For the next two days, Vicky lived like a fugitive.
He didn't go near TCS Butterfly.He didn't pass by the OMR stretch.He didn't even order from the same food delivery chains she might use — just in case.
"Bro, why are we eating in this shady parotta kadai?" Kiran asked, scratching his head.
"Safety," Vicky replied, whispering like he was in a spy movie. "People should not find me."
Kiran blinked. "People? Or… one person?"
"…One particular person."
1. The First Failure — The Metro Station
He planned perfectly:
Leave hostel early.
Take Kiran along as a human shield.
Board the opposite metro direction to TCS.
But the world had jokes.
At the ticket counter two people directly ahead moved aside at the same time.And in that narrow space—
She appeared.
Rilu.Black laptop bag. TCS badge. Hair tied neatly.Eyes tired, clearly just coming back from a night-shift onboarding.
Vicky froze.
She didn't see him. She just walked past to recharge her metro card.
Kiran whispered, horrified:
"Bro… by chance, do you think she is tracking you?"
"DON'T EVEN JOKE!"
Vicky quickly ducked behind a pillar like a lizard avoiding sunlight.
Rilu passed through the security gate without even glancing back.
Kiran snorted.
"You avoided her like she's income tax."
2. Second Failure — Marina Beach
Sunday. Students' outing.
Surely the largest beach in India was the safest place on planet Earth.
Vicky relaxed. The air smelled of bhajji and sea salt. Kids ran around. Couples fought over ice cream.
"See?" Kiran said. "No TCS intern here. Chill."
And then—
A group walked past, discussing a project.
Words drifted in the air:
"Rilu… sprint review… server downtime…"
Vicky's blood froze.
Kiran muttered, "Ayyo… she's here TOO?"
"No—no—relax. That was her team. Not her. She's not here."
He cautiously lifted his head above the crowd.
No Kashmiri-looking girl.
Just her team members.
He ducked back down with relief.
But the tension was unbearable.
Kiran sighed."You know… this is torture for me too."
3. Third Failure — The Tea Stall
This one hurt the most.
Vicky's favourite masala tea stall under the flyover was his safe zone.
He reached for his cup.
Just as he was about to take the first sip—
The shop owner said casually:
"Oh, that TCS girl came and had tea just now. Pretty girl. You missed her by one minute."
Vicky choked on thin air.
"One minute???"
Kiran laughed so hard he slapped the table.
"Bro… she is everywhere you are NOT, and never where you ARE."
4. Vicky Loses It
That night in hostel:
"I CAN'T TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"
Kiran looked up from his dosa.
"Da… you didn't even MEET her. You didn't even TALK to her. She's just… existing."
"That's the problem! She's existing in my orbit!"
"So?"
"So… I don't want problems!"
Kiran stared blankly.
"You already have problems. Exams, fees, mosquitoes, Tamil slang, hostel food… What is one girl compared to this?"
Vicky threw a pillow at him.
5. Meanwhile… Mr. Arasu
At Arasu Osbo Headquarters, Narayan Arasu reviewed a report on his desk:
Name: Vignesh "Vicky" Kumar
Age: 19
Hometown: Jaipur
College: SRM BCA
Hostel building & room number
No criminal record
No unusual activity
One friend: Kiran T.
Arasu closed the file.
"Harmless boy," he murmured.
Then he added quietly:
"Keep an eye anyway."