Music blared around Shubman, muting anything people around him said.

The loudness vibrated within him, making him feel the synergy of each transition.

He hadn't planned on coming to the party until Ishan convinced him otherwise.

"You go ahead," he'd said with his face as gloomy as ever. "I'll just stay home."

Yes, let him wallow in self-hatred and misery-

"Y/n will be there."

"I'll be ready in two minutes."

And here he is.

Shubman turned around in his bar stool, arms resting on the counter in front of him as he scanned the people in the club.

Hardik and Ishan were beside him and singing their life away.

Virat and Rohit, being the responsible ones (for now), sat on a couch and were accompanied by half a glass of orange juice.

Shreyas and Yuzi were lost in the middle of the dance floor.

Last he heard, Jaddu bhai was teaching Yashasvi his sword celebration, but with a stirrer spoon.

The bartender is still waiting for it anxiously.

And the rest were missing.

Shubman had been feeling much better after his brief episode that day.

Someone finally pointed out a 'key information' about the picture in the article.

He was not looking at someone else but at you. It was just different angles of the camera that made it seem otherwise.

Much better but there was concern for your privacy.

Shubman's eyes stayed on the other side of the club, unable to pry his gaze away.

The world around him drowned in fun and laughter but he could focus on none of it.

In a room full of people, all he sees is you.

"It's not even funny, Rhea," you cringed at the joke your colleague had told you, letting your head fall to the counter.

"What? That was my best one," she said and you raised your head up.

"Unimpressed," you took another sip of your whiskey.

"Ugh," Rhea groaned in response and looked around to distract herself from the defeat. "Y/n."

She called and you hummed in response.

"Red sequin dress," her eyes didn't waver. "2 o'clock. I think she might be into me."

You looked in said direction, eyes widening a little as you turned towards her again.

"I didn't expect this from you," you feigned shock. "I thought we were forever, babe."

"Don't worry," she jumped down the bar stool. "You'll find someone better."

You laughed a little, patting her back encouragingly as she decided to make the first move.

And there goes your ride home.

You sighed, concentrating on your drink again because the rest of ICT's staff were either too wasted or too sober.

Also the guy beside you was being annoying.

"Dude, can't you take a hint?" You'd rather down more alcohol than listen to his failed attempts at obnoxiously wooing you.

"You need to lose those boundaries," and you've known him for all but five minutes. "What's the point of life if you don't enjoy it a little?"

Rolling your eyes with another deep sigh, you controlled the urge to outright slam your head against the counter.

Or his head, if you were being more honest.

"Hey, I've been waiting for my Corpse reviver since forever," he turned to the bartender. Forever might be synonymous with two minutes in his dictionary.

Nonchalantly, you turned your head back, finally recognizing the eyes you'd felt on you.

Not uncomfortable, but intense.

You felt a bit selfish. Knowing he probably wouldn't ever return your feelings.

Knowing that in no less than a week, you'd leave. And you won't ever be talking with him if you were not in better than talking terms now.

But you could pretend his eyes meant something for now.

The eye contact made you feel like you were on top of the world.

Goosebumps raised on the back of your neck, not evading the chance to look into Shubman's eyes.

Like you were secret lovers, stealing glances and smiling when others weren't looking.

Gawd, you're delusional.

You needed to leave.

Turning around again, you gulped the entirety of the whiskey.

Or tried to.

When half of the drink was down your throat, you became aware of the taste being completely different from the previous sips.

You placed the glass back on the counter like it had burnt you, staring at it with suspicion.

Side-eyeing the stranger beside you, you tried to be subtle as you dipped a finger in the whiskey, watching as it changed color.

"Holy shit," you muttered to yourself.

Not sparing another glance at the guy who (acting) distracted beside you, you grabbed your sling bag and got off the bar stool, hightailing it to the nearest exit.

"Y/n," you heard a familiar voice as you walked amidst the crowd. "You're leaving already?"

You turned to find Shreyas, squeezed between people, only his head visible as he talked to you.

"I feel a little queasy," you tried to explain.

You looked behind out of instinct and that f-cker was walking towards you.

"Shrey, did you see Rhea-" You halted when he drifted away with the mass of high humans.

You'll look for her yourself.

Before that, you needed to breathe.

There, the exit.