Unravelling Romances

''NO! I am never facing that feral cat again!'' Vedanti yelled slamming her strawberry-shaped cushion on the floor. She sat on her bed talking to Meher on phone, not wanting to budge even a little towards what Meher was telling her.

''Hey, you are overreacting now. I already told you, Kshirja talked to Aniruddh and he seems sensible now. Why are you so stubbornly holding back now?" Meher frustratingly sighed as she tried to coax Vedanti into talking to Aniruddh once again.

''I can't help it! Have you any idea how he looked like when he beating the hell of out those big men?! I was scared to death....I thought he is gonna beat me too. He looked so damn triggered by something.'' Vedanti lied down as she spoke. Recollecting that scene sent a horrible shiver down her spine. How could she even assimilate the thought that she was almost about to die a day before.

''Oh gosh Vedanti! I don't get what's wrong with you and Arnav. I talked to him as well and he was being grumpy too. How are you both so good at magnifying the unnecessary detail?''

''Yeah right! That's how you guys judge me. I am just a paranoid patient who overreacts at everything. And that hopeless mule!! He is free to act all indifferent and label me as histrionic. I AM NEVER TALKING TO HIM AGAIN.''

****30 Minutes Later****

''That Arnav! I am telling you he is acting really fishy since that day. And you know what he said next - Aniruddh! Are you still listening to me?!'' For Vedanti, no matter how insanely normal her day was, throwing the even most minuscule detail at Aniruddh was like a religious ritual. By now, she had forgotten her hammy behavior towards Meher when she was very desperately trying to convince her just half an hour ago.

She was once again, back to business, intently gossiping with Aniruddh like a middle-aged aunty at a vendor's. And Aniruddh, though he never had any gossip of his own to tell, he was just as interested in knowing the melodramatic narratives Vedanti always had to tell.

''I am, go on.'' And of course for the all-time bored Aniruddh, well, he also had totally no way out of it.

''How am supposed to know if you don't respond back? Well of course you won't, since you aren't interested in what I am saying. I am not your favorite anyways. All you love is Swara....Hmph! I am just a nobody in your life.'' By this point, Vedanti was already shouting at Aniruddh who was too used to it.

''What's with these assumptions? I have actually lost the count of times you have said that to me.'' Aniruddh said from the other end of the call as he scrolled down through his social media account simultaneously.

''Exactly! That's how many times you have been biased to me.'' Vedanti yelled back.

''Okaaaayyyy.'' Aniruddh sang in agreement as indifferently as ever.

''Ughhh! What a peevish tone. Don't do that again please.''

Aniruddh gave a quick and subtle chuckle at Vedanti's ostensible displeasure. A moment later, both were left stranded in silence, with nothing to discuss about.

The incidents of yesterday flashed before him for a second. He his face grew a little serious, and, he was thankful Vedanti had no chance of seeing his expression right now. ''Hey, are you still afraid of me?'' He asked solemnly.

''Hmm? Well, I am not, why?'' Vedanti questioned back. Though she was surprised by the sudden query, she tried her best to not show it her speech.

''I see..... It's just that, considering how pale from fright you were back then, you seem rather comfortable now.''

''That's because, we can't give up on you. It's not just Swara that we want to protect, is it?'' Vedanti's answer caught him in surprise. Neither was he aware how to respond back to such sincere comments. Vedanti continued,' 'Didn't Gauri say that too? Ah you probably has no chance of listening since you were already in your room.''

''Okaaaayyyy.''

''Like I said, stop that childish tone!''

****COLLEGE CANTEEN NEXT DAY****

The sun shone brightly than ever as city of Bombay rose to a newly dry day with the weather warm and comfortable.

Once again, after a long week of emotional and physical turbulences, the group sat together in the college canteen, under the green shade, discussing the swap issue as they ate their lunch.

HOWEVER, when together, their lack of mental maturity paved way for their very main topic to get sidetracked.

''Hey Sanika, that boy from our economics class is dating that girl from psychology class! You remember we saw them walking together near Metro café the other day?''

''Ahhhhh! See that! I told you that day itself that they looked like a couple. But you disagreed Swara.''

''Alright fine! I got it now.''

