Somewhere in a sophisticated scientific laboratory, the steady hum of machines blended with soft clicking of keyboards and the occasional beep of monitoring devices. Blue and green lights blinked rhythmically on control panels, casting a soft glow across the room. A group of scientists huddled around a central workstation, their eyes glued to the screen as they analyze data and conducted experiments. Tension lingered in the room as they worked tirelessly on their research project.
The experiment had reached a critical juncture, and every team member knew the importance of this moment. Years of work, countless sleepless nights, and endless trial-and-error had led to this point.
The lead scientist leaned in, his brows furrowed in concentration. But as the final set of results came through, his face fell. The numbers weren't right. Again.
He slammed his hand on the metal table in frustration with a loud thud, startling a few others. "Not again! How can we keep failing at this crucial stage? We're right there, but something keeps slipping through!"
His colleague sighed deeply, attempting to diffuse the tension. "Sir, please. I know it's frustrating, but anger won't help. We need to figure out how to address this when they come to check our progress."
The senior scientist exhaled harshly, rubbing his temples. "I know, I know. But we've been at this for years, and every attempt ends in failure. It's maddening!"
The colleague nodded in silent agreement. "I know, but we have gone through every possible method. Rethought every angle."
"That was and is the only way," the senior scientist said, his frustration peaking when his gaze fell on a figure quietly standing at the lab's entrance. His breath caught for just a second before he straightened up slightly.
"Boss..."
.......
The following morning, Aara was in a quiet hurry, her movements a little clumsy from the exhaustion clinging to her bones. The events of the previous night still lingered in her mind, weaving through her thoughts like an unsettling tune she couldn't silence. She had barely slept, the constant tossing and turning convincing her to skip the first lecture, which luckily wasn't all that important.
She pulled open her wardrobe and hastily chose a simple yet neat outfit.
Her fingers ran through her long hair in quick strokes, not bothering to style it perfectly today. Then she grabbed her notes, her charger, her pen pouch, all the usual things and stuffed them into her bag with practiced speed. Slipping the strap over her shoulder, she mentally ticked off every item on her checklist, murmuring softly under her breath to make sure nothing was left behind.
With her pulse still just a bit too fast from last night's unease, she stepped out and locked the door behind her. Her phone buzzed just as she turned and she answered quickly.
"Yes, Minnie, I'm on my way," she said, trying to sound a little more awake than she felt.
On the other end, Minnie's voice rang with familiar concern. "Are you sure, Aara? You're running late."
Aara gave a small smile. "Don't worry, I'll make it in time. Let me just find a cab. Bye." She ended the call and began scanning the area.
Usually, she and Minnie rode their scooty together, laughing and racing against time, but today Minnie had left earlier due to an urgent submission, leaving Aara to fend for herself. And finding a cab in this sleepy part of the neighborhood wasn't exactly easy.
Tapping her foot impatiently on the cemented path, Aara kept looking around. Time felt like it was slipping through her fingers, and with every passing minute, her frustration grew. She knew how tricky public transport could be around here, either too full or just nonexistent when needed most.
After a few more minutes of waiting with no luck, she let out a small huff and decided to walk further down the road, hoping she'd find a ride closer to the main street.
But as she continued walking, a strange feeling crept up her spine... a sense that someone was watching her. Again.
Just like the night before.Her steps slowed as her eyes scanned her surroundings. Morning walkers, a delivery guy, a kid on a bicycle, nothing seemed unusual. Yet the unease was persistent, clinging to her like an invisible shadow.
Suddenly, a cab pulled up right in front of her. Its arrival was so abrupt she litterally skipped back, startled. The window rolled down slowly to reveal an old man behind the wheel, his face kind and lined with age.
"Dear, do you want to go somewhere?" he asked gently, his voice calm and warm, like a grandfather offering a helping hand.
Aar blinked, her nerves still on edge. It seemed unusual to find a cab in this area, and this one showing up right when she needed it almost felt too perfect. She hesitated for a second but then sighed and nodded. She gave him her college address, stepped into the cab, and left her doubts behind for the time being. Her top priority at that moment was getting to college on time.
After a 15-minute drive through the bustling roads of Nainital, finally, the cab stopped outside her college gate. Aara quickly paid the driver, offered a polite thank you, and without another glance, rushed toward the campus, letting the clatter of her footsteps drown the uneasy feeling lingering inside her.
Inside the college, the world was alive and moving. Students weaved in and out of corridors, chatting, flipping through notes, or hurrying to their next class. The usual buzz of youth and deadlines filled the air, wrapping around Aara like a familiar blanket.
She made her way to the classroom and spotted Minnie already seated at their usual place, waving at her with a small smile. Aara returned it with a quick nod before slipping into her seat, just as the professor entered.
