"Fuck!" Vrishali cursed after drowning down the shot. She picked the other and drowned it in one go. "Woah! What got into you?!" Aryan asked, wrapping his arm around an irritated Hailey. "Move your hand off my shoulder."

"Babe, how come you turned so hot?" Aryan asked Vrishali. Vrishali let out a giggle as she shared an amused look with Hailey. Michael joined the table and took the seat beside Aryan. "Met any chicks?" Aryan asked. 

"Nah, the freshers aren't here. Anyway, I'm waiting for our Belle. I'm yet to see her." Michael took a sip from Aryan's beer. "Don't touch mine." Hailey chuckled. "Isn't Belle with the dive group?"

"Was she? Where is the dive team? I hope the guys aren't hitting on her." Hailey and Vrishali snorted. "You can't expect boys not to hit on a hot girl. Belle has admirers, and you are no exception," Vrishali said. 

"Fuck, you are so true. I will go and find the guy, ya." Michael didn't wait for anyone's reply, so he was gone. Vrishali shifted her gaze to Hailey. "Let's dance!" Hailey shook her head. "I don't feel good. Later. . ." Hailey held her stomach as she felt it hurt for some weird reason. She had some chicken wings with Vrishali and Aryan two hours ago. They seemed fine, but her stomach hurt. 

Vrishali huffed and shifted her gaze to Aryan, who was eyeing the nearest boy gang. "Be my man on the dance floor." She pulled him along with her. Aryan groaned at having to leave his drink and the boys. A big smile spread across her face as people began making space for her. Once in the middle of the dance floor, she faced Aryan and wrapped her arms around him while he held her waist. 

"I want to dance with men!" Vrishali laughed. "And I want to dance with you." Aryan smiled and looked around. "Boys are going gaga over you! They don't mind having a dance and keeping you entertained." Vrishali shook her head as she started swaying her hips. "I don't want to." 

"Have you danced with your husband before?" Aryan was curious. "Nope, we never danced, and there was no chance." 

"Why?" 

"We aren't close, honey." 

"You aren't?" It came out as a question, and Vrishali nodded. "It wasn't anything like you imagined. We never really had a chance to hang out or date. On rare evenings, we had dinners together. We didn't—" Vrishali had no idea how to finish her sentence, so she stayed quiet. 

"What about the parties? You love parties; you didn't attend any club or pub with him?" Vrishali laughed, and Aryan was confused. She leaned closer. "We never had a conversation about our pastimes or anything like that. It was so different being in India. I had mixed feelings." Vrishali is speaking gibberish as she is high on alcohol. Aryan kissed her forehead. "I'm happy that you are back, and we get to live the way we always wanted to live our youth." 

Vrishali twirled and let out a giggle when she found the nearest guy trying to get her attention. Her attention was taken away by Xahria, who was dancing with a tall guy. "Anyway, I feel like your man is in love with you," Aryan said, Pulling Vrishali back into his arms. They weren't sure why they were having such a serious conversation on the dance floor, but what's the correct place? If not, a place where both of them were comfortable and at ease to speak. 

"Why do you think so? I never felt like he was in love with me." Aryan smirked. "He thought about your youth enough to send you back. He put you and your priorities first. It might not have come out as the best way to let you know, but you can't blame the guy for his mother's actions. I still believe the man is in love and loves you enough to put everything on hold." 

"I—I. . ." Aryan hushed her. "Don't overthink things. Take your time to process what I have said. Now, let's dance and have as many shots as possible, okay?"

"Kay!" They laughed and danced on the floor before taking a short break to have a drink when Tyson whisked Vrishali away from Aryan. "That wasn't very cool," Vrishali said, and Tyson laughed before removing his hands from Vrishali. "Sorry, babe. Missed you on the floor. Mind having a dance with me?" 

Vrishali doesn't have any problem dancing with Tyson. She had danced with him a couple of times. "Sorry, man. The girl is with me, and I have no plans of giving her away to anyone when she finally decides to show up." Tyson rolled his eyes at Aryan. Vrishali couldn't help but chuckle as Tyson left. 

"What's going on here?" Xahria asked, joining them at the bar. She was holding a red cup. "Hey, Xahria." Xahria winked at Aryan. "Last week's dance was hot; I was shouting my lungs out." Aryan chuckled— Taking Xahria's cup for a refill. "I saw what you did with Jasper. That was dirty."

"You think so? He was stupid." Aryan nodded in agreement. "Can't disagree on it." Vrishali was lost, but she doesn't care. Xahria and Aryan are part of the dance club and have been good friends since Vrishali met Xahria. Xahria took the place beside Vrishali. "Having fun?"

