N I T I K A

As we stepped out of the cab, the thumping music and neon lights of the club beckoned us in. Aleena, Bella, and I exchanged excited glances, ready to let loose and have a night to remember. We swiped our tickets and pushed through the doors, immediately enveloped in the pulsating energy of the club.

Aleena squealed, her voice barely audible over the music. "Guys, Nishanth will be here in five minutes! Hehe!"

Bella and I burst into laughter at her uncontainable excitement, as if she hadn't seen him in days. I playfully rolled my eyes, "Girl, calm down!"

But my gaze drifted towards the entrance, a habitual instinct I couldn't shake. Where's Avyaan? Oh, wait, why do you care, Niti? Shut up.

Just then, Nishanth appeared, flashing a charming smile. "Hello, ladies!" Aleena bubbled over with joy, flinging her arms around him.

Ayein? When did they become so close?

My attention wandered back to the door, and that's when I spotted Karan, solo and making his way towards us. Why? Where's Avyaan? I tried to scan the crowd, my eyes straining to find him.

I tiptoed, craning my neck to get a better view, but the club was too crowded. Suddenly, a whispering voice sent shivers down my spine, "Looking for me?"

I stumbled backward, my heart skipping a beat, as a strong hand grasped my waist from behind. I felt his chest against my back, his arms enveloping me.

My eyes fluttered closed, and for a moment, the music, the lights, and the crowd melted away. It was just us, lost in the electrifying connection that crackled between us.

As i tried to turn to face him, his grip on my waist tightened, and he bent to whisper again in my ear.

"You look beautiful."

His husky, low voice made my heart skip a beat. My eyes widened, and my cheeks flushed. I felt like melting into his arms.

What happened to him? He's complimenting me??? Seriously? Am I dreaming?

He released me, and I turned to face him, my heart racing. Avyaan's eyes sparkled with amusement, his lips curving into a sly smile. I tried to compose myself, but my cheeks still burned.

Avyaan's eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. "You were looking for me, weren't you?"

I shook my head, trying to appear nonchalant. "No, I wasn't."

"Don't lie, Nitika. I saw you scanning the crowd."

I shrugged, looking around "I was just checking if Aleena was okay.”

Avyaan raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "At the door?"

I rolled my eyes, feigning exasperation. "Avyaan, stop being paranoid. I wasn't looking for you."

His eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a gentle, teasing tone. "Oh, really? Then why did you stumble when you heard my voice?"

"I just lost my balance, that's all."

"Nitika, you're not very good at lying."

I frowned, trying to sound firm. "I'm not lying. Now, can we please join the others?"

A V Y A A N

As I gaze at Nitika, I'm struck by her radiant beauty. Her long, brown hair cascades down her back like a waterfall of night, framing her heart-shaped face and accentuating her striking features. Her bright, expressive eyes sparkle like diamonds in the dim club light, shining with a fire that draws me in. Her full lips curve into a captivating smile, inviting me to lean in closer.

Damn!

Her slender neck and shoulders slope into a petite, yet toned physique, showcased perfectly by her fitted dress. The way the fabric hugs her curves, highlighting her slender waist and toned legs, makes my heart skip a beat. Every inch of her exudes confidence and poise, commanding attention without seeking it.

But it's not just her physical beauty that captivates me – it's the sparkle in her eyes, the way her face lights up when she laughs, and her endless blabbering.

I watched Nitika dance her black dress shimmering under the club lights. She looked stunning, her beauty captivating everyone around her. I couldn't tear my eyes away, my gaze fixed on her radiant smile.

But my attention wasn't the only one on her. A guy nearby caught my eye, his arm brushing against hers intentionally.

My blood simmered, my temper flaring. I pushed through the crowd, my eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before me.

My gaze locked onto the guy. A fierce possessiveness coursed through me, my jaw clenched in anger. Who did he think he was?

Just as I reached them, the guy's voice cut through the music. "You know, that dress looks amazing on your slim figure. I bet you could get compliments like these all night, huh?"

Fuck what did he said? I felt like punching him in the face but I can do better things.

How dare he? I stepped forward, my presence commanding attention.

Nitika's eyes met mine, a flash of discomfort crossing her face. But I wasn't looking at her now; my gaze was fixed on the guy, my eyes blazing with warning.

I placed my hand firmly on her waist, my voice low and assertive. "Of course, my girl gets compliments.”

I looked down at nitika with a smile and then went back to this bastard.  “But none she needs from you.”

“woah! Chill man I was just-”

"Leaving, right?" I raised a brow.

He nodded hastily and beat a retreat. I watched him go, my chest still heaving with anger.

Only then did I turn to Nitika, my eyes searching hers. "Why didn't you say anything when he said that? Mere saamne toh Jhansi ki Rani ban jati ho!" I exclaimed, my voice laced with frustration.

She stammered, "I would have handled it..."

"Handled it? You were frozen, Nitika. Why didn't you speak up?"

