By the time Pragya and Bristi left the hostel, the heaviness in Pragya's heart had considerably reduced.
It wasn't gone.
She still missed home.
She still had the urge to call her father again.
She still wanted to hear Anubhab's voice and listen to Niharika's ridiculous complaints and Aarohi's dramatic commentary.
But the ache wasn't swallowing her anymore.
Bristi had decided that the best cure for homesickness was to keep Pragya occupied.
And, judging by the amount of talking she had done in the last hour, she was taking that responsibility very seriously.
“So,” Bristi said as they walked down the road, “tell me everything about your friends.”
Pragya glanced at her.
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
“That's a dangerous request.”
“Why?”
“Because there are four of them.”
“Four?”
“Three girls and my brother.”
Bristi smiled.
“Your brother counts as a friend?”
“He's my best friend.”
“Aww.”
“Don't.”
“I'm not doing anything.”
“You're making that face.”
“What face?”
“That sentimental face.”
Bristi laughed.
“Fine. Tell me about him.”
Pragya smiled.
“Anubhab is annoying.”
“That's not a description.”
“It is.”
“No, it's not.”
“Okay. He's calm, protective, irritating, overdramatic, supportive, and occasionally unbearable.”
“Sounds like a good brother.”
“He is.”
“Does he know you're here?”
Pragya stared at her.
“He has probably tracked my location already.”
Bristi burst out laughing.
“Seriously?”
“Not literally.”
A pause.
“Probably.”
Both girls laughed.
Their first stop was a stationery shop.
Bristi had insisted that they needed “essential things.”
Pragya soon discovered that Bristi's definition of essential was extremely flexible.
“Do we need this?”
Pragya held up a decorative pen.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because it's pretty.”
“That's not a reason.”
“It is to me.”
Pragya sighed.
“Fine.”
Five minutes later, Bristi had bought three pens, two notebooks, a set of sticky notes, and a tiny desk organiser.
Pragya stared at her.
“You said you needed essentials.”
“These are essentials.”
“You bought a panda-shaped eraser.”
“It was cute.”
“You're twenty-two.”
“So?”
Pragya laughed.
“Nothing.”
They left the shop with several bags.
Then came the bookstore.
That was where Bristi made her second mistake.
The moment Pragya entered the bookstore, she disappeared.
Bristi found her ten minutes later standing between two shelves with a book in her hand.
“You vanished.”
“I was reading.”
“We came here to look around.”
“I am looking around.”
“You've been reading the same page for eight minutes.”
Pragya looked at the page.
“Oh.”
Bristi shook her head.
“You weren't joking when you said you lose track of time.”
“I warned you.”
“You did.”
“And now you know.”
Bristi pulled the book from her hand.
“Come on.”
“I want to buy it.”
“Of course you do.”
“Please?”
“Fine.”
Pragya smiled.
“You're the best.”
“I know.”
By the time they left the bookstore, both girls were hungry.
Bristi checked her phone.
“Okay. Dinner.”
“Finally.”
“I know a place.”
“What kind?”
“Nice.”
“How nice?”
Bristi thought.
“Very nice.”
Pragya narrowed her eyes.
“That's concerning.”
“Why?”
“Because you said the same thing before taking me into that stationery shop.”
“That was a good shop.”
“You spent half your monthly stationery budget.”
“Details.”
Pragya laughed.
They continued walking.
After some time, they reached a beautifully designed restaurant.
The entrance was elegant without being intimidating.
Warm golden lights illuminated the doorway.
Large glass windows revealed a sophisticated yet cozy interior.
Inside were comfortable booths, wooden tables, indoor plants, soft lighting, and quiet instrumental music.
Pragya stopped.
“Okay.”
Bristi smiled.
“I told you.”
“This is beautiful.”
“Come on.”
They entered.
A hostess greeted them warmly.
“Good evening. Table for two?”
“Yes,” Bristi replied.
They were led toward a cozy corner.
Neither girl noticed the discreet plaque near a private corridor.
Nor did either notice the name engraved beneath it.
They simply sat down.
Pragya opened the menu.
“This is expensive.”
Bristi looked at the menu.
“Maybe.”
“You said it wasn't.”
“I said it was worth it.”
“That is different.”
Bristi grinned.
“We're already here.”
Pragya sighed.
“Fine.”
At almost the exact same moment, Ethan Rodrigues was sitting inside one of the restaurant's private meeting rooms.
