The van was moving slowly along the coastal road. Micah's snore died down after an hour of torture along with Mrs Jogh's eclectic choice of music.

The researcher had paid all three student assistants the token as promised, in fact with extras as she was celebrating yet another invitation to talk. She promised to recruit all three again.

Ballqis was pleasantly surprised after seeing the amount of money in the envelope. She was so close to not having to bother her father about money for next semester!

But she could not keep her mind off last night.

Last night, she had spent almost all the night away with Iqball. Though they were pretending to dance for about three songs in total, he had asked her to stay with him on the edge of the dance floor so they could enjoy watching the band perform. They talked about music they liked and live performances they've been to. 

Then he had asked her to join him for a short walk. They went to the side of the hill where the long walkalator was slowly moving. They stepped on it and did what other couples were doing, they looked up to gaze at the stars.

"That's Carina," Ballqis had enthused without thinking.

Agamemnon had shown the gang the constellation once during a late night jog at campus.

"Ah, Aga's favourite. He must be thinking of you right now," Iqball replied.

"No, he's probably thinking about Carinna, his mom, and Carina, his long term girlfriend. Did you know how awkward it was for him to fall for someone whose name was so similar to his own mother's?" Ballqis snickered.

Iqball laughed along.

"I didn't know his life was that complex," he said.

"I told him it might be an indication that the two women would get along well once they properly meet," Ballqis added.

"Well love isn't always smooth. In fact, I happen to think it is always awkward," he noted wistfully.

Ballqis lightly punched him shoulder.

"Ooh, so much wisdom," she noted.

Iqball laughed.

They talked about their friends and lives at campus.

"How come you changed your style so much after entering uni? I almost could not recognise you that time we bumped at the lecturers' office building. That's three weeks into first semester!"

Ballqis went silent for a few seconds before replying.

"I didn't want to be my old self. It was a chance to reinvent myself."

"But why? You were awesome at school," he asked.

Ballqis' head snapped.

"Don't tell me you didn't know the girls in our batch hated me? None of them would talk to me," she hissed.

"I... I didn't know that. I only know that you happen to be more comfortable with our seniors, then the juniors," Iqball answered nervously.

Their boarding school only took students who are 15, 16 and 17 years of age. He knew she was quiet, but he had never seen anyone pointedly ignoring her.

Ballqis realised that school was such a different playing field for Iqball. He was popular, welcomed in all the circles. Of course he would not have noticed the sufferings of a wilting wallflower like her. 

"I didn't even know why they avoided me," she admitted regretfully.

Suddenly, memories of school flooded her brain. The loneliness, the long afternoons at library, the solitary walk to cafe and class... 

And her heart wailed achingly.

Yet there was no way in hell she would cry in front of Iqball. She was not that weak schoolgirl anymore.

"I have to go," she announced, and left.

Dumfounded, Iqball watched her walk away.

When they met again minutes later at Mrs Jogh's table, no one noticed their awkward silence as the lucky draw had begun. Iqball only congratulated Ballqis with a single word when she won an expensive digital tablet.

And they have yet to exchange any words since breakfast this morning. That, despite Mr Jogh eating fried fish!

Iqball was too afraid he might hurt Ballqis again with his careless questions. Last night, he honestly did not mean to offend her.

He wanted to say she looked even more beautiful than she did in school! He was impressed her new look! But somehow the conversation did not progress the way he thought it would. Throughout breakfast he was still berating himself for being so stupid. He dare not even glance her way.

She must hate me now, he thought.

He must think I'm such a loser, she thought.

Will you two snap out of it? Without warning a voice boomed inside their heads.

Iqball's headphones dropped as he turned towards the tanks at the back. Ballqis dropped the bagpack she had been cuddling for comfort.

The fish in Tank 7 was not facing them. It had swum to a corner and was showing them its tail.

Sitting on the same row, their eyes diverted back to each other.

I heard something, did you? That's what they said to each other with just one look.

Iqball slowly turned back to front and saw Mr Evans asleep. Mrs Jogh was engrossed in singing the Beatles' Hey Jude, seemingly oblivious to the fish's broadcast.

Iqball slowly typed on his screen and showed his phone to Ballqis.

T7. What did you hear?

He pulled the device back to type further.

Nonchalantly, Ballqis digged her phone from her backpack and typed out what she heard.

Iqball was also ready to show her his screen again.

They both slid their devices across the gap on the van's bench seat that sat on.

Will you two snap out of it?

The same line was written on both their screens.

Iqball nodded then threw his gaze out of the window. It's one thing to establish that fish was able to spout unsolicited advice whenever it felt like it. Now, what? And snap out of what, his thoughts about Ballqis and what happened last night?

Yes, that is exactly what I meant, Iqball. The voice prodded into his brain.

That jolted Iqball out of his thoughts.

"Did you hear him?" he whispered to Ballqis.

Her brows knotted, Ballqis mouthed a 'No'.

Iqball typed into his phone screen furiously. He showed the screen to Ballqis discreetly.

I believe T7 is able to choose who it wants to talk to. The fish just addressed me. It knows my name!