Her eyes dropped, her voice barely audible. "I...I don't know."

Did I say too much? I was about to speak when a tap on her shoulder broke the moment. My gaze shifted, eyes narrowing at the newcomer. Rishi, stood before us, a friendly smile on his face.

I let out a sigh, my expression unreadable. Nitika turned, her face lighting up with a warm smile. She threw her arms around Rishi, embracing him tightly.

Wait what?

"Noooo!!" I yelled, making them flinch. Nitika pulled back, concern etched on her face. "What happened, Avyaan?"

Oh shit! I realized I'd spoken louder than intended. "N... nothing," I muttered, trying to brush it off.

Rishi's curious gaze met mine, his eyes sparkling with interest. "Who's he, Niti?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Niti? Nickname.Cool.

Nitika's smile returned. "Ahh, he's Avyaan... my friend." She paused, "And Avyaan, this is Rishi."

I nodded, extending my hand. Rishi's firm handshake enveloped mine, his smile warm.

Rishi's gaze shifted between us, his expression puzzled. "What are you both doing? Why aren't you enjoying yourselves with your friends?"

Nitika's smile faltered, an awkward glint in her eyes. "Yes, we should..." She trailed off, her eyes darting to me. I forced a tight-lipped smile, feeling like I'd been punched in the gut.

I stood frozen, watching as Aleena and Bella swooped in to greet Rishi. Karan and Nishanth followed, exchanging warm smiles with Rishi.

As they chatted, Rishi gestured to two guys behind him. "I've come with my friends, this is Dev and Arjun."

Aleena and Bella smiled, shaking hands with the newcomers. Nitika joined in, her eyes sparkling with warmth.

"Ok guys, bas hogya introduction, let's dance!" Dev said excited.

Aleena's response was predictable. "Oh, I like that! You're similar to me, I guess," she said, smiling.

Nishanth's gaze narrowed, his eyes fixed on Dev with a growing unease. I recognized the look – jealousy and a chuckle escape from my mouth.

"Yes let's dance" Rishi took Nitika's hand, leading her onto the dance floor. Dev swept Aleena away, while arjun awkwardly asked Bella to dance. She agreed, and they joined the others.

What the hell is happening???

As they disappeared into the crowd, I was left with Nishanth and Karan, our faces mirroring each other's unease.

"Bhai, ye kya ho raha hai?" Karan asked.

Nishanth sighs saying "Pata nahi."

I felt a pang of jealousy, my mind racing with thoughts of Nitika and Rishi.

I stood there, frozen, as the night wore on, my jealousy simmering just below the surface.

A U T H O R

As the music pulsed on, Nitika and her friends lost themselves in the rhythm, their laughter and smiles carefree. Avyaan, however, sat alone at the bar counter, his gaze fixed on Nitika's retreating figure. He ordered a scotch, his eyes never leaving her.

Nishanth and Karan joined him, sipping on vodka, their minds made up to join on the dance floor and snatch their girls.

"Are you going to join us?" Karan asked Avyaan, but he shook his head, his eyes still fixed on Nitika.

As Nishanth and Karan disappeared onto the dance floor, Nitika felt a heated gaze on her. She knew whose it was and turned to meet Avyaan's intense stare. Her cheeks flushed, avyaan didn't avert his gaze which made her heart skip a beat.

"Rishi I'll get back" she excused herself from Rishi, citing a need for a drink.

At the bar counter, "one martini"
she ordered ignoring him. Which made him tower over her "Ignoring me?" he asked.

"No" nitika felt flustered, downing her martini in one gulp. Avyaan's eyes sparkled with amusement as he trapped her between the counter and his body, his hand slipping around her waist slowly.

"W-what are you d-doing?" Nitika stammered, her eyes wide with surprise.

"I don't know" avyaan replied.

She pushed avyaan, snatching his drink and downing it in one gulp, she ordered more and gulped down to calm her nerves. Avyaan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"Wanna dance with me?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

Nitika's resistance crumbled, and she agreed, downing another glass. Together, they moved onto the dance floor, the music and lights swirling around them.

As they danced, Nitika's arms wrapped around avyaan's neck, his hands on her waist and the world faded away. Avyaan was in control, but Nitika was losing herself, the drinks slowly taking their toll.

Her eyes glazed, her movements fluid, she lost herself in Avyaan's eyes, the music, and the moment. The crowd disappeared, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own world.

But suddenly, her expression changed, a goofy grin spreading across her face.

She started giggling, her body shaking with uncontainable laughter. Avyaan's confusion was palpable, his eyes narrowing in concern.

"Are you okay?"

Nitika's giggles turned to hysterical laughter, her body limp and uncoordinated. Avyaan's arms tightened around her, holding her upright.

It dawned on him then - Nitika had too much to drink. Two, maybe three glasses had gone down her throat in quick succession.

