Abhedya was planning to skip college that day. He was late and there was nothing important lined up. He took out his books and started studying. Examinations were close then there was a quiz after that and a project for the police to be done. It struck him that the police had told them to make a software but had still not provided with the data.
He called up Swarnima who rejected his call and sent a message 'in class. Can't talk'
Abhedya replied 'talk asap' (as soon as possible)
Swarnima called back in two minutes and in a worried tone asked, "hi! Are you okay? What happened?"

"Relax! Why are you panting? Wait! You left your class in the middle?" Abhedya questioned her.

"Obviously! You said you wanted to talk asap. So I thought it was urgent." Swarnima replied in an obvious tone.

Abhedya just enjoyed her concern and said, "important yes... Umm you have any clue as to why the police has still not sent us the data for the software ?"

"Ummm.. where are you now?" Swarnima asked him.

"I am at home. Got up late. Why?" Abhedya asked her.

"Okay... can you come to my place before 4? Will tell you." Swarnima answered him.

"What is it? Is there something you know that I don't? Fine! I will come at 2 and make those parathas for me." Abhedya told her with authority.

"Okay. See you then and please don't use the elevator.bye! ." Swarnima hung the phone.

She left the college early. She had to make the parathas but before that she needed the grocery. She reached her home and quickly changed to a simple khadi kurti and pants. She kneaded the dough, boiled potatoes, grated cottage cheese, made mint chutney, raita(a variety of curd).
She was exhausted but if exhaustion meant Abhedya's happiness she could climb the Everest with stopping.
The doorbell rang and Swarnima opened the door. Abhedya saw her and all the things his father told him appeared in front of his eyes. The face of his chachu, his masi, little Swarnima and her brother. His expression changed from normal to a sorry one.

"You have to move on in life." Swarnima could read his expressions.

Abhedya checked himself and came inside. Was his face so readable?
He sniffed and ran to the kitchen. Swarnima followed him and said, "sit! I will serve."

"I'l help too. Where are the plates? Oh! there..." Abhedya took two plates and kept them on dining table.

Swarnima came with a tray with raita, chutney and pickle. It was then Abhedya saw Swarnima completely. She was dressed simple as usual but looked so cute. She was so unlike the girls he used to hang around with.
'Abhey? How can you even dare to compare Nim with those butterflies of yours?' Abhedya's heart scolded him.
Swarnima served him and he loved what was on his plate. It was a complete platter. He took first bite and exclaimed, "it's so spicy!"

"Sorry! I didn't check. You can have this one. I made this for me. It's not spicy." Swarnima forwarded her plate.
Abhedya took a bite of her lunch and asked, "you have this? It's totally bland! How can you even eat it?"
He started eating from his own when Swarnima stopped him and said, "why are you eating these when it's spicy? Wait! I will make new ones for you."
Abhedya had a current running not because Swarnima was holding his hand but because she was looking so adorable with that scared and apologetic and sorry and concerned expression. He smiled and disclosed, "you know what, you are mad! I was just joking. This is very tasty."

Swarnima relaxed and had her lunch quietly. She so wanted to hit Abhedya for scaring her like that but she did not. She could not. She didn't have that authority.
Yet!

"So, tell me why is your food so bland?" Abhedya questioned her.

"Excess of salt, spices, oil affects your fitness. So I avoid it." Swarnima answered him.

Abhedya choked on his food and remarked, "you better get yourself checked. You think I am not fit? I have all days as my cheat days and still, you know I have the best body and fitness in the whole college... the state even." Abhedya was proud of himself. "And you, you are absolutely fit. You cycle daily, am sure you practice other forms like yoga, jogging and all too. You figure is the perfect hourglass figure and..." Abhedya bit his tongue and gulped some water.
His brain scolded him 'Abhey you actually do not know when to stop.'

Rest of the lunch went peaceful. No one spoke. Swarnima has never been conscious about her figure. She just wanted to stay fit because it was essential. And she was instructed to avoid any food which is unhealthy.

