There's this moment at every party where you start wondering if you're actually enjoying yourself or if you're just here because it's expected. That's where I'm at right now, standing in the middle of this club Aarohi dragged me to, trying to convince myself that I'm having a blast. Spoiler: I'm not.
I arrived earlier than planned, mostly because I hate being late, and now I'm stuck here waiting for Aarohi and Yatharth, who are taking their sweet time. So, I'm nursing a drink that tastes like disappointment, when—of course—fate decides to drop the "coincidence" bomb right on me.
I bump into him.
Amartya
And oh, how the years haven't changed the way he makes my heart race. It's been forever since I last saw him, and while I should be over this, seeing him now is like reopening an old wound. He's still the same—tall, effortlessly handsome, with that cool, detached vibe like he's way too good for this place. Which, to be honest, he probably is.
I didn't even see him at first. I was too busy focusing on not making a fool of myself with this drink. But then, I accidentally brush past him and it's like the universe decided to hit the reset button on all my old feelings. I look up, and there he is, looking at me with those intense eyes.
"Maya?" he says, like he's genuinely surprised to see me.
I'm caught off guard, my brain scrambling for something smart to say. "Hey," I manage, trying to keep my voice steady even though my insides are doing a dance routine.
His gaze seems to linger just a bit longer than necessary. I wonder if he's just as awkward as I am, or if he's already forgotten about me. Probably the latter. After all, we've only met a few times through Aarohi and Yatharth, and each time, it was more of a "hello and goodbye" kind of deal.
"Here for Aarohi and Yatharth's party?" he asks, his voice carrying a casual tone that's supposed to be comforting but just makes me more nervous.
"Yeah, they're running a bit late," I say, forcing a laugh that sounds way too forced even to my own ears.
Amartya nods, but he's looking around the club like he's trying to find an escape route. I get it. This place is packed, the music is way too loud, and the whole scene is a sensory overload. But it's Aarohi's party, and as much as I'd love to escape too, I'm here for her.
"Want to sit?" I offer, gesturing to a quieter corner. I have no idea why I'm inviting him to join me. Maybe it's because I'm tired of feeling like an outsider in my own life, or maybe it's just because I'm hoping for a distraction from my own spiraling thoughts.
He hesitates for a moment, then shrugs. "Sure."
We find a corner table where it's slightly quieter, though not by much. The music still pulses in the background, but here, it's easier to hear each other. He looks like he's trying to relax, but it's clear he's not really into the whole party vibe.
"So, how's life treating you?" I ask, trying to sound casual.
He shrugs again, that familiar, nonchalant shrug of his. "Can't complain. Just here because Yatharth insisted. Needed a break, I guess."
I want to ask more about what's going on in his life, especially since I heard he had a breakup recently. But I stop myself. It's not like we're friends or anything. We barely know each other beyond these occasional encounters.
"So, you and Aarohi? How's that going?" he asks, and I'm relieved to have a topic that's safer and less personal.
"Good. She's the same as always—bright, cheerful, and dragging me to these parties," I say with a laugh. "But I guess it's all part of her charm."
He chuckles, and for a brief moment, the tension between us eases. It's weirdly comforting to be talking to him, even if we're not exactly friends. There's this unspoken familiarity in the way we're interacting that I can't quite put my finger on.
As the night goes on, I try to focus on enjoying myself, but my mind keeps wandering back to Amartya. He's sitting across from me, looking lost in his thoughts while I'm trying not to let my own emotions get the best of me. It's like trying to ignore a storm brewing in the distance.
When Aarohi and Yatharth finally arrive, they're all smiles and laughter, completely in their own world. I'm happy for them, really. They're a great couple and their happiness is infectious. But it just makes my own feelings feel like a jumbled mess.
Amartya's presence is a constant reminder of a past that I thought I had buried deep. I'm not sure what to do with these old feelings resurfacing, especially when it seems like he's just here to pass the time. He doesn't seem to remember me as anything more than a distant acquaintance.
But as the night drags on, I find myself hoping for something—anything—that might change this strange, awkward dynamic between us. Maybe, just maybe, this night could lead to something more than just a painful reminder of what could have been.
And that's the cruel joke of hope. It shows up uninvited and gets your heart racing, even when you're trying to keep it under control.
As the night stretches on, the crowd at the club only seems to grow louder and more energetic. Aarohi and Yatharth are now in full party mode, mingling with their guests and dancing like there's no tomorrow. I'm trying my best to fit in, but my focus keeps drifting back to Amartya, who's still sitting in that corner, looking like he'd rather be anywhere else.
