Chapter 18: chapter 18

Chapter 18The week flew by in a blur of anticipation. Sourabh found himself caught between studying for exams and preparing for the party that Nikita had promised would be unforgettable. Every time he glanced at his phone, he saw her messages filled with excitement and details about the event.“Trust me, you’ll have the time of your life! Just remember to bring your sense of adventure!” she had texted.As Saturday night approached, Sourabh stood in front of the mirror, debating his outfit. He settled on a simple black T-shirt and jeans—something comfortable yet a bit stylish. His heart raced with a mix of nerves and excitement. He hadn’t been to a party in ages, and the idea of stepping into a new social scene was both thrilling and terrifying.“Alright, just be yourself,” he muttered to his reflection, giving himself a determined nod.When he arrived at the address Nikita had sent, he was greeted by the pulsating rhythm of music. The house was vibrant with colorful lights flashing against the walls, and laughter spilled out onto the front yard. He took a deep breath and stepped inside, immediately feeling the energy of the crowd wash over him.“Hey! You made it!” Nikita exclaimed, rushing over to him with a huge smile. She wore a fitted dress that sparkled under the lights, her pink hair pulled up into a playful bun. She looked like she owned the night.“Thanks for inviting me,” Sourabh said, feeling slightly out of place but trying to match her enthusiasm.“Are you ready to have some fun? First things first—let’s get you a drink!” she said, grabbing his hand and leading him toward the kitchen, which was packed with people mingling and chatting.Once they reached the drink station, Nikita poured him a cup of soda mixed with a splash of something colorful. “Here, this is non-alcoholic but super refreshing. You’ll love it!”Sourabh took a tentative sip and felt a burst of flavors. “Wow, this is actually good!”“See? I told you I’d make sure you enjoy yourself!” she said, grinning.They moved back into the living room, where a group of people was gathered around a game of beer pong. Sourabh watched, intrigued by the competitiveness of the players. He felt a little out of his element, but Nikita pulled him into the circle.“Alright, who’s ready for some fun?” she announced, clapping her hands together. “Sourabh, you’re playing with me!”“What? I’ve never played this before!” he protested, laughing nervously.“Exactly! That’s what makes it fun! Just aim for the cups,” she said, confidence radiating from her.As the game progressed, Sourabh found himself loosening up. He laughed as Nikita cheered and joked with him, and soon enough, they were both caught up in the energy of the game. Sourabh couldn’t help but feel a rush of adrenaline every time they scored a point, his earlier worries fading into the background.After several rounds and plenty of laughter, they decided to take a break. Nikita led him outside to a quieter area of the backyard, where the sounds of the party faded into a soft hum.“See? Not so scary, right?” she said, brushing her hair back with a carefree laugh. “You’re a natural!”“Thanks! I actually had a lot of fun,” he admitted, feeling a warmth spread through him.“So, tell me more about yourself. What do you like to do besides physics?” she asked, genuinely curious.Sourabh thought for a moment. “Well, I love reading—mostly sci-fi and fantasy. It’s a great escape.”“Nice! I’m into those genres too. We should swap recommendations sometime,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “And what else?”“I also play a bit of guitar,” he said, feeling slightly shy. “But I’m not very good.”“Guitar? You have to play for me! I bet you’re way better than you think,” she encouraged, nudging him playfully.Before he could respond, a couple of party-goers walked by, and one of them, a tall guy with a confident swagger, approached them. “Hey, Nikita! Who’s your friend?” he asked, sizing Sourabh up with an appraising glance.“This is Sourabh! He’s new to our little party scene,” she replied, a teasing tone in her voice.“Nice to meet you, man. I’m Kartik,” the guy said, extending his hand. Sourabh’s stomach dropped at the name, and he forced a smile as he shook his hand.“Oh, I know you,” Sourabh said, trying to keep his tone light. “You’re Nitya ma’am’s boyfriend.”Kartik smirked, an arrogant glint in his eyes. “Yeah, that’s me. What’s it to you?”“Nothing, just heard a lot about you,” Sourabh replied, maintaining his composure.Nikita shot him a quick glance, sensing the tension. “Kartik’s just being a jerk. Ignore him.”“Hey, I’m just having fun!” Kartik replied, raising his hands in mock innocence. “But really, you should lighten up, Sourabh. Not everyone’s as serious as you.”Sourabh felt his irritation bubbling but took a deep breath, reminding himself not to let Kartik get to him. “I’m fine, thanks.”“Right. Anyway, Nikita, we were just talking about our plans for the next big party. You should definitely come!” Kartik said, turning his attention back to her.“Yeah, sounds great!” Nikita replied, her tone indifferent. “But for now, I’m with Sourabh.”Kartik rolled his eyes but shot Sourabh a smirk before walking away. Sourabh felt a mix of relief and frustration as the guy disappeared into the crowd.“Sorry about that,” Nikita said, shaking her head. “Kartik can be a real piece of work.”“Yeah, I can see that,” Sourabh replied, feeling a renewed sense of determination. “But it’s fine. I’m here to have fun, right?”“Exactly!” Nikita said, her spirits lifting again. “Let’s dance! I can’t believe I haven’t gotten you on the dance floor yet!”“I’m not really a dancer…” Sourabh protested, but she was already pulling him back toward the lively music.“Just let loose! It’s all about having a good time,” she said, her laughter ringing in his ears.As they stepped onto the dance floor, Sourabh felt the beat pulse through him. He followed Nikita’s lead, and as the music enveloped them, he began to move, shaking off his inhibitions. For the first time in a long while, he felt free—caught up in the moment, surrounded by laughter and lights.Nikita twirled around him, her energy contagious, and he found himself smiling wider than he had in days. They danced together, lost in the rhythm, and in that moment, Sourabh realized he was starting to let go of the past.The party continued around them, and as the night wore on, Sourabh felt lighter, happier, and more alive than he had in weeks. With each laugh and every dance move, he felt a shift within himself—a gradual acceptance that life was full of unexpected connections and that maybe, just maybe, he was ready to embrace this new chapter.As he glanced at Nikita, who was lost in her own world of joy, he felt a spark of hope. Perhaps this was what moving on looked like—a chance to create new memories, to find friendship in unexpected places, and to begin exploring the possibilities that lay ahead.