All aboard , ex included

6:45 AM | Chennai Harbour
The morning sky over Chennai was painted in shades of pale blue and soft orange. A cool sea breeze swept through the harbour, carrying the salty smell of the ocean, while seagulls circled above the water. The harbour was already buzzing with activity—families dragging suitcases, couples taking photographs, porters moving luggage, and excited passengers hurrying towards the boarding gates.
And standing right in the middle of all this chaos was Shreya Gupta.
Alone.
With two suitcases.
A handbag.
And absolutely no patience left.
She wore a white short-sleeved top tucked into light-blue jeans, paired with white sneakers. A delicate silver necklace rested against her collarbone, and her dark hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. Her beige handbag hung from one shoulder, while her phone was firmly gripped in her hand.
She had arrived early.
Very early.
Because, unlike certain people she knew, Shreya believed in respecting time.
She checked her phone.
6:47 AM.
She opened the group chat.
Shreya: WHERE ARE YOU PEOPLE?
No response.
Shreya: THE SHIP IS HERE.
Still nothing.
Shreya: I'M GOING TO LEAVE WITHOUT YOU.
A message finally appeared.
Somesh: Wait.
Shreya stared at the screen.
Shreya: WAIT FOR WHAT? YOUR NEXT BIRTHDAY?
Somesh: Traffic, bro.
Shreya: YOU LIVE IN CHENNAI. YOU KNOW TRAFFIC EXISTS.
Kai: We're on our way.
Shreya: YOU SAID THAT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO.
Kai: And we're still on our way.
Shreya: KAI, I SWEAR—
She stopped typing, took a deep breath, and looked towards the enormous cruise ship waiting at the harbour.
The Cordelia Cruise stood majestically against the morning sky, its white exterior gleaming in the sunlight. Passengers were already boarding, and the crew members were guiding people through the entrance.
It looked beautiful.
It also looked as though it was about to leave without her friends.
Shreya checked the time again.
6:55 AM.

"These people are going to be the reason I die young," she muttered.
A harbour employee approached her.
"Ma'am, are you travelling alone?"
Shreya gave him a tired smile.
"Unfortunately, no. I'm travelling with three idiots. They're just making me question my life choices."
The employee laughed politely, clearly unsure whether she was joking.
She wasn't entirely joking.
6:58 AM | The Great Entrance
Shreya had just finished checking in when her phone began ringing.
Kai.
She answered immediately.
"WHERE ARE YOU?"
"Good morning to you too," Kai replied cheerfully.
"Don't good-morning me! The ship is about to leave!"
"It's not going to leave without us."
"HOW DO YOU KNOW?"
"Because I'm looking at it."
Shreya turned around.
And there they were.
Kai and Somesh came hurrying through the crowd, pulling their suitcases behind them.
Kai wore a navy-blue T-shirt, charcoal trousers, and white sneakers, with a backpack slung over one shoulder. His hair was slightly messy, as though he'd run his fingers through it one too many times. Despite the rush, he looked annoyingly relaxed.
Beside him, Somesh wore a black T-shirt, beige cargo trousers, and white sneakers. His hair was a disaster, his suitcase was half-open, and he was holding a packet of biscuits.
A PACKET OF BISCUITS.
Shreya looked at him.
Then at the packet.
Then back at him.
"Somesh."
He stopped walking.
"What?"
"Why are you holding biscuits?"
He looked down as if he'd only just noticed them.
"For emergencies."
"What emergency requires biscuits?"
"Hunger."
Kai burst out laughing.
Shreya closed her eyes.
"God, please give me patience."
"Patience is temporary," Somesh said solemnly. "Biscuits are forever."
"You're unbelievable."
"I get that a lot."
Before Shreya could respond, Kai grabbed the handle of her larger suitcase.
"Come on, drama queen. Let's get inside."
She snatched it back.
"I can carry my own suitcase."
"I know. I'm helping."
"I don't need help."
"Okay."
He released the handle immediately.
Shreya stared at him.
"You're supposed to insist!"
Kai grinned.
"You just said you don't need help."
"You're so annoying!"
"And yet, here you are, travelling with me."
She rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her.
That was the thing about Kai and Shreya.
They could argue about absolutely anything.
And somehow, five minutes later, they would be laughing as though nothing had happened.
They were less like ordinary friends and more like siblings who had somehow been given access to unlimited sarcasm.
But before Shreya could enjoy their reunion properly, she noticed someone standing near the boarding entrance.
Someone she had absolutely not expected to see.
Her smile disappeared.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
Kai followed her gaze.
"What?"
Shreya didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes remained fixed on a girl standing near the check-in counter, dressed stylishly and speaking to another passenger.
Kiara.
Of all the people in Chennai, of all the people who could have booked this cruise, of all the people who could have ruined Shreya's peaceful holiday—
It had to be her.
Kiara adjusted her hair and glanced towards the boarding entrance. When her eyes landed on Kai, her expression brightened.
And Shreya noticed.
Of course she noticed.
Because Kiara had never been particularly subtle about her interest in him.
Shreya turned towards Dimple, who had finally arrived with her luggage.
"Dimpiii."
Dimple heard the tone and immediately looked concerned.
"What happened?"
Shreya subtly tilted her head towards Kiara.
Dimple followed her gaze.
Her eyes widened.
Then she leaned closer to Shreya and whispered, "Girl. WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?"
Shreya folded her arms.
"That's exactly what I'm wondering."
"Is she following Kai?"
"Dimpi, don't say that."
"Why? Look at her! She saw him, and suddenly she's smiling like someone just announced a wedding."
Shreya pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.
"Stop it!"
"I'm serious!"
"So am I!"
Both girls turned away, pretending to examine the boarding information.
Then Dimple whispered again.
"Shreya, do you think she booked this cruise because she knew Kai was coming?"
Shreya glanced at Kiara once more.
"I don't know."
She paused.
"But if she did, this holiday just got ten times more interesting."
Neither girl noticed Kai looking at them suspiciously.
"What are you two whispering about?"
"Nothing," they answered together.
Kai narrowed his eyes.
"That's never a good sign."
"Board the ship, Kai," Shreya said sweetly.
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
He shook his head.
"You're both insane."
"Thank you," Dimple replied.
And just like that, the four friends hurried towards the boarding gate before the ship could leave without them.
Behind them, Kiara watched Kai disappear into the crowd.
A small smile appeared on her face.
The cruise had barely begun.
And already, trouble was waiting to board.
7:20 AM | Welcome Aboard the Cordelia Cruise