Day we met

Chapter 10 - Never Have I Ever

"Ric, you're late! You missed a lot of fun," Aaron greeted Mr. Attitude, using his real name for the first time. It felt like a small victory, finally knowing his name after all this time. But there was still so much more to uncover about him.

"Nothing," Ric mumbled in his characteristic low tone, barely audible over the background noise. His voice was always subdued as if he preferred to speak sparingly and let his presence speak volumes instead. Some joked that perhaps God had forgotten to give him vocal cords, leaving him with a perpetual low-pitch

"Shall we continue with our game?" Aaron grinned mischievously, eager to reignite the fun despite Advik's earlier reluctance.

"No," Advik interjected firmly, causing a sudden halt in Aaron's enthusiasm. It was ironic how just moments ago they had been coaxing him to join in, only to find him now adamantly opposed.

Undeterred, the group attempted to persuade Advik from every angle, hoping to change his mind. Their efforts, however, proved futile as Advik remained resolute in his decision.

"Stop yammering," he finally snapped, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance and determination.

"Poker face," Myrah quipped playfully, referencing Advik's stoic expression.

Feeling the need to shift gears and lighten the mood, I suggested a new game. "How about 'Never have I ever'?" I proposed to everyone, hoping to divert attention from the previous tension and reignite the group's camaraderie.

The suggestion sparked curiosity among the group, who eagerly agreed to the new game. As they settled initially, I couldn't help but notice Advik's lingering seriousness, wondering what thoughts still weighed on his mind despite the lighthearted atmosphere.

"Interesting... what do you say, guys?" Myrah exclaimed with excitement, her gaze fixed expectantly on Advik, hoping to engage him in the game.

"Awww, somebody wants to know about her partner," Aadhya teased Myrah playfully, drawing laughter from the group. Myrah blushed and covered her face with her hands, momentarily embarrassed by the playful jab.

The atmosphere lightened as the teasing continued, with everyone sharing in the good-natured humor. Despite Myrah's initial embarrassment, she couldn't help but smile at the camaraderie among friends.

"But in fact, I was the one who wanted to know about Ric, so I proposed this game," I thought to myself, reflecting on her true motive behind suggesting "Never have I ever." I glanced at Ric discreetly, wondering what secrets or stories might emerge during the game, hoping to unravel more about the enigmatic figure who had intrigued me since his arrival.

As the group bantered and prepared to play, I kept my focus on Ric, curious to see how he would respond to the game's prompts and whether it would reveal more about his personality and experiences. I was determined to glean insights into Ric's world, eager to uncover the layers beneath his calm demeanor and understated presence.

"Myrah, let's start with you," Dia grinned mischievously, signaling the beginning of their game.

"C'mon, Myrah," the group chimed in unison, encouraging her to make her move.

"Never have I ever read my partner's message," Myrah declared, a playful glint in her eyes.

Advik caught off guard, sheepishly took a drink, prompting Myrah to fix him with a fierce stare.

"It's not like what you're thinking... Accidentally I clicked it... I swear I never touched your phone again," Advik quickly explained, trying to diffuse any tension with a nervous chuckle.

"Is that so?" Aaron teased Advik, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

Uncomfortable under Myrah's scrutinizing gaze and the playful ribbing from his friends, Advik sought an escape. "Ric, I don't feel like sitting here. If you don't mind, can we exchange seats?" he asked, his desperation to sit next to Myrah evident in his voice.