18

Chapter 17

There was so much to explore in the AI exhibition. Nisha explored most of the things, but what she enjoyed most was the AiRT section, which was AI ART. She was always against using AI to create art, but the level of the experiment was done, which made her in awe. As she was looking into the soul of some AI-generated painting, her eyes were caught by the painting of a mom and baby. She softly smiled at that painting and it made her remember her mom.

"Where did we exactly lose each other?"

"Enjoyed it?" Aarav asked from behind as they approached her from another section.

"I did." She said in a satisfied voice.

"Then we should have dinner now. It's already 9:30," Kartik said while looking.

"Which restaurant then?" Aarav asked to Kartik.

"Restaurant? No, no, please." Nisha said because she didn't want to stay with them anymore now.

"Riya is also coming," Aarav said as he looked at her and walked towards the exit. Nisha sighed and headed outside with them. After 20 to 30 minutes later, they reached the nearest restaurant and saw Riya already waiting for them. Today Riya was looking a lot different because she wasn't wearing her Kurti but modern clothes and with her straight short hair, was making her some kind of actress.

"Hi, guys." She waved from away and put her helmet aside. She already reserved their table, and she got a little of appreciation and lots of flirting from Kartik. Nisha really hated it, but Riya didn't give it much attention and just accepted all comments and headed inside.

Within,10 minutes, the food was served on the table and everyone started eating as they chatted except Nisha. Her mind was somewhere else. Riya, who was eating as well as talking with them about some kind of childhood memories which they all experienced, noticed it.

"Waa, I want that childhood back." Kartik said while eating his food and Riya, who was still observing Nisha from the corner of her eyes, said, "I also wish the same. Being an adult is a bit stressful."

"Here comes our psychology major student." Arava said and laughed as he picked out peas from his plate. Riya tried to react but stopped as he got a call from his friend to inform that the code was broken. Aarav left the table while yelling at his friend in a low voice and left them on their own.

"He will manage it." Kartik said, ate another bite of food. Riya seized this opportunity to understand what was wrong with Nisha and left the table herself with an excuse to use the washroom.

Now Nisha was alone with Kartik.

"So how is everything going on?" Kartik asked her with a smile, but she found it out to be a creepy one.

"Stop giving excuses, Nisha," Nisha remembered her father's words.

"Is everything okay? No bullies, right?" Kartik asked again because she didn't respond and the hold on the glass of buttermilk was getting strong with visible veins.

"I didn't do anything. She is lying, Aarav." These words were getting stronger and in a second she heard the shattering of glass. She came back to reality and saw that she had shattered the glass of water. The staff came quickly at the sight of the event and started asking questions. At that time, Aarav and Riya also came. Riya already saw everything from far away and looked at Nisha with a worried face, whereas Aarav started scolding Nisha.

After paying for the restaurant's loss, they headed home and this time Nisha didn't go with Aarav and Kartik but with Riya on her Scooty. Nisha was still thinking about the restaurant event, was silent and Riya was near to understanding that the reason was not Aarav but Kartik. They both remained silent and headed towards the home.