The Outing

The people have arrived at the campsite. They freshened up and took a rest for a while. In the evening, they had dinner and went down near the beach shore, where they lit a bonfire. 

All four, Kaaya, Kriya, Nimish, Akaay and their friends, were sitting around near the bonfire. They were having their moments of fun. They shared ghost stories, which left a few scared. Then they gossiped about their way to the site. They played songs, sang along and danced together. 

At one particular song, Nimish asked Kaaya for a dance. Kaaya, being hesitant, denied him, saying, "I cannot dance, sorry." Nimish stood for seconds, "Madam we don't have to be perfect. Whatever little we know let's pour that out in this sand and wind. Let's embarrass ourselves together to the extent that you'll forget what shyness means. Give me 30 seconds and I'll not disappoint us." Upon hearing it Kaaya came out bold and handed her hand for dance. Nimish gently put his hand around her waist at a distance without touching. He took care she was being comfortable and they danced for 10 minutes. While they were dancing, they were completely lost, staring into each other's eyes. They didn't even remember being around people. Everyone was adoring them. Kaaya asked Nimish to hold her around, and they moved around. While doing so, kaaya, having a heads up, was laughing her heart out. Akaay threw his fist in the sand and stood aggressively, gesturing for Kriya to dance. Kriya and Akaay joined other couples and friends for a dance. Kriya put her hands around Akaay's neck and was staring him while Akaay stared at Kaaya and Nimish. Akaay's friend sensed jealousy in his eyes and brought him normal as they cheered. Akaay's attention was caught off and he enjoyed with Kriya. Akaay always enjoyed dancing with Kriya but this time it was different. He couldn't match the pace, the moves and the chemistry was slightly off. Kriya sensed the off vibes.

After dancing for a while they got tired. They sat around the bonfire again, and everyone was doing their stuff. As they sat apart Kaaya and Nimish gave each other intense eye contact. Almost everyone left for their room. Kriya also left early with her friends, while Akaay showed a willingness to sit by the bonfire. Kriya had left her phone, and Nimish hurried back to return it to her. "Hey, I'll be back soon, Kaaya; wait for me here." Akaay and kaaya were left alone. It was dropped dead silence. Kaaya was lost enjoying chilled winds, bonfires, and the sound of sea waves. Akaay coughed. Kaaya handed him a bottle of water without looking at him. 

Akaay while staring at the moon sang a few lines from the song "Hard Times" from the album "Last Drag" by Family Wagon, 
"I live for love in the hard times
Even if it takes me my whole life
Don't lose sight
In the hard, hard times
My queen don't drag her heels
My queen don't drag her heels
Steppin' small when she slows down, she answers back
I look for you tonight
Under every neon light
In the hard, hard times"

Kaaya, in the end, was staring cluelessly at him. After he was done singing, Akaay took permission to ask Kaaya a thing to which she agreed. "You and Nimish seem pretty close now." Kaaya nodded her head in agreement. "I want you to be as relaxed as you're with him now. Remember the old days when we were roaming around together, hanging out together like we were all in for each other? Like that? Is it too late for you to consider me like the old golden days?" Kaaya gave him a smirk. Before she could answer, Nimish came running. "Sorry, I took so long to return. What's up?" Akaay sarcastically said, "Hey, you're always being her sidekick, considering you cannot leave her alone." Nimish rolled his eyes and replied, "I'm not here for you." Kaaya got up, "I'm feeling sleepy and I'm heading out. Good night." Akaay muttered to himself, "Always, when you find yourself in hard conversations it's best escape you come with." Kaaya heard what Akaay said and she deliberately stayed there for some time. Akaay and Nimish showed a willingness to sit for a moment. 