The lecture began, and slowly, the morning faded into the background. Aara's attention was drawn into the rhythm of words and diagrams, her pen gliding over pages as she jotted down notes. Her sharp mind, ever curious, locked into the lesson with ease.
As the hours rolled by, campus life carried on, group discussions, casual teasing, the occasional sigh of a stressed student. Everything felt normal, safe, structured.
And with that, the eeriness of the night before and the strange feeling from the morning slowly tucked themselves away into the corners of her mind. For now, academia had her full attention. The mysteries could wait.
......
With the classroom gradually emptying as students dispersed to their homes, Aara quietly began packing her bag. The soft rustling of paper and zippers filled the otherwise silent room, until Minnie's impatient voice sliced through the stillness.
"Faster, Aara! Ransh must be waiting for us outside!" she called out, already halfway ready to bolt.
In typical Minnie fashion, she had no patience for order. Without sparing a thought for the neatness of her books or the state of her notes, she began shoving everything into her bag in a mad rush. Pages crinkled, pens clinked, and the poor bag bore the brunt of her urgency.
Aara, meanwhile, moved with quiet intention. Her hands folded each sheet properly, her notebooks aligned into their usual order, her pen case zipped neatly after ensuring no pen was left behind. Her voice was calm as she replied, "You go first, I'll follow. I can't hurry like you."
Minnie rolled her eyes with a huff, but there was a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Huh! Come on, let's leave. I don't want to get caught by some teacher and end up doing their boring work."
"It doesn't matter, Minnie," Aara replied, still focused, gently sliding a paper into its folder and zipping the case.
Minnie, pausing dramatically at the door, threw a playful smirk over her shoulder. "Girl, learn from me, you'll be in benefit."
With that last line of wisdom, she slung her backpack on and disappeared down the corridor, leaving the room with her usual spark and chaos.
Aara let out a small chuckle, shaking her head, more amused than annoyed. Alone now, she looked around the empty classroom and murmured to herself, "I can't be like you because I am different."
As the words left her lips, a prickle ran down her spine. She turned around to check if Minnie was still within hearing distance, only to find someone else standing by the classroom door.
Mr. Ruhaan Shah.
His gaze was deep and unreadable, and his very presence seemed to still the air around them.
"Different, huh?" he said, voice low and rough, like a half-spoken thought.
Aara froze for a second. She hadn't expected anyone to hear her, especially not him. Avoiding his gaze, she tightened her grip on her bag and moved toward the door. Her heartbeat picked up, and she could feel his eyes on her like a quiet fire.
"I... I didn't mean…" she stammered, her voice barely a whisper, unsure of what she was even trying to explain.
But Ruhaan's tone softened, and his words came quickly, "It's alright. Being different is what makes you special."
At that, Aara finally met his gaze. In his eyes, she didn't find judgment or sarcasm, just an unfamiliar warmth, something steady and strangely comforting. And in that moment, something unspoken passed between them, delicate but undeniable.
Before either of them could say more, footsteps echoed down the hallway, followed by a voice.
"Mr. Ruhaan, I was searching for you." Professor Tanya said as she entered, her tone sharp but edged with something a little too sweet.
Ruhaan however responded with a straightforward answer, "I was just checking this classroom," he replied his expressions neutral.
Professor Tanya, clearly not in a hurry to leave, took a few steps closer. Her tone turned casual, almost flirtatious. "Oh, why roam alone when I'm here to help you in any way possible?"
Then her eyes flicked toward Aara and the friendly tone faded instantly as she asked pointedly, "Aara, right? What are you doing here?"
Aara straightened slightly, caught off guard, but answered politely, "Actually, ma'am, I was..."
Before she could form a reply, Ruhaan interrupted smoothly, "I stopped her."
Professor Tanya blinked, clearly not expecting that. "You? But why, Mr. Ruhaan?"
He responded with an unreadable glance at Aara, "As I am inspecting the college, it's important to hear students' perspectives. Aara is one of the best students here - brilliant in academics and active in all college activities. A genuine opinion from her holds value."
Aara's eyes widened slightly in surprise. She hadn't realized he even knew who she was, let alone details about her performance. A faint warmth crept up her cheeks.
Just then, Minnie's voice echoed from the corridor, calling her to hurry up.
Aara looked between the two adults and quietly asked, "May I leave?"
Ruhaan nodded, and before she turned to go, he added with a certain weight to his words, "Sure. I'll see you around, Aara."
Aara nodded, her heart skipping for reasons she couldn't name, her cheeks still slightly flushed. As she walked away, something within her shifted... some thread that had quietly begun to pull her in his direction. A mystery she couldn't explain, but one she didn't want to resist either.