6. The Green-Eyed Monster #2
Glasses were passed, laughter echoed and flashes from phone cameras captured the moment. ‘To HoA for bringing us together, and Jai for closing Harrods!’ Ayaan declared loudly. The group clinked their drinks, cheering as they tossed them back in chaotic unison.
As the night progressed, the music thumped louder, drinks flowed freely and inhibitions lowered. A large group had moved to the dance floor. Yuvraj was flirting with someone near the bar, and I’d spotted Ayaan sneak away with a woman.
‘I heard you graduated from Oxford,’ Isha said, tucking her hair behind her ear. ‘How was it?’
‘I did. Terrible weather, but they were the best few years of my life.’
My attention strayed to the other end of the table. Rishi said something, making Ananya laugh. My eyes lowered to my drink. I ran a thumb along the rim of my glass and took a swig of my Scotch.
‘You must have stories,’ Jasmine said, leaning in. ‘What’s the craziest thing you did there?’
‘Snuck a six-foot inflatable flamingo into a ball,’
I replied. ‘We got caught only when someone floated it in the quad fountain.’
‘Oh my God,’ she exclaimed, and they laughed loudly.
Ananya looked at me for a moment before she focused on Rishi again. What was he talking about that was so engaging?
‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you give off a very “broke-someone’s-heart-at-university” vibe,’ Isha giggled.
I wasn’t clueless. Or flattered.
They might be drunk enough to be bold, but I wasn’t interested.
I stood up, wanting an escape. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you ladies have had too much to drink,’ I said with a polite smile. ‘Let me get you some water.’
I walked away and then glanced back. Ananya was smiling, and a guy I didn’t recognise pulled Rishi into a hug.
I felt a flash of irritation, sharp and swift. The music had gotten so loud that it was hard to hear my own thoughts. Everyone around me was drunk and dancing, or hooking up with someone they’d just met. What the hell am I doing?
Leaning against the bar, I flagged down a bartender and gave him my card. ‘I’d like to pay the bill for that table,’ I said, pointing to it. ‘And please send over two glasses of water.’
He took the card with a nod. I shot Ayaan and Yuv a quick text.
I sent another to Dilip, telling him to come pick me up.
Ananya walked over. ‘I’m ready to head home. Just wanted to say goodbye.’
‘So am I,’ I replied. ‘Let’s go.’
The place was packed, dancing bodies pressed close and servers snaked through with drinks held high. Ananya barely made it a few steps ahead.
‘Follow me,’ I said, shouldering forward without waiting, clearing a path and making sure she was right behind me.
The deafening music cut off once we stepped past the doors. I exhaled, the calm washing over me like relief.
She pulled out her phone and opened the Uber app.
‘Don’t even try,’ I said. ‘I’m dropping you home.’
‘I live in Bandra,’ she said as if it were a reason not to do it.
‘I know.’ Thankfully, she didn’t argue any further.
Dilip arrived in the car. I told him the address, and he pulled away from the curb.
I stared out the window, looking at the city blur past, painted gold by the streetlights, but remained acutely aware of Ananya sitting cross-legged beside me.
Her laughter from earlier lingered in my head. So free, contagious. The way she tossed her head back, exposing the delicate column of her throat. The way her shoulders shook.
For some inexplicable reason, it felt like a splinter lodged beneath my skin.
‘Had fun?’
I glanced at her. ‘Yes. And I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to crash your party.’
Her face remained in shadows, but the passing lights lit it up in flashes, offering me fleeting glimpses – the sweep of her lashes, the hint of her smile. ‘You didn’t. Everyone had a lot of fun,’ she said, then added, ‘You don’t seem very drunk.’
‘I’ve only had two drinks.’
‘No way.’ Her brows lifted. ‘Really?’
‘I was out with my employees,’ I said. ‘It didn’t feel appropriate to indulge.’
‘You bought shots for everybody.’ She tilted her head, giving me a look. ‘I think that ship sailed a long time ago.’
‘I didn’t want to seem uptight and ruin their night. Drinks are a good way to loosen people up.’
A pause, then something shifted in her expression. Softened. ‘That’s very sweet of you.’
I nodded. We had almost crossed the sea link. It wouldn’t be long before we reached her building.
‘And you?’ I asked. ‘Did you enjoy yourself?’
‘Mmm …’ Her teeth sank into her bottom lip. ‘A little bit. I would have had more fun if I knew everyone better.’
‘I thought you and Rishi were close?’ The words escaped my mouth before I could stop them. Chai breaks at her desk. Easy laughter. That hug tonight. My fingers gripped the armrest.
‘He’s a good friend, yes,’ she said. ‘I did have fun with him. Until his boyfriend arrived and they … got busy.’
I blinked.
Wait – boyfriend?
The word hung in the air.
Something in me loosened, inexplicably so.
‘Good timing,’ she added. ‘I was ready to leave at that point.’
She didn’t say anything else. Neither did I. My thoughts were a jumbled mess.
I turned to the window, jaw tight.
I was still reeling from that spark from the brush of our knees, from a casual hug that left a bitter aftertaste and the sudden lightness a simple truth brought.
The car rolled to a stop in front of Ananya’s building.
She turned to me, a hand on the door and a shy smile on her face. ‘Thank you for dropping me off. You didn’t have to …’
‘Have a good night, Ananya.’
She nodded. ‘You too.’
She stepped out, and the door clicked shut behind her.
I watched as she walked past the gates and disappeared up the stairs.
And all that remained was a soft floral scent and a sinking realisation.
I’m in deep shit.