Third Person PoV

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19th March'24

It had been nearly two weeks since the trio—Prashmita, Devrudra, and Somvrat—had their last in-depth discussion about the nanodrug group project in the cafeteria. The conversation had been centered around the complexities of their research, the intricacies of data analysis, and the challenges of aligning their individual contributions. Since then, their meetings had been brief and to the point, driven by the need to submit and review each member's data collection.

Despite the frequent encounters, the atmosphere between Prashmita and Devrudra remained unusually distant. They had exchanged the necessary information, including the MRI scans Devrudra had promised her, but their interactions were largely limited to the essentials. Devrudra had noticed the subtle shift in Prashmita's demeanor—she was still reserved, still focused on the task at hand, but there was something different about her now.

She wasn't as cold or indifferent as before. There were moments, fleeting yet noticeable, when a small smile would play on her lips—a gesture so rare that it caught Devrudra off guard the first few times he saw it. It wasn't a broad, open smile, but a delicate curve of her lips, almost as if she was allowing herself to relax, if only for a moment.

These smiles, though rare, didn't go unnoticed by Somvrat either. He continued to crack his usual jokes during their discussions, his lightheartedness serving as a buffer to the otherwise intense academic conversations. Prashmita didn't laugh out loud, but there was a slight softening in her eyes, a hint that she was beginning to appreciate the camaraderie, even if she didn't fully engage in it.

Prashmita walked into the quiet, dimly lit college library, her steps measured and deliberate as she scanned the rows of bookshelves. The scent of old paper and the soft rustle of pages filled the air, a familiar comfort to her. She was on a mission, her mind focused on finding the latest research volumes she needed for her project on Glioblastoma Multiforme.

After a few minutes of browsing, she found what she was looking for—a couple of thick, well-worn books. She carefully pulled them from the shelf, cradling them in her arms as she made her way towards the exit. Lost in thought, she didn't notice someone turning the corner at the same time.

Before she knew it, Prashmita collided with a solid figure. The impact caused her to stumble slightly, and the books in her arms wobbled precariously.

"Whoa, sorry!" Devrudra's familiar voice broke through her thoughts, his hands instinctively reaching out to steady her. Prashmita blinked, surprised to find herself face-to-face with him. She hadn't expected to see him here, of all places.

"Dr. Banerjee...," she murmured, a hint of surprise in her voice. She quickly regained her composure, adjusting the books in her grip.

"Prashmita," he replied with a grin, clearly amused by the unexpected encounter. "We seem to have a habit of running into each other."

Prashmita gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, not quite sure how to respond. Social interactions were never her strong suit, especially not with Devrudra, whose easygoing nature often left her feeling off-balance.

Noticing her discomfort, Devrudra decided to lighten the mood. "You know, since we keep bumping into each other, how about we make it more intentional?" He tilted his head slightly, his grin widening. "Coffee? My treat."

Prashmita hesitated, her first instinct to decline. "I don't—"

"Come on, it'll be a quick break," Devrudra interrupted, his tone gentle but persuasive. "We both deserve it after all the hard work we've been putting in, right?"

She looked down at the books in her arms, weighing her options. A part of her wanted to retreat back into her familiar solitude, but another part—a smaller, quieter part—was curious. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to step out of her comfort zone, just this once.

Finally, she sighed softly and nodded. "Alright, coffee."

Devrudra's eyes lit up with genuine surprise and a hint of triumph. "Great! I know just the place. Let me carry those for you." He reached out to take the books from her, and after a brief moment of hesitation, she allowed him to.

As they walked out of the library together, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of Prashmita's lips. The idea of spending time with Devrudra felt oddly... comforting. Maybe this coffee wouldn't be so bad after all.

Prashmita adjusted her bag on her shoulder as they made their way down the library steps, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement. She glanced at Devrudra, who was effortlessly balancing the stack of books in one arm, his other hand casually tucked into his pocket.

"So," Devrudra began, breaking the comfortable silence between them, "what brings you to the library today? Research for the GBM project?"

Prashmita nodded, her gaze still forward. "Yes, there are some new studies I needed to go through. I prefer getting them from the library; it's quieter here."

Devrudra chuckled softly. "That's true. Though, I didn't expect to see you here. I always thought you preferred working in your own space."

"I do," she replied, her voice soft but firm. "But sometimes, a change of environment helps."

He nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. I usually just grab coffee and dive into the work, but I guess I could learn a thing or two from your approach."

Prashmita couldn't help but glance at him, slightly surprised by his words. "You don't seem like someone who needs to change environments to focus."

Devrudra shrugged, a smile playing on his lips. "Maybe not, but I think it's good to switch things up now and then. Keeps the mind fresh, you know?"

She nodded, mulling over his words. Devrudra had a way of making simple statements seem insightful, something she admired, though she'd never admit it out loud.

As they walked, Devrudra turned to her again. "So, Prashmita, what do you do to unwind? I know you're all about your work, but there has to be something outside of that."

Prashmita hesitated, caught off guard by the personal question. "I... read," she answered after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper.

Devrudra chuckled again. "Of course, you do. Any favorite genres?"

"Literary fiction mainly revolves around mystrey,thriller especially detective story like Byomkesh Bakshi, Feluda," she replied, feeling slightly more at ease. "And sometimes non fiction."

"Ah, a woman of refined tastes," he teased lightly, earning him a small, almost shy smile from her. "Maybe you can recommend something to me. I've been meaning to expand my reading list."

Prashmita raised an eyebrow, the idea of Devrudra diving into literary fiction seeming both amusing and unlikely. "You don't strike me as someone who reads fiction."

"You're not wrong," he admitted, "but I'm always open to trying new things. Who knows, maybe I'll discover a hidden love for it."

She smiled a bit more at that. "I can suggest a few titles. But no promises that you'll like them."

"Deal," Devrudra said with a grin. "I'll take you up on that. And who knows, maybe I'll surprise you."

They reached the small café just off campus, its warm, inviting ambiance a stark contrast to the library's austere silence. Devrudra held the door open for her, and she stepped inside, feeling a strange sense of ease that she hadn't expected.

As they approached the counter, Devrudra turned to her with a playful glint in his eye. "So, what's your coffee order? Let me guess—something strong, no sugar?"

Prashmita gave him a bemused look. "Close. Black coffee, no sugar, milk with the proportion 1:4 with the caffeine."

He laughed. "That's a very specific taste might I add."

She watched as he placed their orders, a cappuccino for himself and her black coffee. For the first time in a long while, she didn't feel the urge to retreat or cut the conversation short. There was something about Devrudra's presence—his easygoing nature, the way he effortlessly engaged her in conversation—that made her feel comfortable, even in this unfamiliar setting.

When they sat down at a small table by the window, Devrudra handed her the black coffee with a smile. "Here you go, one strong coffee with very less milk for the strong-willed Prashmita."

She couldn't help but smile back, a warmth spreading through her that had nothing to do with the hot coffee in her hands. "Thank you, Dr Banerjee."

"ok, nam dhore dakte hobe amai,"he said softly, his voice gentle yet tinged with a quiet plea. "Ami jani ami tomar theke boyose hoito boro, but please nam dhore dako." 

[Okay, you have to call me by my name]

[I know I might be older than you, but please... just call me by my name.]

There was a warmth in his eyes, a sincerity that made his request feel more like a heartfelt invitation than a simple suggestion. It was as if he wanted to bridge the small, lingering distance between them, to break down the formality that still lingered.

Prashmita hesitated, the formality she was accustomed to clashing with the new familiarity he was offering. But there was something in the way he looked at her, something earnest and patient, that made her want to meet him halfway.

After a moment, she nodded, a soft smile touching her lips. "Asole amar thik obhyas nei, tomake tumi boli - it's too much for me, buy as you are saying then, Alright, Devrudra."

[actually, I am not very habituated to call anyone as 'tumi' , But as you asked, I called you 'tumi',]

His name sounded different on her lips, almost intimate, and she saw the way his expression softened in response. The distance between them seemed to shrink, just a little, as if the simple act of calling him by his name had drawn them closer.

"Thank you," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, but filled with a quiet contentment that made her heart flutter.

He raised his cup in a mock toast. "To unexpected encounters and good coffee."

Prashmita hesitated for just a moment before raising her own cup, clinking it softly against his. "To... new experiences," she added quietly, surprising herself with the words.

Devrudra's smile widened, and for a brief moment, Prashmita found herself wondering what other surprises this day might hold.

As they sipped their coffee, the conversation flowed more easily than Prashmita had anticipated. Devrudra's questions were light and casual, steering away from work and instead focusing on little things—favorite movies, childhood memories, places they'd like to travel. Prashmita found herself opening up more than she usually did, sharing bits and pieces of herself that she rarely disclosed.

