Chennai Airport was already crowded by the time Pragya Paromita Banerjee stepped out of the arrival corridor.
She stopped for a moment.
Just stopped.
Her fingers tightened around the handle of her suitcase as she looked around.
People were everywhere.
Families were greeting one another.
Children were running toward parents.
Businessmen were speaking hurriedly into phones.
Cab drivers stood outside holding placards.
Announcements echoed from somewhere overhead.
The familiar smell of airport coffee floated through the air.
Everything was new.
Everything was unfamiliar.
And yet, strangely, she wasn't frightened.
Not completely.
She was excited.
She had actually done it.
She had left Kolkata.
She had boarded the flight.
She had arrived in Chennai.
And now she was officially standing in the city where she would spend the next chapter of her life.
IIT Madras.
The thought made her heart flutter.
She looked down at her phone.
No new message.
She frowned.
“Where is Eleanor?”
She checked the time.
Then checked her phone again.
Then the airport entrance.
Then her phone again.
“Maybe she's stuck in traffic.”
She sighed.
“Obviously.”
She could already imagine Anubhab's voice.
Don't go anywhere. Wait for Eleanor.
She muttered,
“I am not going anywhere.”
Her phone buzzed.
Pragya immediately grabbed it.
A message from Anubhab.
Reached?
She smiled.
She typed:
Yes. Waiting for Eleanor.
The reply arrived almost instantly.
Good. Don't wander off.
Pragya stared at the screen.
She typed:
I'm twenty-two, Bhai.
Three dots appeared.
Exactly.
She rolled her eyes.
“Unbelievable.”
Another message arrived.
Call me when Eleanor reaches you.
Pragya smiled despite herself.
She knew her brother.
He was trying very hard not to behave like an overprotective brother.
He was failing miserably.
She put the phone away.
Then she heard someone calling.
“Pragya?”
She turned.
Nobody.
She frowned.
Then she heard it again.
“Pragya!”
She looked toward the entrance.
A young woman was walking toward her.
Eleanor.
Pragya immediately smiled.
“Eleanor!”
Eleanor hurried over.
“Oh my God! I'm so sorry!”
Pragya laughed.
“It's okay.”
“We got delayed.”
“You're fine.”
“I thought you would be angry.”
“I was.”
Eleanor looked horrified.
“Really?”
“For approximately three minutes.”
“Thank goodness.”
Pragya smiled.
“Then I got distracted.”
“By what?”
“Everything.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Welcome to Chennai.”
Pragya looked around.
“Thank you.”
Eleanor hugged her.
“It feels strange meeting you in person.”
“I know.”
“We've spoken so many times.”
“I know.”
“And now you're actually here.”
Pragya nodded.
“I am.”
Eleanor smiled.
“You're going to love IIT.”
“I hope so.”
“You will.”
Then Eleanor suddenly glanced behind her.
“Oh.”
Pragya followed her gaze.
A tall man was walking toward them.
He was dressed entirely in black.
Black shirt.
Black trousers.
Black shoes.
Black watch.
His expression was unreadable.
His posture was rigid.
His eyes were sharp.
And somehow, even amid the crowd, he looked completely out of place.
Not because he didn't belong.
Because he looked as though he had no intention of belonging anywhere.
Eleanor sighed.
“My brother.”
Pragya looked at her.
“That is Ethan?”
“Yes.”
Pragya stared at him for a second.
“Your brother looks…”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
“Looks what?”
Pragya considered her words.
“Angry.”
Eleanor burst out laughing.
“He's going to love that.”
“I didn't say it loudly.”
“He heard you.”
Pragya looked toward Ethan.
He had stopped a few feet away.
He was looking directly at them.
More specifically, he was looking at Pragya.
Eleanor smiled.
“Bhai, this is Pragya.”
Ethan nodded.
“Pragya Banerjee?”
“Yes.”
“Ethan Rodrigues.”
“I know.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“You know?”
“My brother has mentioned you.”
Ethan's expression remained unchanged.
“Your brother?”
“Anubhab.”
Something clicked.
“Anubhab Banerjee.”
“Yes.”
“You're his sister.”
“Yes.”
Ethan nodded.
“Right.”
Pragya waited.
