Sunday Morning — 9:00 AM | Deepak's Room
Saharsh sat slouched on the bean bag, head tilted back like a zombie, storming through the events of the night in his mind.
What went wrong?
His thoughts replayed the pain, the way it tore through him like reality was rejecting him from both ends. The answer echoed back, clear and cruel:
They weren't in their rooms.
And because of that...
they didn't swap.
Then something clicked in his mind.
What if… what if we did this? Just what if...
But before the thought could finish blooming, the memory of pain came rushing back like a wave — the breathless weight in his chest, the splitting ache.
"No. No more experiments," he whispered to himself.
But the scientist within, the explorer, the question-seeker — that part of him couldn't be silenced by pain alone. Curiosity gnawed at the edges of logic.
What if it's possible? What if I go further — alone?
A crooked smile curved on his face.
Deepak, leaning out from the kitchen in a bright floral apron, narrowed his eyes. "What demonic scheme are you plotting now?"
Saharsh blinked.
Deepak pointed a spatula at him. "No more experiments. You almost died. I'm not babysitting you through another mental meltdown."
Saharsh smirked. "Nice apron, by the way."
Deepak flushed. "It's my mom's. She made me wear it while I'm cooking."
"Yeah, yeah... mom," Saharsh teased, biting back a laugh.
Deepak glared. "Don't change the subject. You're clearly planning something wicked. I can see it in your evil little smile."
"Fine, fine," Saharsh said, raising both hands. "No more nagging. I almost died, show some sympathy! I'll keep next Sunday as normal, okay? No experiments."
Deepak rolled his eyes.
But Saharsh, under his breath, whispered,
"Just next…"
And that crooked smile returned.
In his mind, the experiment was already underway.
He just wouldn't tell her.
Sunday Morning — Anaya's Room
Rakshita was curled into Anaya, still feeling slightly hollow after the pain of last night. Anaya, ever the best friend, was peeling apples and feeding her piece by piece.
"This was horrible," Anaya muttered, shaking her head. "I'm blaming your otherworldly lover for this whole experiment mess."
"Hey!" Rakshita's voice rose defensively. "It's not his fault. He was just trying to understand it. And he's not my lover."
Anaya raised an eyebrow. "Ohh, the scared kitten finds her claws now — defending him and denying everything in one breath. Not your lover, huh?"
Rakshita flicked her forehead, blushing. "Shut up, you idiot. I don't know, okay?"
Anaya laughed, rubbing her forehead. "At least you get to wake up in a boy's bed every Sunday. Some people have all the luck."
Rakshita was about to say something, but Anaya shoved another apple piece into her mouth.
"So," Anaya asked, chewing dramatically, "any more experiments next Sunday?"
Rakshita swallowed and shook her head. "That's his department. But knowing him… no. He wouldn't risk it again. Not after what happened."
Anaya smirked. "You really trust him, huh?"
"Yes," Rakshita said softly. "He wants to understand it. And I want to support him. This whole thing — it bothers me. Not knowing what's happening to us."
Anaya smiled mischievously. "Ohhh, he wants to uncover the truth, you want to support him… sounds like someone's in love."
"Anaya!"
Saturday Night — Saharsh's Room
Saharsh sat at his desk, writing carefully.
"I'm sorry. Last Sunday was horrible, and I truly mean it — I'm really sorry. I'll make sure no more pain ever comes to you because of this. Not again. I'll protect you through any means, even if that means you never know."
He paused, then continued:
"Also... last Sunday, I was going to show you my picture. That was the note I left — before I changed my mind. I want you to wait one or two more Sundays. Just a little longer. I promise it'll be worth the wait.
And don't worry — I won't peek at your photo either. I'm guessing you were thinking the same."
He smiled faintly, folding the note.
Saturday Night — Rakshita's Room
Rakshita sat quietly, flipping through their old notes before scribbling her response.
"Saharsh —
Yes, last Sunday was scary. It hurt. A lot. But I don't blame you. Not at all.
We're in this together, and I'll support you, no matter what. Just say the word — what's next?"
She hesitated, then added:
"Also... I left the pictures on my phone last week. You can see them now. But don't judge me, okay, Mr. Otherworldly Chef?
And while you're at it, cook something good this time. I've got great ingredients waiting."
She folded the note with a small, shy smile.
Sunday Morning — Two Worlds Apart
Both woke up in each other's rooms — familiar now, yet always strange.
And the first thing they reached for?
The notes.
Saharsh read Rakshita's message and smiled.
She was still with him. Still trusting.
Rakshita read his note and grinned — but paused.
"Wait a few more Sundays?" she whispered.
"I was looking forward to it…"
Then she sighed and smiled anyway.
"Fine, Mr. Mystery. Keep your secrets... for now."
Later That Day — Parallel Worlds
Despite the tension, this Sunday was… normal.
Saharsh roamed Rakshita's world quietly — he read her books, watered the plant she always forgot about, and cooked something mild. He said to air while reading the note.
"You weren't lying. Good ingredients. Maybe I'll make you something"
But his peace was short-lived.
Anaya showed up with fire in her eyes.
"You."
Saharsh blinked. "Oh no."
"You know what she went through last Sunday?" she asked, arms crossed.
He looked down. "Yes. I was there. In my way."
"She screamed in pain. Do you understand how terrifying that was? For her? For me?"
"I know," he said softly. "I hated that. I—"
"No," she interrupted. "You still want to experiment, don't you?"
He didn't answer.
Anaya shook her head. "If you're going to hurt her again... I'll stop you myself."
Saharsh met her eyes. "That's why I won't tell her. So she won't be hurt. I'll take it all."
Anaya's anger wavered.
"Just... don't lie to her," she whispered. "She deserves more than that."
Meanwhile — Saharsh's Room
Rakshita sat on the edge of Saharsh's bed, flipping through one of his sketchbooks when Deepak entered.
"Hey," he said casually. "You doing okay?"
Rakshita nodded. "Still tired."
He sat across from her, more serious now. "Listen… I saw him last week. The pain he was in. It scared me."
She looked at him, surprised by the softness in his voice.
"This phenomenon — it's not just cute notes and parallel grocery shopping. It's dangerous. You two are in something way bigger than you realize."
"I know," she said quietly. "But we're in it. We have to face it."
Deepak smiled faintly. "Then promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't try to be brave alone."
Rakshita nodded.