~5~

March, 2015

"Why set an alarm if you're not going to GET UP?!" I shouted at Priti, who remained blissfully unconscious. She didn't even stir, and neither did Kyra, sprawled on the left, nor Virin, snoring away on the makeshift bed on the floor.

I rarely hated my friends, but mornings like this tested my patience. "OY! Are you planning to get up, or should I just let it ring for eternity?" I jabbed Priti's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah, wait for the sixth ring," she mumbled, her voice muffled by the pillow. "That's when I'll go to the gym."

By the time the alarm rang for the tenth time, they finally stirred and shuffled off home. As soon as they left, I grabbed the journal I'd kept hidden since yesterday. I hadn't had a chance to look at it—until now. Let's do this. I sat at the table, my heart pounding as I opened it.

An empty journal? Are you kidding me? Why fight so hard to keep this hidden if there's nothing in it? I even got my reading glasses for this! There has to be something. Anything.

Frantically flipping through the pages, I finally stumbled upon a single photo tucked inside. It was of a naked kid awkwardly climbing down a tree. Seriously? That's it? This is what he was so desperate to hide? The nerve of this guy! Maybe this explains why he sat so quietly through dinner yesterday, radiating smugness.

I was frowning at the picture when a voice behind me made me jump. "Whose picture is that?"

"God, Abhi! Knock, maybe?" I groaned, clutching the journal to my chest.

"You didn't answer my question," he pressed, his curiosity unwavering.

I quickly slipped the photo back into the journal and tried to divert him. "Forget about it. Why didn't you come to the movie yesterday?" I asked, dragging him away from the table.

"To get you this," he said, holding up a bracelet—the one I'd lost yesterday.

"Wait, how? I searched for it everywhere!" I exclaimed, thrilled.

"I know. That's why I didn't give up and searched for it all night," he said, slipping the bracelet onto my wrist.

"Aww, I love you," I blurted out, not thinking. The words hung in the air, and he froze, looking at me with an intensity that made my stomach flip. Clearing his throat, he said, "I messaged everyone to meet us at Wolf Cafe for brunch." I couldn't have been more relieved that he shifted the mood.

"So, coming for brunch, lovebirds?" Darsh's voice broke through the moment. He leaned casually against the doorframe, smirking. Lovebirds? I rolled my eyes, telling them both to wait outside.

•_____ •

"Any changes since yesterday?" Priti asked as we settled into our usual table by the window.

"Forget it. Your cousin called me and Abhi lovebirds! Can you believe that?" I fumed, muttering under my breath.

Kyra's grin widened, a little too much. "Maybe he was jealous. What exactly were you two doing for Darsh to say that anyway?" she teased.

I laughed it off, but Kyra's subtle jealousy was hard to miss. "He was putting on my bracelet. That's all."

It amused me how smitten Kyra was with Abhi yet never admitted it. If only we could all have happy endings this summer.

"Let's plan something for the weekend," I suggested. "It feels like we're wasting our summer. And you're all leaving for college soon."

The thought crushed me—all of them leaving at once, except Abhi, who was stuck with me for our senior year.

"Not a bad idea. Let's go to my farmhouse," Abhi suggested. "Not just for the weekend—for the whole week."

The idea lit up the group, and we spent brunch planning an entire week of adventures. By the time we left, we were all buzzing with excitement, heading home to pack for what would hopefully be an unforgettable trip.

Convincing the parents would be the real challenge. I was lost in thought, waiting for the elevator, when Darsh appeared beside me.

"You better give back that picture," he said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp.

"Hmm, come with me after we get down," I replied, stepping into the elevator.

He hadn't mentioned yesterday at all. No acknowledgment of what happened between us—just the stupid picture. What was I expecting? A confession? This is reality, not some cliché rom-com.

"Yeah, this is reality. And you're the one who just confessed," Darsh said, his smirk widening as the elevator doors closed.

My blood froze. Did I just say that out loud?!

"Wow. You should get an Oscar for that expression," he quipped. "I know you're not naive enough to just blurt something like that."

His smirk deepened as I stood there, mortified. Well, guess I need to work on my skills…

~~***~~