It was the day of Soul Threads. 

We had decided to chill on the beach and save our energy for the long night ahead of us. Yug had been in contact with Neel ever since the first night and he had volunteered to get us the tickets. Nobody really knew about them but they sure were puzzled by Yug's enthusiasm for a fashion show. Vahni, Deepani and I were genuinely excited about it. Sarah and Matt had left for their conference in the morning and we were gearing up for the show. 

I pulled out my prettiest dress which was also the one I had worn on the day of Fresher's party. I was glad I had packed it despite my reservations of it being too dressy for Goa. Occasions like these crop up at times. 

Vahni on the other hand was trying one outfit after another, frustrated at not finding something appropriate. 

"Do you want to borrow something of mine?" I offered.

"Ugh! If you have something nice," she answered from the bathroom. 

"I have this blue top you might like," I said as I pulled out my own suitcase. 

Lying on top was the shirt Angad had lent me. I smiled to myself as I put it aside carefully and looked for the top. I hadn't given it back yet. I wanted to wash it before I could since I had worn it while playing Volleyball. Also, okay, maybe I wanted to hold on to it a little longer. I would have plenty of time to return it. 

I gave Vahni the top and she tried it on. 

"Hmm," she mused looking in the mirror, "maybe if I layer it?" 

Vahni pulled out a white shirt of her own, draped it on and tucked it into her shorts. 

"Looks great!" I said.

"Yeah, I will have to wear a bold lip colour and high heels but I am not mad at this outfit," she said.

I hopped into the shower once her outfit was finalized and came out. 

"That is your Fresher's party dress, right?" she asked.

"Yeah," I said looking for the hairdryer.

Whatever she said next was drowned out in the noise of the hairdryer because I switched it on. She didn't repeat so I assumed it was nothing important. 

Half an hour later we walked out to meet everyone else in the lobby. Yug looked especially cute in his striped tee. I complimented him and he thanked me. I spotted Angad nearby with Deepani and Shreyas. Siddharth was nowhere to be seen.

"Sid's not coming," Yug said when he found me looking.

"Oh," I said a little disappointed.

"C'mon, you of all people know he needs his space right now," he nudged me. 

"I know and I respect that. I just can't help but feel... sad." 

"It's not always going to be like this," he squeezed my shoulder gently and I nodded. 

***

We reached the venue which was teeming with people. Seemed like Soul Threads was very popular. Our seats were all the way in the back because of the last-minute purchase of our tickets. 

We hadn't taken our seats yet and were taking in the frantic, charged atmosphere of the event. The main event hadn't even begun and yet it seemed abuzz with excitement and chatter. There was supposed to be a dance performance in a bit.

Someone tapped on my shoulder and before I could turn around I saw Yug break into a huge smile. 

"Neel," he said a little breathlessly.

I turned around and found why. Neel looked even more like a Bronze god with his hair styled to perfection and his skin glistening. He was wearing something that looked like harem pants and his perfect washboard abs were on display since that was the extent of his ensemble. 

"Hey," I smiled at him.

"Hi yourself," he smiled "Glad you could make it."

"Of course," I said, "Wouldn't miss it." 

His eyes turned to Yug and he gave him one of his smiles too. So far he hadn't acknowledged anybody else but to be fair to him Vahni hadn't met his eyes because she was distracted by his abs, Angad was glaring daggers at him and Shreyas and Deepani were ignoring all of us. 

"Can't wait to see you walk the ramp," Yug said.

"Thank you," he said, "Oh, meet me once the show ends. I will give you directions for the party." 

"Sure thing. I will give you a call." Yug said.

Neel smiled at him again and then patted his shoulder before turning around and walking away. Yug stared after him and then sighed. 

"God," I laughed "Dial it down a little."

Yug mock frowned at me, "I know what I'm doing."

We went and took our seats after that. The show turned out to be really fun. Yug was probably yelling the loudest when Neel walked out. He kind of deserved it though. I had seen my fair share of handsome men but he took the cake. 

It wasn't like these guys weren't good looking. In fact, Angad was probably the hottest guy I had seen with the rest of the Red Wagon members very close behind (Maybe I say Angad is the best-looking one because I am biased?). Over the course of the year, I had gotten somewhat used to their gorgeous faces. 

Neel strutted to the end of the ramp and then walked back. Easily the best looking. 

The show ended soon after and we walked with the rest of the audience. We waited for Neel but he couldn't come out in time. He texted Yug the address and told us to head on ahead. We did just that and drove to the venue. 

