Parallel Hearts : Two Worlds, One Love

In the middle of a drowsy Monday class, Rakshita and Anaya leaned toward each other, whispering like two curious conspirators while the teacher's voice droned on in the background.

"He planned that dangerous stunt just to meet you?" Anaya whispered, eyes wide behind her glasses. "Is he mad? I saw how excruciating the pain was for you last time. That idiot... how did he even bear it?"

Rakshita gave a small smile, her gaze distant. "He said it was fine."

Anaya scoffed, shaking her head. "Fine? He must be completely love-drunk. Haa, he loves you too much!" she said, jabbing her elbow lightly into Rakshita's ribs.

Rakshita pinched her under the desk with a glare. "Shut up," she hissed, blushing a little. "Well, I'll know for sure next week how much he endured. I invited him to our universe this Sunday."

Anaya's mouth fell open. "What?! You invited him to this universe? Are you out of your mind? How are you going to bear the pain caused by that thing?! Did you forget how bad it was for you last time?"

Rakshita kept her voice calm. "He told me it's bearable if I keep moving toward my room once the pain starts. It gets better the closer I get. I just shouldn't enter the room until it's over."

Anaya's brows furrowed with concern. "Still, that's too risky. Why not just switch like you normally do? He explores your world while you're in his. Seems like a win-win."

"Because I want to be there," Rakshita replied firmly. "I want to walk with him, show him things, be beside him. He did the same for me. I want to return the favor."

"I could've shown him around! You didn't need to bear all that pain just to play tourist guide," Anaya argued.

"That's not the point," Rakshita said, a hint of irritation in her tone. "It's personal. I want him to experience it with me, not without me."

Anaya rolled her eyes. "Oh god. You're so hopelessly in love, you've stopped listening to your best friend, huh?"

Rakshita turned sharply. "I'm not in love, okay?! I just want to give him the same effort and experience he gave me."

"Oh, right, sure," Anaya teased with a smirk. "So you're not in love, but you're planning a guided romantic tour of your universe. Holding hands while walking down your streets. Pointing out your favorite spots. Feeding him pani puri at your favorite stall. Totally not love, huh?"

Rakshita's face turned crimson. "Who said anything about holding hands?! Don't make things up, you delusional parrot."

"We'll see, we'll see," Anaya sang under her breath.

"Yeah, you'll see with your big four eyes," Rakshita muttered, referencing her glasses.

They both burst into silent laughter just as the teacher turned around, forcing them to pretend they were immersed in the class. Needless to say, they didn't register a single word of the lecture.

Monday Evening – Deepak's Room

The kitchen was alive with the sizzle of spices and clatter of pans. Deepak stirred the pot, while Saharsh lay like a defeated starfish on the bed, head dangling from the side, staring at nothing.

"Mmm... yesterday was so good," Saharsh said dreamily.

"Why the hell are you even here?" Deepak called out from the kitchen. "Shouldn't you be in your room mooching off your stove?"

"I'm out of groceries and I spent my entire monthly allowance yesterday," Saharsh said with a nonchalant shrug. "So I'm mooching off you."

"Let me guess — you spent it all on your beloved girlfriend?" Deepak replied, rolling his eyes. "At least help me cook if you're going to freeload."

"Nah," Saharsh mumbled. "Besides, haven't you heard of Atithi Devo Bhava? Guest is god. Now serve your god."

A banana flew through the air and landed square on his chest.

"You're not a guest. You're a parasite," Deepak said, glaring.

"Aww, you hurt your god's feelings," Saharsh pouted dramatically.

"Fine, you clown," Deepak sighed. "I'll cook. But next week, you owe me. One of my assignments."

"Assignment, my ass," Saharsh muttered.

"Then get out."

"Fine, you heartless creature," Saharsh groaned. "Can't help a starving friend in need."

"Then don't be such a know-it-all next time," Deepak said smugly.

"Fine, fine," Saharsh grumbled.

"So tell me," Deepak said, stirring the dal, "how did you guys end up in the same universe without swapping?"

Saharsh propped himself up and explained everything—the new trick they tried, the pain involved, and Rakshita's insistence on experiencing the phenomenon in reverse.

"So now you're heading to your in-law's universe, huh?" Deepak grinned.

Saharsh blinked. "What?! What do you mean in-law's universe?"

Then the realization hit, and without thinking, he picked up the banana peel Deepak had thrown and lobbed it straight at him. It slapped onto Deepak's face with precision.

"Perfect aim!" Saharsh declared, cracking up.

Deepak peeled it off with a deadpan expression and tossed it in the bin. Without skipping a beat, he grabbed a freshly made samosa and hurled it at Saharsh. "Catch!"

Saharsh caught it, then immediately howled. "It's burning hot! Aaaah!"

Now Deepak was the one howling with laughter.

After a chaotic but satisfying dinner full of food fights and nonsense, the two settled down on opposite sides of the bed, each with their feet where the other's head was supposed to be. Class notes and textbooks were scattered between them.

"You know," Deepak said while flipping through his notes, "this whole switching thing always happens in your room, right? Doesn't that mean there's a specific center point where it begins?"

Saharsh sat up instantly. "You're right! What if there's a spot or trigger hidden somewhere in my room? We should check it out!"

Deepak reached out and lightly kicked him in the stomach. "Calm down, Sherlock. We'll do that tomorrow. You've slacked enough today. Also, don't forget—you have that ad script to submit, or you'll lose your part-time job."

Saharsh slumped back into the beanbag with a groan. "True. I'll need money if Rakshita visits again."

"Yeah, and maybe start saving for your wedding too," Deepak teased. "You've turned into such a simp."

"Fine, fine," Saharsh mumbled. "But she's spec—"

He froze mid-word.

Deepak looked up, eyes gleaming. "Spec… what? Special? You were going to say special, weren't you?"

"Nothing! Focus on your own work," Saharsh snapped, pulling a blanket over himself, plugging in his headphones, and blasting music.

"All your focus is already on Rakshita anyway. What's the point of pretending?" Deepak grinned.

Saharsh ignored him, eyes glued to his laptop.

Deepak chuckled, shook his head, and returned to his own assignment. Maybe I teased him a little too much today… ah, whatever, he thought.

And just like that, the evening faded into the familiar comfort of banter, silence, and unspoken truths — a friendship stitched together with chaos, care, and a little bit of samosa oil.