Book #1 Of Serenade Saga
Thirteen-year-old Kamika Chauhan sat cross-legged on her bedroom floor, the soft glow of a desk lamp casting shadows across the pages of her diary. The room was chilled, the air thick with anticipation. Her pen hovered over...
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I fidgeted with my napkin, my fingers drumming a staccato beat as I struggled to contain my excitement. Karthik and I had arrived at the restaurant a full hour before our friends, securing a cozy table by the window with a stunning view of the city. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of simmering spices and making my stomach growl with anticipation. I felt like a child on Christmas morning, barely able to contain my glee. We had planned this reunion just yesterday; on the spot, and finally, the moment was here. The wait was almost over, and I couldn't wait to see the look of shock and joy on our friends' faces when they saw Karthik walk in. I glanced over at him, and he caught my eye, his own excitement mirroring mine. We exchanged a conspiratorial grin, and I felt my heart race with anticipation.
Just then, the door burst open and Tanvi rushed in, her face a picture of worry and concern. "Kamika, what's wrong? Your message sounded so serious!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with a hint of panic. Her eyes scanned the room frantically, as if searching for a clue to the mysterious summons. And then, they landed on Karthik, but there was no spark of recognition. She looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and confusion, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to place him. "Who's...?" she started to ask, her gaze darting to me for answers. I couldn't help but giggle.
I smiled sweetly, trying to contain my amusement at the sight of my friends' worried faces. Tanvi's confusion, Aayush's furrowed brow, and Hritvi's concerned glances all made me want to burst out laughing. But I maintained my composure, savoring the moment. "Oh, Tanvi, I'm so sorry," I said, my voice dripping with innocence. "I think there's been a misunderstanding." I paused for dramatic effect, enjoying the puzzled expressions around me. Karthik, too, was trying to stifle a grin, his eyes sparkling with mirth. I could sense his excitement, his eagerness to reveal himself to our friends.
The others filed in, their concerned expressions a mirror image of Tanvi's worried face. Aayush's brow was furrowed, Tahir's eyes were narrowed, Aatirah's lips were pursed, Hritvi's hands were clasped together, and Sahay's head was tilted to one side, all of them radiating a sense of alarm. They gathered around, forming a semi-circle of concern, and began asking what was wrong. "What's going on, Kamika?" Aayush asked, his deep voice laced with worry. "Is everything okay?" Tahir chimed in, his eyes darting to Karthik and then back to me. The room was filled with the sound of murmured questions and worried glances, the air thick with tension. Karthik, still silent, stood at the center of it all, his eyes fixed on our friends with a mix of emotions: anticipation, nervousness, and a hint of a smile.
As we all settled into our seats, Tahir gazed around the table, taking in the familiar faces. His eyes landed on Karthik, and a puzzled expression crossed his face. "Wait a minute... have we met before?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concentration. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, trying to place Karthik's face.
Karthik smiled, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Actually, Tahir, we've known each other for a long time." He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he awaited the reactions.