Nothing.
She looked at Eleanor.
Eleanor looked at her.
Pragya looked back at Ethan.
Finally, she said,
“That's it?”
Ethan frowned.
“What?”
“You're not going to say hello?”
“I did.”
“When?”
“Just now.”
“That was not a hello.”
“It was.”
“It sounded like an interrogation.”
Eleanor immediately covered her mouth.
Ethan looked at her.
“What's funny?”
“Nothing.”
Pragya smiled.
“You're definitely grumpy.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You've known me for less than a minute.”
“And I've already figured it out.”
“I am not grumpy.”
“Okay.”
“Don't say it like that.”
“Like what?”
“Like you don't believe me.”
“I don't.”
Eleanor closed her eyes.
“This is going to be a long day.”
Ethan walked toward the luggage.
“How many bags?”
“Three,” Pragya answered.
He looked at them.
“Three?”
“Yes.”
“You're staying at a hostel, not moving permanently.”
Pragya frowned.
“I have important things.”
“Such as?”
“My books.”
Ethan looked at the largest suitcase.
“All of that is books?”
“Some.”
“Some?”
“Okay, a lot.”
He sighed.
“Give me that.”
Pragya immediately grabbed the handle.
“No.”
Ethan looked at her.
“No?”
“I can carry it.”
“I can see that.”
“Then let me.”
“I didn't say you couldn't.”
“You were reaching for it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because it's heavy.”
“I can handle it.”
“I didn't say you couldn't.”
“You're saying it without saying it.”
Ethan stared at her.
Eleanor quietly stepped backward.
She had learned one thing about both of them within the last two minutes.
Neither liked losing an argument.
Ethan finally released the handle.
“Fine.”
Pragya smiled triumphantly.
“Thank you.”
She pulled.
The suitcase barely moved.
She pulled again.
It moved approximately six inches.
Ethan watched.
Pragya looked at him.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Don't.”
“I didn't say anything.”
“Your face did.”
“My face?”
“Yes.”
“What exactly did my face say?”
“That I can't carry it.”
“I didn't say that.”
“You were thinking it.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
Eleanor burst out laughing.
Ethan turned toward his sister.
“Do you find this entertaining?”
“Yes.”
“Wonderful.”
Pragya tried again.
The suitcase rolled forward.
She immediately straightened.
“There.”
Ethan nodded.
“Excellent.”
“Don't sound sarcastic.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
“I was congratulating you.”
“On moving a suitcase?”
“Yes.”
Pragya stared at him.
“You really are annoying.”
Ethan picked up the suitcase.
“Thank you.”
“That wasn't a compliment.”
“I'll take it anyway.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Okay, both of you, stop.”
They finally reached the car.
Eleanor opened the driver's door.
Ethan placed the luggage in the boot.
Pragya stood beside the car.
“Where should I sit?”
“Back,” Ethan answered.
Pragya looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I'm sitting in the front.”
She looked at Eleanor.
“Is he always this bossy?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Yes.”
Ethan opened the passenger door.
“I heard that.”
“Good.”
Pragya got into the back seat.
She placed her backpack beside her.
Eleanor started the engine.
The car pulled away from the airport.
For several minutes, nobody spoke.
Pragya watched Chennai through the window.
The city moved around her.
Palm trees.
Buildings.
Roadside shops.
Buses.
Scooters.
People.
She smiled.
Eleanor glanced at her through the mirror.
“First impression?”
“Different.”
“Good different or bad different?”
“Good.”
Ethan spoke without looking back.
“You'll get used to it.”
Pragya looked at him.
“I know.”
“You're going to be here for your M.Tech.”
“Yes.”
“You'll have plenty of time.”
“I know.”
Silence again.
Then Eleanor asked,
“Are you nervous about starting?”
“A little.”
“About the academics?”
“No.”
“Then?”
Pragya looked outside.
“Being away from home.”
Her voice softened.
“I'm very homesick.”
Eleanor smiled sympathetically.
“You'll adjust.”
“I know.”
“You have your friends.”
“They're in Kolkata.”
“You'll make new ones.”
Pragya nodded.
“I hope so.”
Ethan glanced at her through the mirror.
“You'll manage.”
