Their date at Shah's Pizzeria nearly did not happen.

First, it rained hard that Saturday morning, but when Ballqis mentioned that it might be fun to walk and queue in the rain, Iqball showed up at her apartment unit with a rain coat and a massive golf umbrella he borrowed from the warden.

They walked slowly as the rain tip-tapped on the umbrella.

As they passed the professors' quarters they ran into Mr Evans, who was trying to move some documents into his car. They ended up helping him and got a little wet from the process.

Just as they were about to enter Shah's, Aga called to ask Iqball if he wanted to go to the gym.

As he had gone earlier that morning, Iqball was able to decline but Aga was bored and wanted to go the campus movie hall.

"How about we catch the 3pm show with Molly and Ballqis?" Iqball suggested.

"Sure, if they are free. I'll check the movie hall schedule," Aga replied, but even from the tone of his voice, Iqball could hear that Aga was happy he mentioned the girls.

There wasn't any queue at Shah's and only three tables were occupied.

The hostess was happy to give them a seat facing the beach and even helped them choose a few things on the menu when the myriad of pizza options baffled the couple.

"This is even nicer than the Pineapple Mushroom Bomb," Iqball said.

"I think it was Boom, not Bomb," Ballqis laughed.

"Oh yeah. Ah, how could anyone remember anything when there are 40 pizza options to choose from," he sighed contentedly.

"I'll remember this one, Lemon Salmon. This is divine," Ballqis said, and placed a slice of the pizza variety onto Iqball's plate.

"Have you talk to your dad recently? Is he coming during Christmas break?" he asked, suddenly the thought of the next trip with the fish lab team cropped up into his brain.

Ballqis nodded.

"He can't come. Another project had started and he thinks it would only be completed by the end of first quarter next year," she said with a hint of disappointment.

So Iqball did not immediately celebrate.

"Too bad. Maybe he will come down right after he's done with that project," he said.

They ate more pizza as the rain poured outside.

"So you've thought about the next trip? Mr Evans is really excited about it. I think I am too. Please say you'll also extend the trip," he pleaded.

Ballqis thought about all the money she had saved throughout the semester. Would it be wise to splurge an amount into a holiday?

"I'm still thinking about it. Have you guys figured out how much we need to spare if we were to extend the trip?"

Iqball showed her a projected itinerary and budgeting the team had came out with after a recent discussion with Mr Evans.

The amount was quite a big chunk, but Ballqis has enough with a bit to spare.

She told Iqball as much.

"I could join the troupe, but I do need to be frugal for the rest of the semester," she agreed.

Iqball whooped in delight.

"Don't worry, I'll help you however I can," he promised.

"You already have," Ballqis said.

"I have?"

"Yes. The beach outing was fun and memorable. I'd like another date like that," she said a little shyly.

"Then we shall!" Iqball hooted.

***

T7 and T6 got along famously and within two weeks, the volunteers could see changes in their environment and behaviour.

At first T7 was seen digging around the fine gravel set at the bottom of the double tank during the second weekend they were put together. The researchers had anticipated this and alerted the entire team that the male was building a nest.

By the time Iqball and Ballqis were back on their shift, T6 spawned eggs! They took photos and sent it to the research team. The researchers were quickly assigned by Mrs Jogh to increase observation on the animals.

At the end of Aga and Nastia's shift that Friday, almost all of the eggs lying at the bottom of the nest were gone.

T7 was especially guarded when Ballqis and Iqball came to visit.

"She's taken them into her mouth," Mrs Jogh explained, happy to see the volunteers paying extra attention to the micro project.

"Oh I didn't know tilipias mouth-brood their offsprings," Aga admitted.

"I didn't know that either," Ballqis replied.

Mrs Jogh' s eyes twinkled.

"And look at our handsome young man. See how protective he is of his mate? I think you're right, Ballqis. We've made the species monogamous. Fish Number 7 will always love Fish Number 6. Isn't that romantic," the lead researcher said wistfully.

Her phone rang and she promptly left to answer the call.

Of course. No other fish could understand me. The others could not hear me even when I shout, the thought went into Iqball and Ballqis' head instantly.

What happened? Ballqis could not stop herself from wondering.

A few days after I started sharing myself with my mate, we were ready to dance. But the other fish would not stop staring. How rude, T7 complained, loud and clear to no one but Iqball and Ballqis.

Iqball coughed a little too loud.

Ballqis accidently hit the stack of files on Mrs Jogh's work desk, sending papers and document holders flying.

"You drop it, you clean it," Aga said, not willing to lift a finger as he was already done with cleaning duty.

The duo dropped to the floor and began to collect the strewn papers and holders.

Did you hear that? Iqball asked Ballqis with a bounce of a brow.

Ballqis slowly nodded, just once. They gathered all the material on the desk and began to rearrange the documents.

Did you happen to try talking to them differently? Iqball asked the fish.

I tried every wavelength I knew. These fish are just busybodies, T7 huffed, indignantly eyeing Tank 8, 9 and 10.

The three fish in question simply ate the corn pellets that Nastia had dropped off a few minutes ago.

"Lab's all yours, Aga. See you, Nastia. Ballqis, shall we get a drink?" Iqball suggested as he mulled T7's grumbling.

Ballqis said goodbye to Aga and Nastia before catching up with Iqball's hurried steps. Before she left, she mentioned to the researcher on duty to add more decorations to their tank so that the pair of about-to-be parents would garner some privacy.

To T7's delight, the researcher said they do have some water plants that they will put in soon, to make the tank more homey.

***

Iqball and Ballqis made their way to a cafe at the campus main park.

"It was T7 trying to reach out to his own species," Iqball whispered to Ballqis the moment he sat down with two cups of green tea.

Ballqis found his sudden declaration perplexing.

"Remember that day on the beach? When we suddenly could read each other's mind? I think that happened because T7 was trying to reach to the other fish. He must have tried many things, including opening a line for two- or multi-way communication. And we happened to be within... You know, coverage zone!" Iqball theorised.

All Ballqis could do was gawk.

"Is that fish as powerful as that?"  she finally queried after deliberating Iqball's wild guess.

Iqball smiled.

"Didn't anyone tell you, never underestimate the power of love?"