After lunch was over Abhedya kept the dishes in sink and remembered the last encounter they had and smiled. Swarnima said, "I will do the dishes later on. Please come out I need to tell you something."

Abhedya came out and they sat on the sofa. Swarnima got some files and a hard disk. She plugged the hard disk on her laptop and told Abhedya, "this is the complete programme. After you went the other day S.P. Dutt came and handed me the data. I made the programme on these lines... now, all you have to do is check for any errors or is there any scope for improvement?"
Swarnima looked down and said, "I didn't tell you because exams were around and you had to study. I already am thorough with the course as I have told you before. So, I made the programme."

"Thank you! I will check. Bye!" Abhedya unplugged the hard disk and took the files and was about to leave when Swarnima revealed, "you cannot take them out of the premises of this house. You know that is the deal."

"Of course your highness! I remember. I will check it. What am I saying! The Great Swarnima has made the programme it will be error free and it will be perfect and perfection does not require improvement." Abhedya was bitter.

"Look I had a reason... I didn't want to burden you with this additional thing. It is your last year and you want to be on top and that requires extra efforts and if you get involved with this programme you might have to compromise on your study time and..." Swarnima stopped her explanations when Abhedya looked at her with rage.

"What are you? Hunn! Christ?? That you will take everybody's burdens and sorrows and give them happiness. But sorry to burst your bubble miss, it doesn't work that way. There are people who like to work and achieve their goals. What do you keep saying? I am thorough with the course, I don't need to study. Then even I have done my course. I could have helped you make the programme. It would have been easier and faster. Even you should not have burdened yourself." Abhedya disliked Swarnima's decision.

"I am sorry. Please don't be angry. I only thought it would be beneficial for you. Still there is a lot that needs to be done. We can do that together." Swarnima suggested.

"TOGETHER? does this word even exist in your dictionary? Huh! How would you know it's meaning? Your dad also didn't know what together means. If he would have for once thought of sharing the danger that lay before us, we all would have fought it TOGETHER. But no!! He wanted to be the Messiah. He not only put his life but his entire family's life at risk. Together!!" Abhedya said what was in his heart and mind. After his father told him the truth last night, he thought the situation could be dealt in a better way and if all were together then the monster Dushyant didn't stand a chance to win. He would have and should have died then and there.

Swarnima pinched herself. She thought she was dreaming. Abhedya definitely did not say what she heard. But he did. "You know what, my father was a Messiah. He may not have been able to protect himself or his family but he protected thousands of families of Swarnbhoomi." Saying that Swarnima went to the kitchen, took water and gulped down two tablets. She knew Abhedya was still unaware of the complete truth but is this what he thought? Her father saved the entire state and this is what he gets for sacrificing his life? The one person who needed to be protected and the one for whose safety the whole act was planned was the one questioning his immolation?

Abhedya knew he went overboard. He could have said things in a better manner. But his anger again got the worst out of him. Who would like to listen bad about their father, dead father? He did sacrifice his life and risked his family. Abhedya may not agree with his plan of action but his sacrifice could not be ignored. He knew sorry was not enough but he went to Swarnima and said "ummm... sorry! I guess I said too much. I didn't mean.."

"I know... you said something, you meant something and you did something. I understand the chronology don't worry. You may sit and go through the programme, make a new one too if you wish. I am going to your house, Nivi must be waiting." Swarnima told her plan and got up.

Abhedya sat on his knees infront of Swarnima and said in the same tone Swarnima did in green room, "you can punish me too. I am ready for it."

"Punishment? For what? For questioning my father's sacrifice? His plan of action? It was your opinion and everyone has a right to keep one. You may not agree and that is fine. So, punishment is out of question." Swarnima replied in a calm tone.

Abhedya got up and explained, "you know what, this, this is the problem. You talk like some saint. I would have have slapped the person who questioned my father. You are this miss forgiving. Did you like it when I said chachu could have thought of a better course of action? I am sure not! Then why don't you raise your voice against it? Huh! People can have opinions."

