Stubborn Love

Other Side Of The Coin

Akshay rampaged through the final year hostel corridor in a nervous gait. His mind had turned blank. It was already past midnight. And there was no other person he could think of in this situation. Barging into the familiar room, he found Raghav leisurely examining a circuit board with his legs placed one atop the other on his study table. His bed was loaded with papers, an expensive laptop, and a few pieces of machinery.

'I am fu***d. Totally fu***d! I just talked to another team. I completely fu***d up. IRC changed their cut off criteria last month. And I didn't follow up on their website portal. They leveled up to automated drone with so many added functionalities.'

'You didn't check the portal for a month?' Raghav frowned, distinctly displeased.

Akshay pressed his lips in guilt.

'I just - I thought. Oh, I screwed up! I won't even be able to take part!' Akshay cried out.

'Relax. You still have a night left. What are the extra functionalities? What have you got?'

'It's impossible. Initially, it was just a simple motor with an electronic chip. And now they want a fully functional drone. I have already lost it. My one chance in IRC.'

'Calm down, kiddo. Get me your equipment and your laptop. I'll take care of it.'

Akshay nodded and rushed back to bring the required materials. His mind crazily objected to the futile task. It was a long shot in a night's time. Yet his words kindled hope in him. Because when Raghav said he will take care of something, it will be taken care of.

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It had been two hours since they started working on the ambitious project. They worked with Akshay's basic bot and took major spare parts from Raghav's similar projects. And things looked immensely hopeful than before.

Akshay quietly glanced at the striking profile of the guy beside him and straightened his own posture. There was something about his aura that was indispensable. Raghav hummed a song while meticulously working on the robot. He looked too much at ease. And if someone looked at him now, he could very well be mistaken for casually playing with the bot. But Akshay knew him too well to be deceived by the nonchalance. His attention at this moment was unshakable. He was more serious than he ever was.

Past memories flashed in front of him. Raghav had always guided and trained him for his current position in the club and academics. On countless occasions, he saved his burning ass from difficulties like this one. What does it take to be a man that he was?

'Thanks, Bhaiya!' The words left his lips of their own accord.

Raghav turned at the grateful boy and ruffled his hair, smiling.

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Raghav stretched his arms in the air, exhausted and drowsy. It was around 5 in the morning. He was done with the Drone an hour back. Then he had worked on adding some extra features. That would guarantee the kiddo's selection into the competition. Raghav moved out of his room. Akshay was sleeping peacefully in his bed right now. Standing in the corridor facing the serene greenery, Raghav breathed in the dewy moist fresh air of dawn. His tired eyes fell on a slender figure briskly walking on the narrow road in front of their hostel. What was she doing up so early!

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'Good Morning, Sunshine!'