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Third Person PoV

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21st March'24

The student association members from the PG department gathered in a spacious room filled with the soft hum of chatter and the occasional burst of laughter. Posters of past events adorned the walls, and a whiteboard at the front of the room listed the upcoming Holi festival as the main agenda.

At the head of the table, a tall, energetic student, Dr. Akshay from the department of orthopaedics, who seemed to be leading the discussion, began speaking. "Alright, team, Holi is around the corner, and we've got to make sure this one is unforgettable! Let's talk about the functions. We've already decided on the color splash event in the morning, but we need to finalize the rest."

Raghav, seated towards the middle, leaned back in his chair with a casual smile, his eyes bright with ideas. "What about a music night? Something where everyone can let loose after the day's celebrations. We could have a mix of traditional and modern music—maybe even a DJ battle to keep the energy high?"

A few heads nodded in agreement, and a couple of students scribbled notes.

Devrudra, sitting across from Raghav, chimed in, his tone relaxed but thoughtful. "That's a solid idea. But we should also think about adding something a bit more laid-back, like a cultural showcase or a storytelling session. Holi's not just about the colors; it's about the stories behind them too."

The room buzzed with agreement, and Akshay quickly added these to the agenda on the whiteboard.

Another member, Nisha, volunteering from the department of gynecology, raised her hand, looking slightly nervous. "What about food stalls? We could have traditional Holi sweets and snacks—like gujiya, thandai, and chaat. It would really add to the festive vibe."

Devrudra grinned. "You had me at gujiya. I think we're all on board with that."

Laughter echoed around the room, and the atmosphere became more relaxed as the ideas continued to flow. The group discussed logistics, with everyone contributing their thoughts. Raghav occasionally teased Devrudra about how he was more interested in the food than the events, earning a playful shove in return.

Devrudra smirked, leaning forward with his arms crossed. "Since Raghav's busy turning this into a rave, I'll take care of the cultural events. I've got a few ideas for the storytelling session—something that ties into the meaning of Holi. Plus, I know some people who'd be great for the cultural performances."

Nisha, sitting beside Devrudra, nodded enthusiastically. "I can help with the food stalls," she offered. "I know some local vendors who would love to be part of this. We can have a mix of traditional Holi treats and some fusion dishes for a modern twist."

As the responsibilities were divided, the group fell into a natural rhythm, with each member contributing their strengths. Discussions grew more detailed, focusing on logistics—stage setups, decorations, vendor placements, and timing for the different events.

Raghav leaned towards Devrudra, lowering his voice slightly. "You know, we should have some sort of competition. Something fun and unexpected, like a 'best Holi outfit' contest or even a 'rangoli showdown'."

Devrudra's eyes lit up. "Now you're talking. A friendly competition will get everyone involved. And we could announce the winners during the cultural night. It'll add an extra layer of excitement."

Akshay, overhearing the exchange, nodded approvingly. "Let's add that to the list. We'll need someone to manage the contests—any volunteers?"

A few hands shot up, and the group quickly assigned tasks, with everyone eager to contribute. The conversation flowed easily, with laughter and banter punctuating the more serious moments of planning.

As the meeting drew to a close, Akshay stood up, a satisfied grin on his face. "I think we've got a solid plan here, folks. This Holi festival is going to be one for the books. Let's make sure we follow through on all these ideas and keep the momentum going."

Raghav clapped Devrudra on the back as they got up to leave. "Looks like we're in for a busy few weeks. But if we pull this off, it'll be worth it."

Devrudra nodded, a determined glint in his eyes. "Definitely. It's about time we had some fun around here."

The group began to disperse, chatting excitedly about their respective tasks. Devrudra and Raghav lingered for a moment, exchanging a few more ideas before finally heading out, already deep in conversation about the finer details of the events they were planning.

As they walked out of the room, the buzz of excitement lingered in the air, a promise of the vibrant celebration to come.

After the meeting wrapped up and the group began to disperse, Devrudra made his way out of the building, his mind buzzing with plans for the upcoming Holi festival. The evening air was cool, a welcome relief after the excitement of the discussion. He started towards his hostel, the path lined with trees that rustled softly in the breeze.