Akaay asked Nimish, "So what happened with the girl from the picture." Nimish gave him a confused look. "The little girl whose picture you were staring at the other night. One-sided love, huh?" Kaaya curiously and teasingly, "Oh, how come I and Kriya don't know about this childhood love of yours... please tell us about her if comfortable!" Nimish blushed. Nimish started saying, "I met this girl at my aunt's wedding, and since that day, she has stayed in my heart. One-sided as it is, it's love... Now, I won't share anything further; otherwise, a jinx will happen." Nimish Kaaya both chuckled. Akaay gave a humiliated laugh, "Jinx, really?" Nimish asked Akaay, "Leave my story, what about you? Have you ever been left confused with the two best choices? Where you cannot keep both and have to choose one?" Upon hearing the question Kaaya coughed a little. Kriya from behind joined them which saved Akaay from answering the question. 

Kriya sat with them, "Hey what were you discussing before? I heard something about choices." Akaay waved his hand, ignoring the question, "Oh,, it's nothing, we were discussing the secrets we didn't tell anyone and..." Kaaya interrupted the conversation, "..and I got to know Nimishhasg childhood love which he kept secret from us." Kriya, "Hawww ..... It's surprising!" They all laughed except Akaay. Kriya, "If it's the moment, I want to ask you something to you,, Kaay,a, if you're okay being with it." Kaaya nodded her head..."So the other day, I heard your conversation with Dodo where you guys were talking about someone; you addressed him as SHITHEAD, you were resistant to reaching out to him, and Dodo was telling you that it was okay if you wanted to reach out to him. Considering the conversation, it must be your ex, so why didn't you reach out to him?" Nimish, "That wasn't a question but the whole story itself!" Akaay, "Agreed, you still have this habit of explaining Kaaya." Everyone gave him a stare; Kriya said, "Akku, that was me who asked her the question." "Oh yes. Your names are so similar it always twists my tongue. Let's hear what Kaaya has to say, not reaching out to the guy." Kaaya answered the question, "He always used to say I don't find girls they come find me. So anytime when I missed him and wanted to text him, I remembered, got this feeling that there was, there is and there will always be a girl in his phone who doesn't have to text or call him first.... He would do it for her but now it won't be me but someone else. And I did reach out to him twice but I ended up hurting myself and maybe him as well. He had a colleague who greatly cared for him, which left me feeling replaced. I've bid many goodbyes to my loved ones, now I'm afraid to say hello " Everyone got silent with her answer. "Anyway, it's too late. Shall we get going? I'm sleepy. Everyone headed back. As they were approaching, Nimish, in a little louder voice, said, "Hey Kaaya, listen this up." Kaaya and Kriya turned around to hear what Nimish had to say, "Your answer made me realise something; I read somewhere when you fall for the right one, you rise. Do not let yourself down." Nimish and Kaaya both gave Akaay a stare while he was staring back at them. 

The next early morning all left for their home. Upon arriving at their respective places everyone freshened up and rested. It was Sunday morning; Kaaya and Kriya were sitting at the table discussing the fun they had over a cup of coffee. As they were discussing, a message popped into Kriya's cell. It was from Raj, Akaay's friend. He happened to share some pictures. One of the pictures was from a car drive where Akaay was sitting in the middle, divided by Kaaya and Kriya. They had laid down their heads on his shoulders and had fallen asleep. Kriya adored the picture and showed it to Kaaya, "Ki and kaa see this we look cute together, don't we?" Kaaya got awkward. "Yes indeed you guys look good together." "Oh no, ki, I was talking about us three. Imagine the wild scenario of the three of us getting stuck in a love triangle... How fascinating that would be..." Kaaya was pissed at it, "It will not be any fascinating. It'll end up hurting us badly. I was never interested in sharing sits with your boyfriend,, but unfortunatel,y, I had to. I'm going out for a walk I'll be back." Kriya was clueless about Kaaya's reaction; she couldn't notice the changes Kaaya had shown for a few days. Kriya worried about the sudden change in her behaviour. After an hour, Kaaya was done walking, and she sat on a bench near the park. She let Kriya know. Kriya, on the other hand, decided to join Kaaya after finishing up the chores to bring the change she noticed... Akaay came from behind, "Mind if I sit!?" Kaaya nodded and gestured for him to have a seat. 
19/01/2025