We had been sitting on the rock for about two hours—just talking and sharing anecdotes—when my phone began buzzing. I stopped mid-sentence and excused myself, pulling out my phone from my purse to see missed calls from Rakhi and Mitali. It didn't take a genius to know that they were probably drunk or close to it. Rakhi had always been the sensible one amongst us, and Mitali the wildest. While Rakhi contemplated over her decisions—weighing the pros and cons, Mitali dived in headfirst.

I lay somewhere in between the two extremes although I supposed I was more like Mitali.

Sighing, I called them back—preparing myself for their assault. Even over the phone, Mitali could be as assertive as she was in person. I waited for a few rings before growing impatient and cutting the call. Just then a message arrived from the devil:

How's sexyyy non-date goinngfgsjg?!

I growled softly at the message. Beside me, Akash laughed. "You're like a little tiger cub."

I glanced at him with contempt before looking down at my phone again. I honestly didn't know what to reply so I just shut my phone and stuffed it inside my purse again.

"You have to go?" Akash asked.

"Hmm.. I don't know actually. I guess it'd be better if we head back in sometime. They've probably lost it already." I chuckled softly. "Besides, we've got an early flight tomorrow. Honestly though, why do we have an early flight tomorrow."

"Lapse in judgement, I guess."

"Your friend is a shit planner," I grumbled, then considered what I'd said. "No offence."

He laughed again—that deep throaty laugh that left me shivering. "None taken. I'll pass on the feedback though."

"Aren't you gonna introduce him anyway. I'll tell him myself."

I sounded tired and grumpy. Despite the high I felt whenever I talked to Akash, I didn't have it in me to continue the conversation. I probably wouldn't have realised just how tired I was if I hadn't glanced at the time on my phone. It was close to midnight and way past my bedtime. Well my normal bedtime anyway. The thought of waking up early the next day repulsed me.

"Honestly though," I began after a few seconds of silence. "People are bound to get drunk tonight. Why the hell would you book an early flight?"

"I can see the diva popping out of that introverted shell you live in." Akash joked.

I pouted and turned to face the sky. Fine. Maybe I was a little tipsy after a few drinks. We'd upgraded from beer after our first can and now my thoughts were all over the place. It didn't help that my conversation with Jack still loomed over my head, and that I'd had a few cocktails before this. I should've just stopped the girls from forcing me to drink before coming.

Despite the fact that it was really late, the music was still on. The market had closed down and the lights extinguished, but people were still raving near the stage. It was such a contrast from where Akash and I were seated. We couldn't hear them, but occasionally the shrieks reached us—faintly. "I'm sorry you couldn't go with your friends today." I apologised, looking pointedly towards the source of the music.

Akash shook his head. "It's no problem, Sara." My name rolled off his tongue and I wanted him to say it again. And again. And again.

Preferably while we were naked in bed.

Okay, I was definitely more than just a little tipsy. I set down my drink and pushed it away from me. At least I still had enough rational thought to do that.

"I didn't feel like going myself. So don't worry. I was pretty relieved when you said you wanted to go somewhere quiet instead."

Satisfied with his reply, I turned away from him again. It was so peaceful here and the silence that enveloped us was comfortable. I felt like I had known Akash for years. It usually took me longer to warm up to a person, but there was something about him that was comforting. Even when we weren't talking, just the fact that he was there felt like a reassurance in itself.

The breeze was so cool and the sky so blue, that I lied down on impulse—my front facing the stars. I could feel Akash's gaze on me but I looked up. If I tuned out all the sounds around us, it would feel like I was in space—drifting in a sea of navy blue.

And in that moment, I felt so small compared to the infinite sky. It was ridiculous that these thoughts popped into my head right now.

When I closed my eyes and opened them again, I imagined seeing a different sky, being in a different place. I used to do this all the time in New York. I'd just lie down on the roof or the balcony and stare up at the sky. All I could think was that we were so small and insignificant. It was on one of those nights, when I was feeling particularly philosophical, that Jack had joined me. I had been standing then, with my hands resting on the railing of the balcony. My head had been spinning as I stared up at the glittering night sky. It felt like the weight of the universe itself was forcing me to fall backwards.

Jack had taken one look at my face and chuckled. I had told him then—what I thought whenever I looked up at the sky like this. How it overwhelmed me and humbled me that I was not even equivalent to a speck of dust.

Sprinkling salt water hit my face and I blinked, pulling back from my reverie. The starless sky of my memories faded away, replaced by a sky with scattered clouds and stars. It took me a moment to realise where I was—more importantly, who I was with.

Jacques Holden would be the death of me.

Stiffening, I scrambled to my feet, startling Akash. His eyes found mine in the darkness and he asked, "Are you okay?"