As he walked, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance—Prashmita, walking with her usual purposeful stride, likely returning from her shift. She was still in her hospital attire, her hair slightly disheveled from the long day. Devrudra's lips curled into a warm smile as he picked up his pace to catch up with her.

"Prashmita!" he called out, his voice carrying a friendly lilt.

She turned, her expression softening when she saw him. A faint smile touched her lips, one that Devrudra had come to recognize as a rare but genuine response. "Devrudra," she greeted, her voice calm but not unfriendly.

"How was your shift?" he asked as he fell into step beside her.

"Long," she replied simply, though there was no complaint in her tone, just a matter-of-fact statement.

They walked in companionable silence for a few moments, the sound of their footsteps mingling with the rustling leaves. Devrudra glanced at her, his mind circling back to the meeting earlier. "So... Holi's coming up. Any plans?"

Prashmita's smile faltered slightly, and she looked straight ahead, her expression becoming more guarded. "Not really," she said, her tone neutral.

Devrudra, sensing her reluctance, pressed on gently. "You know, it's going to be a big celebration this year. We've got a lot planned—colors, music, food... It could be fun."

Prashmita didn't meet his eyes, her gaze fixed on the path ahead. "I'm not much for crowds," she said, her voice even but firm.

Devrudra nodded slowly, understanding that she wasn't just talking about crowds. He'd known her long enough to recognize when she was avoiding something. "Fair enough," he said, letting the topic go. He didn't want to push her, knowing that she valued her space.

He shifted gears, his tone more casual. "Speaking of plans, how's the individual project going? The GBM one?"

Prashmita seemed to relax slightly at the change in topic, her shoulders losing some of their tension. "It's progressing. I've been working on refining the targeting mechanisms for the nanoparticles. The data is promising, but there's still a lot to analyze."

Devrudra nodded, genuinely interested. "Sounds intense. Need any extra help with the data? I know I'm just your auxiliary, but I could spare some time."

A small smile tugged at the corner of Prashmita's lips. "I might take you up on that. The more eyes on this, the better."

He chuckled softly. "Anytime. And how about the group project? The nano-drug delivery system is coming together nicely, but we still need to finalize the testing protocols."

Prashmita nodded, her focus shifting entirely to the discussion. "I've been working on the protocol drafts. We need to ensure that the dosage parameters are precisely defined. I'll share the draft with you tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Devrudra said, pleased with how smoothly they could collaborate. "This could be a game-changer if we get it right."

Their conversation flowed easily as they walked, diving deeper into the technical details of their projects. For a moment, the earlier tension about Holi was forgotten, replaced by their shared passion for their work. Devrudra appreciated this side of Prashmita—the one that came alive when discussing research, her eyes bright with focus and determination.

As they reached the point where their paths diverged, Devrudra slowed his pace. "Thanks for the chat, Prashmita. It's always good to bounce ideas off each other."

She nodded, her expression softening again. "Likewise. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely," he replied with a grin.

With a final nod, Prashmita turned towards her hostel, while Devrudra continued on his way. As he walked, he couldn't help but think about her subtle avoidance of the Holi conversation. He knew better than to push her, but part of him couldn't help but wish she'd let herself enjoy the festival, even just a little.

But he also knew that Prashmita did things on her own terms, and that was something he respected about her. With a thoughtful smile, Devrudra pushed the thoughts aside, focusing instead on the work they had ahead. There was plenty to keep him busy, and with Prashmita's help, he knew they'd make real progress.

I closed the door to my hostel room, the familiar creak echoing in the quiet space. The scent of freshly brewed coffee greeted me, and I spotted the cup waiting on the desk, still steaming. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the day slowly starting to lift. But my mind, as always, lingered on one thing—or rather, one person.

Prashmita.

Her subtle avoidance of the Holi topic kept replaying in my head, even as I picked up the coffee and took a sip. The rich taste grounded me, but it didn't chase away the nagging curiosity. What was it about Holi that made her so uncomfortable? I knew she wasn't the type to enjoy big gatherings, but there was something more in her reaction—something deeper, something she wasn't willing to share.

