Fates Entwined

Chapter 11: Blood Ties and Heartstrings

The apartment was quiet, save for the sound of rain tapping against the windows. Risha sat cross-legged on the couch, staring at her phone as her thoughts tangled into a hopeless knot.

Across the room, Miri lounged with her head tilted back, a dreamy smile plastered on her face. "Neil," she murmured, for what felt like the hundredth time that evening.

Risha sighed, pulling her knees to her chest. "You've got it bad, Miri."

Miri's grin widened. "He's amazing, Rish. I've never felt like this about anyone. I can't stop thinking about him."

Risha's lips twitched into a soft smile. Despite her own worries, seeing Miri this happy warmed her heart. "I'm glad. Just... be careful, okay? You know how humans can be. We're not here forever."

Miri rolled her eyes, sitting up. "You're always so cautious. That's what I love about you, though. You balance me out. Remember when we were kids? You always cleaned up my messes."

Risha chuckled, the memory pulling her from her thoughts. "Like the time you 'accidentally' dyed the sacred pool pink during the Spring Festival?"

"Hey, it was a statement!" Miri protested, laughing. "And I remember how you begged Mother Supreme not to punish me."

Risha's gaze softened. "You would've done the same for me."

Miri leaned forward, her tone turning serious. "No, I wouldn't have. I'm not like you, Rish. I promised your mom I'd always look out for you, but you've spent your whole life looking out for me instead."

Risha looked away, her voice barely a whisper. "You've always been braver than me, Miri. You go after what you want. I... I don't even know what I want."

Miri tilted her head. "What's going on with you? You've been weird all week."

Risha hesitated, then sighed. "I asked Sol on a date."

Miri's eyes widened. "You did what?!"

"I don't know how it happened!" Risha exclaimed, burying her face in her hands. "She was talking about something, and I just... blurted it out."

Miri burst out laughing. "Oh my gosh, Rish! This is huge! I didn't even know you were into her like that."

"I didn't either," Risha muttered. "I mean, I think I might be. She's kind, and funny, and... Ugh, I don't know. What if I'm just messing everything up?"

Miri reached over, squeezing Risha's hand. "You're not. Just see where it goes. You deserve to be happy too."

The restaurant was quiet and intimate, the kind of place where the soft clink of glasses and the murmur of conversation created a cozy bubble. Risha sat across from Sol, nervously fidgeting with her napkin.

Sol, on the other hand, looked radiant in a fitted blazer, her usual confidence glowing brighter than ever. "I can't believe you asked me out," Sol said with a grin. "I thought I'd scared you off after that spreadsheet disaster last month."

Risha laughed, the tension easing slightly. "No, you didn't scare me. I just... I don't do this often."

"Neither do I," Sol admitted, her tone softening. "But I'm glad you did. I've always enjoyed talking to you."

As the night went on, their conversation flowed effortlessly. They discovered shared interests—an unexpected love for classic mystery novels, a shared disdain for pineapple on pizza, and a mutual tendency to overthink everything.

By the time dinner ended, Sol suggested a nightcap, and they found themselves at a dimly lit bar nearby. Sol ordered a whiskey, and Risha stuck to a soda, knowing she'd have to stay clear-headed.

"Risha," Sol slurred slightly as they stumbled out of the bar, "you're... amazing. Like, really amazing. Did I say that already?"

"You might've mentioned it once or twice," Risha said, chuckling as she guided Sol toward her car.

"I don't usually do this," Sol continued, leaning heavily on Risha. "But tonight was... special."

Risha smiled, helping Sol into the passenger seat. The drive to Sol's condo was quiet, the city lights casting soft patterns across the windshield.

When they arrived, Risha helped Sol up to her apartment, her arm around Sol's waist for balance.

"You don't have to stay," Sol mumbled as they reached the door.

"I want to make sure you're okay," Risha said firmly, guiding Sol to the couch.

As she helped Sol settle, their faces were suddenly close, the air thick with unspoken tension. Sol's eyes flicked to Risha's lips, and for a fleeting moment, Risha felt her heart race.

But she pulled back, clearing her throat. "You should get some rest."

Sol blinked, as if snapping out of a dream, and nodded. "Thanks, Rish. For everything."

For the first time in a long time, she wasn't sure if her heart was entirely her own.