The room was completely separated from the main dining area.
A large glass table occupied the centre.
Several documents were spread across it.
Three clients sat opposite Ethan.
A presentation was displayed on a screen behind them.
Ethan was listening to one of the executives explain the revised production schedule.
“We believe the project may require another two weeks.”
Ethan didn't react immediately.
“Why?”
The executive hesitated.
“Some logistical complications.”
“What complications?”
“There have been delays with—”
“Specifics.”
The man swallowed.
“Transportation.”
Ethan leaned back.
“You knew about the transportation issue last week.”
“Yes.”
“And you still gave me the original deadline.”
“Yes.”
“Then why are you changing it now?”
The man looked uncomfortable.
“We were hoping to resolve the matter.”
Ethan's voice remained calm.
“You were hoping.”
“Yes.”
“Hope is not a business strategy.”
Nobody spoke.
Ethan closed the file.
“I don't want excuses.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Give me a revised plan by tomorrow morning.”
“Yes.”
“And if you can't meet the revised deadline?”
“We will.”
Ethan's gaze sharpened.
“Good.”
His phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
Eleanor.
He ignored it.
It vibrated again.
He sighed and answered.
“What happened?”
“Bhai?”
“I'm in a meeting.”
“I know.”
“Then?”
“I wanted to ask if you're still at the restaurant.”
“Yes.”
“I'm staying with Dadu and Dida tonight.”
“I know.”
“Okay. Bye.”
Ethan frowned.
“That was all?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you call?”
“I wanted to annoy you.”
“Mission accomplished.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Bye.”
The call ended.
Ethan placed his phone on the table.
Then something outside the glass partition caught his attention.
A familiar face.
He stopped.
Pragya.
For the second time that day.
He stared for a moment.
She was sitting at a table with another girl whom he had never seen before.
Pragya was laughing.
Actually laughing.
Not arguing.
Not glaring.
Not telling someone off.
Just laughing.
Ethan's lips almost curved upward.
Almost.
One of his clients noticed.
“Sir?”
Ethan looked back.
“Continue.”
The meeting resumed.
But Ethan's attention occasionally drifted toward the glass partition.
Not because he was distracted.
He told himself that.
He was merely curious.
That was all.
The clients eventually left the private room.
Ethan walked out with them.
He gave a few instructions to his manager.
Then, instead of returning to his office, he glanced toward Pragya's table.
He could have walked away.
He should have walked away.
Instead, he headed toward them.
Pragya was looking at the menu.
Bristi was studying the drinks section.
Neither noticed him.
Until a voice came from beside their table.
“Interesting choice.”
Pragya looked up.
Her eyes widened.
“You?”
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
“Me.”
Bristi looked between them.
“You know each other?”
Pragya sighed.
“Unfortunately.”
Ethan looked at her.
“That's rude.”
“It's honest.”
He looked at Bristi.
“I don't believe we've met.”
Bristi immediately stood slightly straighter.
“No.”
“Ethan Rodrigues.”
“Bristi Chakraborty.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too.”
Pragya looked at Ethan.
“What are you doing here?”
He glanced around.
“I'm eating.”
She stared at him.
“You're always eating wherever I am?”
Ethan's eyebrow rose.
“This is a restaurant.”
“Exactly.”
“And you are here.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“So nothing.”
“Then why are you asking?”
“Because you appeared.”
“I walked.”
“You know what I mean.”
“No, actually.”
Pragya stared at him.
Bristi looked down at the menu.
She had already decided that this conversation was none of her business.
Ethan turned to Bristi.
“You're her roommate?”
“Yes.”
“First day?”
“Yes.”
He nodded.
“Welcome to Chennai.”
“Thank you.”
Pragya immediately said,
“Don't encourage him.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I was speaking to Bristi.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you interrupt?”
“Because—”
She stopped.
She didn't have an answer.
Ethan's mouth twitched.
For some reason, he enjoyed watching her struggle to formulate a comeback.
Pragya noticed.
“Are you smiling?”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I'm not.”
“You absolutely are.”
Bristi looked up.
“He is.”
Ethan looked at Bristi.
“You're taking her side?”
“I've known her for a few hours.”
“And?”
“And she's entertaining.”
Pragya smiled triumphantly.
“See?”
Ethan shook his head.
“Both of you are troublesome.”
Bristi raised an eyebrow.
“We haven't done anything.”