I walked over to the window, staring out at the dimly lit courtyard below. The campus was quiet, most people either finishing up their day or already settled in for the night. I took another sip, the warmth of the coffee spreading through me, but my thoughts kept circling back to her.

Prashmita had always been an enigma, a puzzle I was only starting to piece together. She was brilliant, no doubt about that, and driven in a way that was rare to see. But she was also guarded, keeping most people—myself included—at arm's length. I got it; we all had our walls, but sometimes, I wished she'd let hers down, even just a little.

Maybe it was the way she quickly shifted the conversation when I brought up Holi. The way her gaze focused on the ground, her usual confidence dipping ever so slightly. Or maybe it was because, despite knowing her for a while, I still couldn't quite figure out what she was thinking most of the time.

I leaned against the window, the cool glass pressing against my arm, and let out a slow breath. I wasn't one to pry. If Prashmita didn't want to talk about something, I respected that. But it was hard not to wonder. Hard not to want to understand what was going on behind those guarded eyes of hers.

The projects we were working on—that was safe ground. She opened up when it was about research, when it was about something she could control and measure. But life outside the lab? That was where the walls went up, and I was left standing on the other side, trying to figure out if there was any way to reach her.

Though our shared moment at the café—which, if I were honest, I wanted to call a date—lingered in my mind, I knew better than to label it that way. We had sat across from each other, sipping coffee, exchanging words that hovered on the surface, never diving too deep. There had been a warmth to the moment, sure, but it was wrapped in a formality that kept us at a safe distance. Her guarded stance never wavered, even as we talked about everything and nothing.

And then there was that sudden meet at the lake. The way the light had caught in her hair, the soft sound of the water lapping against the shore—it all felt like it should have been something more. But again, there had been a line, an unspoken boundary she kept firmly in place. We had shared the space, shared a few thoughts, but it was clear she wasn't letting me past those walls.

Even in those quiet moments, where it was just the two of us and the world seemed to pause, she had held back. I could sense it—the way her words were carefully chosen, her expressions measured. She talked, yes, and we spent time together, but it was always within the confines of her guarded nature. It was as if she were constantly aware of the line she'd drawn, making sure I didn't step too close.

It was frustrating, in a way. Those moments felt like they could be something more, like they were on the verge of breaking through whatever it was she was holding onto. But they never did. Instead, they remained exactly that—moments. Fleeting, controlled, and just out of reach of anything deeper.

I couldn't help but wonder if she ever thought about them the way I did. If she ever questioned what might happen if she let her guard down, even just a little. But I knew better than to ask, or even to push. It was clear that whatever she was protecting, it was important to her.

So, I held onto those moments, as brief and restrained as they were, and hoped that maybe one day, she would feel safe enough to let me in just a little bit more.

I took another sip of coffee, the cup now half-empty, and shook my head. Maybe I was overthinking this. Maybe it was just who she was, and I needed to accept that. But part of me couldn't help but wonder if there was more to it, something she wasn't saying.

With a sigh, I set the cup down and ran a hand through my hair. I had my own work to focus on, my own responsibilities. I couldn't spend all night thinking about something I might never understand. But even as I told myself that, I knew it was easier said than done.

Prashmita might have kept her distance, but I couldn't help but care. Maybe one day, she would let me in a little more. Or maybe I would just have to keep accepting the glimpses she gave, fleeting as they were.

For now, I finished my coffee, the last of it lukewarm, and pushed off the window. There was always tomorrow, always another chance to see if she would let me a little closer. And if not... well, I'd keep trying. Because something told me that behind those walls, there was more to Prashmita than she let on. And for some reason, I wanted to know what that was.

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I feel the night has faded, and the sun's soft glow
Gently touches the distant sky.

I feel the night has faded, and the sun's soft glow
Gently touches the distant sky.
Before me, the path stretches wide,
Will your chariot not arrive at my doorstep?  

Happy Dussehra and Subho Bijoya dashami to all my readers. May Maa Durga destroy all the Evils.

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