Pragya looked at him.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
Then he added,
“Just don't expect everything to be easy.”
Her expression changed.
“I don't.”
“IIT is demanding.”
“I know.”
“It's not going to be like college.”
“I know.”
“People will be competitive.”
“I know.”
“You'll have to work hard.”
Pragya stared at him.
“I know.”
Ethan finally turned his attention back toward the road.
“Good.”
Pragya folded her arms.
“You've said that three times.”
“Because you keep answering.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Okay, this is officially ridiculous.”
Pragya's phone buzzed.
She looked at it.
Anubhab was calling.
She answered.
“Hi, Bhai.”
“Reached?”
“Yes.”
“Eleanor found you?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Then Anubhab's voice became slightly suspicious.
“Is Ethan there?”
Pragya looked toward the front.
“Yes.”
“Give him the phone.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Give him.”
“Bhai…”
“Pragya.”
She reluctantly handed the phone forward.
Ethan took it.
“Hello.”
Anubhab's voice immediately came through.
“Hey, Ethan.”
“Hi.”
“Thanks for helping Eleanor.”
“No problem.”
“And thanks for taking care of Pragya.”
Ethan glanced at the rear-view mirror.
Pragya was watching him.
“She seems capable of taking care of herself.”
Anubhab laughed.
“I know.”
Then he said,
“But she tends to argue when she's nervous.”
Pragya's eyes widened.
“Bhai!”
Ethan's mouth twitched.
“I've noticed.”
“Don't encourage him!”
Anubhab laughed.
“She's been arguing with you already?”
Ethan replied calmly,
“Since the airport.”
“PRAGYA!”
“What?”
“You've known him for ten minutes!”
“He started it!”
Ethan looked amused.
Anubhab sighed.
“Both of you, behave.”
Ethan handed the phone back.
Pragya immediately said,
“Bhai, he's annoying.”
Anubhab replied,
“I heard that.”
“Good.”
“Pragya.”
“Okay, okay.”
The call ended.
Eleanor was laughing so hard that she had to slow the car slightly.
“I can't believe this.”
Pragya folded her arms.
“What?”
“You've known Ethan for ten minutes.”
“So?”
“And you've already complained about him to your brother.”
“He deserves it.”
Ethan spoke from the front.
“I can hear you.”
“Good.”
The road became busier.
Eleanor concentrated on driving.
Pragya looked through the window.
Then she noticed Ethan's phone.
It was sitting beside him.
She glanced at it.
“Do you ever put your phone on silent?”
“Yes.”
“It's ringing every five minutes.”
“I have work.”
“You're going to work during the drive?”
“Yes.”
“That's unhealthy.”
Ethan turned slightly.
“I'm not asking for medical advice.”
“I'm not giving you medical advice.”
“Then don't comment.”
“I comment when I see something wrong.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“And you decided my work habits are wrong?”
“Yes.”
“You've known me for fifteen minutes.”
“That's enough.”
Eleanor muttered,
“Please stop.”
Ethan looked at Pragya through the mirror.
“You seem to have an opinion about everything.”
Pragya smiled.
“I do.”
“At least you're honest.”
“Always.”
“Even when you shouldn't be?”
“Especially then.”
Ethan shook his head.
“That's going to get you into trouble.”
“Maybe.”
“But you don't care.”
“No.”
Eleanor glanced at them.
“You two sound like you've known each other for years.”
Pragya and Ethan simultaneously said,
“Absolutely not.”
Eleanor laughed.
The car continued through Chennai.
After a while, Pragya became quiet.
She watched the city.
Her excitement returned.
She opened her phone and began scrolling through photographs of IIT Madras.
She had saved dozens of pictures.
The campus.
The laboratories.
The hostels.
The library.
The academic buildings.
Her dream was becoming real.
Ethan noticed the change in her expression.
“You've wanted this for a long time?”
Pragya looked up.
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Years.”
“Why biotechnology?”
Her face immediately brightened.
And suddenly, the argumentative girl disappeared.
She began talking.
About research.
About biotechnology.
About wanting to work in a field where science could make a real difference.
About how much she wanted to learn.
About how frightened she was of failing.
About how excited she was to finally have the opportunity.
She spoke quickly.