"So, you're telling me you've never been to the beach?" Devrudra asked, his tone a mix of disbelief and amusement.

Prashmita shook her head slightly. "I've never really traveled much, to be honest. Just a few places close to home."

Devrudra's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Really? No beach trips, no mountain hikes, nothing?"

She shook her head again, this time with a faint smile. "No. My life has mostly been about studies and work. Traveling... it never seemed that important."

Devrudra looked at her thoughtfully, his voice soft yet insistent. "There's so much more out there, Prashmita—beyond the pages and the research. A whole world waiting for you to explore."

"I know," she admitted, her voice gentle, almost wistful. "But I've always found comfort in the familiar. Traveling feels... overwhelming to me. I never traveled much as a child, so that insatiable urge people have to explore new places—it's something I've never truly felt."

Devrudra's expression softened as he considered her words. "I get that. But maybe one day, you'll feel ready to explore a bit more. And when you do, you'll have someone to share the experience with."

Prashmita met his gaze, her eyes searching his for a moment before she looked away, a small smile playing on her lips. "Maybe. One day."

He nodded, not pushing the subject any further. Instead, he shifted the conversation to something lighter, talking about his own travel experiences, sharing amusing anecdotes from his trips. Prashmita listened intently, intrigued by his stories, even if she couldn't fully relate.

As they walked back to the library after finishing their coffee, Prashmita couldn't help but think about what Devrudra had said. The idea of traveling had always seemed so distant, almost impossible for her. But for the first time, she found herself wondering what it might be like to step out of her comfort zone, to see new places, and experience new things.

As they made their way back from the café, the sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the campus. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the trees lining the path, creating a serene atmosphere that seemed to mirror the calmness between them.

Devrudra walked beside Prashmita, carrying her books once again, despite her initial protests. Their conversation flowed easily, a comfortable rhythm developing between them.

"So, how do you find it here, living on campus?" Devrudra asked as they approached the gate leading to the female hostels. He glanced at her, genuinely curious.

Prashmita shrugged slightly, her eyes focused on the path ahead. "It's alright. Quiet, which I like. Gives me space to think and focus on my work."

He nodded, understanding. "I can see that. But don't you ever feel... I don't know, lonely?"

Prashmita hesitated for a moment before answering, her voice soft. "Sometimes. But I'm used to it. I've always been more comfortable on my own."

Devrudra gave her a sidelong glance, his tone gentle as he spoke. "There's nothing wrong with enjoying your own company, but it's also okay to let others in once in a while. You might find that it's not as lonely as you think."

Prashmita looked up at him, her expression thoughtful. "Maybe. I'm still figuring that part out."

He smiled, a reassuring warmth in his gaze. "Take your time. Just know that if you ever need someone to talk to or just hang out with, I'm around."

She nodded, appreciating his sincerity. "Thank you, Devrudra. That means a lot."

They reached the gate of the female hostels arena, the boundary marking where their paths would diverge for the evening. Devrudra paused, handing her the books he'd been carrying. "Well, this is your stop."

Prashmita took the books from him, her fingers brushing against his briefly. "Yes, it is. Thanks for walking me back."

"Anytime," he replied with a grin. "I enjoyed our coffee break. Maybe we can make it a regular thing?"

She hesitated, her instinct to retreat warring with the quiet excitement she felt at the thought. Finally, she nodded. "I'd like that."

Devrudra's grin widened, clearly pleased with her response. "Great. I'll hold you to it."

They stood there for a moment, neither of them quite ready to end the conversation. Finally, Devrudra took a step back, his hands slipping into his pockets. "I'll see you around, Prashmita. Take care."

"You too, Devrudra," she replied, her voice softer than usual.

As he turned to leave, Prashmita watched him for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips. There was something about Devrudra that made her feel a little less alone, a little more open to the world beyond her books and studies.

As she walked through the gate and toward her hostel, she couldn't shake the feeling that today had marked the beginning of something new, something that might just change the way she saw the world—and herself.

----

Love is a sigh in the wind,A flame in the dark, unseen.
It whispers where words can't reach,
And lingers where hearts have been.
Not bound by time or place,
It dances in silent grace.
A touch, a glance, a dream—
Love is more than it may seem.