YOU AND ME

Amina

---

I flop down on the bed, phone pressed against my ear as Lila’s laughter echoes through the speaker. “Wait, wait, hold on. So, you’re telling me you’re going on a mountain trip with Ayush? After all that’s happened? After that wild sex? Girl, I can’t believe this.”

Zuri chimes in, her voice full of disbelief. “Seriously, Amina. The guy you can’t even look at without wanting to slap or... you know... undress? You two alone, up a mountain? This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.”

I groan and cover my eyes with my hand. “Okay, I know it sounds ridiculous. But listen, it’s not like that. We’re not gonna—" I pause for emphasis, "you know... touch each other or anything. He’s gonna stay in his corner, and I’ll stay in mine. We’re just going because his dad is forcing us to ‘reconcile.’”

Lila snorts. “Yeah, right. Like you can keep your hands off each other for two days after everything. Come on, Amina, don’t lie to yourself.”

Zuri jumps in, teasing, “You keeping your hands to yourself? I highly doubt that after the office incident. But seriously, be honest with us. Do you think it’ll work? Like, fixing things?”

I laugh, but it’s weak, the kind of laugh that hides the confusion swirling in my head. “I don’t know, guys. We’re just going up this stupid mountain because apparently, it’s supposed to ‘heal’ relationships or whatever. I’m going to make sure I keep my clothes on, no matter what. No angry sex, no... anything.”

Lila’s voice turns softer, more concerned. “Amina, I miss you two together. You guys were so perfect before everything went sideways. What happened?”

My chest tightens at her words. Perfect? Yeah, we were. Once. Before all the arguments, the walls we built, the hurt we’ve thrown at each other. “I don’t know, Leila. Maybe... maybe we just weren’t meant to be.”

There’s silence on the line for a moment before Amina, my other friend, speaks. “Well, you’ll figure it out. But please, keep us updated. We’re all for this simping journey you’re on. Good luck, girl.”

I sigh. “Yeah, I’ll try. We leave tomorrow, and I have no idea how I’m supposed to survive two whole days with him.”

Zuri laughs again. “Well, if things get too heated, you know what to do.”

I shake my head, unable to help the small smile tugging at my lips. “Yeah, yeah. I’ll keep you guys updated. Bye.”

I hang up, staring at the ceiling, already dreading the awkwardness tomorrow’s trip is going to bring. How did I get myself into this?

---

The next day, we’re standing at the base of the mountain, staring up at the trail that stretches ahead of us. Our luggage has already been flown to the top, and we’re just supposed to... walk. For hours. With him. Alone.

I glance at Ayush. His face is set in stone, eyes fixed on the path ahead, like he’s trying to avoid looking at me at all costs. Fine by me. The less interaction we have, the better.

The first hour is mostly silent. The only sounds are the crunch of our shoes on gravel and the distant chirping of birds. The sun is high, and the heat starts to press down on us, making the air feel thick.

After what feels like forever, my legs start to burn, and my mind wanders. We’ve done this before—walking side by side, silent, awkward. Except this time, I can’t ignore the pull between us, the way my mind keeps going back to last week. To the office. To the way he—

Suddenly, my foot catches on a rock, and I stumble, pain shooting through my ankle. “Ah!” I cry out, falling to the ground, clutching my ankle.

Ayush is by my side in an instant, kneeling down. “Amina, are you okay?” His voice is sharp, concerned, the first real emotion I’ve heard from him all day.