The party was raging already. Music thumped out from one of the biggest clubs I had ever seen. The party didn't stay confined within the walls though. People were also spilling outside. Some were strewn across the entrance, some were making out on the ledge, some stumbling around. To a bunch of sober people, this scene was daunting. 

"Should we go in?" I asked doubtfully.

"We could always go back to the hotel," Angad suggested. 

"Are you kidding me? Haul your asses inside!" Yug all but screamed. 

All of us scuttled in obediently. 

Immediately I was at the bar next to Angad ordering drinks. Getting buzzed was the only way to endure this party and maybe even have fun. Vahni dragged us all to the dance floor soon after. Yug had one eye on his phone and the other on the entrance. 

When Neel hadn't come in after a full hour, he propped himself on a stool against the bar. The last thing I wanted to do was to leave Angad's side at this moment but Yug seemed so despondent that I had to console him. 

"Hey," I said sitting on the stool next to him. 

"Hey," he said dejectedly.

"Cheer up man. He will come eventually and even if he doesn't then screw him! There are so many hot guys here. Let me be your wingwoman." 

"I thought we had something," he lamented. 

"Yug, you have known him all of three days and have met him twice for a brief conversation." 

"You should see how flirty he was over text," he said and pulled out his contact and scrolled through. Wow, they sure had texted a lot in the three days. 

"Maybe he got stuck somewhere?" I offered helpfully. 

"I am going to wait up for a bit but I don't think he is. My love life sucks." 

"Hey! Don't say that." I admonished him. 

He sighed and ordered another drink. I gulped down another shot in solidarity. 

***

I was heading back to the bar after standing in the long queue for the washroom when I spotted Neel. I grinned as I walked up to him. 

"Neel," I called out his name to get his attention.

Yug was going to be pleased. Neel met my eye and smiled back. He was surrounded by what seemed to be adoring fans. Not that I blamed them. Neel still looked every bit as gorgeous fully clothed in ripped jeans and a black V-neck. 

Neel waded his way through the crowd and grabbed my hand and led me a little distance. 

"Hi there," he grinned at me. 

"We thought you weren't going to make it. Yug's been waiting." I said and then instantly regretted it. Maybe Yug did not want Neel knowing he was waiting for him. 

Neel didn't acknowledge or react to that so I felt relieved. Maybe he hadn't heard me. It was pretty loud where we were standing. 

"You wanna go someplace quiet?" he asked. 

"Sure, don't you want to meet everyone else though?" I asked puzzled. 

"Later," he said before leading me further away from the party. 

Warning bells went off in my head but I didn't immediately walk away lest it felt rude. Maybe he wanted to talk about Yug. Neel stopped once we were in the far corner. It was dimly lit and I could make out silhouettes of other couples besides us. 

"What are we doing here?" I asked, praying it wasn't what I thought. 

"Why I thought it was obvious," he said and then leaned down a little. 

I pushed his chest back. He barely moved but stopped. I frowned at him.

"But Yug's the one you're interested in," I said more as a fact than a question. 

He furrowed his brow for a second before he feigned a look of understanding. 

"Sure, sure. But you are the one I really like," he said and leaned in again. 

This time I pushed him as hard as I could and to my satisfaction, he stumbled back a little. My mouth was agape with anger and outrage. 

"You don't know who I am talking about," I said incredulously. This wasn't a question either.

He sighed deeply but looked largely unbothered by my accusation. Like this was a minor nuisance he couldn't wait to resolve itself.

"Hey, I didn't say that babe-" he said in a soothing tone but I cut him off.

"Do you even know my name?" I asked.

Now he had the decency to look at least a little embarrassed. 

"Of course I do," he said and then paused before looking back at me triumphantly, "Myra!" 

"Unbelievable!" I shook my head and walked past him resisting the urge to slap him. 

He then had the audacity to grab onto my hand to stop me from leaving. 

"C'mon babe. Let's not blow this out of proportion. We're two beautiful people enjoying each other's physical forms. Like Shakespeare said, 'What's in a name?'. Right?" 

"Let go of my hand before I break every bone in your fingers. It will be painful," I grit my teeth. 

"Ooh, you're feisty," he said and then two things happened simultaneously.

I slammed the pointed heel of my shoe into his shoe and a fist landed on his jaw out of nowhere. The impact of both of those things had him yelling out in pain and stumbling away. He let go of my hand and I looked around in shock and found Angad nursing his hand.

"You punched him!" I said in disbelief.

"He had it coming," Angad said. 