“Yet.”
Pragya immediately said,
“See? That's his problem.”
“What?”
“He assumes everyone is guilty before they do anything.”
Ethan looked amused.
“And you're proving my point.”
“How?”
“You're arguing with me.”
“Because you're provoking me.”
“I'm standing here.”
“You came to our table!”
“You're sitting in my restaurant.”
Pragya froze.
Bristi froze.
The waiter froze.
Pragya slowly turned toward Ethan.
“Your restaurant?”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes.”
“You own this place?”
“Yes.”
Bristi's eyes widened.
“Oh.”
Pragya looked around.
Then back at him.
“You own this?”
“Yes.”
She looked genuinely surprised.
“And you didn't mention that at the airport.”
“You didn't ask.”
“I didn't know!”
“How would you know?”
“You could have told me.”
“Why?”
“Because—”
Again, she stopped.
Ethan's expression became faintly amused.
“Because?”
Pragya narrowed her eyes.
“Forget it.”
“No.”
“What?”
“You started.”
She stared at him.
“You enjoy this.”
“Enjoy what?”
“Arguing with me.”
“I don't.”
“You do.”
“I don't.”
“You're smiling.”
He immediately straightened his face.
“I am not.”
Bristi laughed.
“He definitely is.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Don't encourage her.”
Bristi smiled.
“Sorry.”
She wasn't sorry at all.
Ethan pulled out the empty chair.
“Are you two comfortable?”
“Yes,” Bristi replied.
“Good.”
Pragya looked suspicious.
“Why are you asking?”
“Because you're guests.”
“Guests?”
“Yes.”
“I thought we were customers.”
“You're both.”
Pragya frowned.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“It doesn't have to.”
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Ethan smiled.
“Out of arguments?”
“No.”
“Good.”
“Actually—”
“Pragya.”
“What?”
“Eat your dinner.”
She stared at him.
“Don't tell me what to do.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
Bristi sighed.
“This is exhausting.”
Pragya looked at her.
“Whose side are you on?”
“Mine.”
Ethan almost laughed.
“Smart answer.”
Their food arrived.
For approximately three minutes, everyone ate peacefully.
Then Pragya noticed Ethan looking at her plate.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Why are you looking?”
“I'm not.”
“You are.”
“I was looking at the table.”
“My plate is on the table.”
“Yes.”
“So you were looking at my food.”
“No.”
“You were.”
“Why would I care about your food?”
“I don't know.”
“Exactly.”
Bristi closed her eyes.
“Please.”
Pragya ignored her.
“Do you always behave like this?”
Ethan replied,
“Like what?”
“Like you have to win every conversation.”
“I don't have to.”
“You just want to.”
“Perhaps.”
There was a pause.
Pragya looked surprised.
“Did you just admit it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because arguing with you is amusing.”
Pragya blinked.
Bristi slowly lowered her fork.
Ethan continued eating as though he hadn't said anything unusual.
Pragya stared at him.
“You enjoy arguing with me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“You make it difficult.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“It is.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
Bristi looked between them.
“Are you two twelve?”
Pragya and Ethan simultaneously answered,
“No.”
Bristi laughed.
“Could have fooled me.”
One of Ethan's managers approached the table.
“Sir.”
Ethan looked up.
“Yes?”
“The Singapore clients are ready for the conference call.”
“Tell them five minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
The manager left.
Pragya looked at Ethan.
“You're still working?”
“Yes.”
“During dinner?”
“Yes.”
“You really don't stop.”
“No.”
“That sounds miserable.”
“It isn't.”
“You need a holiday.”
Ethan looked at her.
“A holiday?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you're clearly overworked.”
“You've known me for one day.”
“That's enough.”
He shook his head.
“You really like giving unsolicited advice.”
“Someone has to.”
“Why you?”
“Because nobody else seems brave enough.”
Bristi murmured,
“She has a point.”
Ethan looked at her.
“You're making a habit of agreeing with her.”
“I'm just observing.”
“Observe quietly.”
Bristi laughed.
Pragya smiled.
“You're outnumbered.”
Ethan looked at the two girls.
“For now.”
Eventually, the girls finished dinner.
Pragya stood up.
“Thank you.”
Ethan nodded.
“You're welcome.”
Bristi smiled.
“Thank you for the dinner.”
“You're welcome.”
Pragya looked at him suspiciously.
“Did you pay?”
