Eager Elucidation

After a convivial meal accompanied by gossips and giggles, the group was busy doing some after-work chores. In spite of their frenzied reputation, they were tremendously proficient at household chores, especially Gauri and Aniruddh who could put even housewives at shame.

''Vedanti! Get me a glass of water. And Sanika clean this teapoy as well since you are already cleaning the kitchen platform.'' A very sloth-like Aparna was ordering around, sitting on the sofa with Kshirja.

''Lift up that damn ass of yours and get it yourself Aparna!'' Gauri ordered back looking annoyingly at the two lazy girls.

''Here you go Kshirja. Now clean the teapoy at least.'' Arnav told her handing her a rough cloth to clean. He too was helping in cleaning the kitchen platform while others were also engaged in some task.

''Why just me? Give something to her as well! That's not fair!'' Kshirja cried in a begging voice as she was also being too lethargic to move even an inch from her place. Letting out an exhausted sigh, Arnav himself started cleaning the table knowing that getting both of them to do something would get them nowhere.

''Okay guys gather up. We need to brainstorm a bit about today's happenings.'' Aniruddh called everyone in the living room and signalled them to have a sit to further proceed with the discussion.

''Is this person never out of energy? How can he be so lively after such a tribulation today?'' Shreya questioned with a big yawn, followed by Gauri lying down on the other unoccupied sofa- both of them almost ready to sleep anytime. Everyone was dead tired and hardly had any ounce of energy left to apprehend the utmost complicated analysis Aniruddh was about to present.

''I hope my hatred for him is justified now.'' Aparna said looking straight at Shreya with a frustrated gaze.

''Let him speak guys. You may begin Aniruddh.'' Suppressing his tiredness, Arnav told Aniruddh to continue.

''So this is what I have thought about. The reason what I think, for this mess, is probably the bruise created by a collision in the multiverse. There happens to be an asymmetry in one of the many worlds of the multiverse, which caused an impact of imbalance in the other worlds. That's why- .....Ahem.... Well, I guess I need to alleviate the stumbling blocks.'' Aniruddh had to pause his explanation after observing the muddled and perplexed expressions of the intellectually normal people present in front of him.

''Okay, let's assume, there's this big, big tree with multiple branches and those branches are connected to the main trunk. Yet independently growing away from each other always, never intersecting. However, because of an anomalous occurrence or blow, two branches have unexpectedly intersected causing a commotion. Hence, one branch 'x', is our universe, while another branch 'y', is some other universe. An intersection or any kind of entanglement of these parallel universes in the multiverse causes a bruise in either or both of them. Just like what happened with me and Gauri. We kind of intersected, that is swapped our bodies, because of the convergence of two different universes. Are you all getting what I am saying?'' Aniruddh asked raising an eyebrow.

The reasoning which was a piece of cake for Aniruddh to comprehend, was but a great deal of mental turmoil for his friends to even digest as fiction. But here they were, quietly and attentively listening to their 'self-proclaimed dad' saying the most incomprehensible stuff. They just nodded back in agreement.

''Until yesterday I remember,'' Gauri paused for a short yawn and then continued, ''my life was so conforming to the standards of normal, that sometimes going to a garden also felt something unusual. But right now, I feel like a cockroach under the sofa sprayed with an anti-insect spray.''

''I am more surprised to see that you are saying this with such ease. You could display at least some worry on that big yawning face.'' Meher said rubbing her weary eyes.

''But wait! According to what Aniruddh said- that bruise- is it healed already? Will nothing happen anymore or is there more chaos lying ahead in near future?'' Though Shreya too was extremely sleepy, she managed to formulate a doubt, just so to not disappoint the Aniruddh who explained so wholeheartedly. However, that question somehow grabbed everyone's attention and the new pondering session began.

''How about this? Let's keep a track of the extraordinary days and incidents, so that, if in case things worsen, we will at least have a timeline to look back and come up with a solution.'' Another notable idea by Swarangie was greatly acknowledged; part of the reason being that it came from her.

''Nice. So who makes the note?'' Aparna asked looking at the members of her group. She had the least intention of keeping a note of something so tedious and bothersome to remember.

''Well, I guess this should be conferred upon the one and only person overly obsessed with remembering every minute detail of everyone.'' Meher declared. And without a single speck of doubt, everyone perceived the answer.

''Ten years down the lane, you all are gonna be grateful to me for being such a personal calendar to you all.'' Sanika had a frown on her face, but still took out a notebook from her bag and began writing the necessary memos for the day.

Sanika was the first and last resort of Aparna whenever she couldn't find any pictures of her group friends on their birthdays. This led to Gauri praying for Sanika to be blessed with some sense of deleting unwanted pictures from her phone gallery to free up the space. That's the cardinal trait of Sanika. She is also the human alarm clock of her friends, who is quicker than the mechanical clock when told to give a wake up call.

