BRIDGING HEARTS

{29}

VIHAAN

Everyone rushed to the beach, eager to swim, while I settled in my chair with my laptop open. I had a mountain of work to get through, but my phone was useless thanks to that stupid girl. She stayed back, of course, because she couldn't swim.

She moved to sit three chairs away from mine. Seriously, three chairs? What would I do to her, eat her alive? But whatever, it's probably for the best. At least this way, I won't have to deal with her constant antics.

As I glanced her way, she turned around and, predictably, stumbled forward, landing flat on her face in the sand. I scoffed, shaking my head. So clumsy. So childish.
I quickly averted my attention back to the screen, trying to focus on work.

It started to get dark, As we began moving towards the villa, an announcement was made.

"Everyone, please listen. We will now begin our very anticipated segment, the bonfire. So, everyone is requested to change and join us for this special, romantic evening," the host announced.

As expected, everyone stopped in their tracks.

"How can we forget about this?" Aarav was the first to speak up.

"Jeia, this is the one Aarav and I were talking about. They organize this bonfire every now and then," Pari added.

"That does sound... amazing," She responded with a smile.

"Guys, let's get changed and enjoy this bonfire!" Aarav said.

As we entered the villa, everyone scattered to their rooms to change.

"You all can go. I'll be in my room," I declared.

Aarav frowned but didn't say anything.

I started heading upstairs, and Shasha followed me.

"Vihaan," she called out softly.

"Let's please go to the bonfire?" she asked.

"I never stopped you, Shasha," I replied.

"I know, but I don't want to go alone," she said, fidgeting with her fingers.

"But you're not alone; everyone's there."

"But I want you there," she said, meeting my eyes.

"But-" Before I could protest, she cut me off.

"Please, no buts, Vihaan. If you come, I'll know you really aren't upset anymore about last night," she said, gently holding my hands in hers.

Last night

As I entered my room and was about to go to sleep, a knock sounded at the door. Shasha stood there, and I stepped aside to let her in.

"What happened?" I asked, keeping my tone calm.

"I wanted to ask you this since the afternoon, but I only just got a moment alone with you. We were surrounded by others all day," she said, her voice hesitant.

"What is it?" I asked.

"When you saved Jeia today..." she trailed off, and I waited patiently for her to continue.

She looked away briefly before turning back to me, a hint of hesitation in her expression.

"Vihaan... when you saved Jeia today, the way you looked at her..." She paused, taking a deep breath. "I can't shake the feeling that it was more than just concern."

I felt my jaw tense, but kept my voice steady. "More?"

"I don't know," she admitted, searching my face. "But the way you didn't think twice before jumping in, and the way you scolded her afterward-it felt... different. Like it was more than just concern."