Nature's Comeback

51- CopyCat

Reyansh asked the driver to change the route and go towards Kriti's and Tej's home, instead of the lab. They all were hammered and really needed some peace before going back to work.

The bus rolled into the society of three buildings with six floors each. They all got down after thanking the driver and waited until the bus left off the campus to move towards the B wing.

"So where do you live exactly?" Sarika asked Tej, who looked at her unamused as he pointed his thumb towards the building they were entering in.

"No need to give me a look. I thought you must have been living in another building of the same society," Sarika explained herself.

"Same building, same floor," Tejas prompted from behind.

"Why are you going towards the stairs? The lift is working," Tejas asked in confusion.

"Looks like we got habituated to the stairs in these few days," Sarah responded with a laugh, making everyone chuckle as well except Rewa.

"How is the lift working? Wasn't the electricity shut down everywhere?" She questioned out loud.

The security guard whose seat was near the lift answered her when he saw no one else had any answer to the child's question.

"This is Mumbai dear. No disaster can stop this city. They repaired and started providing electricity and internet within two days in the major areas. Slum areas are still in the dark but most of the commercial areas and hospitals have received all the usual facilities."

Everyone looked at each other not knowing what to think. Feel proud at the fast work or scoff at the partiality.

Nodding at the security guard, Tej gestured to the researchers to go into the lift. As everyone couldn't fit at the same time, he asked the older researchers to go first.

"Either one of you needs to come with us," Reyansh said to Tej, Kriti and Tejas, "what will we do upon reaching, we don't know which flat is yours."

Kriti and Tej both took the step to go inside but stopped when they saw the other did the same. Unfortunately, this time both of them took the step back. This continued for 2-3 times, before Tejas stepped in between them and entered the lift, shaking his head at the idiots.

The tinge sound of the lift brought Kriti and Tej out of their reverie. They both glared at each other before moving away to stand at the opposite sides.

"Copycat," Kriti grumbled, making Tej curl his palm into a fist. He was enraged by that word but kept quiet as he didn't want to create a scene.

When the lift was back, Tej entered first before Kriti could even take one step. Huffing, she stayed back with the kids while the twins, Sameera and Gyaan went with Tej.

Reaching the fourth floor, Tej saw the researchers standing in front of his house with a panicked Tejas.

"What's wrong? Are you not able to open the door?" Tej asked, thinking that the door was jammed because of its non-usage.

"The door...the door is open," Tejas stuttered with fright.

"What?! Tej exclaimed before stomping inside.

"Tej careful!" Reyansh yelled, "The burglars may have weapons." But Tej had already gone inside.

Cursing, Reyansh too went inside not wanting to leave Tej alone to fight the thieves. The elements followed suit.

"Au..aunty?" Tej was flabbergasted upon seeing Kriti's mother in the house, while Tejas visibly calmed down after finding out that their home was safe.

"Oh dear! You are back," Kriti's mom smiled happily, before putting down the broom. "I heard from Kriti that you all are coming back and will be staying here with your fellow colleagues. Your maid hasn't been coming for two months, so I thought to clean up the house for you all."