Chapter 19: The Great Mountain Romance Expedition
The air was crisp and cool, a welcome contrast to the usual humid Bengaluru morning. It was barely 6:30 AM, yet the parking lot of Christ University buzzed with the energy of a hundred excited MBA students. Today was the start of the mandatory Field Work assignment to the Nilgiri Bio-Discovery Zone, and everyone was present, clutching their duffel bags and chatting eagerly, impatient for the college bus to arrive.
Amidst the chaos and camaraderie, a figure stood apart, observing the scene with an air of practiced superiority. It was Rajat Sharma, impeccably dressed in brand-new hiking gear that looked suspiciously clean. Even though he had lost the B-Plan competition, his attendance on the trip was an unwelcome surprise—a constant, wealthy reminder of the opposition in Aarav's life.
A moment later, a ripple of quiet appreciation moved through the crowd as Ayushi made her entrance. She looked effortlessly chic in a simple grey sweatshirt and black leggings, pulling a sleek, red trolley bag. She carried a lightweight backpack and had a focused, professional look, treating this more like a business conference than a fun trip.
Rajat didn't waste a second. He moved smoothly toward her. "Well, look who decided to join the outdoor fun," he greeted her with a smirk that never quite reached his eyes. "I figured a person with your... dedication... might skip the field work."
Ayushi stopped, forcing a polite, thin smile. She could feel every pair of eyes in the vicinity, and rejecting a conversation outright would be unnecessarily impolite. "No, Rajat. Field work is mandatory for the course," she stated plainly, adjusting the strap on her backpack.
"Right, mandatory," he chuckled, leaning in slightly. "So, who are you partnering with out there? You and Aarav are inseparable now, aren't you? Or do you need a real partner for the heavy lifting?"
Ayushi's annoyance flared, but she kept her voice level. "We'll be working in the assigned groups, Rajat. And I assure you, Aarav has proven to be an excellent partner." She was offering him only short answers, her posture broadcasting a clear message of disinterest to this arrogant person.
Before Rajat could pivot to his next, surely tiresome, line of questioning, salvation arrived.
"Ayushiii! Good morning!"
Pooja appeared like a brightly dressed, energetic whirlwind. She was usually late, but today, she was thankfully early. Ignoring Rajat completely, Pooja swept past him, throwing an arm around Ayushi's shoulder.
"Oh my God, I am so glad I found you! I need to know if you remembered to pack the emergency coffee sachets, because I completely forgot mine. You are a lifesaver!" Pooja chattered, physically turning Ayushi away from Rajat. Defeated, and realizing he was no longer the center of attention, Rajat retreated a few paces, settling into a disgruntled silence.
The Contrast in Luggage
Just as the trio settled into their conversation, the next arrival drew a different kind of attention.
Akash made his entrance first, staggering comically. He was hauling two massive suitcases, a guitar case, a backpack, and a sleeping bag, his face already red from the effort.
Trailing behind him, completely unburdened and looking perfectly composed, was Aarav. He was dressed simply in a worn but clean t-shirt, jeans, and a jacket. He carried only a single, modest duffel bag and his small laptop case.
"Dude, are you moving to the Nilgiris?!" Ayushi laughed, momentarily forgetting her awkwardness as she stared at Akash's mountain of possessions.
"Don't ask," Akash groaned, dropping his bags with a heavy thud. "I have to be prepared for every possible contingency. It's a mountain, Aarav! What if I need a different jacket for sunrise versus sunset? What if I need my lucky—"
"He's bringing half his closet and his emergency supply of protein bars," Aarav cut in, shaking his head and flashing a small, easy smile at Ayushi and Pooja.
The smile was infectious, but it immediately brought a flush to Ayushi's cheeks. The intimate, silent moment under the umbrella yesterday flashed vividly in her mind. They had stood so close, the rain muffling the world, the air thick with unspoken emotion. Now, in the bright sunlight, it felt intensely awkward. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words failed her.
Aarav sensed her hesitation. He knew she was thinking about the umbrella, and he knew they needed a safe, neutral topic. Taking the lead, he spoke up first, keeping his tone casual and informational.
"I did some research last night on the Bio-Discovery Zone," Aarav said, addressing Ayushi specifically, but loud enough for the group. "Apparently, it's one of the few places in South India that has a viable population of the Nilgiri Tahr. We should focus our paper on the conservation efforts there. It'll make our field report stand out."
It was exactly the kind of factual, business-minded discussion that allowed Ayushi to regain her composure. "That's a great idea," she said, her professional tone snapping back into place. "I'll look up their current breeding programs on the bus. We can also check the endemic species list for the shola forests."
While Aarav and Ayushi found common ground in their shared ambition, the other two were providing the comic relief.
"So, Pooja," Akash began, inspecting her small, sensible backpack with a look of mock horror. "Where is your tent? Where is your emergency solar charger? Where is your emotional support plushie?"
Pooja put her hands on her hips. "I am a minimalist, Akash. I can't be responsible for fifty extra kilos of baggage like some people. Besides, I packed only what's necessary to meet the cute mountain guides."
"Aha! A woman of culture!" Akash exclaimed, dramatically pointing a finger at her.
Seats and Departures
Their banter was interrupted by the sudden appearance of a massive, gleaming white luxury coach pulling into the parking lot.
"Finally!" a cheer went up from the students. Luggage was immediately hauled toward the opening bus bays.
As the students rushed to load their bags, a second, slightly smaller, but equally pristine bus pulled up a few yards behind the first.
"Hold on," Akash paused, squinting at the two vehicles. "One bus for us, one bus for the faculty and professors? What is this, a VIP escort? Do they think we're going to throw a party on the way there?"
"It's the college, Akash," Aarav replied, grabbing his duffel bag. "They have to maintain the necessary professional distance. The faculty bus is probably code for 'The Quiet Bus.'"
"Oh, you mean the 'No Fun Zone,'" Akash muttered, rolling his eyes as he started dragging his luggage toward the student bus. "Right, let's go claim the window seats. I need to make sure I don't miss any potential mountain-romance-arc photo opportunities."
Aarav and Ayushi exchanged a brief, knowing look that was halfway between a smile and a shared sigh. They joined the stream of students. Ayushi and Pooja found a comfortable pair of seats near the middle, and Aarav, after a quick, meaningful glance at Ayushi, claimed the seat directly across the aisle from her. Akash, of course, took the window seat next to Aarav.
The professors, led by a stern-looking Mr. Ranganathan, began boarding their own separate bus. A moment later, the door to the student coach hissed shut. The engine rumbled to life.
With a gentle lurch, the bus pulled out of the college parking lot, taking them out of Bengaluru and onto the open highway, heading south toward the mountains. The long journey, and Aarav's mission, had officially begun.