Just. As I tried to clam my racing heart, my phone buzzed on the bed.
Teru.
I grabbed it immediately and answered.
"Hello?" Her voice came through
"Hey! Where were you today? You didn't come to school. Everything okay?" I asked, leaning back against my bed.
She sighed. "Didn't feel like it." Then, she asked"Did I miss anything?"
I let out a laugh. "Oh, you missed a lot."
"How much is 'a lot'?" Her curiosity at peak
I ask with a smirk on my face "Wouldn't you rather hear it in person?"
"Hmm… tempting."
I suddenly had an idea. "How about we meet up at the golgappa stall? I'll tell you properly. I'll ask Nami to come too."
There was a short silence before Teru replied, "Perfect idea. I was craving something good anyway."
"Then it's settled. I'm leaving now. See you there."
I hung up and put my phone onto the bed.
Then, with a urgency, I hurried to get ready, for a lovely Meeting at the Golgappa Stall
I quickly changed into my favorite short kurti and jeans , tying my hair up in a ponytail. Grabbing my phone and keys, I run toward the door.
"Mumma, I'm heading out! I'll be back soon!" I called over my shoulder, not waiting for a response
Before she could stop me with a question, I was already outside, Riding my scooty. within moments, I sped off into the fresh evening air, the city lights flickering like tiny stars against the dusky sky.
the time I reached the golgappa stall, I spotted Nami and Teru already there, leaning casually against the cart, chatting amd giggling
I pulled up and parked, waving from a distance. "Hey!"
Nami turned first, a smile spreading across her face. "Took you long enough!"
I rolled my eyes playfully and walked up to them, settling onto the bench beside them. "Traffic," I said .
"Excuses, excuses," Teru teased, nudging my arm.
The air around the stall was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of tangy, spicy water and freshly fried puris. The owner of the stall was busy serving the Golgappa to the crowd around him
we placed our orders, I leaned forward, with a excitement inside me. "Okay, you guys won't believe what happened today."
Nami smirked. "Oh, we already know part of it. But go on, make it dramatic."
I smirked back. "Alright, here's the full story…"
gathering my thoughts I start ."So, first thing in the morning, Nami tells me that Subh is actually serious about proposing to Suhina. And guess what? He actually did it!"
Teru's eyes widened with excitement . "Wait, what?! He really confessed?"
Nami said . "Not just that. He got down on one knee in front of everyone."
Teru who is nearly dropping the puri in her hand. Asked "No way! And what did she say?"
I tell dramatically. "Exactly what you'd expect from someone like her. She looked at him like he was some kind of worm on her shoes and went, 'You thought I'd ever like you? Look at yourself and then look at me!'"
Teru covered her mouth, . "Ouch. That's brutal."
I nodded. "Yeah, poor Subh just stood there, completely crushed. And then....."
Nami cut in, "Then our dear Aira here was way more interested in someone else."
Teru raised an eyebrow at Me playfully . "Oh? Who?"
I can feel a little redness on my cheeks "Nothing. No one. Just... Arin."
Teru's lips smile. "Ah, I see. So while Subh was getting his heart shattered, you were busy watching Arin, huh?"
Nami laughed. "More like analyzing his every move."
I try to shut her . "Can we focus on Subh for now?"
Teru smiles , taking a bite of her golgappa. "Oh, don't worry. We'll get back to Arin soon enough."
They both burst into laughter and with them I too, the stall air filled with our voices as we eat the spicy, tangy flavors of our favorite street food.
We were still chatting when Nami suddenly tensed, her eyes narrowing as she looked past me.
"Wait… isn't that Suhina?" she asked, with a curiosiry in her voice
Teru and I instinctively followed her gaze.
"Yeah, that's definitely her," Teru confirmed,
I was confused i asked , watching Suhina from a distance. "What is she doing here alone at this hour?"
Teru said eyes still on suhina. "How would we know?"
Nami smiles , a mischievous smirk in her eyes. "Wanna find out?"
I immediately shook my head. "Nope. Not interested."
"Oh, who asked you?" she said back playfully before grabbing my arm and drag me toward her scooty.
"Wait—Nami, no!" I protested, but she wasn't listening.
With one swift motion, she made me sit behind her, started the engine, and took off, following Suhinneon-lsafe distance.
"What exactly are you hoping to find out?" I asked, gripping the sides of the seat.
"Just shut up and watch," Nami said, fully focused on the girl suhina ahead of us.
We followed Suhina through the dimly lit streets, the hum sounds of the scooty blending into the city's quiet hum. She walked with an air of confidence, her long hair swaying with every step, her delicate skirt and perfectly coordinated outfit making it clear she had dressed up for something or someone.
After a few minutes she reached her destination.
We stop a few meters away as Suhina stepped inside a hotel.
But this wasn't just any hotel.
The neon-light sign flickering , and the place had a reputation , a really bad one. Everyone knew it wasn't for casual stays but for questionable activities.
I swallowed hard. "Nami… that's not a normal hotel."
"I know," she say, gripping the handlebars tighter.
As we watched, a guy approached Suhina. He was tall, well-dressed, and seemed to be waiting for her. Without hesitation, she smiled and then slipping her hand into his and walk inside the hotel.
hotel doors closed behind them.
Teru, who had been watching carefully, narrowed her eyes. Her voice was low and certain. "That's Tenzin."
Nami and I exchanged a sharp glance before turning back to the hotel entrance.
It was him.Tenzin.
With Suhina.
For a moment, none of us spoke. My heart pounded as I tried to make sense of what we had just witnessed.
Nami broke the silence. "Are we just gonna ignore this?" Their is a disbelief in her voice
Teru exhaled slowly. "No way. We need to find out what's going on."
I hesitated Before speaking, "Tomorrow. At school."
Nami crossed her arms, . "Yeah. We'll get answers."
Teru's eyes was still fixed on the spot . "And if we don't… we'll make sure we do."
Determination settled between us. Whatever was happening with Suhina and Tenzin, we were going to uncover the truth.
Just as we were about to turn and leave, my breath hitched.
Arin.
I saw his bike parked there and he was standing leaning on it and doing something on his phone.
It looked like he was guarding the place.
Something twisted in my stomach . I grabbed Nami's wrist, my voice barely above a whisper. "Look."
Nami and Teru followed my gaze. Nami's eyes widened. "What the...?"
"Why is he here?"
I couldn't answer. My mind was spinning like a wheel
First Suhina. Then Tenzin. And now… Arin?
Whatever was happening here, we have to find out
Just as I was trying to process everything, Arin's eyes catch us.
For a mere second, our eyes met.
Did he see us?
Before I could even think of looking away, he moved.
Nami tensed beside me. "Oh crap… he's coming this way."