''You both! No private chitter-chatter. It's prohibited when we all are together.'' Gauri always been overwhelmingly puzzled by the ability of her friends to conveniently forget the main topic and discuss something trivial in the midst of an important conversation. ''Also would you bastards kindly come back to the main topic?!''

''Ahem!'' Arnav cleared his throat to draw everyone's attention. ''Meher, did you tell Vedanti and Aniruddh what your aunt told us yesterday?''

Meher instinctively facepalmed. ''Ahhh! I literally forgot about it because Vedanti was being such an asshole not listening to my whining.'' Vedanti glared at the mention of her name with such disrespect, but, she restrained herself from diverting the topic in fear of Gauri hitting her.

''Let me tell you both now. So my aunt said that someone she knew had also mentioned of the body swap happening in their life. If we could meet them maybe we'll get some clue about it.''

''Oh damn!! Who are they??'' Kshirja literally rose up from her seat to her excitement to which the people sitting next to her jolted back in surprise.

''She doesn't remember them, sadly. But, she said that there was this weird antique that helped them come back to normal. She said that it's a psychic instrument.'' Meher told her friends.

''Hmmmm.... sounds interesting. Now we are slowly slipping into Vedanti's paranormal world I guess.'' Aparna had absolutely no will to discern the two separate subjects. And much to Vedanti's vexation, she made an effort to intentionally overlap it.

''No we are not. Psychic is not paranormal!'' As anticipated by Aparna, Vedanti shouted back in disagreement.

For Aparna, picking on Vedanti was like her second hobby. Her sadistic tendencies touched the brim whenever she poked her. She could perhaps tolerate her more than she could tolerate Arnav and Aniruddh.

''Whatever. But it does have the same ring to it.'' Aparna replied back with much indifference.

''Noooo! Listen to me. Paranormal is basically about apparitions and psychic is-'' Vedanti couldn't finish off her sentence as Gauri banged the table with her both hands. ''Woah wait! You too! Kindly stop diverting the topic with your nonsensical debate. Please continue Meher.''

''Ugh where was I again? Ah yes! So about the antique. It's called Seraphim's song.''

That word caused Swarangie's senses to get baffled. She thought she knew something about this but couldn't place her finger on it. ''Seraphim? Song?''

''What's wrong Swara? Have you heard of it?'' Shreya asked looking at her.

''I feel like I have but I can't recollect.'' Swarangie said. She surely wasn't blessed with elephant's memory like Sanika was. But she wasn't even the type to forget something with such extravagant name.

''That's fine. My aunt has already given us the address of an antique shop where it's probably safeguarded.'' Meher told.

''So now the question is, who all are going to the antique shop.'' Shreya said. She wasn't really keen on going this time after getting lost once.

''Meher I think you should, since your aunt seems to acquainted with it. And then anyone one of us can accompany her. Any volunteers? If not then I'll go.'' Arnav declared. He surely didn't want his friends to uselessly discuss over this small point as well as they usually do.

''Yes please, you go. Anyways I am at my limits tolerating you, Aniruddh and Vedanti together.'' Aparna instantly uttered. Her face lightened with hope as she stopped sipping her coffee just to react at Arnav's decision to go.

''Then that's decided. Meher and Arnav will be going to the antique. What next?'' Kshirja asked looking at everyone.

''Let's meet them somewhere near that shop. Send us your live location when you are done.'' Aparna suggested. Taking quick decisions was one of her very few positive traits.

''Okay! See you at around four pm then. Let's go Arnav.'' Meher got up from her seat pulling Arnav's arm.

''Huh?! We are leaving immediately? What about the remaining lectures?'' Arnav asked, worried by the fact that he was about to miss some of his important lectures.

''You just have political science next, don't you? Aparna will take notes for you.'' Gauri immediately said glancing at Aparna with her peripheral vision. ''See? She's all set to be of your help.'' Kshirja concluded unhesitatingly looking at Aparna's bewildered expression.

Aparna was the exact sloth who would rather fall down to death from the tree than take efforts to stick to the branch more forcefully. In conclusion, she wasn't the type of student who religiously takes notes all the time unless it's of grave importance. Aniruddh, the kind of nerd he was, remained her backbone for notes forever.