Passionately.
Without realizing that both Eleanor and Ethan were listening.
Ethan looked at her through the mirror.
There was something different about her now.
She wasn't trying to prove anything.
She wasn't arguing.
She was simply talking about something she loved.
When she finally stopped, she realized everyone had been quiet.
“What?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Nothing.”
Pragya looked suspicious.
“What?”
“You really love this.”
Pragya smiled.
“Yes.”
Ethan nodded.
“Then you'll do well.”
Pragya looked at him.
“That sounded almost encouraging.”
“Don't get used to it.”
She laughed.
“There he is.”
“Who?”
“Mr. Grumpy.”
Ethan shook his head.
After nearly an hour, the gates of IIT Madras came into view.
Pragya's eyes widened.
“Oh my God.”
She leaned closer to the window.
“This is huge.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Welcome.”
Pragya stared at the campus.
The greenery.
The roads.
The buildings.
Students walking around.
The atmosphere.
Everything.
Her excitement was almost childlike.
“This is really happening.”
Ethan looked at her through the mirror.
“Yes.”
Pragya smiled.
“I'm actually here.”
Eleanor turned toward her.
“You made it.”
Pragya nodded.
“I did.”
The car stopped near the hostel.
Eleanor got out.
Ethan opened the boot.
Pragya stepped out.
She looked at the campus again.
Her heart felt strangely full.
This was the place she had dreamed about.
The place she had secretly fought for.
The place she had been terrified to tell her family about.
And now she was standing here.
Ethan handed her suitcase to her.
She looked surprised.
“Thank you.”
“You're welcome.”
She smiled.
“You know, you're not completely terrible.”
Ethan stared at her.
“That's the nicest thing you've said to me.”
“Don't become emotional.”
“I won't.”
She laughed.
Eleanor shook her head.
“I regret introducing you two.”
Pragya grinned.
“I don't.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Neither do I.”
For once, there was no argument.
Just a brief silence.
Then Pragya picked up her backpack.
“Goodbye, Mr. Grumpy.”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Goodbye, Miss Argument.”
She stopped.
“Miss Argument?”
“Yes.”
“You gave me a nickname!”
“No, I didn't.”
“You absolutely did!”
“I didn't.”
Eleanor grabbed Pragya's arm.
“Come on.”
Pragya laughed.
“You're impossible!”
Ethan shook his head.
“You started it.”
“I did not!”
“You did.”
“See!”
Eleanor laughed as she dragged Pragya toward the hostel entrance.
“Enough!”
Pragya turned around while walking backward.
“Bye, Mr. Grumpy!”
Ethan called back,
“Goodbye, Miss Argument!”
She laughed.
And then she disappeared inside.
Ethan stood beside the car for a moment.
Eleanor walked back toward him.
“You like her.”
Ethan immediately frowned.
“I barely know her.”
“I didn't mean anything romantic.”
“I know.”
“You just seemed amused.”
“She talks too much.”
Eleanor smiled.
“So do you.”
“I don't.”
“You absolutely do.”
Ethan opened the car door.
“Get in.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Yes, boss.”
She climbed inside.
Ethan followed.
As the car pulled away from IIT Madras, Eleanor looked back toward the hostel.
“She'll be fine.”
Ethan nodded.
“She will.”
Neither of them said anything else.
But both knew the girl they had just dropped at the hostel wasn't ordinary.
Pragya was loud where Ethan was quiet.
Warm where he was cold.
Impulsive where he was controlled.
Curious where he was guarded.
She challenged everything.
He tolerated nothing.
She spoke whatever came to her mind.
He measured every word.
She was sunshine.
He was a storm cloud.
And their first meeting had proved one thing beyond doubt—
They were going to argue. A lot.
Neither Ethan nor Pragya knew how many times their paths would cross after that morning.
Neither knew how many arguments awaited them.
Neither knew how many misunderstandings, challenges, and unexpected moments would follow.
For now, they had only one conclusion about each other.
Pragya's conclusion:
Ethan Rodrigues was the grumpiest man she had ever met.
Ethan's conclusion:
Pragya Banerjee was the most argumentative person he had encountered in years.
And, for the moment, both were perfectly satisfied with being right.
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