“Yes.”
“I told you I was paying.”
“I know.”
“I said I didn't need anyone to pay for me.”
“I know.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I own the restaurant.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“It does.”
“No, it doesn't.”
Ethan smiled.
“You're welcome.”
Pragya frowned.
“You're doing that deliberately.”
“Doing what?”
“Being irritating.”
“Perhaps.”
Bristi laughed.
“Okay, I'm beginning to understand.”
Pragya turned toward her.
“Understand what?”
“Why you two keep arguing.”
“We don't.”
“You do.”
Ethan nodded.
“She does.”
Pragya glared.
“You're enjoying this.”
“Yes.”
She stared at him.
He was smiling.
Actually smiling.
Not the cold expression she had seen earlier.
Not the intimidating businessman.
Just a man quietly entertained by her outrage.
Pragya pointed at him.
“There!”
“What?”
“You smiled.”
Ethan's smile widened slightly.
“So?”
“So you admit it.”
“Yes.”
She looked stunned.
“You're impossible.”
“And yet you keep talking to me.”
“Because you keep talking to me.”
“Fair.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Bristi interrupted.
“Should we leave before this becomes another argument?”
Pragya nodded.
“Yes.”
Ethan said,
“Probably.”
They began walking toward the entrance.
Pragya turned around.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
“Mr. Rodrigues.”
“Miss Banerjee.”
She smiled.
“Don't call me that.”
“Why?”
“It sounds too formal.”
“You called me Mr. Rodrigues.”
“Because you deserve formality.”
Ethan laughed softly.
“Goodnight, Pragya.”
She paused.
“Goodnight, Ethan.”
Bristi watched the exchange.
Then whispered,
“Interesting.”
Pragya looked at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“Say it.”
“No.”
“Bristi.”
“Let's go.”
Ethan stood near the entrance for a moment.
His manager approached.
“Sir, the conference call is ready.”
“I'm coming.”
He looked toward the door through which Pragya and Bristi had disappeared.
His manager followed his gaze.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“You seemed amused.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Did I?”
“Yes.”
Ethan's expression returned to its usual seriousness.
“Get the call started.”
“Yes, sir.”
The manager walked away.
Ethan followed.
But as he entered the private room, a thought crossed his mind.
He had spent the entire day dealing with difficult clients, demanding schedules, and endless business problems.
Yet the most entertaining part of his day had been arguing with a twenty-two-year-old biotechnology student he had met only that morning.
He didn't understand why.
And, frankly, he didn't intend to.
It was simply amusing.
Pragya Banerjee challenged him.
She didn't fear him.
She didn't care about his money.
She didn't care that he was the CEO of Rodrigues Industries.
She simply said whatever she thought.
And Ethan, who usually disliked people questioning him, found himself almost looking forward to the next argument.
He shook the thought away.
Ridiculous.
Meanwhile, outside the restaurant, Bristi was walking beside Pragya.
She remained silent for approximately thirty seconds.
Then—
“So.”
Pragya immediately knew.
“No.”
“I haven't said anything.”
“I know that expression.”
“What expression?”
“The one that means you're about to start.”
Bristi grinned.
“Your Mr. Grumpy owns a restaurant.”
“He is not my Mr. Grumpy.”
“Fine.”
She paused.
“Ethan.”
Pragya groaned.
“Don't.”
“He's interesting.”
“He's irritating.”
“Same thing.”
“No.”
“Maybe.”
Pragya shook her head.
“I don't like him.”
Bristi smiled.
“You've said that three times.”
“Because it's true.”
“Of course.”
Pragya narrowed her eyes.
“Why are you smiling?”
“Nothing.”
“Bristi.”
“I'm just saying…”
“What?”
“You two are going to argue a lot.”
Pragya scoffed.
“Not if I never see him again.”
Bristi looked toward the restaurant behind them.
Then back at Pragya.
“Considering you somehow managed to meet him twice in one day…”
She shrugged.
“I wouldn't bet on that.”
Pragya rolled her eyes.
“Let's go.”
They continued toward the hostel.
Neither girl noticed Ethan watching briefly from the restaurant's upper-floor window.
And neither knew that the universe had already begun arranging their paths to cross again.
Because their second meeting had not ended their arguments.
It had merely made one thing clear.
Pragya loved proving Ethan wrong.
And Ethan—
much to his own amusement—
had begun to enjoy giving her reasons to try.
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