I could hear the music thumping from inside the club, but it felt distant, like it belonged to another world entirely. I glanced at my phone, half-expecting Amartya to have texted or followed me out by now, but of course, nothing. He was probably still trying to process what just happened. Or worse, he was actually taking my sarcastic suggestion seriously and chatting up those girls.
I grimaced at the thought."What the hell is wrong with me?" I muttered again under my breath. I couldn't shake this weird feeling—the irritation, the frustration, the… jealousy? I don't know. Was it jealousy? That would be stupid, right? I wasn't into Amartya like that. At least, I didn't think I was.
But there was something about the way he looked at those other girls—something that got under my skin in a way I wasn't prepared for. I wasn't supposed to care. We were just friends, right? Friends don't get all worked up because of some random girls in a bar.
Obviously I'm just a friend, someone who's there for hangouts and stuff. I know he's sweet and does care about people around him and that's why people feel special around him maybe I mistakenly felt important around him. "Like how can I be important, in past few years since I've known him we've met for like only couple of times and just acquaintance to Yatharth and Aarohi" I don't know who I was more frustrated at, myself or him.
I stood there for a while, just trying to cool down, trying to talk myself out of feeling so… unhinged.
Eventually, I felt a presence next to me, and I didn't even have to look to know who it was.
Amartya's voice broke the silence. "Maya... what the hell happened?"
I glanced at him sideways, not sure what to say. He looked genuinely concerned, which only made me feel more ridiculous.
"I'm fine," I said, trying to sound nonchalant as I wiped my hand on my shirt, even though it probably wasn't the best idea, because now I've blood stain all over my white shirt. "It's just a glass. No big deal."
He stepped closer, and I could see his eyes narrow as he looked at my hand. "Doesn't look fine to me. You're bleeding, Maya."
I shrugged, still leaning against the wall, trying to keep my cool. "I've had worse days."
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Was it something I said? Because if this is about that stupid joke—"
"It's not about that," I interrupted, though part of me knew that was only half-true. "I just—God, I don't know. It's been a rough day, okay? And maybe that joke was a little too much for me to handle right now, you know sometimes situations can drive people a little nuts"
Amartya looked at me for a moment, and I could tell he was trying to figure out what to say, how to fix things. He wasn't used to seeing me like this—hell, I wasn't used to seeing me like this. Finally, he took a step closer, lowering his voice. "I didn't mean to piss you off, Maya. I was just messing around. You know that, right?"
I sighed, glancing down at the ground. "Yeah, I know. It's just—" I trailed off, trying to find the right words. "It's been a shit day, Amartya. The fabric didn't show up. Half the workers bailed on me, and on top of that, the designs look like something I could've pulled off Pinterest during a breakdown. It was just… one thing after another, you know?"
He nodded, his eyes softening as he listened. "Sounds like hell, and I know but I didn't meant for it to hurt you"
"Don't worry it's fine" I said with a humorless laugh. "It's just a bad day and then I come here to try and forget about it all, and you're talking about picking up girls like we're on some trashy dating show. I just—" I shrugged, feeling a little stupid now for how I'd reacted. "It got to me."
Amartya rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish. "I'm sorry, Maya. That was dumb of me. I should've realized… I mean, I get it now."
I gave him a small smile, trying to let go of the frustration. "It's not all on you, okay? I was being dramatic. I guess I just didn't realize how much today had gotten under my skin until… well, until I broke a glass in my hand like some kind of psycho."
He chuckled softly. "Yeah, you you've always had a flair for the dramatic,or atleast what I've heard of from Aarohi" he teased lightly, trying to ease the tension between us.
I rolled my eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corners of my lips. "Oh, please. You know this isn't my usual brand of drama. This was… just —"
"Yeah," he nodded, smirking. "But I'd pay good money to see you in full-on drama queen mode."
I nudged him with my elbow. "You couldn't afford it."
We both laughed for a second, the tension between us finally easing. I looked down at my hand, the blood now drying, and sighed. "Guess I should get this cleaned up before I bleed out like some tragic heroine."
"Let's head back inside," Amartya said, more seriously now. "We'll grab some napkins or something to patch you up. Maybe even get another drink—on me this time. You know, since you paid for that glass."
I snorted. "Yeah, I basically bought stock in this place with what I gave that poor security guard."
As we walked back inside, Amartya bumped his shoulder against mine. "Seriously, though, Maya. I don't want you feeling like that again. If something's bothering you—whether it's work, me, or whatever—just tell me. I'm your friend first, alright? Even when I'm being an idiot."
Classic Amartya being a soft guy and making me feel important I guess I'm doomed again.
I looked over at him, his face sincere, and for a second, I felt that familiar pang of warmth. It was easy to forget that underneath all the jokes and sarcasm, Amartya was one of the few people who genuinely cared. Maybe that's why I'd gotten so bent out of shape tonight.
"I know," I said quietly. "I'll keep that in mind."
We slipped back into the dimly lit bar, and the music wrapped around us like a comfortable blanket. I grabbed some napkins from the bar and pressed them against my hand, wincing a little at the sting. Amartya ordered us another round of drinks—this time something less aggressive than whiskey.
I leaned back in my chair, watching as he made small talk with the bartender, and I realized that, despite the chaos of the night, I was glad I'd come out. Maybe things had gotten weird, but in the end, it was still better than being alone with my thoughts.
Amartya sat down next to me, sliding a drink my way. "Here you go, something smooth," he said with a wink.
I rolled my eyes but took a sip anyway. "Thanks. And hey, next time you wanna make a joke about picking up girls, just make sure I'm not having a complete mental breakdown first."
He laughed, raising his glass in a mock toast. "Noted. No more Bachelor moments when Maya's had a bad day."
I clinked my glass against his, smiling despite myself. "Good. Otherwise, next time, I'll be shattering more than just a glass."
Amartya raised an eyebrow. "Terrifying. But I like a little danger."
"Shut up," I said, but there was no bite in it. The sarcasm was comfortable again, like slipping back into something familiar. The weight of the night seemed to lift, and suddenly, everything didn't feel as heavy as it had before.
We sat there for a while, just talking, letting the world outside the bar fade away. And maybe that's the thing about friendships like ours— or atleast I wish that I could accept the fact of it just being a friendship and nothing else ever.
I don't know when I'm gonna stop crashing into him and being broken into pieces like that whiskey glass.
Somehow, that was enough for tonight.