''Come on! Don't give that sceptic look Arnav. Aparna loves you a lot, trust me.'' Once again, Kshirja and Gauri ridiculously laughed at the churning of Aparna's expressions while others either joined them in laughing or simply ignored the conversation. Sanika, was meanwhile video shooting this, as usual.

''Okay, there's a lot of attack on me right now. But fine, I'll take down the notes and give to you Arnav. Now just go both of you.''

****AT THE ANTIQUE SHOP****

Meher pushed open the door as she walked in confidently, slightly pushing the showpiece at the entrance that Arnav managed to catch behind her.

''Welcome. How may I help you both?'' A hoarse, yet calm voice attracted Meher and Arnav to look at the person who slightly bent over from a side behind the old wooden shelf he was cleaning.

Meher stood astounded by the mien of the person in front of her. He was a tall, young youth, probably only a few years older to Meher and Arnav. However, his diligent look and modulated voice made him stand out in many ways.

''Do not ogle at him Meher!'' Arnav said in an undertone voice, trying to make it audible for Meher alone.

''I am not ogling. I am just, well, admiring his magnificent looks in a chaste way.'' Meher slyly commented back on Arnav's remark as he shook his head in disbelief. Well, he wasn't even in a position to stop Meher.

The young man walked over to his two guests who were standing by the entrance. ''Please, make yourself comfortable. I am Ayaan. May I ask what you are eyeing for in this shop?'' He spoke with much tranquility and elegance, an attribute totally lacking in Aniruddh and Arnav, the only two males in the group.

''Ah we are actually here to inquire about an antique. It's a gramophone that's....um....how do I say, kind of magical....Ah no wait! Magic and psychic is different right? What exactly is that gramophone?" Meher had completely confused herself and Arnav had no idea how to get her say the right thing.

Knowing that Meher would probably make a colossal waste of time finding proper words, Arnav decided to ask for the required piece of information himself. ''It's called the 'Seraphim's song'. Have you heard about it?'' However, he was not expectant of seeing such unrest on the other guy's face. Ayaan's appealing face had now been wrapped by contours of worry.

''Why, would you like to know about it, if I may ask?'' He asked solemnly.

''We got to know about this about from an external source. We are in a great pinch, so could you just tell us if you know something about it?"

''By an external source do you possibly mean lady Faiza?''

''Yes! That's my aunt! Have you met her?''

''Umm yes....it was quite a long time ago. It was the day my grandfather went on an important errand. She came to the store to deliver a message to him, but gave it my father instead.''

Arnav realized asking any further would bring some uncomfortable vibes in the conversation. He wasn't really attracted to the guy in front of him as Meher was, but he too believed in his genuine goodness. Not wanting to disturb him emotionally, both Arnav and Meher went silent for a while.

''Oh dear....Looks like radiated some unnecessary energy out of me. I owe you guys an apology.''

''Oh please you needn't at all!!''

''Such fine young comrades.'' ''But let me show you something fascinating. Come in.''

''What is this.....It's so beautiful....''

''Such sublime embellishments. I do not wish to its price even in the slightest.''

''There's an ancient tale surrounding this antique. Centuries ago, there's said to have existed a kingdom in the northern Europe that practiced necromancy quite conveniently. As the kingdom failed to regulate the use of such maleficent magic, it drowned in its own misfortune. As it was gradually approaching its doomsday, the board of wise elders of the kingdom decided to safeguard their distinctly special artefacts in an old, abandoned church. Many decades later, the church got buried under the ground and the artefacts were mostly lost. On excavating that site hundred years ago, an old grimoire and a few precious gems and potions were found. The big opal you see studded here is among those few excavated gems. It's said to have some magical powers. But it never demonstrated any in front of us for as long as it has been here.''

Meher and Arnav were quite stunned by the story. ''Wow!! What powers? Something like teleportation? If it's that I would really like to be teleported to EXO's concert right away!!'' Meher cried in delight.

''Meher!'' Arnav tried pulling her arm to have her back in her senses. He was all the more embarrassed in front of Ayaan who had big, kind smile on his face.

''What?! I am just kidding. Don't be so serious Arnav.'' Meher said.

''That's quite the desire Meher. I like it too.'' Ayaan laughed softly. He continued then, ''But unfortunately, the power is not teleportation. It's the power.....to read minds.''