I flashed him a fake smile before dusting off my dress. Luckily, it wasn't completely ruined but I definitely wouldn't be able to wear it without getting it cleaned. I'd have to do that in Chandigarh.

Akash got up and stepped closer to me. My heart thundered against me chest. His eyes were slightly glazed but still held that glimmer of mischief they always did.

I stopped breathing.

He took another step towards me and I tried to imagine what we looked like to an onlooker. It was so instagram worthy—this moment. Just two dark silhouettes with the backdrop as the ocean, mere shadows created by the soft moonlight.

His face inched closer to mine, and I was sure he could hear it—my pulse leaping and my heartbeat echoing through my body. It was similar to how I'd felt before, weeks ago.

And then I remembered who it was that had stimulated those feelings. Closing my eyes for a moment, I took in the feel of Akash's breath fanning my face softly. My earlier goosebumps were gone. I felt repulsed by myself. How could I possibly feel this way.

I opened my eyes again, only to see that he was staring at me. His face lit up with a ghost of a smile. Flustered, I looked away and studied my strappy slippers. I felt him shift slightly, his hand moving up to grasp my arm softly.

I couldn't do this. I inched away from his grasp and broke the spell. "Should we go?" I asked softly.

The moment transcended. I couldn't bare to face him. It was still for a second before Akash replied in his usual cheerful tone, "Sure."

Snapping my gaze away from my feet, I looked at him. He was smiling softly despite what had happened only a few seconds ago. Gratitude and respect filled me as I smiled back at him. Picking up the brown teddy bear and my abandoned drink, I turned to face him. His face was apologetic as he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

I shook my head and replied, "It's okay. I'm sorry."

Akash shrugged it off before offering me his hand. I stared at it for a moment. "You know, it doesn't mean that you're off the hook." He joked.

My gaze snapped to his.

"You owe me another date, Goenka." He winked.

His hand was still outstretched, beckoning for me to take it. "Anything to please his majesty." I threw in a curtsy for good measure.

Laughing, he flexed the fingers of the hand he had offered and raised an eyebrow. I took his hand tentatively and entwined my fingers with his. My feelings were so juvenile and the alcohol certainly didn't help. I could barely think straight. One moment I was here, and the next I was back home.

Luckily, the exchange between us had sobered me up slightly and my emotions were coming back in line. Jack, alcohol and Akash were definitely not a good combination. Something told me that I would have to keep that in mind for the future.

Shaking my thoughts away, I focused on getting off the boulder which proved to be harder than the ascent. My slippers were of no use and after a few annoying steps down, I took them off. Akash climbed down effortlessly, always stopping and turning back after every step. His hand was the only thing that prevented me from falling and breaking my nose and I was grateful for that support. Although, I was a little envious too as I eyed his trekking boots. Initially, I'd looked at them with amusement, but it sure did prove to be useful.

After a few painstaking minutes, I finally jumped down the last step before squealing. "Shit." Akash hissed, crouching down to my feet. He asked me to lift my feet and I did—my face flushed.

"That's gotta hurt like a bitch," he muttered.

Slowly he pulled out the few pieces of stone that had cut through my skin, then did the same for the other foot before forcing me to strap on my slippers.

"Chill. It doesn't hurt that much. Yet. I've got alcohol in my system." I reassured him, putting both my hands on his shoulder.

"Yeah, just finish your drink we'll bandage it once we get to the hotel," Akash said. He paused and regarded me for a moment. "You're blushing."

He sounded amused now.

I took a huge gulp of my drink, hugging the teddy bear tighter. "My panties are kind of in your line of sight." I blurted before slapping a palm to my mouth.

"Fuck." I groaned into my hand, embarrassed.

Akash stared at me in shock before leaning back and laughing. I'd seen him laugh, but not like this. He looked like he was choking as he struggled to keep his balance, but to no avail. He fell back on his ass and somehow managed to make that look graceful. I scowled as I waited for his laughter to subside.

"You're something else entirely when you're drunk, Sara," he managed to wheeze out.

"I'm not drunk. I'm even worse when I'm drunk so I hope you never have to see it." I grumbled, sidestepping him.

I heard him get back on his feet behind me and follow me. "I hope to god that I get to see it."

"You won't."

He laughed in reply.

I stomped away, ignoring the soft pricks that shot through my feet with each step. He followed me, his laughter still ringing in the air between us. I was never drinking again. At least not when he was near.

I turned back to see his expression. He smiled at me complacently before digging his hands into his pockets, and shrugged. I growled—

"You won't!"

~~~
A/N:
Yayy! Another update! I loved writing this chapter! For those of you rooting for Akash, I'm sorry 😅

Please don't forget to vote and comment :) any feedback is appreciated. <3