Parallel Hearts : Two Worlds, One Love

Saharsh finally broke the silence, flashing a teasing smile.

"Okay, Ms. Mystery," he began, "Let me break this awkwardness and share some of my theories about what's happening between us."

He sat up straighter, his expression shifting to serious.

"I think this whole phenomenon is more than just random. It feels like our rooms are connected through some sort of dimensional glitch. Maybe it's our souls—or our bodies—being tangled in this universal anomaly. A glitch in space and time, triggered by something... and it seems to happen every Sunday when we sleep here. At first, we didn't feel much because we were new to it. But now, our presence—our essence—is so entangled with the glitch that it's impossible to ignore."

He leaned forward slightly, thoughtful. "That's why we feel the mist and the shift so strongly now. It's not just a fluke anymore. And our minds? They're playing tricks on us. Since we first experienced that black mist, we haven't really been able to sleep peacefully. We expect something strange now. And that expectation itself might be causing the phenomenon to intensify."

He paused, then chuckled. "You know, I used to tell myself a little theory to avoid believing in ghosts. It was my logic shield—just something to cling to so I wouldn't have to go around disproving every creepy story."

Rakshita raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? Do share, Einstein."

Saharsh grinned. "Multiversal theory. It says all possible worlds exist in the same space, just vibrating at different frequencies. So what we think are ghosts or paranormal activity… might just be glitches—interference from other dimensions or universes overlapping briefly with ours."

Rakshita smirked. "So what you're saying is… I'm a glitched ghost haunting your room?"

She crossed her arms, feigning a pout.

Saharsh laughed, circling her dramatically with one hand on his chin, pretending to inspect her. "Hmm… Maybe."

Rakshita narrowed her eyes. "Do you want another slap?"

He quickly raised his hands in surrender. "No no, after careful inspection, you're definitely too beautiful to be a ghost. Or even a glitch."

Rakshita blushed and looked away, flustered.

"Okay okay, but seriously, listen to this," Saharsh continued. "What if we're caught in something huge? Like… what if your Earth isn't a parallel world at all—but the future of my Earth?"

She stared at him, confused.

He went on, "I mean, think about it. Your Earth is more technologically advanced. The sun there is red—it could be an older version of our sun. What if this isn't a case of parallel Earths, but the same Earth… just in different timelines? And we're somehow crossing the streams?"

Rakshita blinked. "Satyam, are you seriously saying I'm millions of years older than you?"

He grinned. "Well… maybe."

"Excuse me??" she exclaimed, half-laughing, half-scolding.

"Just listen," Saharsh said, raising a hand. "It's just a theory! Maybe it is two different universes after all—same space, different frequencies, different rules. Honestly, we don't know anything for sure. It's all just… a mystery. I didn't mean to scare you."

Rakshita turned quiet for a moment. "You know, when you said I might be from a future Earth… I almost asked how we could ever be together…" Her voice faded as she trailed off. "Never mind. Continue."

Saharsh looked at her gently but didn't press. "Whatever it is, today's event proved one thing—we found a loophole in the glitch. I wasn't in my room, and you swapped. We met—like the universe wanted us to. Maybe I had to endure a little pain, but... it was worth it."

Rakshita, lost in thought, murmured, "Oh… okay."

Saharsh suddenly clapped his hands. "Enough gloomy talk! The parathas are getting cold."

He picked one up, took a bite, then glanced sideways at Rakshita as she ate with delight—savoring every bite like a child tasting her favorite dish. He smiled to himself, biting his finger by mistake in the process. He didn't even react—just watched her.

The peaceful rhythm broke when Saharsh's phone buzzed. The ringtone—Senorita—blared loudly. He jumped, his elbow slipping off the chair's arm as he fumbled to pick up the call.

"WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU, DUMBO?!" Deepak screamed from the other end.

Saharsh grinned, eyes still on Rakshita. "In heaven," he replied dreamily.

"Huh??"

"Never mind. Meet me at City Square," Saharsh said, smirking. "I've got a surprise for you." He ended the call and turned back to Rakshita.

"Now, go freshen up. You and I are going to explore the city today. And on the way, we'll fuse all the fat brain cells in Deepak's head into one working neuron."

Rakshita laughed, rolling her eyes. "You're impossible."

"Exactly," he winked.

As Rakshita casually walked toward Saharsh's cupboard, he didn't pay much attention—until she opened it wide and began pulling out a whole arsenal of girl stuff.

A few dresses.

A full makeup kit.

Heels.

Body wash.

Hair ties.

A familiar floral-scented perfume bottle.

Even a fancy loofah.

Saharsh blinked. Once. Twice. Then stared in absolute horror.

"Wait—WHAT?! What are those doing in my cupboard?! Heck, how are they even here?!"

Rakshita didn't even flinch. She just chuckled and said sweetly, "Well, what did you think? That I roamed around your world in PJs every time I swapped?"

Saharsh's mouth dropped open. "I—I did! I wore your oversized tees and pajamas every time!"

"That's your fault, not mine," Rakshita replied with a shrug. "I have standards."

She threw a smirk over her shoulder as she walked toward the bathroom, makeup pouch swinging in hand. "And wear something decent today, will you? You're going out with me, after all."

Saharsh was still frozen in disbelief. "Wait a minute. Now I understand where all my money kept vanishing. You've been shopping through me!"

Rakshita raised an eyebrow from the bathroom doorway. "Not my fault you never open your cupboard. You toss all your clothes into that laundry basket by the bed like a wild caveman."

Saharsh sighed in defeat. "Fine, fine. I get it. You win."

He walked toward his cupboard, eyeing it like it was an archaeological site, muttering, "Great. Now I need to find something that doesn't make me look like a beggar beside a princess."

Rakshita giggled, stepping into the washroom. "Good boy. Because I am a princess. Obviously."

The bathroom door clicked shut, leaving Saharsh shaking his head with a smile, already trying to figure out what the heck still belonged to him in that cupboard.