Third Person PoV

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13th April'24

The warmth of the Saturday afternoon lingered over the campus, bathing it in a golden light that seemed to slow time itself. Prashmita, Somvrat, and Devrudra strolled lazily back toward their hostels, their footsteps falling into an easy rhythm. Over the past weeks, their dynamic had shifted. Prashmita and Somvrat had been inseparable for years, their friendship like an unspoken pact. But somehow, Devrudra had effortlessly slipped into that equation, his warm energy melting even Prashmita's famously frosty demeanor.

Their conversation drifted back to the Nano-drug project they'd been working on together, though the urgency that had once hung over their discussions seemed to have dissipated with the weekend's arrival.

"We still need to review the latest biopsy results," Prashmita reminded, her tone calm but firm. "And, Devrudra, don't forget to give a final look at those MRI copies before Monday."

Somvrat groaned theatrically, throwing his head back as if her words physically pained him. "Prash, for the love of God, do you even know what weekends are? Let me spell it out for you: no. work."

Devrudra laughed, his voice warm and easy. "He's got a point. We're not saving the world tonight, right? Let's pretend it's not all on us for once." He adjusted the strap of his bag, his gaze lingering on Prashmita's face, half-expecting her to scold them both.

Prashmita opened her mouth to fire back, her lips already curling into that half-smile she reserved for when she was about to deliver a pointed retort—but then everything froze.

Two hands suddenly covered her eyes, blocking her view. The world went dark in an instant, and she froze mid-step, her breath catching sharply in her throat. The laughter and warmth in the air evaporated as her heart raced, her mind frantically trying to place the unexpected touch.

"What the—" she started, her hands reaching up instinctively.

"Guess who?" came a familiar voice from behind, playful and warm, yet rustic, like a breeze carrying both laughter and the scent of earth. It wrapped around Prashmita, grounding her in its softness before she even turned.

Prashmita's entire posture relaxed as the voice registered. "Agnidev?" she asked, incredulous, her voice barely a whisper.

The hands pulled away, and standing before her was Agnidev, his face lit up with a mischievous smile. He looked effortlessly charming, as always, in a casual yet well-tailored jacket. The years seemed to have barely touched him.

"Surprise," Agnidev grinned, his eyes dancing with amusement as he watched her reaction.

Prashmita blinked, clearly thrown off by his unexpected presence. "What are you doing here?!" Her usual calm, composed demeanor was momentarily cracked, replaced by genuine surprise, without wasting a single moemnt she jumped right into his arm.

Agnidev chuckled, hands sliding out of his pockets to hold her, caressing her messy locks. "I'm here for a conference. Thought I'd drop by and check out the old places. And, of course, see you."

Devrudra, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally spoke up, curiosity piqued by the sudden arrival of this unknown person. "Uh, who's this?" he asked, his eyes bouncing between Prashmita and Agnidev.

Prashmita cleared her throat, composing herself once again. "This is Agnidev. He's... an old friend," she said, though the pause in her words suggested there was more to the story. She didn't elaborate, and Devrudra raised an eyebrow, catching the subtle nuance.

"Agnidev," Devrudra repeated, stepping forward to introduce himself, extending a hand. "I'm Devrudra. Nice to meet you."

Agnidev shook his hand with a firm grip, his smile polite but distant. "Likewise. Heard good things about the work going on here."

Somvrat, who had fallen into an unusual silence since Agnidev's arrival, finally broke it. His voice, though lighter now, carried the familiar lilt of mischief. "So, what's the plan here? You thought you could just waltz in, stir up a storm, and give Prash here a heart attack with that little stunt of yours?"

A playful grin tugged at his lips, but behind it lingered a tenderness only those closest to him would notice. The tension in the air softened, as if his words were a bridge between the weight of their secrets and the ease of their shared bond.

Agnidev laughed, glancing at Somvrat. "What can I say? Old habits die hard." He winked, though the exchange between the two men remained light and casual, their history remaining veiled behind layers of well-constructed small talk.

Prashmita, still regaining her composure, folded her arms across her chest. "You could have called, Agni," she said, though the irritation in her voice was playful at best.

"And miss the look on your face?" Agnidev teased. "Never."

Devrudra watched the exchange with interest. It was clear there was a history here—one that hadn't been mentioned before. "So, how do you two know each other?" Devrudra asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.

"We go way back," Agnidev said vaguely, his tone still light, though he offered no further details. "Prashmita and I met through a common friend, it's been a while."

