New Irritation

I move toward the old man, irritation already bubbling up at the sight of his smug face. Why does he always look like he knows something I don’t?

“You know, it’s a miracle you didn’t lose your head along with your hair,” I mutter as I approach, fully meaning to insult him.

“Ah, little lady,” he says, grinning. “Back with your sharp tongue. But you see my hair are definitely better than yours. Mine are silkier, sturdier,shine more than yours and are elegant, so you might want to take back the insults."

Crushed. Absolutely decimated. I got defeated in my own game, in an instant. "My hair are short because I keep them so, moreover mine still have the colour, yours look like soba boba"

"Now that hurts, but don't be so happy, yours will be like mine very soon given your life style." He chuckles with a proud expression that fills me with a sense of defeat.

I open my mouth to snap back, but before I can, I hear someone clearing their throat behind me. Startled, I spin around, and my eyes land on a girl sitting quietly in the corner of the room. How had I not noticed her before? She’s wearing a sleek mask that covers most of her face, making it hard to tell what she’s thinking.

“Oh,” I say, taken aback. “You’ve been there the whole time?”

The old man steps forward, his grin widening. “Vrishti, meet Ananya. Ananya, this is Vrishti.”

Ananya stands up with a natural elegance. It gives the feel that she has been doing this from her birth. She adjusts her mask slightly, her movements slow and deliberate.

“Hello, I am Ananya” she says, her voice smooth and confident. “You must have heard about me.”

Heard about? Who? Her? Have I? I don't think so. Maybe we have met in past? Probably not. "Sorry, I can't seem to remember our previous encounter, maybe my memory is failing me. Can you please remind me?" Trying not to sound rude or offend her, why? Cause this girl seems like a bad news.

"Encounter? Between us? You must be kidding. People know of me even without ever seeing me infront of them. I-"

"I thought you wanted to keep your Identity secret" OM interrupts in between. “Ananya will be accompanying you,” the old man announces cheerfully, like it’s the best idea in the world.

I blink. “Accompanying me? Her? And where, exactly?”

But as usual, he ignores my question, waving his hand dismissively. “You two should get to know each other. I have preparations to make for tomorrow.”

“What preparations?” I demand, but he’s already turning to leave.

“You’ll find out soon enough, little lady,” he says over his shoulder, his laughter echoing in the room as he walks away.

I grit my teeth, watching him disappear down the corridor. “I really hate that man sometimes.”

“I agree with you on that" she comments. " Maybe you are not all that stupid as you look. You are just ignorant I guess."

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Stupid? Me? This b**** really isn't holding back, I glance at her, my annoyance now redirected. “What’s your deal?”

She tilts her head. “Deal?”

“You’re acting all high and mighty like you are queen of somewhere , and what's up with that stupid mask on your stupid face? It's so annoying." I think my insults are getting better and better due to association with Mr OM.

“First of all it's not stupid, the only thing that's stupid is you. As for the mask it’s for privacy,” she says, sitting back down with a self-satisfied air. “But I guess you must be curious, I mean it's me you are sitting infront of, ofcourse you want to take a look. Well then, I should honour you.”

See!! She is a bad news! And how did you even take my words in that sense? Is your head really filled with air? Are you really stupid? Ofcourse I can't say it on her face. “I’m not curious,” I reply quickly, leaning back in my chair, trying to look as disinterested as possible.

But. But. But. This airhead!, she’s already reaching for the mask. “Oh, don’t be shy. I can tell you’re dying to know.”

I am NOT DYING. I don't have the slightest interest!!

Before I can protest, she removes the mask with a dramatic flourish, revealing her face. She looks at me with big, expectant eyes, clearly waiting for a reaction.

I blink. “Uh... okay?”

Her expression falters. “Okay?”

“Yeah, okay. Nice face. Congrats, I guess?”

Her frustration is almost comical as she leans closer. “You don’t recognise me?”

I stare at her blankly. “Should I?”

Her jaw drops. “Are you serious? I’m Ananya! The Ananya! Internet sensation, award-winning dancer, trendsetter... Ringing any bells?”

Ahhh... So that's how it is. She is one of those self conceited Internet celebs who think the world revolves around and them. More importantly, weren't you supposed to keep your identity secret? Well since it's me so it's not really an issue. I give her the look of "I don't know" WHAT ELSE AM I SUPPOSED TO DO?

She looks genuinely offended, like I’ve just insulted her entire existence. “You really live under a rock, don’t you. I don't know what you were doing wasting your life if you don't know me? Are you primate or something?”

Critical Hit! Why? Because I did waste my life and am still doing so. But her reasoning is completely off the mark and that just shows how much conceited little BITCH she is! Yes I said it! So what? She deserves it!

I cross my arms. “I don’t have time for internet celebrities.”

“Well, that explains a lot,” she mutters, her tone dripping with disdain. “I suppose I’ll just have to educate you.”

“Oh, please don’t,” I say, rolling my eyes.

She glares at me, clearly not used to being dismissed so easily. “You know, most people would kill to sit across from me right now.”

“Then maybe you should find them instead of wasting your time here,” I retort.

The silence that follows is heavy with tension, and for a moment, I think she’s going to explode. But instead, she leans back with a huff, crossing her arms like a spoiled child who didn’t get her way.

I can’t help but smirk at the frustrated look on Ananya’s face. Her perfectly curated confidence is starting to crumble, and it’s strangely satisfying.

“How is it possible,” she says, her voice sharp and exasperated, “to be so completely ignorant about something so important?”

“Important to you, maybe,” I say, leaning back in my chair. “Not everyone revolves their life around internet celebrities.”

Her nostrils flare as she stands abruptly, clutching her mask in her hand. “I can’t imagine getting along with someone like you. It’s like trying to have a conversation with a caveman!”

“Well, excuse me for not being enlightened by your... internet stardom,” I reply, voice dripping with sarcasm.

She huffs, putting her mask back on with dramatic flair, adjusting it like it’s a crown. “Hmph. This is a waste of my time.”

With that, she spins on her heel and marches toward the door, her posture stiff and her annoyance palpable. The door hisses open, and she walks out without another word.

“Yeah, nice meeting you too,” I mutter, slumping back into my chair.

The room falls into silence, and I let out a long sigh, rubbing my temples. That was... something. The girl barely lasted ten minutes in my presence. Not that I blame her, but seriously, what’s her deal?

I glance around the room, suddenly feeling the weight of being alone. “What do I even do now?” I mumble to myself.

My eyes wander to the window, where the sprawling university campus stretches out before me, a mix of towering futuristic structures and sprawling green spaces. The sight stirs a bit of curiosity in me, and I decide it’s better than sitting here sulking.

“Alright, let’s see what this place is about,” I say, pushing myself up and heading for the door.

The moment I step outside, I’m hit with the warm buzz of activity. Students and faculty mill about, some walking in groups, others gliding along on hoverboards. The contrast between the advanced tech and the old-world architecture of the university is jarring but oddly fascinating.

I head toward the central courtyard, thinking a self-guided tour might be the best way to kill some time. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll stumble on something that doesn’t make me want to roll my eyes.