''Ohhhhhh! That's cool!'' Meher's face beamed in exhilaration. How she wished to quickly convey this extraordinary tale to her friends.

''Have you witnessed it yourself.'' Arnav asked. But Ayaan simply gestured a denial. ''Then was there any prior witness? How do you know that it has such powers?"

Ayaan blinked twice registering what Arnav asked him. ''Huh? Oh well.....I heard it from my father. I didn't really question him though. He also mentioned that it activates when it comes in contact with something unnatural or beyond the laws governing this universe. Who knows it might as well fulfil your wish as well. Fun isn't it?''

Meher listened with great awe. ''It sure is.....What do you think Arnav? Hmm....Arnav, are you listening?" She called him only to catch him staring at the instrument with a grim face. Again, she tried to reach out to him, placing her hand on his shoulder. ''Hey are you -''

''Ah....if it could....I wish I could spend rest of my life with Aniruddh....'' Meher heard it. The thoughts that she was sure to not have uttered from Arnav's lips escalated through the medium of the instrument.

Yes, it's certainly what Meher thought it was. She finally achieved finding a big clue to what her group was searching all along. She had successfully witnessed the power of the magical instrument in front of her. But, she found it in such a sinister way that it was probably going to cost her a long melodramatic episode with everyone in the group, especially Arnav.

''Oh Good God! Why couldn't you wait before sending another nerve-wrecking drama?!"

Meher looked at Arnav who was staring at her with wide eyes, still processing what she meant by her previous statement. And, on the other hand, Meher remained clueless of how to convey her friend that she had unknowingly and unintentionally discovered his hidden desires. All she could do was pray for a peaceful week ahead.

But, as we all know, for this group of reckless people, peace was but a mere illusion.

****AT ST. ADELAIDE COLLEGE****

''What?! You are infatuated with that nerdy archivist? Seriously Shreya!'' Yawping and banging her hand on the desk, Aparna demanded an explanation with much fury. The group, excluding Meher and Arnav, was done with their lectures and was just procrastinating in one of the empty classrooms.

''Hey come on....what's wrong with it? He is definitely more attractive than the boys in our college. Also that mysterious look he had in his eye....ahh that was captivating.'' Shreya replied, her eyes closed recalling the aloof yet elegant disposition of the archivist.

''Okay....can't talk back to this...'' Aparna said as she looked intently at Aniruddh. For Aparna, Aniruddh was an entity so other worldly that she hardly imposed any humanlike expectations on him.

''But Shreya now I am curious. What's your ideal boy type?? Any preferences??'' Sanika's curious mind got activated, ready for any romance gossips that she could feed on right now.

''Why do you make it sound like a food selection.....But I guess not preferences as such. I would want someone who is highly respectful of me and my individuality. I don't want him to be biased because of my gender. I want someone who treats me like a human, not like a woman.'' Shreya's response received a high appreciation from her friends as they clapped with much praise.

''Dude! Now that was the line of the year.''

Yeah and the way she put it got me so spirited suddenly.''

That's the person Shreya was. She was astute, straightforward and never liked to compromise on her ethics. A woman of great sense of self and identity. She too had her qualms like everybody else around her. But she knew the right tactic to overcome her limitations. And more than anything, she too cherished her people. Her eyes shone with a passion that demanded equal respect and right amount of care.

Gradually, owing to Sanika's rising interest, the topic drifted further into romance.

''Hey, don't you guys think that how cute it will be if there turns out a couple in our group?" Somehow, by Kshirja's unanticipated question, everyone was forced to rethink the dynamics of their group.

''Ohh yes! I ship Aparna and Aniruddh.'' Gauri quickly remarked. Insincerity, sarcasm and malice reflected on her face as Aparna gave back a disgusted look slowly processing her best friend's betrayal. Aniruddh, however, preferred to reserve his comments.

''Pleaseeeee dudeeee!! How can you even think about pairing me up with this impassive, socially inept nerd?! Like seriously, I would rather remain a virgin forever than lose it for someone like him.'' For Aparna, even talking to Aniruddh cost her a month's mental exhaustion.

''Ughhh! Then how about Swara and Aniruddh? They look cute together.''

''Unfortunately I am not a pedophile. As for you Sanika, I would definitely like to know how far you are in your relationship with Yuan.'' Aniruddh remarked wily.

