A sleek black Audi came to a smooth stop at the entrance of Lite Star Night Club.
The door opened, and Anesha stepped out, her gaze sweeping across the crowd. She spotted her four friends waiting by the entrance and smiled warmly, waving at them.
"Hey, everyone!" she called out.
Her voice, soft yet melodic, immediately captured their attention. They all turned towards her.
Anesha's friends, all in their early twenties, were gathered outside. Among them were two boys—Ankit, a handsome and composed young man with a simple, elegant style, and Ronit, the complete opposite. Ronit's flair for fashion and ever-present pair of headphones gave him a carefree, almost rebellious air. His curly hair and sharp features only added to his 'chocolate boy' appeal.
The two girls, Mira and Mahi, were equally distinct. Mira, with her sharp wit, and Mahi, who was quick to react, formed the perfect foil to the more composed boys.
Ronit walked over to Anesha, grinning mischievously. "Miss Latecomer! Always fashionably late, huh?"
Anesha smiled and opened her car's trunk. "Well, you all know how far my cottage is from this bustling city. It takes time to travel from that serene jungle to the city lights. But hey, we're not too late—just about ten minutes."
Ronit chuckled. "True. The peace of your cottage is something else. Every time I visit, it's like my soul finds its rhythm again."
Mahi, who had been silent until now, couldn't resist. She glared at Ronit, then grabbed a fistful of his hair, pulling him back sharply. "Shut up! Enough with the flowery talk, or I'll tear that fake smile off your face!"
Surprised, Ronit pulled away and shouted, "Hey, let go of my hair, you crazy witch! Or I'll show you who's really in charge here!"
Anesha quickly intervened, playfully separating them. "Alright, enough of this! Let's keep the drama for tomorrow's college lecture. For now, I've got something special for you all."
With a flourish, she produced four carefully arranged bouquets from her trunk. The vibrant flowers were a gift, meticulously crafted with love and care.
Mahi's eyes widened, and she immediately dropped any aggression. "You made these? Oh, Annie, you're such a genius! You should have a YouTube channel dedicated to flowers and gardening. No one does it like you!"
Anesha laughed, a soft, genuine laugh. "I've got my hands full with my studies and three YouTube channels already. Maybe after college, I'll consider it. But for now, take these. Plant them, and they'll bloom forever."
Ankit sniffed the bouquet and looked up, his eyes twinkling. "These flowers—will they stay this fresh and fragrant forever?"
"Yes," Anesha replied with a serene smile. "That's their magic."
Mira, with a dramatic flair, threw her arms around Anesha. "Annie, you are incredible! I've never met anyone like you. If you ever decide to make this a career, you'll be unstoppable."
Anesha shook her head. "Maybe one day, but for now, let's just enjoy tonight."
As she handed the bouquets to her friends, they each placed them carefully in their cars. Then, they made their way into the club.
Inside, the atmosphere was electric. The pulsating music reverberated through the air as people danced on the floor, while others sipped their drinks, caught in the vibrant chaos of the night.
Anaysha made her way to the bar counter, a serene presence amidst the noise, and ordered a juice, her fingers absently scrolling through her phone.
Her four friends, caught up in the music, danced near the stage.
Mira, ever the schemer, shot a quick glance at Ronit, signaling him to do something. Ronit, grinning, understood the cue and nodded. He went to the bar, returning with two drinks—one for Anesha, and the other for himself.
In his mind, he thought, Tonight, we'll unravel the mystery behind Annie's ever-present sadness. There's something she's hiding, and I'll get to the bottom of it.
He handed her the juice. "Annie, your favorite—fresh sugarcane juice. Took me a bit of effort to find it."
Anesha raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Sugarcane juice here? In a club?"
"Yes, only because I know you. Now drink up, and let me show you my moves on the dance floor," Ronit said with a wink.
Anesha couldn't help but chuckle. "You? Show moves?" she teased, rolling her eyes.
Ronit threw his hands up in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But you're drinking that juice, and I'm dancing. You go show your swag."
"Swag?" Anesha quipped, raising an eyebrow at him as he walked away.
After a few moments, Anesha finished the juice in one go, as was her habit. Her head began to feel heavy. Her eyes, once sharp, grew tired from the effects of the alcohol. She sat back, her mind beginning to cloud.
"Why do I have two phones?" she mumbled to herself, blinking rapidly. "And why do my hands feel so heavy? What's going on? Am I... am I a monster?"
She laughed at herself, her speech slurring slightly as she tried to focus.
Suddenly, she tried to stand, but the room swayed. Just before she could lose her balance, two strong arms caught her.
__________________________
Who caught Anaysha just in time?
And will she spill her secrets in this drunken haze?
To know…
To be continued...