Ballqis was contemplating as she dropped pellets into Tank 1 and 2. The fish happily ate. Their giddy strokes felt like encouragement. She's dying to know more about Mirna.

And her relationship with Iqball.

After minutes of going back and forth, she opened her mouth.

"Iqball, how did you come to know Mirna?"

Iqball, who was freely engaging the fish in Tank 7 turned to face her.

"Intially, I was helping Micah grind data on Saturdays. Mirna was on data collecting duty on Tuesdays. A few weeks ago Mrs Jogh called me into her office. She said Mirna wanted to switch.  I only saw Mirna coming into Mrs Jogh's office as I was leaving," told Iqball.

Ballqis could not help asking more questions.

"But why did she wanted to switch? Why you?"

And instantly, she regretted being so transparent.

But Iqball didn't seemed to notice.

"I don't know. The funny thing is, after that particular week, Mirna stopped coming to the lab. I have this weird suspicion that she was actually dismissed on the day I saw her at Mrs Jogh's office," Iqball further divulged.

Ballqis quickly admitted that she had never crossed paths with Mirna.

"She's pretty. I'm sure I would have noticed her had we bumped," she said.

"We only share that one class. Otherwise I don't even know which faculty she belongs to. I've yet to see her near other Marine, Tech or Bio labs," he observed.

Ballqis considered this for a bit.

"Perhaps she's a Hotel Management major. They tend to take stuff like Coastal Management as electives, right?" Ballqis threw in a theory.

Their university was well known for its stellar hotel management courses. Being near enough to both a city and a slew of beaches, students of the courses get easy access to industrial training in between the semesters.

Iqball snapped his fingers.

"The Bake-Off. It's happening today. I bet if Mirna is a hotel management undergrad she'd have to attend it. It's the faculty's event. They'd get marks. Let's go together after we're done here?" he asked, all in a breath.

Ballqis stared at him for a few seconds.

"Ok," she then said.

***

The highlight of the Bake-Off was a duel ala Masterchef, the popular cooking show.

Held at the park opposite the Hotel Management faculty building, the crowd were strewn across the clearing in front of the stage. Live music was blasting as the two finalist chefs whip up  their unicorn cake. Smaller stalls selling goods and tricks lined the perimeter.

"Wow, it's a real carnival here," said Ballqis as they pass a stall that offers visitors a chance to take photos with a kangaroo and a wombat.

Iqball was more interested in a stall demonstrating the making of almond thins. The smell was so delicious that he simply pulled Ballqis towards it.

"My mom used to make these," he said.

Ballqis simply nodded. She then bought a couple of packs and handed him one.

"I haven't eaten almond thins since..." his voice trailed.

Iqball was sporting a melancholy look on his face.

"Have some," Ballqis suggested carefully.

He tore open the pack and pinched out a piece. The square piece of sweet treat landed on his lips, and slowly, he ate it.

It almost brought tears to his eyes. He missed his mom so much.

"Hey, I think I saw Mirna. At the second hand books stall. Blue jacket. That's her, right?" said Ballqis suddenly.

Iqball turned.

"You're right! Let's go," he said.

This time he didn't dare pull her hand.

They both approached Mirna cautiously. They let her entertain a couple of buyers before finally making themselves seen next to the booth.

"Hi," Ballqis greeted her.

Mirna's eyes went a little wide as she recognised their faces.

"Do you have any Pratchett?" Iqball quickly asked.

Mirna seemed nervous but she responded kindly.

"Someone dropped a couple of Terry Pratchett books. Here," she grabbed a few titles from the white shelf behind her.

"Oh, I don't have this one," Iqball said. "How much is this?"

"A dollar. We sell all the books here for a dollar," Mirna replied, now more at ease.

Iqball made the purchase and thanked her. Ballqis remained smiling beside him, unsure of where Iqball was going with this but ready to play along.

"I didn't know you like Discworld books, Iqball," Ballqis remarked.

"Oh I love any Discworld with The Watch in it. I started with Night Watch," he replied.

"There is an order you could follow if you like The Watch," Ballqis offered.

"I tried following it but ended up reading whichever title I get to buy first," Iqball admitted.

Mirna was looking at the couple interestedly. Perhaps they really were just here for the Bake Off, she thought.

"Have you read the first book of The Watch collection, then?" Mirna chimed in.

She loved books. Terry Pratchett was a favourite.

"If you're talking about Guards! Guards!, then yes," Iqball answered.

"It's my favourite," said Ballqis and Mirna in unison.

Delighted with the little coincident, the trio laughed.

"I regretted not bringing any books from home," Mirna said.

"Where are you from, Mirna? If you don't mind me asking," Ballqis tried.

"I thought my red hair would have been a dead giveaway," she snorted.

"Ireland," Ballqis guessed, and the older student nodded.

"We're from Malaysia," Iqball divulged.

"I'm Ballqis. I'm sorry we got off at the wrong foot last time," Ballqis apologised.

Mirna immediately scanned around.

"Look, you know we're not supposed to talk about the fish in the lab. But I can answer your questions later when we can avoid peering eyes," Mirna whispered, then begged them to walk away.

Iqball and Ballqis did not give her a hard time. They said thank you and went on to the next stall.

"She's not that scared to talk this time," Ballqis remarked.

"We worked quite well together just now. Now we have a bit of a progress in our investigation. Hopefully we'll find a way to transport T7 out of the lab before it gets eaten scale by scale," whispered Iqball as they walk side by side.

He was hovering too close. Ballqis almost failed to hear whatever he was saying.  She was too busy hoping there would not be any dandruff on her head or bad smell coming out from her jacket. She was too caught up in her insecurities to make out his words.

"Ok?" said Iqball suddenly.

"Huh?"

"Us, hang out at this park's cafe tomorrow. And catch Mirna then? She slipped her phone number here," Iqball repeated, his hand waving a small piece of paper Mirna had planted inside the Discworld novel he bought.

He was keying in the number into his phone as he spoke.

"Oh, yes, sure. I'm done with classes at 3pm," Ballqis quickly responded to mask her slight irritation.

She was annoyed, yes, but only with herself. Why should I feel jealous if Mirna gave Iqball her number?