Shadow of Desires

Chapter 3-

              Crossed Paths and New Beginnings

Meher wakes up with a start, her room bathed in the soft light of the early morning. She glances at the clock and groans.

Meher - "Oh no, it's already 8 am!" 

She drags herself out of bed and gets ready quickly, still grumbling about how her mornings never start on the rightly foot.

In contrast, Aditya is already up and about, his routine reflecting the discipline of a businessman. He steps out of his car, adjusting his suit, and heads towards the university to meet the principal about a business collaboration.
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At the University

Meher finally arrives at the university and meets her friends, Isha and Diya, outside the main building.

Isha - "Kaisi hai? Tu late kyun hui?" 
("How are you? Why are you late?")

Meher - "Yaar, alarm hi nahi baji aaj. Phir bhi, tu bata, kya chal raha hai?" 
("The alarm didn't ring today. Anyway, tell me, what's up?")

Diya - "Oh, look Aditya bhaiii is also here.!!
Meher - "Haan, pata hai. Lekin unke saath koi baat nahi karni hai." 
("Yes, I know. But I don't want to talk to him.")

Aditya, in a formal meeting with the principal, notices Meher and her friends chatting nearby. He decides to approach them.

Aditya - "Meher, aap yahan? Yeh kya ho raha hai?" 
("Meher, you're here? What's happening?")

Meher mummers "agaye Mr.akdu" (here comes Mr.rude)

Meher - "Aap? Yeh university aapke liye nahi hai." 
("You? This university is not for you.")

Aditya - "Mujhe to yeh bhi pata nahi tha ki aap itni subah aati hain." 
("I didn't even know you come here so early.")

Their conversation is marked by clear tension and then meher finnaly leaves to classroom.
Meher, unsettled by his presence, simply nodded and headed towards her classroom.
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In the classroom, Meher and her friends gathered around a table for their project discussion.

Diya - "Meher, hope your doing well now
Meher - "Abh theek hu, break lena zaroori tha. ("Im good, needed a break.")

Isha - "Humein project pe extra kaam karna padega. Innovative ideas sochne hain." 
("We need to put in extra work on our project. We need to come up with innovative ideas.")

Meher-  "Absolutely, brainstorming is essential. We'll finalize ideas starting tomorrow."

As they worked on their project, Aditya emerged from the administration building, looking frustrated. He walked past Meher, who caught his eye and approached him.

Meher - "What's the problem? It seems like something is not right."

Aditya - "Just some administrative issues. It's nothing to do with you.
Meher - "Aap har waqt aise hi rude kyun rehte hain?"  ("Why are you always so rude?")

Aditya - "Main rude nahi hoon, bas busy hoon. Tumhe mere personal issues se kya lena dena?" ("I'm not rude, just busy. What do you have to do with my personal issues?")

Meher - "Your attitude causes a lot of trouble. I agree that your work is important, but you could be a bit more polite."

Aditya - "Mujhe lagta hai, tumhare paas zyada waqt hai, isliye tum mere issues pe dhyan deti ho." 
("I think you have too much time on your hands, which is why you pay attention to my issues.")