The Battle Across The Universe

Chapter 45: Flashbacks, Part 2

The next day. December 23rd.

Alsoomse woke up in her bed all alone. She blinked to wake up, staring at the white ceiling. She turned to face her bedside table. On it was a picture of her and an Indian woman standing in front of the Taj Mahal.

Alsoomse thought she knew what day it was, but just to be sure she checked her phone. She was right. It was the 23rd of December.

Alsoomse picked up the picture of her and the woman. "Happy birthday, Laasya." She could remember meeting Laasya like it was yesterday.

After Alsoomse first came to Earth she decided she wanted to travel. She didn't care where. She just wanted to explore this new planet.

Eventually she ended up in India at a place called the Taj Mahal. While there she was staring up at the glorious building.

She felt a tap on her shoulder. Alsoomse looked and saw a woman who was about her age. She had dark brown skin and a long brown braid. She was wearing jeans and a crop top. She smiled at Alsoomse.

"Maaf keejiyega," the woman began. "Main soch raha tha ki kya aap meree tasveer le sakate hain."

Alsoomse blinked. "Uh... I don't...I don't know that language..."

The woman widened her eyes slightly. "Oh! Sorry." The woman spoke in an accent that was almost exactly like the natives Alsoomse had spoken to. "I was not sure. I was wondering if you could take my picture in front of this. It's a tradition every time I see here but I have no one to take my photograph."

Alsoomse smiled. "Sure thing." So Alsoomse took her picture. "I'm Alsoomse, by the way," she had said after taking the picture.

The woman smiled. "Laasya. Laasya Bandi."

"It's nice to meet you, Laasya."

That wasn't the only time they saw each other. They both went out to the same restaurant for dinner the next night.

"Fancy seeing you here," Alsoomse said.

Laasya smiled. "This must be fate."

"You believe in fate?"

"I do. Do you not?"

Alsoomse shrugged. "I dunno. I think I do. My mom would probably prefer if I did. But so many bad things happen sometimes it's hard to have faith..."

"That's okay. You can take your time."

Alsoomse smiled. "Yeah. Thanks."

Alsoomse decided to give Laasya her number. She wanted to talk to her more. She was starting to really like Laasya.

They had talked on the phone for months. When Alsoomse moved back to the States Laasya decided to go there too.

"I've always wanted to go," Laasya had said. "But now I have an even better reason to..."

Laasya and Alsoomse moved in together. At first it was just a roommate situation. That was until Laasya kissed Alsoomse one night.

"Are you sure this is what you want?" Alsoomse asked. "I'll cause you nothing but trouble..."

Laasya had smiled. "I like trouble. I won't mind. You are what I want."

They dated for a little over a year. After that things went south.

Alsoomse got a phone call from a number she didn't recognize. "Hello?"

"Hi," the unfamiliar voice on the other line said. "Is this Alsoomse?"