78. Abhirup on work

After school, in the dormitory.

Olivia knocked on Surjo's door.

When the door opened, she walked inside and asked, "Where is he?"

Surjo, who was busy reading a novel, pointed at the bathroom door. Olivia nodded and slumped on a chair. Soon after, Abhirup came out of the bathroom with his lower half wrapped in a towel while he used another to wipe his hair.

"Oye!" He screamed, catching the bathrobe that came flying at his face.

"Is your bathroom door broken?"

Abhirup paused for a moment before moving the bathrobe out of his field of view. He had to wait for his face to go back to the normal shade from the beet red colour it had taken due to his friend's comment. Although everyone knew him and Surjo were dating, it was still embarrassing to get caught taking a bath in his boyfriend's room when he had a perfectly functional bathroom in his own room.

Mustering a somewhat nonchalant expression, he looked at his best friend, who was seated on a chair with her legs dangling over one of the hand rests and an arm twisted around the backrest. She was looking at him with a raised eyebrow, waiting for an answer.

"Ahem! Olly, what brings you hear?" He asked, avoiding her question.

"Put that on," Olivia pointed her chin at his shoulder instead of answering him.

Abhirup followed her gaze and saw the bathrobe. His eyes widened in shock. He looked down and screamed, then hurriedly put it on. Since it was always Surjo alone in the room, he never bothered to care if he was wearing a towel or a robe after coming out of a bath. But that day was a different case!

"You pervert!" Abhirup accused her while covering his chest with his hands.

"You were the one walking around half-naked. I had to kindly remind you that you're not alone in the room to lessen the torment on my eyes." Olivia pointed out.

Surjo laughed from the side but one pointed look from Abhirup shut him up. He was well aware of the meaning of that look and cried in his heart for his poor back.

"Anyways, I have a task for you," Olivia said.

Both of them became serious and looked at her, waiting for her to continue.

"I want a detailed report on Koushik."

"Didn't I already prepare one before the VN HIGH mission?" Abhirup asked in confusion.

"Do it again. Don't miss ANY info."

Abhirup nodded and locked eyes with Surjo. Olivia was not one to take the initiative to command them unless necessary.

"Did something happen?" Surjo asked, voicing the question both him and Abhirup were wondering about.

"Sort of." Came the reply.

"What is it?" Surjo asked with utmost curiosity.

"That kid is quite pitiful. He had a crush on Ankita and is still waiting to see her. He even applied for Ketu's admission exam for her." Olivia said.

"Aah. So you want to tell him that Ankita was an identity you assumed to expose the drug dealers, but for that you'll either have to tell the truth about your identity or cook up another lie. But first and foremost, you're uncertain if telling him everything is safe. So you want Abhi to run a check on his info to be certain. Correct?" Surjo snapped his fingers, completing her thoughts.

Olivia looked at him warmly, pleased at how well her friend knew her.

"But why are you suddenly being so kind to him?" Surjo asked, rolling over to Abhirup's lap.

Abhirup habitually stroked Surjo's back and nodded at Olivia indicating his interest to know about it too.

"He looks like a poodle," Olivia answered with utmost seriousness.

'Although I haven't figured out the main reason I want to help him, this will do for now.'

Abhirup's hand stopped. Him and Surjo had their jaws on the ground.

"You... want to tell him the truth... because?" Abhirup asked, not believing what he heard.

"Did you just call him a dog?" Surjo asked.

"Yeah. Why do you look like I cursed at him? It's a praise okay? Dogs are sweet, cute, brave, loyal, beautiful, fluffy, warm..." She kept on listing how calling someone a dog was praise.

"Okay, okay. You dog fanatic. I get it." Abhirup raised his hand to stop her.

"Dogs are the best," Olivia said.

"Yeah, I got it."

"They're better than any other species,"

"Oh, dear mother, I get it. Yes. Yes. Dogs are the best in the world. You were praising Koushik by calling him a poodle." Abhirup joined his hands and bowed.

Olivia nodded at him like a teacher proud of the backbencher who finally understood a lesson completely.

"Where's Tweety, by the way?" She asked looking around for the fluffball for the umpteenth time since coming there.

"Tweet has an appointment with the vet." Surjo answered.

"Don't worry, it's just regular check up."

Back in her room, Olivia was lying on the bed when that little girl from the library crept closer to her and asked, "Hey, don't those contacts irritate your eyes?"

"These are not your ordinary contact lenses, idiot. And which century are you living in? This is 2554 not the 21st century where you need to take off your contacts when not needed." Olivia rolled her eyes at her.

"Go away. I'm busy." She flipped over to the other side of the bed.

The girl stubbornly remained where she was and asked with her hands on her hips, "Tsk, those ugly black contacts are eyesores. Why not show off your jewels?"

Olivia raised an eyebrow.

"What I meant was that show the world your emerald and sapphire-like eyes." the girl said.

"I can't do that. I'll be easily recognised." Olivia shook her head.

"Hey." The girl sat on the bed and poked her.

Olivia lay on the bed with a small towel over her eyes, without responding. She prefered using a towel instead of eye bands.

"Hey! I'm talking to you!" The little girl said louder than before.

Olivia was still quiet.

"Hey, why are you ignoring me? Talk to me! Speak! I'm talking to you!" The girl yelled near Olivia's ears.

"Can you just shut up? I'm tired and I want to sleep. Get out." Olivia said, gritting her teeth in an extremely irritated voice.

"So annoying!" She muttered.

The girl's hands, which were raised in an attempt to shake Olivia if she ignored her again, paused mid-air. She stared at Olivia's face and swallowed her next words.

Retracting her hands and she said in a barely audible voice and a stretched smile, "Sorry, I didn't mean to irritate you. I just wanted to talk to someone. I'm sorry. Please, don't be mad anymore. I'll leave. Bye!"

When she hopped down the bed, her smile disappeared and a little drop of water glistened at the corner of her eyes. As she turned back to look at the girl lying on the bed, her lips trembled a little and there was a slight pain in her throat. She turned back and ran out of the room.