Serendipity

Episode #6 : Sparks

SCENE 1

“Yes Maa... I have settled in comfortably. The staff is very cooperative.”

Abhimanyu was on call with Manjiri. The time was 8:20 in the morning and he was getting ready for the day. His phone was on speaker, placed on the dresser as he combed his hair.

“Did you have breakfast ?” - she asked worriedly, making him smile.

“I didn't due to waking up late.” - he told her honestly.

He had experienced trouble sleeping last night because of the change in place. Also, that firefly girl strangely enough, occupied his thoughts throughout. Maybe his empty soul envied her lively eyes...

“Abhi...” - Manjiri chided, pulling him back to present.

“I promise I'll have it on reaching college.”

There was a change of plan as last night when he returned to quarters, the incharge had by the way expressed his worry that a professor had fallen sick and his substitute was required. Since the field in concern was cardiology, he didn't hesitate to offer his services until a substitute was found. Now his shift at the medical camp was adjusted to evening and he was satisfied because, as someone who didn't like to sit idle, he'll remain occupied that way.

“Okay Maa, I have to go now. Will talk to you in the evening.” - he said, placing the brush back and setting his hair with his fingers.

“Okay but do eat something and stay warm.” - Manjiri instructed.

He smiled again. “I will. Love you Maa.” - he said in adieu.

“Love you too.” - she softly replied before the line disconnected.

He checked his appearance one last time before picked up his phone and left the room.

~

SCENE 2

The alarm on Suman's bedside table set off sharp at 7 AM. Habitual by now, she was up in an instant and quickly putting aside the quilt, stood up.

“Pallavi...” - she tried to wake her friend while putting her slippers on. “Pallavi wake up or we'll get late for the class.”

Pallavi groaned and turned away from her on her cot. Suman shook her head and headed to the bathroom for shower.

Twenty minutes later, Suman was stood in front of the mirror wearing a blossom coloured frock with chooridar and was combing her hair. She wore her lab coat over it. While picking up her sling bag from the hanger, the umbrella caught her eyes that she had taken out the almirah just yesterday cautious of the weather.

‘Should I take it along ?’ - she thought, looking out the window. It was not raining but the sky was still clouded and her brain voted in favour of taking it along.

She threw the sling over her head, setting it on her chest from left shoulder and turned to Pallavi who was still out like a light. Her snores shaking the room. She marched towards Pallavi and lightly hit her with umbrella, finally succeeding in waking her up.

“What did you have in dinner ? Cannabis leaves ?” - Suman asked rolling her eyes as Pallavi wildly looked here and there. “It's 8:25 madam.”

Pallavi's jaw dropped and the remains of the sleep left her eyes. “Gosh! I was studying till late but why didn't you wake me up ?” - she groaned and sprinted to the bathroom in panic.

Suman shook her head. Pallavi was extremely worried for the exit exam and speaking frankly, she was actually having trouble with the tricky sample msqs than her. It was due to the very same reason Pallavi had not volunteered for the camp as she wanted to spend all her time apart from classes in preparing for the exam. Again, Suman was a topper whereas Pallavi's grades were always under ‘good’ category so she didn't blame her friend.