ℂ𝕆ℂ𝕂𝕋𝔸𝕀𝕃𝕊 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ ℂ𝕌ℙ𝕀𝔻

𝟲𝟱

𝙰 𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚙 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚛𝚗
>>>>–––– 💘 ––––<<<<

The office cafeteria buzzed with the usual lunchtime chatter. The metallic clinking of cutlery against plates mingled with bursts of laughter and murmured conversations. It was a familiar soundscape—comforting, routine. At a corner table, under the white overhead lights, 403 sat across from 601, his brows drawn together as he observed her with narrowed, suspicious eyes. She, in contrast, remained calm and composed, mechanically eating her lunch as if his intense gaze didn’t even exist.

Adhu yepdhi unaku mattum ore time la, rendhu project kuduthanga?

(How did they give you more than one project at the same time?)

he demanded suddenly, his voice tinged with incredulity.

601 didn’t look up right away. She chewed, swallowed, then finally lifted her eyes, deadpan.

Romba successful'ahna cupids ku mattum dhane andha privilege iruku?

(That's something only very successful cupids can do.)

he continued, shaking his head like the very idea irked him.

She paused, set her spoon down gently, and raised an eyebrow.

Then maybe I am a successful cupid

she said, her voice dry, flat, and laced with just enough sarcasm to make him scoff aloud.

403 leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

Vaipe illa,

he said, his tone theatrically dismissive.

Nee yevanayume sera've vida mattae. If anything, you're the exact opposite of a cupid.

(No chance. You wouldn’t let anyone get together. If anything, you're the exact opposite of a cupid.)

Then, as if a sudden epiphany struck him, he straightened in his seat.

Pudichiten!

he exclaimed, pointing a dramatic finger at her.

One of the senior cupids… un chitapa lae! You Nepo kid!

(Got it! One of the senior cupids—he's your uncle, right? You’re a nepo kid!)

601’s gaze darkened into a glare. Without saying a word, she subtly lifted her hand to show the knife in her grasp, holding it just so—casually, but with enough implication to make 403 raise both hands in surrender. He instinctively scooted his chair back a few inches. He shook his head with his eyes wide until she lowered the knife.

Still, despite the banter, something more serious flickered in his eyes. No matter how much he tried to bury it under sarcasm or jokes, the truth remained—he was frustrated. The fact that Mithra, of all people, was 601’s assignment gnawed at him relentlessly. He couldn’t understand why it bothered him so much. Or maybe… he didn’t want to admit the real reason. That he had, somehow, truly fallen for a human girl. And that girl was now in 601’s hands.

Their table was interrupted by a familiar voice.

Ippo yenna sandha?

(What are you two fighting about now?)

asked Ananya, walking up to them with a puzzled expression.

601 merely tilted her head towards 403.

Avana vidu, avan oru loosu