Prashmita shifted uneasily, the attention making her skin prickle. She glanced at Somvrat instinctively, a fleeting look that carried more than words ever could—a silent plea, a question, or perhaps a reassurance she didn't know she needed.

Somvrat, usually so quick with a snarky remark or a teasing grin, was uncharacteristically quiet. His face betrayed nothing, but there was a stillness about him that wasn't like him at all. The spark of his usual humor seemed extinguished, replaced by something heavier, harder to pin down.

His eyes, sharp and observant, flicked between Agnidev and Prashmita. He didn't miss a thing—the small changes in her posture, the subtle softening in her voice when she spoke to Agnidev, the way her shoulders relaxed despite her guarded demeanor. For a moment, his gaze lingered on Agnidev, but then it skittered away, as though lingering any longer would expose too much—of what, even he wasn't entirely sure.

When Agnidev spoke again, something unspoken passed through Somvrat's expression. His jaw tightened imperceptibly, and his eyes darkened for a heartbeat before he schooled his features back into something neutral. It was fleeting but there, like a storm cloud passing over an otherwise clear sky.

"Well, always interesting meeting Prashmita's old friends," Devrudra said, his voice light, though his curiosity was barely concealed. He smiled, but the slight tilt of his head betrayed that he was still piecing together the puzzle.

Somvrat, as though sensing the need to break the tension, slipped back into his usual role. His voice had an edge of forced levity, the kind meant to mask something deeper. "So, Agnidev, what brings a hotshot lawyer to grace our humble halls on a lazy weekend?"

Agnidev's smirk was practiced, almost too perfect, as though he'd used it to deflect questions a thousand times before. "What can I say? Fighting the good fight takes its toll. Even I need a breather now and then."

Somvrat raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching with the ghost of a smile. "Let me guess—conference burnout? Or did the room service finally disappoint?"

Agnidev chuckled, shrugging. "You're not far off."

Prashmita, sensing the subtle undercurrent between the two, quickly stepped in. Her voice was steady, but there was an urgency in her words, as though she wanted to regain control of the situation. "Agni, are you staying long, or is this just a drop-by visit?"

Agnidev's expression softened, his gaze settling on her in a way that felt too intimate for the casual conversation. "I'll be around for a few days. Thought I'd catch up with some old friends and maybe revisit a few places."

Somvrat's lips twitched again, this time in a barely audible mutter only Prashmita caught. "Right. Friends."

Devrudra, sensing the need to diffuse the tension, chimed in with a casual tone. "Well, don't let us keep you from the nostalgia tour. Nice meeting you, Agnidev."

Agnidev nodded politely, his gaze lingering on Prashmita for a second longer than necessary. "Mita, it's always good to see you."

She gave him a small smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes. "You too, Agni."

As Agnidev walked away, his wave casual and effortless, Somvrat gave a brief nod, his face unreadable. But in that fleeting moment, something unspoken passed between the two—a shared history, an acknowledgment, a tension neither could fully voice.

Prashmita, now uncomfortably aware of the charged silence that followed, glanced between her two companions. Somvrat's jaw was set, his gaze fixed on some far-off point, while Devrudra looked as though he had a dozen questions he was holding back.

"Shall we?" she asked quietly, her voice breaking the silence like the snap of a twig.

Somvrat started walking without a word, his steps quicker than usual. Devrudra gave her a lingering look before following, and Prashmita fell in step behind them, her thoughts a swirling mess as the golden light of the afternoon stretched their shadows long against the path.

It lingered in the air between them, invisible but palpable, a shared understanding too subtle for the untrained eye. To Devrudra, it seemed nothing more than a courteous farewell, easily lost in the quiet rhythm of old friends parting ways. Yet beneath the surface, something deeper pulsed, unnoticed by all but those who knew to look.

When Agnidev was out of earshot, Devrudra couldn't help but turn to Prashmita, curiosity still burning in his eyes. "So, Agnidev... How come you've never mentioned him before?"

Prashmita shrugged, already moving ahead. "It's a long story."

Somvrat, now walking alongside her, gave Devrudra a wink. "Trust me, Dev. Some stories are better left untold."

Devrudra chuckled, though the mystery of Agnidev lingered in his mind. For now, though, he let it go, content with the fact that he was at least part of whatever new chapter had just unfolded in front of him.

Then Devrudra, ever the one to keep the mood light, clapped his hands together. "How about a lunch party tomorrow? We've got a day off, and I think we could all use some time to unwind." He grinned, looking between Prashmita and Somvrat, gauging their reactions.

