Oh God, my head is going to explode! I just can't seem to find a damn solution." Vedanshi groaned, pressing her temples.
"I think we should think about it after we return from the trip. Tomorrow's preparations are still pending. We have to be at the bus stand by five a.m. sharp. If we miss even one thing, Mishra sir will bury us alive in those ruins." Akshay's voice was practical, cutting through her frustration.
"Yeah, Akshay's right. You all should head home now. We'll meet tomorrow." Vedanshi finally agreed. Sagar and Nikhil both nodded in unison, stuffing one last bite into their mouths.
A little while later, everyone had left. Vedanshi crashed onto her bed, exhausted. She picked up her phone and, after almost a month, opened her social media profile. It was still as empty as before, without a single picture of hers. Slowly, her fingers tapped onto Nayan's profile.
His photo was still the same, an old smiling picture. But what struck her was that there had been no update for the past four months. Maybe he hadn't even logged in all this time.
Her eyes lingered on the last messages she had sent him. They were still marked unseen. She sighed deeply, staring at that smile of his. Could her friends be right? Was she really someone special to him?
"No… no… he cares for all his students equally. I'm not special. I'm just overthinking," she whispered to herself. But then Sanjana's words echoed in her mind. Why would Sanjana say the same thing? Unless… maybe Parth or Parthavi told her about the fresher's party. That must be it. She must've misunderstood everything.
She shook her head firmly. No. Whatever mistakes I made with Parth before, I won't repeat them again. No matter who says what, I have to focus on my studies. Sanjana is right about that much.
Somewhere between her thoughts, sleep quietly stole over her.
The next morning, at exactly five, everyone was at the bus stand. They carried bags stuffed with clothes, laptops, and essentials. Nayan, Mithil, and the other professors were already there with the students.
As soon as everyone boarded, another figure stepped into the bus. Sanjana.
All heads turned towards the door, eyes wide with surprise. Nayan froze in his seat, staring at her with narrowed eyes. Without hesitation, Sanjana walked straight to him and sat down beside him.
What the hell is she doing here? Nayan muttered under his breath, refusing to look directly at her.
Just then, Professor Mishra from the History Department stood up and addressed the group. "Listen up, everyone! We'll also be joined by a few members from the Architecture Department. Dr. Sanjana Rathore and her two students will accompany us on this trip."
The announcement hit like a storm. Nayan's eyes widened in disbelief. Vedanshi and her friends exchanged shocked glances. And in the corner, Sanjana and Parthavi shared a wicked smile.
Sanjana was still flashing that mischievous smile. Carrying the conversation forward, Professor Mishra spoke:
"Actually, this wasn't planned beforehand. No one knew the Architecture Department would be joining. The Dean's office sent us the order just last night, and we feel this is absolutely the right decision. Because the presence of the Architecture Department is crucial there. We had overlooked the fact that the structures of Rakhigarhi cannot be understood as easily without Dr. Sanjana's expertise. We're glad her department will be accompanying us." Saying this, Professor Mishra took his seat at the front.
I know this isn't the college's decision. It's her own trick. But why? She never came along on any trip or fieldwork before! Then why now? What is she planning? Nayan's mind kept racing with suspicion.
Suddenly another thought struck him. And why were those juniors sent there yesterday? What's going on that I don't know about? Something feels strange. His brain kept questioning itself restlessly. I'll have to keep an eye on them. Sanjana is unpredictable, she can do anything. I've seen enough examples of that already. With that, Nayan sank into deep concern.
"There's no need to stress your brain so much, Nayan." Sanjana's voice broke his thoughts as she slipped her hand into his, her fingers playfully intertwining with his.
In the front seats, Vedanshi and Akshay sat together. Ahead of them were Sagar and Nikhil, clutching large packets of chips. Yet despite the size of their packs, both were snatching from each other and arguing heatedly about the flavors.
Vedanshi's eyes fell briefly on Nayan and Sanjana's joined hands. Sanjana, calm and composed, smiled at her. Vedanshi quickly turned her gaze away, while Nayan too looked out of the window.
"You know, we were planning to take our students to Rakhigarhi for fieldwork anyway. We wanted to show them ancient building structures. When we learned that the History Department was heading there too, we thought, why not go together? Besides, it's been a long time since we went anywhere as a pair. At least this way, I'll get to spend some time with you." Sanjana's voice carried a warmth that Nayan brushed off.
"We're going there for work, not some family trip you're imagining." He pulled his hand away sharply, fixing his gaze outside the window.
"But I am your family, Nayan. And we're going together. That makes me happy," she said softly.
"Family?" Nayan let out a hollow laugh. "Do you even know what that word means? And don't forget, our divorce will be finalized very soon." With that, he turned his face to the window.
"You won't let that happen, Nayan. Remember this." Sanjana's low but firm words carried both anger and determination.
Meanwhile, Vedanshi leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. They look so happy together… Then why did Ma'am file a case against Sir? I don't understand…
"Vedanshi? Are you okay?" Akshay asked in a worried tone beside her.
"Yes… I'm fine. Just feeling a little dizzy on the bus. Once I fall asleep, it'll be better," she murmured. Akshay nodded silently, leaned back, and shut his eyes as well.
Rakhigarhi was still far away. They had nearly three more hours of travel left. Night had already fallen, and most of the passengers on the bus were fast asleep. But Vedanshi was lost in her thoughts, her fingers moving swiftly over her phone as she worked through a series of calculations.
Just then, a message blinked across her screen. The phone was on silent, yet the words lit up clearly:
"Are you nocturnal?" It was from Nayan.
Startled, Vedanshi turned to the side. Nayan was looking straight at her. Sanjana's head rested on his shoulder, fast asleep, but Nayan's body language betrayed his discomfort. Vedanshi noticed it instantly. He wore a faint smile, yet his eyes carried a strange emptiness. At that moment, he looked less like the strict professor and more like a vulnerable child, someone who had just lost something precious and was powerless to take it back.
A dull ache pricked inside Vedanshi's chest. Her throat felt tight, as if something were lodged there.
She looked back at her phone and typed:
"I don't usually sleep while traveling. But are you nocturnal too?"
When Nayan read the message, a genuine smile spread across his face, one that was different from the hollow expression he had worn before. He typed back quickly:
"I can't sleep while traveling either."
Vedanshi hesitated for a moment before writing again:
"Sir, are you happy in your life? I mean… Do you have any problems?"
She sent it and instantly regretted it. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment. What if he misunderstood? What if he thought she was overstepping?