"Hey, what the fuck!?" Neel yelled out from behind us.

He was crouching on the floor with his hand on his jaw. Clearly in pain. I felt no sympathy for the asshole. As a finishing touch, I took an abandoned glass nearby that had most of its contents and emptied that on him. 

Then I walked away from him as fast as I could. He kept yelling out curses but we soon melted into the crowd. I took my phone out and texted Yug.

Stay the heck away from Neel. Will explain later.

"Meera," Angad's voice jolted me, "Are you okay?" 

"Me? Perfect." I answered. 

"Why do you always end up in these situations? It's like you're a magnet for the worst kind of people," he said frustratedly. 

"Me? I do nothing of that sort!" I yelled, "I am never doing anything to end up in these situations. We are just surrounded by predatory creeps! Do you think I like this? And if you hadn't noticed I had the situation under control." 

Angad took a deep breath and his features relaxed. 

"You're right. It's not your fault. I just can't handle seeing you..." he paused and then ran a hand through his hair, "I have half a mind to find that creep and kick the living daylights out of him."

I held his intense gaze for a minute before turning away. That was all I could handle in this state. 

"It's not worth it. I need to find Yug before he gets his claws in him," I said looking around. 

When I couldn't find him anywhere I stalked out. Angad tried to reassure me that Yug would read my text and Neel wouldn't dare make a move on him anyway.

"Why do men have to be so insufferable?" I cried.

Angad followed out close behind. I took off my pumps and kicked the sand in frustration. 

"Men are the worst sometimes," he said sympathetically. 

"You know what I mean?" I said a little softly. 

I hoped he did. I didn't want to go into a long-winded explanation about men being trash at the societal level and that not everyone should take that statement personally. Least of all Angad who had been nothing but a friend and a gentleman to me. 

"I do," he said reassuringly, "I heard the last half of your conversation."

"Did you know Yug's been texting him constantly?" I asked, "He doesn't even remember his name. I mean how does someone stoop that low?" 

"I guess it's good we caught on early. He won't get really hurt this time." 

I shrugged and sat down on the small ledge nearby the entrance. Angad settled himself next to me. 

A comfortable silence settled between us. The music drifted out from the club and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore. It was very serene. The last time I had been out on the beach at night when Siddharth had confessed. 

"Meera!" Angad said suddenly, "Don't move an inch." 

I looked up startled and froze.

"What is it?" I asked, panicked. 

"There is a huge spider on your back. It's like the size of my fist."

"Oh my god! Get it off!" I screamed but dare not move.

"How? It's huge!" he screamed back. 

"Get a stick or something. Get it off please. Angad!" 

"Oh no! Meera. It's moving. Can you feel it? It's moving towards your hair! Maybe it wants to nest there. Lay eggs and all that!" 

I emitted the highest-pitched noise I have ever and jumped up before flailing about to remove the spider. I paused when I heard Angad's laughter. 

Slowly I turned and found him rolling about laughing.

"Y-your face-" he managed to gasp between paroxysms. 

"You are the worst of men!" I said and shoved him. 

"I am sorry but I was just getting back at you," he said sobering up. 

"Come on. You have to admit that was funny." he nudged me playfully.

I looked at his twinkling eyes and all of my feelings came rushing in to drown me. I smiled back at him fondly. This was the moment. I could feel it. It was now or never. I had to tell him I liked him. 

I took a shaky breath and turned to him. 

"Angad," I started, "I have to tell you something and it has to be now. I am at that perfect stage where I have enough liquid courage in me to do something bold but not too much that I am barely making sense."

Angad stayed motionless listening to me intently. 

"It's okay if you don't feel the same way. In fact, I would understand if you find me repulsive but I like you. I like you so much that it stings my heart to see you even talking to someone else. Hell, I might even be in love with you at this point. I know I was the one against the idea of us getting together but here I am. It sneaked up on me so gradually that I didn't know it myself till multiple people slapped me in the face with the facts. The fact of the matter is that I like you Angad Mehra and I would very much like to kiss you right now." 

He stared at me for a long moment after that. My heart was beating like crazy. The longer he stayed quiet the stronger my urge to jump in the sea grew. 

Had I made a complete ass of myself? This is why you don't put yourself out there, friends. 

"Angad please say something. Even if it's no." I pleaded. 

"Is this a joke?" he asked.

"Joke?" 

"Yeah, like a prank you're playing to get back at me for the spider thing."

"What? No! Of course not!" I defended. 

"It better not be or I am going to regret this," he said before leaning in and kissing me.