''Mention the da-'' ''It's 4th June.'' Kshirja was instantly cut off by Vedanti who blurted out the date hysterically much to Sanika's dismay.

''What's the occasion?'' Gauri probed suspiciously seeing the lively reaction. Not like she was very interested but anything was fine as long as she didn't have to listen to Aniruddh's explanation again.

''It's Sanika's first dating anniversary with Yuan.'' Swarangie told the suspicious looking eyes with a sigh. Sanika had absolutely no intention of making this occasion public but she also knew that Vedanti's unwavering excitement was not something she could control.

''Oh that's nice. Congratulations Sanika.'' Arnav was the only who actually acknowledged it while others responded with neutral sentiments.

''If you all are done with this anniversary bullshit can we just play something and sleep?'' Aparna had this internal instinct to stop others or else she would have died right there from excessive cringe.

''Dumb charades??''

''No please! I don't want to see Aniruddh's horrendous acting with that expressionless face of his.''

''How about pictionary?? I am used to playing with my brother. It's fun when you play with so many people!''

''Ehh?! No....I don't want to play any drawing game....Can't we just play among us like always?"

''Let me know when you all reach a unanimous conclusion. I'll take a short nap till then.''

''Oh I found a pack of cards. Let's play rummy!''

Well, after a very long and meticulous discussion along with slight quarrels, they did manage to play all the suggested games much to their heart's content.

''Finally a day long ends....But it was fun. Even though I couldn't do much in a guy's body, I did feel a little more powerful than usual.'' Gauri said as she stretched her arms up in the air yawning.

''Don't you dare say something strange again. What if you exchange bodies again?!'' Swarangie yelled at Gauri who was about to repeat a wish.

After a while, everyone started their preparation to sleep. Meher was walking towards Vedanti's room carrying some extra pillows and blankets when she saw Vedanti sitting on the corner of the bed and a huge mess of cards in front of her.

''Vedanti....what are you doing? Clean it up or else Gauri will scold you since she is really sleepy and wants to sleep immediately. Also are those tarots again?" Meher asked looking over as Vedanti was rearranging the cards.

''Something is still wrong....I don't seem to get quite the right term for this vibe, but I must tell you. Something is odd here. Here in this time and space. The cards usually should be in sync. But they are unreasonably displaying a contradiction.'' Narrowing her eyes, Vedanti picked a card and carefully looked at it.

''Is it because of the bruise Aniruddh talked about? Or something related exclusively to the cards?'' Meher curiously looked at the scattered deck of cards lying on the bed.

''I don't know. But this is just the thing I am sure of....It keeps indicating death. A person's death.'' Vedanti turned the other side where Meher was standing with a frightened look. No, that shock was totally unplanned. Meher had no idea how to respond to Vedanti's sudden explicit statement of prediction. Was it something to be taken as a substandard jest, or, as a warning to prepare for the advancing tragedy?

''Who's death? Who is that person? Someone from us?'' Meher asked softly trying to sound less terrified, to not catch everyone's attention.

''Um, yes. Someone who is present here now. But I don't know who exactly. This is the first time I have witnessed such a bold prediction of death by the tarots.'' Vedanti replied.

The weather outside had grown chilly, thanks to the approaching storm, making the mood even scarier. Meher couldn't figure out if the shiver on her spine was by dint of Vedanti's sheer intimidating admonition or the frosty breeze that crept through the open window. She struggled with these conflicting emotions and rationality inside her. She didn't really want to believe it. She wanted to shake it off as groundless. But she couldn't. Especially after they had witnessed such an impressive incident of body swap. In that moment she knew, their universe was so twisted that anything could be a possibility now.

''It's fine. Don't make that face. I have already settled an appointment with someone who might have an answer to this.'' Vedanti said pointing at the tarots. She gave a sigh of regret after seeing Meher's terrified expression. She herself wasn't really accustomed to such petrifying predictions.

''Answer to what?'' Suddenly they were caught off guard by Sanika who was blankly looking at the two girls and wondering if she could join the conversation.

''I really don't want that scrawny stick to hyperventilate here due to unbearable stress. So don't disclose anything for now.'' Vedanti whispered to Meher as slowly and secretly as she could to avoid Sanika getting suspicious.

''Why in the world do you of all people get to call her scrawny, you anaemic little thing?'' Meher whispered back with a disgruntled look. Vedanti just shrugged off and got up from her seat.

''Well let's do this....Guys! Will you hear me out for a second?!'' Vedanti called out to her friends who were scattered to different rooms of her house as per their respective sleeping arrangement.

''What is it now?''

''Do you too have something to explain as well?"