"Please don't shout!" Swarnima said holding her head.

"Why? It bothers you? You can't hear the truth." Abhedya again lost his cool.

"Abhey! Pleaseeeee!! Don't shout!!"  Swarnima said rubbing her temples.

"You have to... wait! What did you say?" Abhedya wanted to confirm if Swarnima actually said his name or was he hallucinating?

Swarnima was rubbing her temples when she ran to her room and rushed to the bathroom. Abhedya followed her and knocked the bathroom door. "Hey! Are you okay? Are you fine?" He got no response. So, he sat on the bed and waited. After a few minutes Swarnima came out of the bathroom and wiped her face with a face towel. Abhedya came and held her arms and asked, "are you okay? What went wrong? Should we go to a doctor?"

Worry and concern written all over his face. Swarnima replied, "I am fine! Just felt a little uneasy. Thanks for asking."

Abhedya continued observing her for a few seconds. Before nodding his head. "Hey, nice room. Very neat and cosy."

"Thank you." Swarnima replied and went to her closet to take out clothes.

"Have you also been taught to reply briefly and only talk when necessary?" Abhedya never liked her short replies.

"Yes. Why should we waste our energy talking unnecessarily?" Swarnima went towards the bathroom again with clothes in her hand.

Swarnima came out wearing her regular jeans and polo t shirt. She went to her dressing and Abhedya followed her. She saw him from the mirror and turned back to say, "I need to make my hair, if you could please excuse."

"You are just making your hair not changing your clothes. Why should I go?" Abhedya stood there rooted and kept opening the drawers of her dressing table.

"I can't make my hair infront of anyone. It's not allowed." Swarnima said and closed a drawer Abhedya was about to open.

Abhedya found something fishy but what caught his attention was Swarnima's statement. "What will happen if you make your hair infront of 'anyone'?"

Swarnima locked the drawer and said, "Umm... Its supposed to be an act of inviting attention. Seeing a girl doing up her hair is a very attractive observation so, I am refrained from doing it."

"Bloody hell! What utter non sense is this? You are living in a jail. Who is there to see you inside here? How will they know what we are doing? I stayed at your place the other night ? Who knows what we did? We could have had sex and no one would know?" Abhedya just came to know of the most absurd thing in his life.

Swarnima's heart was beating really fast. Abhedya said so casually something she has never  thought also. Mere existence of Abhedya was enough in her life anything more than that was just a dream. A dream she knew will never turn to reality and it was best that way considering the way their relation was shaping.

"The council trusts me and I cannot break their trust. No one would know anything that is done inside the house but we need to keep our promise and not break the bond of trust." Swarnima answered.

"I just saw Goddess with my naked eyes. I can't believe it. Please bless me!" Abhedya put Swarnima's hand on his head to seek her blessings. Sarcasm dripping.

Swarnima smiled and prayed, "all your sorrows be mine and all my happiness be yours."

Swarnima left without making her hair she knew there was no point arguing with the extremely stubborn Singh.

Abhedya was still standing in Swarnima's room. What she just said. She had a terrible terrible past. She has extreme and baseless rules to follow. Her life was practically miserable. Still she didn't mind more burdens and sorrows in return of his happiness. He accused her father and her, still she didn't say a word to him.

'Was this not love?'Abhedya's heart reasoned. 'This may be a form of love for friends, where you wish the best for them.'His mind countered.
'Rubbish! That girl is madly in love with you, Abhey! Fool recognise it now before it's too late.' Abhedya's heart warned him.
'Oh! Just shut up! She told him clearly that she has moved on and they were no longer kids.' His brain reminded.
'Stop arguing! You morons! For once let me reach a decision. Find an equilibrium for me. Else be ready to be punched.' Abhedya scolded his brain and heart.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Dear Readers
Disagreeing with each other, annoying each other but standing together whatever the situation may be.
Abhedya is curious about the locked drawer and he is all alone in Swarnima's house.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love