Masked Love

Chapter 6

Jenisha engrossed in her latest romance novel. The dashing hero and the swoon-worthy heroine were locked in a passionate embrace on the page she was reading. With a dreamy sigh, she muttered to herself, "Why can't real life be as exciting as these books?"

Yuvika, her best friend, strolled by and peeked over her shoulder, a playful smirk on her face. "Romance novels again, Jenisha? Seriously, I can't understand how you enjoy reading all this lovey-dovey stuff. Thrillers are where the action's at!"

Jenisha closed her book with a chuckle and shot back, "Well, Yuvika, you can't deny the power of a good love story. It's like comfort food for my soul."

Nitya, who was nearby, chimed in with a cheeky grin, "I can't comprehend straight people romance in books only. BL (Boys' Love) for me, please."

Jenisha's eyes widened, and she giggled. "Nitya, you and your BL obsession. I guess everyone has their own taste!"

Yuvika shook her head, clearly unimpressed. "Bro, no offense, but I hate reading romance books. I'd rather read those than your BL stuff."

Nitya shrugged, completely unfazed. "Well, you do you, Yuvika."

****

Jenisha, Yuvika, and Nitya continued their banter about book preferences  when Aarushi, sauntered over.
She was glued to her phone, barely looking up as she chimed in,
"Wait, are you guys still talking about reading? I thought we left that in the past with VHS tapes."

Yuvika teased her, "Aarushi, you'd rather swipe right on dating apps than swipe through book pages. When was the last time you picked up a novel?"

Arushi finally glanced up from her phone and replied with a smirk, "Who needs books when I've got the entire world's knowledge in my pocket, plus all the latest memes? I mean, memes are the new literature, right?"

Jenisha chuckled and retorted, "Arushi, you really should give reading a shot. It's like having a movie in your head, but with no spoilers."

Nitya joined in with a sassy comment, "Yeah, and I bet there are BL memes out there that could make you laugh as much as your regular memes. Or maybe more ,who knows!? "

The group burst into laughter, enjoying their playful banter about their different interests and preferences, even though Arushi's phone seemed like a permanent extension of her hand.

*****

Arushi, still scrolling on her phone, suddenly perked up and announced, "Hey, did you all see the news on Insta? Taylor Swift is officially a billionaire now!"

Jenisha's eyes widened, and she let out an involuntary growl, much to her friends' amusement.

Flashbacks from her dream about the Taylor Swift concert hit her like a train.
How the three of them caught her secretly fangirling and even Geometry, the class topper (jeni's crush too) was in the crowd, giving her a sly side-eye.
[ Y:- WHY DOES SHE EVEN LIKE HIM, EWW JUST EWW... ]

Jenisha couldn't help but blush at the memory and stammered, "Uh, yeah, she's kinda overrated, you know... her music is just so... uh, okay-ish." Her friends exchanged knowing looks, smirking at her response.