"Lots," Vrishali replied, and Xahria smiled. "Where are the other two?" Xahria took the cup from Aryan. "Aubree and Angel?" Vrishali nodded. "They aren't at the party. I came with Kreo and Kenric. Aubree's on a date, and I do not know what Angel is up to."

They sipped their drink while Aryan entered the crowd to see the boy crush who just showed up. "Is he going to hit on the boy?" They both watched Aryan. "No doubt, he has no fear." Vrishali narrowed her eyes at the boy. "I haven't seen him before."

"A couple of seniors have transferred this year. They are in gymnastics." Vrishali was surprised to hear this. "They can do that? People in academia transfer, but students from sports backgrounds – doesn't it affect their performance?" 

Xahria finished her drink and threw the cup in the dustbin before turning around to make herself a new one. "They rarely transfer if they aren't happy with their coach or training and have better opportunities. They do transfer if they are taking part in the Olympics." 

"Woah. Is he one of them?" Xahria nodded. "Yes." Vrishali's gaze went to the drunken girls on stage. "Am I drunk, or are they actually flashing?" 

"They are. Haven't you seen the panties on the floor?" Vrishali shook her head. "Gross." Xahria finished her drink and looked for Kenric, who had gone out as he got a call. "People are dancing outside. Do you want to join me outside? It's getting hot over here."

"Sure." They both moved outside. People stopped them. Vrishali had no problem conversing, and having Xahria beside her was fun. Vrishali checked on Hailey, who left the party with their friend. 

*

Kreo wrapped his arm around Vrishali and maintained a comfortable distance as they danced to the music playing in the background. She had only spoken to him on a few occasions. Among the groups that Vrishali knew— Kreo and Xahria were the extroverts and outgoing.

"Are you comfortable? Do you want to drink some water?" Kreo has an accent that isn't the same as that of others in the group. "No, thank you. Let's have this one dance before calling it a night." Kreo smiled down at her. Xahria is dancing with Kenric beside them. As the song ended, the four of them stopped dancing. 

"That was amazing. It's nice having you with us again, Vrishali," Kenric said. Xahria and Kreo snorted. "Always formal." Vrishali laughed and whipped the sweat off her forehead. Aryan was sitting on the ground near the dance floor with a water bottle. "Well, do you want me to drop you off at your home?" Xahria asked Vrishali. 

"No, we are not going to home. We are crashing at Michael's or Aryan's dormitory. Drop us at the dormitories." Kreo nodded. "Sure, let me just pick Aryan up. He is completely wasted." Vrishali gave a grateful nod. Kreo easily picked up a drunken Aryan in his arms and gently held him. 

Xahria wrapped her arm around Vrishali. "Let's go babe."

*

Vrishali woke up with a banger. Her head was hurting, and there was a heavy weight on her stomach. Groaning, she looked at her stomach to see a leg. Her gaze went to Aryan, who was dead asleep beside him. She pushed off his weight and closed her eyes. 

"Are we staying in Michael's dormitory?" Hailey asked, her tone somewhat serious. "How did you end up here?"

 "Kreo found me somewhere and dropped me off here, saying you were staying here." Vrishali hummed, but her throat felt like sandpaper, and her head was spinning. She was on the verge of drifting off to sleep when her phone began to ring. 

"Where is the stupid phone?"

"Here." Hailey threw the phone and got comfortable on Michael's bed. Michael was nowhere to be found. Vrishali carefully stood up from the bed and walked over to the balcony. She closed the door and sat in the chair. She pulled out her phone, did not see the caller ID, and answered the call.

"Hello?"

Padmanabh held the phone and gazed out at the garden, uncertain of how to address her. He had been missing her for quite some time, and now that he had called her, he was unsure how to begin the conversation. "Hello, speak up before I end the call."

"Hello." Vrishali's brows frowned in confusion, not able to recognise the voice. "Who's this?" Padmanabh frowned. "Padmanabh" Vrishali pulled the phone away and looked at the screen before her eyes widened in horror. "Padmanabh?"

"Yes... How are you?" Vrishali closed her eyes and cursed inwardly. "I'm fine, and you?" A headache was creeping in, and she felt utterly drained. Yet, hearing his voice brought her happiness. "I'm fine." A silence enveloped them. Vrishali bit her lip as she awaited Padmanabh's words while he fumbled with his thoughts. He wished to say a few things but lacked the courage to express them over the phone. 

"Shit! Aryan bitch vomited all over the place. Michael passed out," Hailey said loudly, opening the door. "Shit! Shit!  I will be coming," Vrishali said, looking at Hailey. She didn't realize that Padmanabh could hear their voices. "Aren't you home?" Padmanabh asked.