Somvrat's eyes lit up at the idea. "That sounds great! A little break from the studies could be refreshing."

"And we can fit in some sightseeing too!" Devrudra added enthusiastically. "There are a few spots around here that are worth checking out, especially with the weather being so nice."

"You find this so-called summer masked with the name of being spring nice?" Prashmita quipped, a rare glimmer of humor sparkling in her eyes. The lightness in her tone caught Devrudra off guard, and he blinked in surprise, momentarily forgetting the earlier tension.

Devrudra laughed, unable to resist. "Touché, Prashmita! I guess we do have a bit of a heatwave going on."

Prashmita shrugged, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "I mean, if I wanted to melt into a puddle, I'd choose summer, not spring. It's just false advertising anyway!"

Somvrat couldn't help but chuckle at her unexpected wit, the tension easing as her humor wrapped around them like a warm blanket. "Well, I suppose we can't control the weather can we? but we can certainly enjoy the food tomorrow!" he replied, appreciating this rare glimpse of her playful side.

"Perfect!" Devrudra beamed, clearly excited about the plan. "Let's make it a day to remember. I'll handle the food arrangements. You guys just need to bring your appetites!"

"Before you bring anything Devrudra, I have some food preferences for myself—no fish, no mutton for me, and Som dare you try to make me eat any of this," Prashmita declared, her tone surprisingly upbeat, which ended with the threatening note for Somvrat. 

"Chicken is a must! Any desi Chinese would be appreciated, with chicken fried rice. Oh, and definitely some Chicken Lahori and butter chicken as add-ons. Not to mention naan, and some butter, obviously!"

Her sudden outpouring of requests took both Devrudra and Somvrat by surprise, and they exchanged amused glances. It was rare for Prashmita to share so many words, let alone express her cravings with such enthusiasm.

"Wow, someone's really hungry!" Devrudra teased, a broad grin on his face. "I'll make sure the entire menu is chicken-themed then!"

Somvrat chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm impressed, Prash. You should order for a restaurant!"

Prashmita rolled her eyes playfully. "Just making sure we have a feast worth remembering! Besides, food is a critical part of any adventure. And why are you being so miserly, Devrudra? You yourself suggested the feast, and now you're criticizing me for my food preferences! Oh and soem lemongrass chicken fried rice, Devrudra remember it."

Devrudra feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "Miserly? Me? I'm just making sure we don't break the bank here! But if it means keeping you happy, I guess I can get creative."

Somvrat couldn't hold back a laugh, enjoying the banter. "Let him be, Prash. He's just worried about his wallet. Besides, a happy Prashmita means a happy adventure!"

"Exactly!" Prashmita chimed in, a satisfied smile crossing her face. "So let's get this feast planned. I promise I won't bite... unless there's no butter chicken."

"Having said that, whatever plan you're making for tomorrow, make sure it's after 11 AM," Prashmita stated, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

"Why so?" Devrudra chided, a playful smirk on his face.

"Because she has this ritual of sleeping for 12 hours on Sundays," Somvrat chimed in, his expression a mix of amusement and mock seriousness.

Prashmita shot him a glare but couldn't suppress a smile. "I need my sleep, okay? what do you take my schedule for this week alone I served for 120 hours."

"Fair enough," Devrudra conceded, chuckling. "I'll make sure to set the plans around your royal slumber, Your Highness."

"Thank you for understanding," Prashmita said, her mock formality eliciting another round of laughter from both of them.

"Oh, and I don't think we need to go out for lunch," Prashmita continued, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "We can have it in the hostel instead. Let's make Som's room the venue."

Devrudra raised an eyebrow. "Why Somvrat's room?"

"Because me entering your room, Devrudra, sparks another rumor, which we don't need at this moment," Prashmita replied matter-of-factly. "Let's do all the arrangements in Som's room, especially since everyone already has this air about us."

Somvrat chuckled, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, so I get to be the safe haven for your secret lunch party? I like the sound of that."

Devrudra shrugged, accepting her reasoning. "Fair enough. Som's room it is. Plus, less chance of getting caught by the prying eyes of the rest of the hostel."

"Exactly," Prashmita said, a satisfied smile on her face. "Let's keep it low-key and just enjoy our feast without any added drama."

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Introducing a new charecter, Agnidev, we will get to know about him more, in upcoming chapter.

There is a reason why I chose the GIf which I would clear at some point.