BRIDGING HEARTS

{32}

                     
                          SANIYA

I sat at the corner table of the café, my fingers absentmindedly tapping on the mug of coffee in front of me, my attention kept drifting to the door, waiting for Jeia.

She had texted me earlier, saying she was on her way. It was so typical of her to be late.

Finally, I spotted her, hurriedly entering the café. I waved my hand, and she saw me instantly, making her way toward the table and settling herself down.

"Sorry, I’m late," she said, adjusting her glasses as she sat across from me.

I chuckled, teasing, "Again."

She sighed dramatically, "Ha, woh bus hi nahi aa rahi thi. Pata nahi aaj kya hua, it felt like most of the buses were so late."

"Seriously, Jeia? You're staying with THE SINGHANIAS. Why don’t you just tell one of their drivers to drop you? Aarav's grandma loves you enough to lend you a driver," I said, handing her the usual coffee.

"Thanks," she said, taking the coffee with a small smile. "I’m already staying there for free, thanks to my mother, but I don’t want to trouble them further. Plus, it's wasteful to use the car just for me alone."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You know, it's not about troubling them. They'd probably be happy to do it, and it’d save you from all this hassle."

Jeia shrugged, "I know, but I just don’t want to take advantage, you know?"

"By the way, you heard about the party Aarav is throwing?" I asked excitedly.

"Ah, yeah, Sameer messaged me about that and I refused—" Jeia began, but before she could finish, I interrupted her.

"You refused? What? No! How could you, Jeia? It’s going to be so much fun! Why don't you enjoy—"

She cut me off with a laugh, holding up her hand. "Hold up," she chuckled. "Let me finish. So, Sameer messaged me about it, and I refused. But then he called me and did the same ranting, and I had no choice but to accept."

I leaned back in my chair, a smirk on my face. "Well, at least you’re going now."

She rolled her eyes. "Yeah, unfortunately. I have no escape now."

"So, what are you gonna wear?" I asked, hoping she'd give me a satisfying answer.

She gave me an "I don't know" look, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Seriously, Jeia?" I raised an eyebrow. "You can't just show up in anything, you know."

"How about that baby blue dress, remember?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Jeia, we are going to a club—not just any club, but CLUB VORTEX!" I said, almost in disbelief. "Do you even know it's the most exclusive club in Delhi? Only elites go there, and now Aarav invited us. You can't just show up in your floral pastel dress looking out of place."

"You can wear that black dress. How long will that dress rot in your wardrobe?" I suggested, crossing my arms.

"It's strapless, Saniya," she replied, her hesitation clear.

"So what?" I leaned forward, raising an eyebrow. "It’s perfect for Club!  Besides, you’ve had that dress for ages and never worn it. It’s about time you let it shine."

"It’s strapless, Saniya," she repeated firmly. "I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable in it. What if it’s too much? I mean, it’s a club after all, and I’ve never been to a club before."