"Ah? Oh no, I'm at a friend's dormitory."

"Sleepovers?"

Vrishali chuckled, "No— Well, we went to a party. Aryan and Michael got wasted. It was a good night, but the mess is too bad." He was about to say something when the call ended.  Padmanabh gazed at the phone as the call terminated before Vrishali could complete her sentence. He attempted to call back, but it indicated it was still ringing.

Vrishali cursed under her breath, looking at the blank screen. It is dead and she hasn't charged her phone for two days. "Why now!!!"

"Bastard! Why do you keep doing this? Next time, we won't crash here. I'm done cleaning him up!" Hailey scolded Aryan, pulling him towards the bathroom. "Where's the bloody switch?" she exclaimed, flicking on the switches. Padmanabh attempted to call Vrishali, but he was unable to get through. He sighed, glancing at the phone. He had been looking forward to conversing before she left for her classes. He wanted to ask all the mundane things. 

"Bloody hell." Vrishali groaned, holding her head as she surveyed the vomit on the floor. Meanwhile, Hailey was attending to Aryan and removing his clothes. Vrishali was scrubbing the mess on the floor with a cleaning stick, feeling as though she might lose her stomach in the process. This wasn't new for them; Vrishali always cleaned the floor while Hailey tended to Aryan.

Vrishali put the broomstick away and searched for the room freshener. When she didn't find any, she used Michael's perfume."Michael. . . Get up. . ." Vrishali said, patting Michael's cheeks. Michael groaned, turning on the floor.

Hailey pulled Aryan out of the bathroom. Vrishali walked over, helping Hailey. "Damn, he is too heavy."

"He is a fucking pig." After throwing Aryan on the bed. The girls picked up their things and closed the door behind them as they rushed to Vrishali's home to get ready. 

*

"Aryan, are you alright?" Mr Hamilton inquired. Vrishali turned her head to look at Aryan, who wore a black hoodie that covered his head. He had on black shades and stood with his arms crossed. "You do know, right? You are not allowed to wear shades in the class."

"I know Mr Hamilton, just this once. Excuse me, please," Aryan said, adjusting his position in his seat. "Bro, your phone's vibrating. Either put it on silent mode or check it," Hailey said, resting her head on the writing desk.

Mr Hamilton surveyed the class, noticing that most students were drowsy and uninterested in the lesson. "Did you all have a wild night? Is that why everyone seems so disengaged from what I'm saying?" Mr Hamilton looked slightly irritated. He had spent the entire night preparing the presentation for their better understanding. 

"Let's simply discontinue this presentation. Focus on your assignments and do as you wish, but this is the only occasion I will excuse you all. If I find anyone with a hangover in my class next time, I will send them out." Vrishali and Hailey exchanged a glance. "Trouble in paradise," Aryan muttered, resting his head on the desk. 

Vrishali paused for a moment to check the notifications on her phone. Hundreds of Instagram alerts flashed on the screen. One message stood out, prompting her to sit and click on it simultaneously. 

'Good morning. I tried contacting you last night and this morning. Hope everything is okay.'  

"Was the Wi-Fi down last night?" Michael groaned, replying, "Someone had turned off the router; there was no internet connection." He was looking at Hailey and Aryan. Hailey raised an eyebrow at Michael. "You and I both know it was me. It was a mistake. Was someone important going to call or text you?" 

"Belle tried to reach out, but I didn't receive any of her messages." Hailey looked away, aware that the hangover and irritation on Michael's face were not a good sign. 

'Sorry, Hailey accidentally turned off the WiFi router, and my phone died this morning.' Vrishali tapped her finger on the table, knowing she wouldn't receive any message from Padmanabh. It would take him some time to check her message and reply. To her surprise, the message was read, and three dots started appearing on her screen. 

'No, problem. Are you at your  university?'

'Yes.'

'Okay, have a good day.' Vrishali opened Google to check IST. 

'Aren't you asleep?'

'There's some pending work.' 

Vrishali rolled her eyes, reading the message.'Just go to bed, you can finish the work tomorrow. You stayed up late.' 

Padmanabh read the text three times as a smile played on his face. 'Okay.'

Vrishali couldn't help but laugh as she read his message. Hailey leaned over to see the screen. "What are you gushing about?" Once Hailey saw the name, she exclaimed, "Texting your husband?" It was meant to come out as a whisper, but it did not, as Lexie turned around in her seat. 

"What?" Hailey was startled and glanced at Vrishali for assistance. "My crush is messaging me." Lexie smiled before turning away. Hailey and Vrishali sighed and then laughed.