Her eyes sparkled with tears, her face flushed with laughter. Avyaan's expression softened, his hands gentle as he held her.

"Nitika, hey, calm down," he whispered, trying to soothe her.

"A-av-yaan!" she giggled. Avyaan's arms wrapped around her, holding her close.

As the music continued, Avyaan guided Nitika off the dance floor, his eyes scanning the crowd for a quiet spot. He spotted a corner table and steered her towards it.

"N-no I w-want to da-n-ce" she mumbled.

"Sit here bas hogya dance"Avyaan helped her sit down, his hands still holding her steady.

"Water," he mouthed to a passing waiter, his eyes never leaving Nitika's face.

As they waited for the water to arrive, Avyaan's gaze softened, his expression filled with concern.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.

As Bella, karan and rishi approached Nitika, their eyes widened in concern. "What happened to her?" Bella asked, eyeing Nitika's slumped form.

Avyaan's expression was gentle. "She's drunk."

Nitika's lips moved, but only incoherent words spilled out. "Giraffes... dancing... purple..." She giggled, her eyes glazing over.

"What is she saying?" Karan asked.

"I think she's just rambling " rishi says with a sigh. Bella's concern deepened. "Oh no!"

Karan nodded in agreement. "Yes, we should leave now. Bella, look for Aleena, I'll book a cab for you."

Bella nodded and went to search for Aleena. However, her search ended with a sigh. Aleena was drunk too, her words slurred and nonsensical.

Nishanth was trying to handle her, a mixture of amusement and concern on his face. "Oh no, she's drunk too," Bella said, shaking her head. "She's terrible when she's drunk."

Nishanth raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean by 'she's terrible'?"

Bella filled him in. "Nitika is drunk too, and we should go back. The hostel curfew will start in half an hour."

Nishanth nodded, helping Aleena stand. "Let's go."

Aleena stuttered, trying to protest. "Bella baby, see I'm not drunk, okay? Don't worry."

Bella face-palmed. "Ha dikh hi rha hai behen."

The three of them joined the others, and with some effort, they managed to get everyone out of the club. Avyaan supported Nitika, while Nishanth helped Aleena. Karan and Bella brought up the rear, trying to keep everyone on track.

Karan checked his phone. "Your cab will arrive in 5 minutes." Bella smiled, grateful. "Thanks, Karan."

Avyaan was still supporting Nitika and keeping her away from rishi, his eyes scanning her face to ensure she was okay. Nitika's eyes were half-closed, her head leaning on Avyaan's shoulder.

The minutes ticked by, and soon, the cab arrived. Bella and Nishanth helped Aleena towards the cab, despite her denials.

"I don't need a cab, I'm fine!" Aleena slurred, struggling to stand upright.

Bella and Nishanth exchanged a knowing glance. "Come on, Aleena, we should go back," Bella coaxed.

As they managed to get Aleena into the cab, Bella turned to Nitika. "Okay, Nitika let's go."

But rishi intervened, his voice gentle. "I think you'll have your hands full with Aleena, Bella. I'll drop Nitika."

Avyaan gave a side eye to rishi. Karan nodded in agreement. "Yes, he's right. You can't handle both of them alone."

Bella hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, drop her soon, before the curfew starts."

Avyaan nodded, his eyes locked on Nitika's face. "No one else is dropping her, I am."

"I can drop-" avyaan cut off rishi in between. "I will'

Rishi hesitates but nodded. Karan turned to Avyaan. "Then I'll book a cab for you. Don't take her on a bike."

Avyaan agreed, his gaze still on Nitika. "I won't, thanks, Karan."

As they waited for the cab, others said goodbyes and left. The night air was quiet, the only sound of the distant hum of the city.

In five minutes, a new cab arrived, its headlights illuminating the dark street. Avyaan helped Nitika inside, his movements gentle.

As they settled into the cab, Nitika's blabbering continued, her words nonsensical but adorable. Avyaan chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

"You're something else, Nitika," he whispered, shaking his head in amusement.

But their journey was short-lived. The cab screeched to a halt, and the driver announced, "Tire punctured, sir."

Avyaan's sigh was audible. "How much time will it take?"

The driver shrugged. "At least 15 minutes, sir."

Avyaan's mind racing, he thought, "Oh shit, we can't reach before the curfew starts."

He quickly opened his phone to book a new cab, but the estimated arrival time was just as bad. A frustrated growl escaped his lips.

Glancing at Nitika, he saw she had fallen asleep, her head tilted at an awkward angle. Avyaan's expression softened.

He made a quick decision, getting out of the cab to inform the driver. Change of plans and Take them to his flat instead.

As Avyaan got back into the cab, he gently adjusted Nitika's position, cradling her head in his lap. Her soft breathing was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him.

What would happen when Nitika woke up? Would she be okay with being at his flat? Avyaan's thoughts swirled, but for now, he just stroked her hair, trying to calm his own racing heart.

࣪ ִֶָ☾.