Maybe in next life

chapter 29

Ruhi

After unpacking and setting everything up in our room, we all ended up piling onto one bed, even though there were two beds available. Typical. Sherlin, Mayra, Kiara, and I were in our pajamas, snuggled under blankets, ready for some late-night gossip.

Sherlin, as usual, was the star of the show. “Okay, so… let me tell you all about my first kiss with Vihaan,” she began, her cheeks turning pink.

“Finally!” Mayra exclaimed, throwing a pillow at her. “I’ve been waiting for this story forever!”

Sherlin laughed, hugging the pillow. “So, it happened at this rooftop restaurant. Vihaan took me there, all romantic and dramatic, right? He wouldn’t stop fidgeting the entire time, like his life depended on this kiss.”

“Vihaan? Dramatic? Never!” I said sarcastically, earning a round of laughter from everyone.

“No, seriously!” Sherlin insisted. “He kept dropping hints like, ‘Wow, the stars are so beautiful, but not as beautiful as you.’”

“Classic Vihaan,” Mayra said, rolling her eyes. “Did he rehearse in front of a mirror or what?”

“Probably,” Sherlin said, giggling. “Anyway, after dinner, we went to the edge of the rooftop. He was being all sweet and nervous, and I was just standing there like, ‘What is he doing?’ And then—”

“Wait, wait, let me guess!” Kiara interrupted, raising her hand. “He tripped over his own feet before he kissed you!”

We all burst into laughter, and Sherlin shook her head, grinning. “No, but close. He did drop his jacket over the edge of the rooftop while trying to lean in!”

“Oh my God!” Mayra squealed, clutching her stomach. “That’s such a Vihaan move!”

“I know!” Sherlin said, laughing. “He was so embarrassed, but then he grabbed my hands and said, ‘I don’t care if I lose my jacket, as long as I don’t lose you.’ And then he kissed me.”

There was a collective “Awwww” from all of us, but it was immediately followed by a burst of laughter.

“Please tell me you didn’t swoon at that line!” I said, wiping away tears of laughter.

“Of course I did!” Sherlin admitted, blushing. “It was cheesy, but it worked!”

Mayra snorted. “I can’t believe he sacrificed a jacket for a kiss. That’s commitment.”

Kiara leaned back against the headboard, smirking. “Next time he’s being annoying, just remind him of that jacket. Instant leverage.”

I couldn’t stop laughing as the conversation spiraled into everyone imitating Vihaan’s dramatic lines. Sherlin was giggling so hard she couldn’t even protest.

As the night went on, we shared more stories, teased each other, and laughed until our sides hurt. It felt good to let loose and enjoy the moment. For a while, all the worries and pressures of life faded away, replaced by the warmth of friendship and the comfort of being surrounded by people who truly cared.

We were still rolling with laughter from Sherlin’s rooftop kiss story when suddenly Mayra’s phone pinged with a notification. Her eyes widened, and she immediately grabbed it, clutching it to her chest like it was a national secret.

“What was that?” Sherlin asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.

“Nothing! Just… just a random notification,” Mayra stammered, her cheeks flushing red.

Kiara smirked. “Random? You looked like you were hiding state secrets. Hand it over!”

“No way!” Mayra yelped, holding the phone even tighter.