The atmosphere in the intern cabin was filled with tension and excitement. The interns could barely contain their eagerness and not able to sit in their seats nor work. Alina got a tall cup of coffee and sat on her chair with a thud. She tugged on her shirt, stuffing it neatly into her pants. Then, her gaze caught Meera who was eyeing her with an eyebrow raised.

'This should be your nth cup since morning, isn't it?' She taunted. Alina gulped, nodding her head with a sigh.

'I thought you were, "confident", ha!' She let a small laugh. Alina frowned at her and shook her head. This woman was still bitter about the morning incident. She shot a glance at her before looking at the computer screen.

A few minutes later, the cabin door opened, and Banerjee barged in taking everyone by surprise. There was pin-drop silence upon seeing him. He smiled clenching a file tightly as he passed by the cubicles. Every intern stood up. Alina glanced back at the door and then back at Banerjee who had now taken the center stage.

'Sir, where is Haider sir?' Mikael asked the question that was on Alina's mind. She listened intently.

'Sir is in his cabin, but that is not the point.' – He adjusted his blue and red striped tie, - 'I am here to announce the winning intern.' He licked his lips and smiled. Alina straightened in her place. She could hear drum rolls ringing in her head and felt palpitated. Quickly, she wiped her palms on her pants and crossed her finger placing her arm behind her.

Banerjee gave a long dramatic pause eyeing everyone. All interns watched him with a battered breath. He gave a small nod, - 'Mr. Ramesh Sippy.' He announced. Alina's fingers parted, hand relaxed and her heartbeat returned to normal. She glanced across the room to find a young man beaming at everyone from the far-right corner. He stepped out of his cubicle with a wide grin. With a disappointment, Alina looked on as he shook hands with Banerjee and was gestured towards the exit.

▪⎯⎯⎯∞⎯⎯⎯▪

Meera wasn't much disappointed but Alina was bumped. She tried to cheer her up whilst their journey together in the auto. The girls were surprised to see a bouquet of flowers at their doorsteps, Alina got a little curious but Meera wasn't impressed. She was sure it was for Jessica.

'Loafer boys send such cheap gestures for her.' She commented as she unlocked the door. Alina found a note on it and gasped.

'It is for you!' She gushed and Meera froze. She turned around sharply and warned her. Alina kept smiling widely at her. Meera's eyes widened upon reading the note but she was frustrated because it had no name. Alina teased her, - 'Secret admirer, ooo.'

'Shut up, else I will punch you.' – Meera blasted her and angrily threw her handbag on the sofa. Alina kept on teasing her, ignoring the threats. She glided into the kitchen, Meera huffed and stared at the flowers. A slow smile appeared on her lips but quickly she fixed her expressions when Alina walked into the living room. She sat beside her and handed her a glass of water.

Meera sighed placing the bouquet next to her and took the glass, - 'All this is flattering, Alina. But I am sure there is some misunderstanding.' – she paused and twisted a little to look at her friend, - 'Hey, there is a Meera on the second floor—expect that she is five-year-old. Creepy!' She cringed. Alina smiled whilst taking a sip.

'Why do you underestimate yourself, Meera?' Alina questioned. Meera took a sip and looked sadly at the coffee table.

'Look at me and you will get your answer.' She said and Alina's smile dropped. She held her shoulder and clenched tightly.

'What is wrong? I don't see anything.' She said and then explained something that was on her mind the whole day.

'You know what, this might be a prank but that doesn't matter. You don't need a man's attention or praise to know how beautiful you are. You are a wonderful woman.' Alina rested her head against her shoulder. It was for the first time, she bonded so quickly with someone. But it felt very right. Meera smile resting her head over her, patting her cheek gently.

'You know, babes. We should totally get into a relationship.' Meera commented. Alina moved her head and laughed at her.

'What?'

'I am serious.'

Alina chuckled, - 'When will you understand that relationship isn't everything. So, cheer up.' She slapped her arm lightly and Meera pressed her lips, nodding to her friend.

The girls didn't bother about Jessica, in fact, they didn't notice that she was missing. They chatted whilst changing into their nightclothes and ordering their food. As Alina and Meera sat at the dining table facing each other, Alina's phone rang. She had already spoken to her parents and it was ten so they would be asleep now. Her heartbeat quickened a bit hoping it wasn't an emergency. She blinked at the screen that flashed an unknown number. Meera urged her to pick up the call and so hesitatingly she did pick up.

'Hey!' a cheerful male voice boomed from the other side, - 'Mikael.'

'Mikael! Where did you get my number from?' Alina blurted out. There was an awkward silence that was instantly broken by Meera's cough. She glared at her and Meera responded with a grin. Alina shook her head, - 'It is okay. What happened? Why have you called so late?' She held her forehead looking down at the pasta on her plate.

'I was thinking you girls might be disappointed so—I thought we should hang out together. All three of us. My sister is in the town and trust me she is a blast. I know we are like practical strangers but—' There was hesitation in his voice. Alina smiled a little and fell back against the chair.

'Okay, Mikael. So, what is the plan?'

Later in the night, as everyone slept Alina tossed and turned in her bed. Sleep eluded her and no matter how much she tried, for some reason, she couldn't sleep. She sat up on the bed and glanced towards Meera who slept peacefully on the lower bunker and faced the other side. She looked up and realized Jessica had come. She must have used the spare key and had come when Alina had briefly fallen asleep. She looked away and picked up her phone from the bedside table. Her eyes widened upon checking the time was 3 am. Luckily, it was Sunday and she could sleep longer. The thought of Ramesh boarding the flight with Haider made her feel bitter in her gut, so she decided she needed some fresh air to clear her mind. Slowly, she slipped out of bed, wore her flip flops, and wrapped a shawl around herself. She opened the life-sized window and stepped out in the balcony.

Their apartment faced out of the colony and onlooked the main road. Alina gathered her hair and rested in on one side of her shoulder and leaned against the concrete railing. The night was slightly chilled, and rather peaceful except for a few dogs barking in a distance. Few times, the beeping of the car door was heard. Alina ran her gaze among the few trees and stopped her gaze as she spotted a man in a hoodie standing next to a car. With his hands in his pockets and face completely covered he leaned against the passenger car door. Alina straightened. Even though she wasn't sure, she felt his gaze on her. Creeped out, she turned to walk away but before she left, she shot a glance at the stranger. He stood there completely still. Which weirdo stands in a deserted road at 3 am; she wondered. Hurriedly, she locked the balcony and got into her bed. Alina flinched as Meera groaned in her sleep and pulled the duvet to her chin.

As it is, she couldn't sleep and now this stranger would be haunting hersleep for good

Bumber!!! 

Also, who is the stalker? I wonder,

How was the Chapter? Drop your thoughts in the comments, please and also, do guess, my lovelies, what will happen next *smiles*

Stay Tuned for the next update *lots of love* *flying kisses* *muaaah* *muaaah*