Legacy Unveiled: The Hidden Heir

Chapter 3: Singing

Kajol Aunty threw down the decree, "Alright, kiddos, bail out here. I'll ditch the wheels and be back in 5. And don't stir up trouble while I'm gone, got it?" We all spilled out, impatiently waiting. "So, it was pretty cozy in there, huh, guys?" I shot Arnav a playful glare. "Yeah, sure, but I ain't playing shotgun again squeezed between you and Pragyan, just so you know," Arnav fired back with mock offense, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

Out of nowhere, Pragyan snuck up from behind, his voice low and mischievous. "You sure about that? You seemed pretty snug in my arms," he teased. I took a step back, feeling uneasy. Surprisingly, the fangirl crush I'd nursed in school didn't bubble up. Instead of blushing, my face twisted into a disapproving frown.

Silence fell over us, thick with tension. Geeta and Madhu shot me quizzical looks, silently demanding an explanation. Arnav and Shivansh seemed to be subtly signaling that I had crossed a line, distancing any notions of pairing me with Pragyan. Pragyan himself wore a mixture of hurt and surprise; no one had ever shut down his advances before. "Whatever," he grumbled, then joined the boys.

Just as the atmosphere simmered with unspoken drama, Kajol Aunty barged in. "So, buckle up. We're hiking for an hour to reach the pool because the car can't hack it. Trust me, it's worth the slog," she declared. Groans erupted. Geeta protested, "Mom, it's 9 in the morning, and we're trudging for an hour just to get to a pool? Seriously?" Unfazed, Kajol Aunty fired back, "You'll see. Now quit the griping and move ahead." Reluctantly, everyone trailed along.

As we marched, Kajol Aunty got lost in a lively phone chat, momentarily forgetting about us. We trudged on in awkward silence, picking up on a silent exchange among my friends. Despite the unsaid tension, I kept my gaze fixed on the ground. Soon enough, I found myself lagging behind and instinctively reached for my Airpods. Music thumped in my ears, and I found myself lost in the beats of "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes. Unaware of my surroundings, I belted out the lyrics with gusto.

"I wanna follow where she goes

I think about her and she knows it

I wanna let her take control

'Cause every time that she gets close, yeah

Oh, I've been shaking

I love it when you go crazy

You take all my inhibitions

Baby, there's nothin' holdin' me back"

In a sudden revelation, I found all eyes fixated on me. Their applause filled the air, a subtle acknowledgment of my impromptu performance. "So, was that a confession or something?" Shivansh probed, his eyebrows dancing mischievously. Arnav chimed in with a suggestive wiggle, adding to the playful banter. With a chuckle, I fired back, "You wish."

Amidst the teasing, they extended a gracious invitation, transforming what could have been a solo gig into a communal jam session. The rules were simple: pairs would sing simultaneously. Shivansh and Sangita took the lead with "Dandelions" by Ruth B., infusing the atmosphere with romance and melody. Even Shivansh, usually cool behind his shades, couldn't conceal his blush as they harmonized, intertwining their voices and hands.

As knowing glances circulated, Arnav intervened, proposing, "Let's give others a chance too, you lovebirds." His words struck a chord as he and Madhu geared up to serenade us with "Strangers" by Kenya Grace. Their harmonies melded seamlessly, and Madhu rewarded Arnav with a cheeky peck, igniting a wave of blushing and affectionate smiles. "Aww," we murmured in unison, swept up in the moment.