Vedika's face glowed with pride, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson, like freshly picked tomatoes, as Shivangi's eyes sparkled with wonder and admiration.
The two friends were seated in their little haven, a room filled with the warmth of shared memories and the clutter of a creative mind. The table bore scribbles of blueprints and sketches, evidence of Vedika's insatiable drive to create and innovate.
"Thank you, thank you very much!" Shivangi's voice overflowed with gratitude, sweet as honey, as she cradled the intricately designed project chip in her hands. It was a marvel of Vedika's craftsmanship, a masterpiece born of her relentless passion and attention to detail.
Her smile faltered for a moment, and she turned to Vedika with a curious expression. "Vedu, can I ask you something?" She asked, her voice tinged with wonder.
"Of course, what is it?" Vedika replied, her interest piqued. She leaned forward, her face resting on her palm, as she prepared for the inevitable question she knew Shivangi would ask.
"How do you do it, Vedu?" Shivangi hesitated before asking, but her tone soft and her gaze sparkling with wonder. "How do you create something so beautiful, so immersive?" She leaned in, her face inches from Vedika's, her expression one of pure fascination. She looked like a curious little cat, ready to uncover a hidden secret.
Shivangi internally thought, admiring Vedika's remarkable qualities. I knew that it was not appropriate to ask this type of question. I am well aware that neither I nor my next seven — no, not even my next 100 generations — would be able to acquire the level of concentration and determination that Vedika possesses.
In fact, I am certain that Vedika's exceptional concentration and determination are traits that will remain unmatched for hundreds of generations to come.
Vedika chuckled, reflecting on her creative process. "Shh! Don't tell anyone." She whispered, glancing theatrically from left to right as if ensuring no one else could hear. "I'm about to share my secret with you."
Shivangi's eyes widened with anticipation, her body instinctively leaning closer. She seemed almost to vibrate with excitement, as if she were on the brink of uncovering a long-lost treasure.
"It's all about passion, Shivangi..." Vedika began with a dramatic pause. Then, her lips curved mischievously as she added, "And dedication. Which, by the way, you completely lack!" She burst out laughing, her laughter ringing through the room like a melody.
Shivangi's expression quickly transformed from admiration to mock betrayal as she grasped the truth of the playful jab. A look of mock betrayal came across her face as she realized Vedika had been pulling her leg, and the so-called 'secret' was just a ruse.
"You ungrateful jerk!" Shivangi cursed, her eyes flashing with mock anger. What followed was a chaotic chase around the room. Shivangi, determined to give her, mischievous friend, a good-natured beating.
Before Vedika could react, Shivangi sprang into action, chasing her around the room with an exaggerated sense of vengeance. The room erupted in chaos as Vedika darted between chairs and tables, narrowly avoiding Shivangi's grasp.
After 30 seconds of chasing...
"You won't get away with this, Veda!" Shivangi declared, her anger mingling with Vedika's laughter as she grabbed whatever came to hand — a pillow, a book, even a stray shoe — and hurled them with playful intent.
Vedika dodged or caught the items, her laughter echoing through the room, like a battle cry. "No, no, no. Shivangi, no." She pleaded dramatically, holding up her hands in defense. "No, Shivangi. My darling, please."
But Shivangi was relentless, her determination fueled by her playful anger. Just when it seemed like Shivangi was unstoppable, Vedika's eyes stopped at the table and had an idea.
"Shivangi! Project!" Vedika shouted, holding up the project chip like a shield.
Shivangi froze in her tracks, her eyes fixed on the chip. "What?" She asked, her tone suddenly cautious.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Veda snatched the pillow Shivangi had been wielding. "Nothing." Vedika said, grinning mischievously. "Just needed to stop a wild cat."
Shivangi puffed up her cheeks in feigned anger, and she shook her head. "You win this time, Veda." She said, holding up her hands in surrender.
"But mark my words, I'll get back at you next time!" She stuck out her tongue, her face scrunched up in a mock-threatening expression, and then crossed her arms in playful anger.
"Sure, sure. You can." Vedika chuckled, gently ruffling Shivangi's hair with her fingers. Shivangi's face lit up with a smile as she leaned into her touch.
As their playful battle subsided, Vedika turned her attention back to the project. She worked with renewed focus, her eyes and hands deftly adjusting the intricate design of the chip.
"Nabhovajranetra[1]!" "Abhayagami[2]!" Vedika activated her eye and hand skills, unleashing a surge of focus and speed that erupted within her. Her eyes blazed with golden determination.
With precision, she scanned every detail, her gaze piercing through the intricacies of the chip. Meanwhile, her hands danced with confident, precise gestures, as if whispering secrets to the wind.
Shivangi watched her friend with a mixture of admiration and amusement. Veda's dedication was inspiring, yet it also presented an irresistible opportunity for mischief. A sly grin spread across Shivangi's face as a plan formed in her mind.
Vedika, sensing Shivangi's plan, playfully nodded her head without looking up.
After a short while, she returned with two sweet drinks in hand. "Here, have some." She said, placing one on the table.
"Hmm." Vedika nodded fervently, still absorbed in her work.
After waiting for few minutes...
"Vedika." Shivangi called softly, but there was no response. She tried again, this time louder, but Veda remained unperturbed.
Shivangi rolled her eyes and chuckled, picked up the drink, and unscrewed the lid of Vedika's drink. With a mischievous grin, she tilted it and poured the cold liquid directly into Vedika's mouth.
"..." "Shiv...angi..!" Veda sputtered, caught completely off guard. She sat up abruptly, her expression a mix of shock and exasperation. She glared at Shivangi with a questioning gaze.
"What?" Shivangi asked innocently, though her grin betrayed her true intent. "You were so absorbed in your work, you didn't even notice the drink had been sitting here for 15 minutes. So, I took matters into my own hands." She grinned mischievously, her eyes sparkled with joy.
Vedika rolled her eyes, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "Okay, okay. I'm drinking it. Are you happy now?" She set aside her work and drank her Aam panna drink in front of Shivangi, her eyes never leaving her friend's face.
The tension between them was palpable, but it was a comfortable, familiar tension, born of years of friendship and playful banter. As they engaged in their lighthearted exchange, they remained oblivious to the fact that something monumental was about to happen in the next few seconds - something that would catch them completely off guard.
The air was thick with anticipation, but it was an anticipation that only the universe seemed to sense. Vedika and Shivangi were too caught up in their own little world, a world of laughter and friendship, to notice the storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
And yet, as they sat there, smiling at each other, the universe was holding its breath, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. The clock was ticking, the seconds counting down to a moment that would change everything.
[1] Nabhovajranetra (Sky Thunder Eye): As activating this skill, her black eyes turned into radiant golden orbs, blazing with an otherworldly light. Her vision sharpened to perfection, allowing her to scan and analyze even the tiniest of details in her surroundings. Nothing escaped her piercing gaze.
[2] Abhayagami (Fearless Walker): Upon activating this skill, Vedika's hands moved with an almost ethereal precision, dancing through the air as if conducting a silent symphony. Each motion seemed alive, as though her fingers were whispering secrets to the unseen forces around her.