purse.

"Tejas, I think I don't need all of these," I tried to reason. "Just a few will be enough for now. I was going to buy them soon, but you have already bought them, so... is it okay if I pay you after a few days...?"

He shook his head. "Did I ask you to pay?Don't take your health so lightly. All of these medicines are equally important."

I gripped the bag's handles tightly. I wondered how to convince him. I was already intimidated by him, and arguing with him was never on my list.

I put on my best smile. "I know you didn't ask me to pay, but I don't feel right taking all this for free. I know how expensive these are, so please let me pay you back."

He looked at me seriously. "Nope. And, one more thing. What are you going to do if you break your ankles?"

I curled my toes that were exposed through the holes in my shoes. "I am going to buy new shoes soon," I said.

Tejas rubbed his forehead. "Sure, but didn't you have other sneakers? I mean those red ones that you wore at Hriaan's party."

I scratched my chin. "Actually, those are... hmm, those are..."

"Those are what?"

"Very pretty to use." I smiled. "I don't want to get them spoiled."

I also don't know who gave them to me. But I won't tell Tejas that, or I might end up receiving a lecture on not taking unknown stuff.

"Are you serious?" Tejas asked, staring at me blankly.

I nodded, and he sighed. He looked inside his locker, mumbling under his breath. He glanced at me a few times, and I was going to ask him what was troubling him when he took out a shoe box from his locker and forwarded towards me.

"Here," he said. "Check if it's the right size."

I widened my eyes. "No! I won't take these, Tejas. You have already done enough. Believe me, I am going to change my shoes very soon."

"I don't believe you will do that," he grumbled.

"But Tejas, I can't-"

"Yo, TJ, Bhoomi, both of you are here!" Michael greeted as he arrived.

He glanced at the cloth bag in my hands and raised his eyebrows.

"Wow, Bhoomi, that's a lot," he said. "If you hadn't continued skipping lunch earlier, you wouldn't have needed these."

I nodded lightly. "I know."

Michael turned his attention to Tejas. "TJ, I am unable to find the brand you had suggested in our local stores."

"I will get it for you then," Tejas said.

"Thanks, man," Michael replied happily. "By the way, all set for Yukta's surprise party?"

"Yeah, the venue is finalized. I will send out the invitations today only. Let me know if you guys need anything else."

"We are really fortunate to have you, TJ. You are a life saver."

Tejas just smiled in return and scolded Michael to stop singing praises of him. Michael warned me to be present and not make any excuses. I promised him that I wouldn't miss the party, and he left after discussing some stuff with Tejas.

"Um, Tejas?" I asked. "What's the cost of booking the venue?"

He quirked an eyebrow. "That's none of your concern."

"It is. I accepted you not taking money for these supplements, no? You have to let me know the amount I need to contribute for the party," I insisted.

Tejas's lips curved up into a beautiful smile. I choke-slammed my heart before it could imagine hearts all around us.

"My work is done then. Thank you, Bhoomi," he said.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

He closed his locker and pointed at the energy supplements and shoes in my hands.

"Now that you have accepted these, I shall take my leave," he said and started moving.

He tricked me!

"Wait, that's not what I meant," I argued. "You even left these shoes here!"

Tejas was really fast. Within seconds, he was out of my reach.

"Tejas, stop!" I ran after him, but he put his hands up before I could reach him.

I stopped a few steps away and told him to accept that he tried to fool me.

He refused. "If you come any closer with the intention of returning what I gave you, I will count it as the violation of my personal space."

I narrowed my eyes. "Really?"

"Really," he assured and zoomed off like a cheetah.

Ugh, I didn't know Tejas was so stubborn. I easily fell into his trap. But no matter how much he refuses now, I will collect money and repay him for everything. Just because he is too kind doesn't mean I will take advantage of it.

Without even me asking him for help, he gave me the things I required the most at the moment; he will of course refuse anything in return, but I will also either force him to accept the payback, or come up with a plan like he fooled me just now.

Okay, now that I have received the medicines necessary for my health, let's continue with my rehearsals. Tejas doesn't even know how much money he helped me saving, but I will always be thankful for his considerate gesture.

I will make sure to look after myself, so he won't need to spend on me again. He has already helped a lot - I thank him for thinking about me. As a fan, I am extremely happy to receive this care from my idol.

I hope I can happily enjoy my training days alongside Tejas and pray that this good change in our relationship stays like this only.