Chapter 5: The Kiss No One Forgot
I sat there, replaying the scene. This was probably the most we’d talked in all three years of high school.
And she’d been the one to start every conversation. My mind started to wander—could she actually like me a little?
Then I snapped back to reality. She was just being friendly. I was getting carried away over a bit of small talk.
Priya, already tipsy, staggered over and dragged me to Meera’s table.
She nearly tripped on the edge of her saree, giggling loudly. “Come, na! Why you sitting here like Devdas?”
It was just the two of them left, doing a drinking contest.
Meera had a bottle of Frooti in one hand, a paper cup in the other. Priya was laughing so hard she nearly spat her drink.
I joined in, and the three of us drank and played games together.
Until my head started spinning.
My mum called.
Her name flashed on my phone along with the family WhatsApp DP, reminding me of curfew, home, and leftover sabudana khichdi.
It was too noisy, so I stumbled into the next private room to answer.
I nearly tripped on someone’s school bag. The muffled sounds of Punjabi pop faded behind the closed door.
She just told me to drink less and come home early.
Maa’s voice was stern but caring. “Beta, don’t get into any trouble, okay? And don’t come home too late!”
After hanging up, I stretched—
And accidentally brushed someone’s face. I jumped in surprise.
My phone’s light revealed Ananya’s face, prettier than any movie heroine.
Her hair was spread out on the couch, and she looked so peaceful, as if she was just sleeping off the chaos of the world. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
Her eyes were closed, long lashes casting delicate shadows in the dim light, dusky skin, perfect features, and those rosy lips…
It was like one of those dramatic TV moments, slow-motion, filmy music in my head. For the first time, I noticed the tiny gold earring shaped like a butterfly on her ear.
My heart pounded. I stared at her for a long time.
The more I stared, the more I couldn’t hold back.
I wiped my palms on my kurta, muttering a silent, “Bappa, dekh lena.”
“Ananya, I like you. I’ve liked you for so, so long.”
My voice was so soft, I wasn’t sure if I’d spoken aloud. My palm was sweaty against my phone.
“Ananya, will you be my girlfriend?”
“If you don’t answer, I’ll take it as a yes.”
“Since you’re my girlfriend now, it’s not too much if I kiss you, right?”
So I kissed her, just a quick peck.
She stirred, as if waking. I panicked and jumped away.
She mumbled something, but at that moment, an alarm went off outside. I didn’t catch a word.
The wailing siren jolted me. My heart nearly stopped. I fumbled for my slippers, adrenaline rushing through me.
I bolted, and through Priya, got Meera to help Ananya out of the room.
The whole place was in chaos.
A waiter came over and explained that someone had accidentally pressed the emergency button, apologised, and calmed everyone down. Things finally settled.
The waiter—some college guy doing a part-time job—kept apologising, blaming a small kid who’d wandered in from the neighbouring party hall. Everyone laughed nervously and blamed the confusion on too much masti.
After all that, no one felt like partying anymore, so everyone headed home.
Meera helped Priya get Ananya into an auto, and Priya and I went our separate ways.
Meera waved at me as the auto chugged away, Ananya’s head slumped on her shoulder, city lights flickering past.