Gauri and Aparna had the least intention of listening to Vedanti but still resolved to put up with it as they found it too ungrateful since she was their hostess for the night.

''No, calm your pitiful souls. I am just telling you all that, tomorrow, we are supposed to go somewhere. So you must take a day off.'' Vedanti had a not so genuine smile plastered on her face which seriously Aparna and Gauri felt like whacking instantly, but their mind was partially preoccupied by her sudden announcement.

''Mind tell us the reason for this pronouncement Your Highness? Also I don't recollect letting you seize full possession of our decision making authority for ourselves.'' Of course bunking regular college unreasonably was not something Aniruddh particularly admired. And above all, someone dictating him to do something like this was enough for him to retaliate harshly.

''Exactly. Not like I want to go to college. But I don't want to go with you either.'' Aparna affirmed her desire of unwilling to follow Vedanti's lead.

''We must, because that's the only way you'll get an actual clue to what's happening with you two after the swap today.'' Vedanti's response was followed by a silence of confusion.

''I am becoming more suspicious of you.'' Kshirja retorted, a look of concern furrowing her brows.

''Where are you taking us?'' Arnav asked blankly. He wasn't really suspicious though.

''To a clairvoyant psychic.'' Vedanti simply stated looking at him.

''A what?!'' Shreya exclaimed. All she could understand was that this situation was getting more and more full of unnatural elements and this was the millionth time in the day when she had to involuntarily stare at her friends who were being more enigmatic than ever.

Before anyone could interrupt any further with any kind of protest, Vedanti cleared her throat to begin,'' We have to leave early tomorrow morning to go to Fort. That person has some time restrictions so she will be leaving at around 4 pm. All of you sleep and get up early. I will tell you the details tomorrow as we travel, I promise.''

They weren't really convinced, but still chose to trust Vedanti's words since she did sound credible at the moment.

''So we all are going to visit the psychic tomorrow.'' Sanika reconfirmed.

''Nope not all. We gonna split into two groups. One will be visiting the psychic. While the other one will be going to a nearby archives for finding some related information regarding the topics I sent on the group. Check it out later.''

''Okay....you seem well prepared. So, who's going where?" Aparna's curious inquiry was filled with hope of not being in same group as Vedanti, Arnav or Aniruddh. She didn't really care about the location anyways as long as she didn't have to deal with this nerve-wrecking trio.

Kshirja looked over at the members and thought for a while.Then she looked up and said, ''We need Vedanti, Aniruddh and Gauri while visiting the psychic. So the three of them are confirm going there. We need two more with them so we can equally disintegrate the group into half. Any volunteers?''

''Take Arnav and Sanika!'' Aparna yelled pushing both of them forward. She continued desperately, ''The remaining people will be going to the archives. Vedanti send the location of that place on the group. That's it, no change now.''

''Ano kuso ama (translation- that damn bitch).....'' Gauri cursed under her breath seeing how easily Aparna sacrificed her to save herself without a glimpse of hesitation. She wasn't pleased either with the group formation but didn't even have any reason to protest.

After a session of selecting their tomorrow's route and mode of transport, the group finally hit the bed.

''Meher, are you okay? Your tone seems pale. Is something bothering you?'' Kshirja asked Meher who was sitting next to her, staring blankly in a trance.

''No, no! I am fine. I was just preoccupied by something. It's nothing serious. Come one we must sleep early. It's gonna be a long day tomorrow as well. Good night!'' Meher quickly brushed off the topic to avoid any unnecessary worry for Kshirja and others. She pulled over a blanket and then turned over to the other side to sleep.

Kshirja wasn't really convinced with the answer, thanks to her aptness of catching onto unsaid things. But she was determined to let it go for now and herself drifted in slumber for the night.

***THE NEXT DAY ***

It was bright and sunny. The clear sky made yesterday's rainy night feel like a mere nightmare. Though the ground was still patched with a few puddles here and there, the city was dry and fresh like a newly bloomed bud.

The group that was decided to go to the psychic was already in the bus.

''I can't believe this. You guys couldn't be any late than this right? We were supposed to be in the bus at 8:30 am and it's already 10! And Sanika took like an eternity to wake up.'' Gauri scolded the four people, especially Sanika who was seated beside her.

''I can't help it....I didn't sleep well last night...'' Sanika murmured softly yet audible enough for friends to hear her.

''And why is that though? Not like you were sleeping with Yuan.'' Aniruddh teased turning back to look at Sanika who was sitting right behind him.

''It's because Vedanti's 'boys love' fan instincts were getting better of her since you and Arnav were sleeping together in the living room!!''

Aniruddh and Arnav stared at Vedanti with a shocked look and widened eyes, while Gauri preferred looking out of the bus window not wanting to get involved in this discussion.

