Chapter-17

"Navya, do you have an event today?" Mohit asked while having breakfast at the dining table Saturday morning.

Navya was sitting in a chair in the living room, her laptop is on the table. As soon as she heard Mohit's question, she immediately turned her head.

"Nothing, sir." Navya shook her head quickly.

"What are you busy with?" Mohit asked again.

"Nothing, really. I'm just reading journals to prepare presentation for next Monday. But I've read it several times since yesterday," said Navya. Her eyes looked hopeful.

"Are you really not busy?" Mohit asked again for confirmation.

"No, Mohit. We... where are we going?" Finally Navya directed her question.

Mohit smiled. "I just thought, maybe you want to go out. You've been busy lately. I've never seen you go anywhere, except to the mall on your friend's birthday." He said to Navya.

Navya's heart skipped a beat. "Where are you going?" Navya asked him.

"Where are we going?" Mohit corrected her.

Navya was more than happy to hear that.

"Mmm..., I'm looking for a book. Do you want to come to the bookstore?" Mohit offered her.

"Yes I will come!" Navya nodded enthusiastically, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

"Okay, okay. After I finish my breakfast, let's go together, okay?" Mohit said and again started eating his breakfast.

Navya felt like her steps were floating as she rushed to her room to change clothes. This is the second time she will go alone with Mohit. The first time was when Mohit invited her to his house in the south side. Now Mohit will take her to the bookstore.

Half an hour later, Navya and Mohit had arrived at a large bookstore located in the Satya Niketan area. They headed straight for the Science bookshelf.

"Next Monday, I will present a presentation on recombinant DNA technology. Mohit, can you please give me a good reference book for presentation?" Navya opened a chat.

"Oh yes." Mohit raised his eyebrows. "I have many books on recombinant DNA technology at home. You can choose whatever you want." Mohit said to her.

"Wow, it's fun! I should have asked you yesterday. I'm also still confused. The theme of my thesis is about the benefits of recombinant DNA technology, but I'm confused about which product to choose," continued Navya.

"Hmm... if you ask me, I'm sure my answer has to do with pharmacy. Many pharmaceutical products are made using recombinant DNA technology, such as vaccines," Mohit responded.

Navya's eyes widened. "That's right, yes! I can ask you if so. You have the book, right? I will borrow it for reference then. Because since yesterday, my brain is stuck looking for ideas. If there is a guide, it's even better for me" Navya continued.

Mohit smiled looking at her. "I just found out that you are interested in that field too. Later at home, I'll show you the books and even guide you." Mohit assured her.

"You mean at the south side house?" Navya asked him hopefully.

"No..., I've moved most of the books to your house. Do you really want to go to my house?" Mohit asked back while looking at Navya.

Navya smiled shyly. "Your house is fun, it's like a villa. I want to go there again sometime." Navya said to Mohit.

Mohit laughed bitterly. "Okay. After we leave this bookstore, let's go there. You can also get to know Mr. Gupta who is guarding the house." Mohit continued.

Navya's heart jumped with joy hearing Mohit's promise. She really hoped that Mohit would take her home in south side again.

They still wandered around the bookstore for a while. Mohit chose several books from his field of expertise, especially from Molecular Biology.

"Next Wednesday, there will be another seminar at your faculty. I will be one of the speakers," Mohit told her.

"Huh? Is it true? Wow, I have to come!" Navya exclaimed excitedly. Mohit laughed at her innocent behavior.

After selecting books, they paid the fee at the cash counter, then exited the bookstore. While walking in the basement which became the car park, suddenly a voice called from behind.

"Mohit?"

Navya and Mohit looked back at the same time. A woman walked over.

"Mohit, how are you?" said the woman with a smile, showing a row of white and neat teeth.

Navya gasped looking at the woman. The woman's face is very similar to the face painted by Mohit!

"Anjali?" Mohit looks surprised. He was silent for a moment, his eyes widened. "Oh... hi.... How are you?" Mohit asked her after controlling himself.

The woman reached out to greet Mohit. In Navya's eyes, the woman looked very happy, her smile broke, and her hand tightly gripped Mohit's hand.

"I'm fine Mohit. I've returned to Delhi. It's only been a month. What a coincidence that I met you today, I'm really happy!" The woman's voice sounded enthusiastic.

"What? You're back to Delhi?" Mohit's eyebrows furrowed. Then he seemed to remember something. "Oh I forgot, meet her, she is Navya and Navya, meet her, she is Anjali" Mohit introduced them both to each other.

Navya shook hands with the woman named Anjali. "Hi, I'm Navya." Navya introduced herself.

"Hello, I'm Anjali." The woman also introduced her.

That woman's age is hard to tell, maybe because of her make-up which looks fresh and shines like a Korean artist. Navya thought she might be in her 25-29, but her make-up made her look like she was in her 21-23. Her hair is wavy. Unlike in the painting, her hair color is not black, but slightly reddish brown. Her eyes are big round. Her lips were polished with pink lipstick, matching the color of the knee-length dress she was wearing, wrapping her ideally slim body. She is really beautiful and sensual.

"Hey Mohit where do you live now? Yesterday I went to your old house, but Mr. Gupta said, You live somewhere else." The woman said to Mohit.

Anjali's words made Navya flinch. The woman looked for Mohit all the way home, and she also seemed to know Mr. Gupta!

"Oh, I see. I'm rarely home now. Mmm..., sorry, Anjali. We have to go home fast." Unlike his usual friendly and warm attitude, for some reason Mohit seemed to want to end the conversation immediately.

Anjali was silent, looking disappointed.

"Sorry Anjali, we have some important work" said Mohit again, then took Navya's hand in his hand. "Come on, Navya." He continued.

Navya was surprised by Mohit's holding, but she didn't refuse. They walked hand in hand to the car. Navya glanced briefly before their car pulled out of the parking lot. Anjali was still standing frozen in the same place, staring at their car.

In the car, Mohit was silent. But Navya could see his expression changing, as if he was busy with his own thoughts. Navya's own heart was pounding curiously. "Who is Anjali? It seemed like that the beautiful woman knew Mohit well, and even visited his house. But why he is in rush to leave?" Navya thought in her mind.

Navya gulped. "Should I ask Mohit about who Anjali is? After all, why is her face is in one of his paintings?" Navya said to herself.

"Mohit?" Navya finally spoke.

"What?" Mohit asked her.

"Who is Miss Anjali?" asked Navya carefully, looking at Mohit's face.

"Oh, she used to be my junior in college. Long time no see, maybe about three years. As far as I know, she moved to Kolkata" answered Mohit. His eyes were still looking straight ahead, towards the road.

"Oh I see..." Navya said to him.

Navya was silent. Mohit's answer did not explain anything to her. But Mohit also did not seem to intend to discuss further about Anjali. Navya could only harbor all the curiosity in her heart.