A Sew Through Time [Bandbudh And Budbak]

3: Crazy scientist

Situated next to their temporary residence, the little storage room looked older than their school one, where one must think twice before hiding inside it. But Dr. Laxmi confidently strode through the fine path, the duo and Gyan whispering whether following her would be the correct thing.

They abandoned their talk when she unlocked the door, uncomfortably squeezing her wrist through the crack and picking the rusty lock inside. Tugging it briskly, it fell with a loud clang.

The duo wondered why this dimension did not have savvy technology for a protection system instead of a rickety old lock.

The shadows disappeared. Gyan thought it best not to stare at them-whether they were people from another time period or supernatural elements, it did not matter.

Laxmi pushed an iron bed to the corner. A pink mosquito net lazily hung from four corners, a row of watering cans and a stash of chemical compounds next to it. They were once used to mix the water and grow exotic plant species. Gyan had noticed a Venus fly trap emitting a rafflesian-like stench, pansies with dandelion-like pollen, fruit trees with huge apples, oranges and guavas.

Laxmi put the tubs of green liquid away, rolled the unused cooler, and put the broken broom below it. Budh took a stick out of the broom and broke it into two; feeling that a sign was necessary to convey they were staying there. They pulled close the thin mattress to sit on the bed.

"Uhuh, no time to relax" she pulled the net ropes tightly, "Where did your other friend go?"

Gyan was afraid to enter first. Now he was sitting on an upturned watering can, asking politely, "Is there something you want to show us?"

"There's nothing here to see" Badri sighed.

"Often there are more things hidden in the dark than under plain light" Laxmi chuckled, "Now, Badri and Budh, help me tighten this mosquito net"

The duo looked at each other, surprised why they had to help her prepare for her afternoon nap. Gyan watched them tighten the net till the top surface turned plain. He ran his hand over the flat surface to check for saggy corners. There were none.

"Dr. Laxmi, ek baat puchu?" Budh asked.

"Go ahead"

"If you can make a time machine, you can predict the next Fifa world cup winner, right?"

"I could try" she smiled.

"The only thing we need is a wifi router" Badri muttered, "Can you build that?"

"Nope. But keep your phones with you" she stretched her hand and found a cricket ball, "I have put special chips in them which will help you keep contact with your friend group"

"Can I watch reels?" Budh cooed.

"Other than the group chat, you can't do anything"

"Oh..."

"You tapped our phones?" Badri smirked, "You know that's illegal"

"Then continue scrolling your gallery"

He turned silent. Budh giggled at him.

After playing a round of juggling, Laxmi tossed the cricket ball over the smooth net without looking. It rolled into the middle; the net dented from its weight.

"Cricket ball sey machhar chalejayenge?" Budh giggled.

"Why did you even put up a net here?" Badri felt bothered to ask.

"Od habit" she turned towards them, "See this net now?"

Exchanging suspicious glances, the duo nodded together.