“Wait!” Piya called out after him, but he didn’t listen.
As he walked away, her eyes widened.
He was wearing the exact same black vest in the freezing cold, and there, clearly visible on his shoulder, was that same distinct tattoo.
“It was the man from the college courtyard!”
“Piya!”
Kabir, Misha, and T rushed over, absolutely panicked and out of breath.
“Piya, are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?!” Kabir asked frantically, checking her over.
“I’m… I’m okay,” Piya breathed out, still staring in the direction the man had vanished.
“Actually, he saved me.”
“He? Who?” Misha asked, looking around the empty, snowy landscape in confusion.
“That man! He was just here… he just walked away right now,” Piya pointed desperately.
Kabir and Misha exchanged a highly confused look.
“But… we didn’t see anyone, Piya,” Misha said softly.
“What? But he just left a second ago!” Piya insisted, her mind spinning.
“Okay, let’s just forget it for now. Let’s get out of here, Kabir,” Misha instructed, assuming Piya was hallucinating from the shock of the fall.
Without another word, Kabir stepped forward and gently scooped Piya up in his arms.
“Let’s go,” he said.
Still completely bewildered by those haunting blue eyes, Piya let Kabir carry her as the group finally left the mountain behind.
As evening fell, Piya and Misha sat quietly at a table in the lively college canteen.
Piya was completely zoned out, her chin resting on her hand as her mind drifted back to the snowy mountain, replaying the memory of the mysterious stranger and his piercing blue eyes.
Noticing her distraction, Misha nudged her arm.
“Hey, are you okay?”
Piya blinked, pulling herself out of her thoughts.
“Yeah… I’m okay.”
Just then, Kabir strolled over and smoothly slid into the seat right next to Piya.
“You know, Piya, if you think about it, what happened on the mountain was actually all your fault.
Piya raised an eyebrow, completely confused.
“I mean, sure, I didn’t double-check the safety rope,” Kabir continued, leaning in closer with a cheeky smirk.
“But the real problem was that I was completely distracted by how beautiful your eyes are. Seriously, Piya, I have never seen eyes as gorgeous as yours before.”
Sitting across from them, Misha rolled her eyes so hard they almost got stuck.
She looked at him with absolute disgust.
‘”Here he goes again,”‘ she muttered under her breath.
“I mean it,” Kabir said softly, ignoring Misha.
“You are so special, Piya. So special.”
Piya couldn’t help but laugh at his ridiculous charm.
“Oh, please. Just shut up, Kabir,” she replied, lightly shaking her head.
Before Kabir could try another pickup line, a loud groan of pain echoed through the canteen.
The three of them turned around to see T (Tina) awkwardly hobbling through the doors.
She had clearly sprained her ankle and was heavily leaning on two of her friends, wincing with every step she took.
Misha’s eyes lit up with malicious amusement.
She leaned across the table and whispered in a deadpan, comedic tone, ‘”How did this high-and-mighty horse suddenly go lame?”‘
Piya quickly slapped a hand over her mouth, and Kabir abruptly looked down at the table, his shoulders shaking as they both desperately tried to hide their uncontrollable laughter.
“K, can you carry me in your arms to take me home?” T pouted at Kabir, wincing dramatically as she gestured to her sprained ankle.
“What?!” Kabir gasped, looking completely panicked.
Misha instantly jumped at the chance to tease him.
“Yes, Kabir! Go on, don’t be shy. Go help Miss T! Come on, Piya, let’s leave them to it.”
Snicker-laughing, Misha headed out of the canteen, swinging her bike keys around her finger.
A moment later, Kabir jogged outside after them, eager to escape T, who was limping behind with her friends supporting her on both sides.
“By the way,” T called out, trying to save face, “I’m throwing a party at my house tonight, so—” This story is hosted at g.com.
“Actually, I’m not coming,” Kabir interrupted, cutting her off immediately.
“What?!” Misha gasped in mock horror, a wicked grin spreading across her face.
“Oh, I get it… you have special plans for your dear “T”, don’t you? Go on, Mr. K, go enjoy your romantic evening with her!”
“No, no, Misha, it’s not like that!” Kabir pleaded desperately, rubbing his neck.
“There are some serious family issues at home. Please, try to understand…”
“Fine, fine,” Misha relented with a laugh.
“Misha… actually, I won’t be able to make it to the party either,” Piya spoke up softly.
Misha turned on her heel, her jaw dropping.
“What?! But why?!”
“Well, I really need to get back to my hostel room…” Piya started to explain.
“What the hell, Piya?!” Misha groaned, throwing her arms in the air.
“Why are you so eager to go back to that rotting, miserable hostel room to hang out with those smelly girls?”
“No, Misha, it’s not that, actually—”
“I don’t want to hear any “actuallys” or “factuallys”!” Misha cut her off bossily, slapping a helmet into Piya’s hands.
“You are coming with me, and that’s final. Right now! Consider it an order.”
As Piya swung her leg over the seat and sat down behind Misha on the bike, Kabir’s eyes widened.
He suddenly cleared his throat and blurted out, “Actually… since you guys are insisting so much, I guess I’ll come after all!”
Misha turned her head and gave him a deadpan look.
“What? But literally two seconds ago you said you had ‘serious family reasons’?”
Then she noticed where Kabir’s gaze was locked—staring straight at Piya—and she instantly understood.
“In that case, I’m coming too!” T announced, limping toward them.
Misha rolled her eyes and revved her engine, muttering under her breath, ‘”We don’t allow cripples at our party.
She’s already wobbling around without drinking a single drop… imagine what she’ll do after drinking!”‘