I decide to grab another drink—maybe a stronger one this time—and make my way to the bar. As I'm waiting for the bartender to prepare my drink, I catch Amartya's eye from across the room. He's watching me with that same unreadable expression. It's like he's trying to gauge what I'm up to.
Feeling a bit self-conscious, I look away and focus on the drink in my hand. The bartender hands it over, and I head back to the quieter corner. Amartya is still there, and it feels like we're in some sort of unspoken standoff. I take a deep breath and walk back over.
"Here," I say, handing him a drink. "Thought you might need this."
He looks surprised but accepts the drink with a nod. "Thanks. Didn't think you'd notice me over here."
I shrug. "Hard not to, with how out of place you look. You're like a statue in this sea of chaos."
He chuckles, a real one this time, and takes a sip of his drink. "Yeah, not really my scene."
We sit in silence for a moment, just observing the scene around us. Aarohi and Yatharth are dancing with a group of friends, completely lost in their own world. There's a carefree energy around them that seems to be the opposite of what Amartya and I are experiencing.
"You know," I say, breaking the silence, "Aarohi's not usually this over-the-top. She's actually pretty low-key most of the time. Guess she really wanted to make this night special."
Amartya raises an eyebrow. "Yeah? Seems like she's doing a good job of it."
I laugh. "Yeah, she definitely knows how to throw a party. I'm just here for the drinks and to make sure she doesn't end up in a fountain or something."
He smiles, and for a moment, it feels like we're actually connecting. It's strange how easy it is to talk to him when we're not surrounded by people. It's almost like we're having a private conversation despite the noise.
"So, what's been going on with you?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation away from awkward small talk. "Anything interesting?"
He looks thoughtful for a moment. "Not much. Just been working and trying to keep myself busy. Had some stuff going on, but nothing I can't handle."
I can't help but wonder if he's talking about the breakup I heard about. It's not my place to pry, but seeing him like this—distant and out of sync with the party—it makes me want to reach out and offer some support.
"What about you?" he asks, breaking me from my thoughts. "What's new in your world?"
"Oh, you know," I say, trying to sound casual, "just the usual. Work's been keeping me busy, and I've been trying to balance it all. Nothing too exciting, really."
He nods, and we fall into another comfortable silence. It's weird, this feeling of connection with someone I barely know. It's like there's this invisible thread pulling us together despite the fact that we haven't spent much time together.
As the night wears on, the atmosphere at the club continues to shift. The music changes, the crowd thins out, and the once vibrant energy starts to wane. Aarohi and Yatharth are now sitting with a small group of friends, chatting and laughing.
I glance at Amartya, who's still sitting quietly, and feel a pang of sympathy. It's clear he's not having the best time, and I can't help but wonder if there's something more going on beneath the surface.
"Want to take a break from all this?" I suggest, gesturing toward the quieter lounge area. "It's a bit less chaotic over there."
He looks at me, surprised, but then nods. "Sure, sounds good."
We make our way to the lounge, finding a couple of empty seats. The noise is still present but not as overwhelming. The dim lighting and comfortable seating provide a more relaxed atmosphere.
"So, what's your deal?" Amartya asks, leaning back in his chair. "You seem like you've got your life together."
I laugh. "If only. I'm just trying to figure things out, like everyone else. Sometimes it feels like I'm just going through the motions."
He looks at me with a curious expression. "What do you mean?"
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I don't know. It's like I'm doing what I'm supposed to, but it doesn't always feel fulfilling. Like I'm stuck in this routine and waiting for something to change."
He nods, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I get that. Sometimes it feels like we're all just trying to find meaning in a world that doesn't always make sense."
For a moment, we sit in silence, each lost in our own thoughts. It's strange how these deep conversations seem to come so easily with him, even though we barely know each other. It feels like we're on the same wavelength, struggling with similar questions about life and purpose.
As the night continues to wind down, I realize that this unexpected conversation with Amartya has been the highlight of my evening. It's not exactly how I imagined the night would go, but it's a reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful connections happen when you least expect them.
I glance at him, and for the first time tonight, I see a genuine smile on his face. It's a small victory, but it feels significant. Maybe tonight isn't such a waste after all.
"So," I say, trying to lighten the mood, "how about we make a pact to survive the rest of the night without getting caught in any more party shenanigans?"
He grins, a playful spark in his eyes. "Deal."
And with that, we settle into a more comfortable silence, the evening's chaos fading into the background as we enjoy the rare moment of peace.
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