''Seriously Vedanti!''

''I mean.....why?''

''Oh wait a minute. I didn't fantasize anything. I was just betting on who would be top or bottom. I totally side with Arnav at the bottom.'' Vedanti clarified.

''That's some serious claptrap you are spouting you know.'' Aniruddh turned to face forward saying.

''You didn't have to say it to me! You know it well that I tend to overthink especially at nights!'' Sanika admitted.

''This is exactly why I slept in the other room. I knew sleeping besides these missies would do me great harm.'' Gauri exclaimed looking back at her friends.

''Now now. Forget it. Let's ask the other group if they have reached their location properly. Someone call them.'' Arnav stepped in to distract the misleading conversation as he felt weirdly staring eyes of the other passengers on them.

''Aparna just texted on the group that they are almost about to reach. Probably walking after getting down the bus.'' Aniruddh read the messages on the phone aloud.

''Ah! Seems like we are there too. Our stop is here. Let's go guys.''

They got down at the next stop, Bazaar Gate Street, Fort. It was not really a very wide of a street. But it was definitely bedecked with a few stunning Gothic buildings and shops. The group started walking towards an alley, with Vedanti looking at her phone for navigation since she was leading the way. Somehow this setting didn't settle the worried minds following her.

''Vedanti, are you sure you know the way?'' A doubtful Sanika asked.

''I do! I am definitely better at navigation than someone who brought us an hour late for our college's sports day two years back.'' Vedanti retaliated immediately giving Aniruddh a look.

''You are really obsessed with that incident, aren't you?'' Aniruddh didn't really mind the taunts but still chose to respond at the taunt directed to him.

Arnav suddenly realized that they were still unaware about the identity of the person they were supposed to meet. ''Vedanti, you still haven't told us anything about that person other than she being a psychic.'' He reminded.

''Oh dear....It slipped my mind. Let me tell you now as we walk. Her name is Gwendoline Blythe. She is an Anglo-Indian who is a professional psychic researcher. She prefers keeping a low profile but is actually well-known in her field as a genius with gifted power to sense other worldly things. She must be in her early 30s .'' Vedanti glanced behind at her friends who were attentively listening to her.

''She is way too older than you Aniruddh. So don't try to flirt with her as well.'' Arnav added with a condescending sneer.

''But age has nothing to do with love, I believe.'' Vedanti said.

''Says the person who rejected a seventh grader two years back saying he was far too younger and was like a son to you.'' Gauri riposted with a slight irritated look.

''Also you will undeniably be the first one to create a scene then and there even if Aniruddh just smiles at her.'' Sanika said rightly predicting Vedanti's reaction.

''Why are you both ganging up on me?! Gosh I won't say anything henceforth.'' Vedanti sped up to avoid anymore public mortification.

''Thank you Sanika and Gauri.'' Aniruddh chuckled at the sight of Vedanti digging up her own grave due to her own words.

''So how do you know her? Don't tell me now you are already working with some psychic research group.'' Aniruddh said suspiciously. He of all people knew Vedanti's uncanny fondness for paranormal stuff and didn't want her or himself getting into some strange situation related to it.

''No I am not. I coincidentally happened to follow her on social media and personally contacted her regarding this. I didn't really tell her about the body swap incident in particular. I'll leave the explanation to you guys, the victims. I just asked her if we could meet her.''

''Hey how long are we supposed to go? I believe we have already walked for almost 10 minutes since we got down from the bus.'' Gauri asked. She wasn't tired of walking, but she was indeed starving as they had to skip breakfast due to Sanika waking up so late.

''Well, it should be somewhere right here.....Ahh! There it is!Look!'' Vedanti jolted happily pointing at an old antique shop right in front of them.

''What the hell is this shady looking place? Have you brought us here for making some drug deal?'' Aniruddh had absolutely no desire to enter that rusty shop. All he could think was that Vedanti had been deceived by someone because of her gullible nature.

''Huh? Like I already told you before, there's someone here whom you ought to meet. So just ent-'' Before Vedanti could finish responding to Aniruddh, the door of the shop flung open and out came a fair maiden with long straight black hair.

''Oh goodness! Hello sweet angels! I presume you are my anticipated guests! Please come in.'' Gwendoline Blythe, was a maiden of unusual vigour for socializing. She was open to people and, above all, she liked to help people. In all honesty, she was a lady of good heart.

The five of them followed her silently dumbstruck by her bubbly personality which reminded them of their own two friends who were currently in archives now.

For now, Aniruddh wondered if this was really the right thing to since he couldn't stop being sceptic about this whole psychic thing.

On the other hand, Gauri, Arnav, Sanika and Vedanti were already taken captive by Gwendoline's zestful manner of speaking and also the glistening antiques in the vintage-styled shop.