Four hearts one story

When the night slows down

The music had changed again, but the ballroom was still full of life.

Some guests were dancing, others were enjoying conversations over drinks, and a few had moved towards the balcony overlooking the sea.

The four friends were standing near one of the tables.

Somesh was finishing his second dessert.

Dimple watched him with disbelief.

"Are you seriously eating again?"

Somesh looked at her.

"What's wrong with that?"

"You've been eating since we arrived."

"That's a very inaccurate statement."

Kai glanced at his plate.

"That's your fourth dessert."

"Nobody asked you to count."

Shreya laughed.

"Leave him alone. He's having the best night of his life."

"Thank you, Shreya. At least someone understands me."

Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Somesh?"

He turned.

Ananya stood behind him, smiling.

"Oh, hey!"

"I was looking for you."

Dimple immediately looked at Shreya.

Shreya returned the look.

Kai noticed both expressions.

"Don't."

"Don't what?" Shreya asked innocently.

Kai shook his head.

Ananya smiled at Somesh.

"Are you on Instagram?"

Somesh almost forgot how to hold his dessert plate.

"Yeah. Of course."

"Can I follow you?"

"Sure!"

He quickly took out his phone and opened Instagram.

They exchanged accounts.

"See you around, Somesh," Ananya said.

"Definitely."

She smiled and walked away.

Somesh watched her disappear into the crowd.

There was a brief silence.

Then Dimple spoke.

"Vacation love, huh?"

Somesh turned towards her.

"Don't start."

"Just asking. Didn't you say you don't trust holiday romances?"

"I still don't."

Shreya raised an eyebrow.

"Then why did you give her your Instagram?"

"Networking."

Kai nearly choked on his drink.

"Networking?"

"Yes. Professional networking."

Dimple laughed.

"You're unbelievable."

Somesh picked up another dessert.

"At least I'm not the one blushing."

Dimple was checking her phone when Arjun approached.

"Hey."

She looked up.

"Hi."

"Are you enjoying the evening?"

"Yeah. It's been fun."

He smiled.

"Would you like to get coffee tomorrow morning?"

Dimple paused.

"Coffee?"

"Yes. Unless you have other plans."

She glanced briefly towards Shreya, who was pretending not to listen.

"Sure. Coffee sounds good."

"Great. I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"See you."

Arjun smiled and left.

Dimple turned around.

Shreya was already grinning.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"Shreya."

"Coffee?"

Dimple rolled her eyes.

"Don't make it a big deal."

"I didn't say anything."

Kai joined the conversation.

"She doesn't need to. Her face says everything."

Dimple pointed at him.

"You stay out of this."

Somesh nodded.

"Exactly. We don't support unnecessary romance."

Dimple looked at him.

"You're literally exchanging Instagram accounts with someone you met twenty minutes ago."

"That's different."

"How?"

"Networking."

Everyone burst out laughing.

The group eventually moved towards the quieter side of the ballroom.

Shreya took her phone out to check the time.

Another notification appeared.

Ankesh.

She sighed.

Ankesh: You can ignore me all you want, but you can't pretend nothing happened between us.

She locked the screen.

Another message arrived.

Ankesh: I know you still think about me.

Shreya stared at the notification for a moment.

She wasn't heartbroken.

She wasn't missing him.

She was simply tired of seeing his name appear whenever she was trying to enjoy herself.

Kai noticed her expression.

"Again?"

She nodded.

"He's not giving up, is he?"

"Apparently not."

"Do you want to block him?"

Shreya looked at her phone.

For a moment, she considered it.

Then she opened the conversation, blocked the contact and put her phone away.

"Done."

Kai looked at her.

"Feeling better?"

"A little."

He nodded.

"Good."

Shreya smiled.

"Now, can we please stop discussing him?"

"Absolutely."

He gently bumped her shoulder.

"Come on. Let's find the others."

Kai's phone vibrated as they walked towards the exit.

He checked it.

Lara ❤️

Lara: Are you still awake?

He immediately opened the message.

Kai: Yeah. Still at the party.

Lara: I hope you're enjoying yourself.

Kai: I am. Wish you were here, though.

He stared at what he'd typed.

Then quickly deleted the last sentence.

Instead, he sent:

Kai: It's been fun. What about you?

Shreya, walking beside him, noticed his sudden silence.

"What's happening?"

"Nothing."

She looked at his phone.

"Kai."

He moved it away.

"Shreya."

"Is it Lara?"

He didn't answer.

She smiled.

"You're smiling again."

"Can you stop monitoring my face?"

"Impossible. It's my responsibility as your best friend."

His phone vibrated again.

Lara: I'm just relaxing in my room. We should catch up properly sometime.

Kai read the message twice.

Shreya leaned closer.

"What did she say?"

He hesitated.

Then he showed her the message.

Shreya's eyes widened.

"OH!"

"Keep your voice down!"

"She wants to meet you!"

"She said catch up."