''Why do I have to tell you that?'' Sanika shouted. Letting out her love life was the biggest mortification for her. Other than that, she was quite the connoisseur of knowing everything else love brought it along.

''Ahhh guys! Look at that time. We were supposed to meet up with Meher and Arnav near the antique shop. Hurry!'' Had it not been Shreya's punctual reminder, they had almost forgotten their appointment with the other two people.

''Vedanti, I hope you are ready for the sociology assignment submission tomorrow.''

''Wait, that's tomorrow?! I haven't written a thing! Aniruddh help me with it please!''

''This is exactly why I tell you to pay attention.''

They walked entirely immersed in their conversations. The hallways of St. Adelaide college were spacious enough for the whole group to walk side by side without creating much of a crowd. The enormous windows were absorbing the searing sunrays that just hit floor transforming into golden beams. One could forever stand there, beneath the tall windows, spellbound by mystically absorbing feeling it gave.

''Doesn't it look, magical? How I feel like I have heard of such a picturesque description before....But I fail to recollect so.'' Swarangie asked as she walked besides her friends, through the jumbled conjecture of the massive stairs.

''It sure does look magical. It also gives a very deeply imbibed sense of Deja vu to some of us.'' Shreya agreed and looked at Aniruddh and Gauri recalling the havoc of their fall.

''Ah....I get you for this one.'' Gauri said exasperatedly. That would be the last thing she wanted to be reminded of.

''How funny it will be if you both fall again.'' Aparna joked slapping Gauri's back.

''Please do not curse me you slacker. I'll kill you if I get jinxed.'' Gauri turned back and glared at Aparna who was clearly revenging her for the canteen jokes on her.

''What jinxed? It's you who walks mindlessly.'' Aparna added with the most mocking smile ever.

''I hate to agree, but I am with Aparna for this one....Gauri you really need to look where you are going.'' Aniruddh said. Gauri had such visible indignation on her face as she was pissed by Aparna and Aniruddh.

''Well, isn't that for all of us.... We all are unaware of where we are going, especially me. I am hanging onto this thin thread called as illusion believing that there's something left to my future. In reality, my life remains shattered. Hahahah.'' Sanika's sudden self-depreciating humor got everyone chills.

''Why did you have to bring up that now Sanika?! I mean is one big life-threatening tension no enough for you?'' Shreya yelled at her.

''Exactly! Seriously Sanika, I might lose my appetite if I keep thinking like you.'' Kshirja uttered in a murky tone. Losing her appetite was the last thing she wanted.

Sanika laughed in the most evil way possible at the contemptibly poor faces of her friends. ''Giving reality checks, hahaha. I am being like Aniruddh.''

''Wait. I do not talk so depressing. Don't accuse me of being so gloomy.'' Aniruddh interrupted being offended by the accountability he was imposed to serve.

''Hold on! What do you mean by tha-''

And once again my dear readers, Gauri presented herself to be even more gullible than Humpty Dumpty to fall down the same stairs, dragging the person again.

''GAURI!! ANIRUDDH!!!'' Without a moment to react and process, the second round of the soul swap had already begun. Gauri and Aniruddh, like the all-time surviving lizard, managed to stay alive from their great fall once again.

''ARE THEY NUTS?" Aparna yelled running towards the unconscious duo, with Sanika, Shreya, Kshirja, Swarangie and Vedanti right beside her. Since the college had ended long ago, there was hardly anyone around to help them like the last time.

''What do we do now?? We don't even know if they are actually going to swap after this....Should we call an ambulance?''

''Let's take them to the infirmary!''

''But how exactly do we lift these two heavy people??!!"

''Should we call someone? There must be someone from the staff in the office.''

''But what if they come to know about the swap? How do we explain them that?"

As the girls were busy panicking, the unconscious duo woke up to the chaos. With familiar weirded out expressions the two were holding, it didn't take even a minute for their friends to notice what had happened.

''So....you two swapped again, right?'' Both nodded in agreement.

With two people stuck in a yet to unfold love affair and two in a yet to be solved metaphysical affair, the group is unknowingly looking forward to many new remarkable feats ahead. Now again, how they venture into this newly found problems is yet to be determined.

To be contd.