Against All Odds

fate?

Kabir searched the entire ground but couldn't find Liza. Frustrated, he decided to confront Akshara. He found her sitting by herself and approached her cautiously.

"I need to tell you everything," he said, almost out of breath.

Akshara raised an eyebrow. "I always knew there was something going on between you two."

"No, there wasn't anything... but I wish there was," Kabir admitted, a hint of longing in his voice.

Akshara smirked. "A little early for a confession, don't you think?"

"I know I'm late, but please, just tell me where Liza is."

"Liza left about 10 minutes ago. She said she had some urgent work. She didn't tell me what it was."

Kabir cursed under his breath. "Why am I always so badly timed?"

Akshara chuckled. "It's fine. She'll be back tomorrow. Save your confession—or whatever it is—until then."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Kabir said, trying to sound calm.

But deep down, he was conflicted. He was disappointed in himself, yet excited. Maybe this was destiny. Maybe fate actually did want them to be together. That night, he couldn't stop smiling as he imagined all the possibilities.

The Next Day

"Akshara, where's Liza?" Kabir asked first thing in the morning.

"I have no idea. She's not picking up her calls, either," Akshara replied, frowning.

"Do you think everything's okay?"

"I'm not sure," Akshara said thoughtfully. "She's usually caught up with family stuff. Maybe it's that. Let's just wait for a bit."

Evening

Hours passed, and neither of them had heard from Liza. Kabir was growing anxious, and Akshara wasn't far behind.

"Let's just go to where she lives," Kabir suggested, unable to take the uncertainty anymore.

Akshara looked at him, hesitant. "Kabir, what are you saying?"

"Do you have her address?"

"Not exactly, but I know the landmarks."

"Then let's go. We can't just sit around."

Akshara hesitated for a moment longer. "I wish I could come, but I can't right now. I'm really sorry. But call me if you need anything."

"You've already done a lot. Don't worry about it," Kabir reassured her, giving her a grateful smile.

"Good luck, Kabir," Akshara said with a soft smile of her own.

Kabir finally reached Colony 124.

"Okay, this is the place Akshara mentioned," he muttered to himself. But then the realization hit him. "How am I supposed to know which house is hers?"

Determined, he started knocking on doors, asking everyone he came across.

"Does Liza live here?"

"No, sorry."

"Do you know someone named Liza?"

"Who?"

"Ugh, never mind."

Door after door, the responses were the same. People either didn't know her, or they were too irritated to help. Kabir's hope began to fade, and he found himself questioning why he was even in this situation.

And then—just as he was about to give up—someone answered.

"Liza? Yeah, she lives in the next building over."

Relief washed over Kabir. "Thank you so much!"

He ran towards the building, his heart pounding in his chest. Reaching her door, he rang the bell.

It rang.

The door opened.

Kabir's heart skipped a beat. What he saw left him completely shocked.

How's that?